Floating Support Officer
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About the Role
As Floating Support Officer, you will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive support service for families experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness or in housing stress, and will provide high-quality customer services to those families in accordance with the strategic and business objectives of Ark Housing.
Our homeless services have been developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) through the Supporting People Programme.
Core Areas of Responsibility
* Delivery of a client‑led multi‑needs assessment and floating support service to homeless families within the Greater Belfast area.
* Establish and develop a professional working relationship with homeless services clients in accordance with the Associations Professional Boundaries Policy and to undertake client risk assessments where required.
* Establish and maintain good working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies and to sign‑post clients to those agencies in accordance with identified need.
* Assist clients in securing long‑term suitable accommodation which meets their needs, and to help clients sustain existing tenancies where required through the provision of professional advice and support.
* Assist, advise, advocate on behalf of, and sign‑post clients where required in a range of support areas, including, but not limited to education, employment, health, social security/benefits, financial management, and life skills.
* Ensure the safeguarding of clients through the adherence and application of the Associations safeguarding policies.
* Liaise with agencies, statutory authorities, emergency services, voluntary community groups as required.
* Communicate regularly with clients on all matters pertaining to their support, including the undertaking of home visits and telephone consultations, and by other means as agreed with clients.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
* A relevant qualification (QCF/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent e.g. five GCSEs).
* 1 year experience in providing support services to individuals or families OR 3 years experience in providing support services to individuals or families.
* 1 year experience in: developing person‑centred needs/risk assessments and support plans; managing caseloads; advocating on a person’s behalf; working in partnership with external agencies.
Benefits & Main Terms & Conditions of Employment Contract
* Permanent (subject to 6 month probationary period); hours: 37 per week.
* Due to the nature of the role, you may be required to work outside normal office hours on occasion.
* Remuneration: £24,752 – £27,227 (subject to review April 2026).
* Pension: Nilgosc contributory pension scheme. Employer contribution is currently 19%.
* Remuneration to include employer pension contributions is equivalent to £29,454.80 – £32,399.57.
* Annual leave: 22 days annual leave moving to 27 days after 5 years service and 32 days after 10 years service.
* Statutory leave: 13 customary holidays per annum.
* Occupational sick pay: maximum of 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay (depending on length of service).
* Other benefits: a range of excellent work and family‑friendly policies, including hybrid working.
* Access to Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
* EV charging facilities at head office with on‑site car parking.
* Essential car user allowance of £1,239 paid in monthly instalments and business mileage reimbursement of £0.45 p per mile.
Job Description
Job Title: Floating Support Officer
Location: Greater Belfast Area – based at Unit 1, Hawthorn Office Park, 43 Stockmans Way, Belfast
Reporting to: Team Leaders / Homeless Services Manager
Job Purpose: To ensure the delivery of a comprehensive floating support service for homeless families and to provide high‑quality customer services to our clients in accordance with the strategic objectives of Ark Housing.
Main Tasks
To be responsible for delivering a client‑led multi‑needs assessment and floating support service to homeless families within the Greater Belfast area; to establish and develop a professional working relationship with clients in accordance with the Associations Professional Boundaries Policy and to undertake client risk assessments where required; to establish and maintain good working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies and to sign‑post clients to those agencies in accordance with identified need; to assist clients in securing long‑term suitable accommodation and sustaining existing tenancies; to assist, advise, advocate on behalf of, and sign‑post clients in a range of support areas (education, employment, health, social security/benefits, financial management, life skills); to ensure safeguarding of clients through adherence to the Associations safeguarding policies; to liaise with agencies, statutory authorities, emergency services, voluntary community groups as required; to communicate regularly with clients on all matters pertaining to their support, including the undertaking of home visits and telephone consultations.
**Administration** – undertaking all case‑management administrative processes (needs assessment, support planning, risk assessment), participating in case‐work management, maintaining accurate records, preparing reports, planning and managing workload, ensuring adherence to policies and procedural guidance, complying with legislative requirements, contributing to the effective management of the Floating Support Service, attending team meetings, client consultations and case‑management reviews, actively participating in supervision and performance coaching meetings, ensuring delivery of services in accordance with Ark Housing standards.
**Quality Assurance & Representation** – contributing to service improvement initiatives, ensuring service user involvement, achieving customer satisfaction standards, representing Ark Housing at meetings, interviews, seminars, conferences, training events, maintaining professional representation.
**Communication & Development** – ensuring effective internal and external communication, maintaining confidentiality, effective use of resources, contributing to development of communication systems, participating in internal working groups, undertaking cross‑functional activities, undergoing personal development training as recommended.
Any Other Duties
The role requires flexibility and responsiveness to changing circumstances and demands. Duties will be directed as required and deemed reasonable and consistent with the general duties and responsibilities of the post.
Working Environment
Work may be required away from the normal base, including working from home. A hybrid home/office working policy is in place. Occasional outside normal office hours may be required.
Hours
Working hours will be defined as per the agreed contract. The floating support service will typically run from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, occasionally in evenings and weekends as required. Occasional out‑of‑hours emergency cover may be required on a rota basis.
Personnel Specification – Essential Criteria
* Qualifications: Relevant qualification (QCF/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent e.g. five GCSEs) and 1 year experience in providing support services to individuals or families OR 3 years experience.
* Experience: 1 year experience in developing person‑centred needs/risk assessments and support plans; managing a caseload; advocating on behalf of a person; working in partnership with external agencies.
* Knowledge: Working knowledge of Data Protection legislation, Equality legislation, and sound knowledge of housing‑related support and the benefit system.
* Skills & Abilities: Excellent IT literacy (wide range of Microsoft Office products); strong communication and organisational skills; exceptional interpersonal skills; high accuracy and attention to detail.
* Other: Full driving licence and access to own car for travel.
Desirable Criteria
* Recognised qualification in one or more of the following areas: housing or homelessness, benefit advice, health & social care.
**Selection Timetable** – The closing date for completed applications is 4 pm on Friday 28th November 2025.
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