JOBDESCRIPTION
Title:Housing Support Officer
Salary: £12.59per hour
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Due to thenature of the post evenings and Bank Holidays work may be necessary.
Responsible to: Housing Services Manager
Location:YMCA HighlandRoad, Dudley, DY1 3BT
Background:
YMCABlack Country Group (YMCA BCG) is the branch of the YMCA global movement in theBlack Country. YMCA BCG operates charitable companies & associatedtrading subsidiaries in the Black Country boroughs and South Staffordshirearea. The combined turnover of the group is in excess of £6M, delivering a widerange of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcareand family support, drug and alcohol counselling, skills and employmenttraining, health and well-being services. YMCA BCG employs over 200 staffand also works with around 50 volunteers and voluntary trustees.
Job role:
To support the Housing Services Manager to ensure the provision of high-quality day-to-day housingmanagement and tenancy sustainment functions of the YMCAs housing stock inBlack Country. This includes, but not exclusively, the letting, management,maintenance, administration, rent collection and provision of housing serviceson all allocated Black Country housing properties. In addition, monitoring andreviewing the progress of residents within the schemes using various tenancysustainment assessment tool, enabling them to Belong, Contribute and Thrive.
Duties:
Access to Housing & Tenancy Sustainment
1. To be involvedin interviewing applicants and carrying out the appropriate needs and riskassessments and reference checks before offering accommodation.
2. To carry out anappropriate induction to the allocated Black Country housing property once anoffer has been made to an applicant.
3. To coordinateor signpost any additional support a resident may require during their time atthe YMCA by liaising with internal and external agencies in relation tomaintaining their accommodation.
4. To promote theservices provided by YMCA Black Country Housing Services ensuring referralagencies and applicants have the appropriate information about the schemes.
5. To keep voidsto a minimum on allocated properties by ensuring they are cleaned, prepared andready to let in the quickest time possible.
6. To complete andrecord property checks at least monthly (more frequent if required) to ensureresidents are adhering to the licence agreement and the property is being keptin a good condition, reporting any property defects in a timely manner.
Financial Accountability
1. To beresponsible for managing the rent arrears of allocated properties maximisingall income, reducing arrears, and ensuring all records are accurate and up todate. Monitoring any rent agreements that may be agreed by the Housing ServicesManager.
2. To ensure theHousing Services Manager is aware of any rent accounts that are risky and takeproactive action to address in line with the rent arrears policy.
3. Ensureresidents claim all entitled benefits including Housing Benefit and otherapplicable benefits / grants to ensure recovery of rent and service charges.
4. Liaise with Housing Benefit staff to ensure theresidents account is active and the resident is aware of their responsibilityof providing any information to ensure the housing benefit is paid and reduceall arrears.
Housing Management Services
1. Liaise with Housing Benefit Office, EmploymentServices, Social Services, Probation Services and other authorities asnecessary in relation to housing management.
2. Ensure that residents are compliant with and keptfully informed and consulted on matters affecting their Licence Agreement/Tenancyand they understand their rights and responsibilities.
3. Liaise with Housing Service Manager concerningbreaches of the Licence Agreement/Tenancy at an early stage and help seekpositive resolutions.
4. Make regular visits to the residents in their propertyto ensure safety and security of the accommodation and deliver and monitormanagement and support services.
5. Deliver housing services including arranging theservicing of appliances and advice on safe use of equipment and applianceswhere applicable.
6. Maintain information relevant to the client groupincluding information on issues and organisations relevant to the welfare ofvulnerable people.
7. Ensure incidents / issues arising are fully reportedand investigated and take action to resolve problem or take holding actionuntil a permanent solution is found.
Tenancy Sustainment Support
1. Deliver person centred support to residents living in our supportedhousing units enabling them to sustain their tenancy whilst working in a TraumaInformed way and deliver services that are culturally sensitive, safe services thatpeople trust and want to use.
2. Ensure that residents needs are monitored appropriately, and thatpersonal progression is recorded utilising the outcomes star, wellbeingassessment and other tools as required.
3. Proactively engage residents in a range of 1-1 and group interventionsenabling them to address their needs and sustain their tenancy.
4. Ensure that all safeguarding concerns are recorded, and action takenwhere required.
5. To support residents to move on from our supported accommodation whenwe feel they have the skills to live independently. Enable them to bid onproperties as required or consider other suitable housing options forresettlement.
Maintenance Tasks
1. Undertake regular visits to the housing propertiesincluding communal areas to inspect the accommodation and get resident feedbackto ensure that repairs and cleaning of the buildings are carried out promptlyto a high standard and that safety and security is maintained.
2. Support residents to raise repairs and maintenanceissues or do so on their behalf.
3. Carry out an end of licence visit with the resident toensure the property is left in a good condition.
4. Complete a void report when the property becomesvacant and submit to the Housing Services Manager / or their representative tominimise void periods.
5. Work to ensure the general security of the buildingsincluding the testing of the alarm systems, CCTV, door entry and communicationssystems where applicable.
General
1. Prepare statistical and other reports as required bystakeholders or as requested by the Housing Services Manager ensuring alladministrative functions (including updating rent accounts, the Client RecordManagement system, Outcome Star, Wellbeing Assessments etc) are carried outefficiency as necessary for the post.
2. Contribute to the review of paperwork, policies andprocedures and systems used with the housing services to improve services andensuring best practice.
3. Promote the aims and purposes of the YMCA.
4. Participate in Housing Staff meetings and otherhousing related meetings with residents and stakeholders as required.
5. To represent the association at agreed externalmeetings and report back to the Housing Services Manager.
6. Carry out work responsibilities in line with theAssociations policies and procedures including safeguarding, equality anddiversity, staff development and ensuring the health and safety of self andothers at all times.
7. To carry out any other reasonable duty as requested bythe Housing Services Manager or Head of Housing.
Person Specification
Jobrole: Housing Support Officer
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Current in-depth knowledge of housing issues and legislation, particularly pertaining to homelessness
Knowledge of the benefits and welfare system
Knowledge of external bodies associated with and or affiliated to supported housing
Experience of working in a supported housing environment with young people or vulnerable adults
Experience of completing reports, support plans, action plans, and tracking progression
Experience of delivering Trauma Informed Care
Excellent level of education (literacy, IT and numeracy)
Training relevant to supported housing and the client group
NVQ level 3 or equivalent in Housing or Support related field
Skills / Abilities
Essential
Desirable
Ability to demonstrate an empathetic and person-centred approach
Ability to demonstrate and understand the importance of effective team working
Ability to work with minimal or no supervision and to use initiative
Ability to multitask and prioritise using effective organisation and planning skills
Ability to solve problems
Ability to understand and represent service users rights and best interests whilst liaising with other professionals on the service users behalf
Ability to assess changes in service users needs, health, mood etc and alert others to any potential risks or safeguarding issues
Ability to build appropriate relationships with young people and vulnerable adults, listen actively and respond appropriately to service users needs
Ability to work with discretion, integrity and confidentially in a nonjudgmental way
Personal Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Can understand the needs of people from diverse cultural, social, and racial backgrounds.
Can build relationships based on trust and respect and maintain them.
Can work under pressure, be patient and remain calm in stressful situations.
Can set boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
Is caring, calm, compassionate and approachable.
Can provide appropriate guidance, support, and advice.
Is confident, assertive, enthusiastic, motivated, resilient, and committed.
Can inspire and motivate young people and vulnerable adults.
Is flexible and can adapt to change.
Other
Essential
Desirable
Ability to respect and communicate the YMCAs Christian ethos
Willingness to undergo a satisfactory DBS check.
Have a clean valid driving licence
THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE A FULL CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECK.