AASC Thetford, Dereham & Suffolk area
Job Title: Housing Officer
Location: Thetford, Dereham & Suffolk area
Salary: £29,250.00, plus Serco Benefits
Working Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Qualifications: Valid UK driving licence (a company car will be provided)
On behalf of the Home Office, Serco manages the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC). We focus on assisting individuals through the asylum system, ensuring that vulnerable asylum seekers have access to the support they need along with a high standard of accommodation.
Main Purpose
* Delivery of services required under the AASC contract to support Service Users in their Area.
* Responsibility for property standards in all accommodation within the initial accommodation (IA), completing monthly property inspections (at a minimum) to ensure they meet contractual requirements, standards, and performance targets.
* Provide welfare support and signposting to the Service Users in their care.
* Respond to any issues, requests, complaints, etc. raised through the AIRE Services and report on incidents.
Main Accountabilities
* Ensure delivery of all core Service User support services as prescribed under the contract.
* Provide inductions for all new Service Users to the IA, ensuring understanding of available services, property standards, behaviour expectations, emergency evacuation procedures, and complaints procedures.
* Respond to requests for assistance and support received via the AIRE Services.
* Manage incidents raised by the AIRE Services.
* Deliver against the tasking schedule or as required by the Field operations manager.
* Provide accurate and timely reporting on visits, inspections, repairs, incidents, etc. to support contractual compliance and agreed timescales.
* Complete monthly inspections within the IA to ensure standards are met and highlight any required maintenance.
* Undertake further inspections as required (e.g. pre-dispersal).
* Responsible for managing discontinuations and reporting potential absconders within the IA in line with Local Operating Procedures (LOP).
* Complete first fix and minor repairs where identified and tasked.
* Maintain property standards to ensure compliance with contractual commitments and property legislation.
* Accountable for following all processes, procedures, and policies under the contract.
* Manage access to the IA for suppliers, visitors, maintenance staff, etc.
* Responsible for ensuring safety of Service Users in accordance with Safeguarding policies and procedures, including welfare checks, dealing with urgent medical needs, managing anti‑social behaviour, children’s safeguarding needs, etc.
* Assist with day‑to‑day IA operations including daily registers, post, reception duties, etc.
* Ensure the building is always safe and compliant; monitor CCTV, conduct daily patrols, weekly fire alarm testing, emergency evacuations, and contact emergency services when necessary.
Requirements
* Strong experience of working in a service environment with demonstrable communication skills.
* Knowledge/experience of working within a property‑related environment.
* Strong interpersonal skills.
* IT literate, knowledge of MS Word, Excel, etc.
* Ability to manage conflict.
* Strong organisational skills.
Desirable
* Some maintenance knowledge.
* Safeguarding knowledge/experience in a similar environment.
* Experience in a security‑related role.
Why Serco
Meaningful and vital work – as part of a highly collaborative team, you’ll strongly influence hiring managers’ efforts that help us deliver vital services.
A world of opportunity – working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across five vital sectors, your next opportunity and challenge won’t be hard to find.
Great people – you’ll become an integral member of a well‑defined and supportive team that believes passionately in the value of our work.
What We Offer
* Competitive salaries with annual reviews.
* Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
* 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
* Training and development: over 1,100 internal courses, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
* Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans, 30% off Serco‑managed leisure centres.
* Discounts across approximately 1,000 retailers – food, clothing, entertainment, travel, etc.
* ShareSave scheme – save regularly with the choice to buy Serco shares at a discount at the end of your savings period.
* Employee networks: dedicated networks for support, sharing ideas, networking, and community.
* Charity: support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year; donate to your favourite charity tax‑free via Payroll Giving Scheme.
About Serco
At Serco, the nature of the work is important; everyone has an important role to play—from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential services around the world in defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability), and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and may bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working; we operate a hybrid work structure in many business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be given opportunity to demonstrate abilities in an interview.
We support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to role nature and security clearance). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.
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