Are you passionate about supporting people with mental health challenges to live independently and thrive in their homes? We're looking for a caring and motivated Housing Support Worker to join our HRA Housing team.
Main duties of the job
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In this role, you'll support tenants with mental health needs to manage their homes and finances, access benefits, and maintain a stable lifestyle. You'll help them understand their tenancy agreements, connect with local services, and provide practical help like setting up utilities or arranging furniture. You'll also run monthly support groups for tenants and workshops for staff to promote mental wellbeing.
You'll need to be confident working independently, often visiting people in their homes. You'll handle sensitive situations with care and make important decisions to ensure tenants are safe and supported. A strong understanding of mental health, welfare benefits, and housing issues is essential.
We're looking for someone with experience supporting vulnerable people, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work with different agencies. You'll need to be organised, compassionate, and able to stay calm under pressure.
This is a rewarding role where you'll make a real difference in people's lives. If you're ready to help others build a better future, we'd love to hear from you.
About us
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. That's why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
Job responsibilities
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
* To offer advice and support to tenants regarding Homes4Wiltshire and the choice-based lettings procedure.
* To make applications for Personal Independence Payments for appropriate tenants.
* To represent tenants at DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) Tribunals, compiling written reports based on evidence from tenants, medical practitioners, and own observations.
* To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all changes to health and social care legislation and welfare benefits, e.g., attending Dementia Care Conferences.
* To encourage team staff to look after their own mental wellbeing.
* To run regular workshops to support team staff to manage change and stress and develop their understanding of mental health issues.
* To run a tenant self-help support group, sending out monthly invitations, analyzing evaluation forms, and organizing speakers.
* To initiate care from the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and/or GPs when a tenant is seen to be at risk, instigating the formal assessment process through written or verbal reports.
* To provide short-term practical advice and assistance to mental health tenants for setting up home (e.g., arranging finance, furniture, utilities).
* To liaise with statutory and non-statutory agencies in the support of applicants and tenants before and after tenancy commencement, being aware of care plans and care co-ordinators of vulnerable tenants known to mental health services.
* To ensure tenants and agencies understand the implications of tenancy agreements, responsibilities, and consequences of non-compliance.
* To offer advice and support to housing applicants and tenants regarding dealings with statutory and voluntary agencies concerning welfare rights.
* To act as a point of contact between statutory agencies when a tenant's mental health issues may cause disruptive behavior, such as neighbor disputes.
* To ensure active representation of the council at conferences where individual care plans are discussed.
* To supplement, not replace, statutory agency support.
* To participate in community care training and accreditation for full participation in individual care plan decisions.
* To maintain a record of all clients and their occupancy data.
* The post holder will direct and monitor queries related to mental health issues and be responsible for running the Housing Team staff workshops and tenant support groups.
* To resolve complex problems independently, often requiring a multi-disciplinary approach or creative policy interpretation, in a changing environment.
* To make ad hoc decisions, especially during home visits to unwell tenants, using informed judgment to determine when to leave someone alone or involve other agencies, prioritizing tenants' best interests.
Person Specification
Experience
* Knowledge of mental health issues, welfare benefits, and housing management.
* Qualified to HNC with professional advice/support qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance) or relevant experience in support provision, e.g., floating support.
* Experience supporting vulnerable clients, especially those with mental health issues or vulnerabilities.
* Understanding of social care, mental health legislation, and welfare reform.
* Proven ability to work with multiple agencies and in challenging situations.
Skills
* Reasoning, accuracy, and attention to detail.
* Excellent communication, teamwork, and customer care skills.
* Ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and organize effectively.
* Negotiation, diplomacy, and planning skills.
* Innovative, analytical, and able to make sound judgments.
* Advisory and coordination skills, with effective use of networks and contacts.
* Operational knowledge of housing management, legislation, and statutory provisions.
Qualifications
* HNC or equivalent experience/skills.
* ITQ Level 2 or equivalent.
* Working towards relevant professional qualification.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required to verify no previous criminal convictions.
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