Job Description
JobTitle:Housing Services Manager (Single Site)
Location: Rugeley
Responsibleto:Head of Housing
Responsible for: Allhousing services staff
Working Hours: 37.5 hoursper week. Due to the nature of the post some evenings, weekends and BankHolidays work may be necessary. There will also be a requirement to be on-call.
Remuneration: £16.48per hour, Simply Health, Life Insurance,
Background:
YMCA Black Country Groupis a group of YMCA charitable companies & associated trading subsidiaries(the Association) operating in the Black Country and South Staffordshirearea. The charity employs around 200 staff across several sites, delivering awide range of community services including support & advice, accommodation,family work, health & well-being, training & education.
YMCA enables people todevelop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, andfaithful to, our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive andenergizing communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute andthrive.
Job Role:
To be operationally responsible for all aspects of the housing service and totake a proactive approach to resolving issues. To ensure the provisionof high-quality day to day housing management and support functions of theYMCAs Supported Housing stock in Rugeley. This includes, but not exclusively,the letting, management, maintenance, administration, rent collection andprovision of housing services including support on all Rugeley YMCA supported housingsites.
Duties:
Access to Housing
1. To ensure that all accommodation is let and allapplicants are interviewed according to the lettings policy. To work withpartners such as any local authority Referral Panels to accept referrals whoare in need of supported housing.
2. To ensure that all applicants are interviewed, andthat appropriate needs and risk assessment and checks are carried out beforeoffering accommodation.
3. To promote, advertise and market the housing services inthe appropriate media to maximise the occupancy and attract suitableapplicants.
4. To liaise with housing staff regarding empty rooms andtheir availability to maximise occupancy.
5. To sign all Licence Agreements/Tenancies on behalf ofthe YMCA and ensure reviews take place.
Collection of Charges
1. To be responsible for controlling the rent accountingsystem, maximising all income and reducing arrears and ensuring all records areaccurate, up to date and reconciled with the associations main accounts on aregular basis.
2. Liaise with Housing Benefit staff as required.
8.To ensure all financial and administrative duties areundertaken, including petty cash, banking, processing purchase orders andensuring sufficient supplies are readily available to staff to conduct theirroles effectively.
HousingManagement Services
1. Liaise with Housing Benefit Office, EmploymentServices, Social Services, Probation Services and other authorities asnecessary in relation to housing management.
2. Ensurethat residents are compliant with and kept fully informed and consulted onmatters affecting their Licence Agreement/Tenancy.
3. Coordinatethe administration of residents terminations, ensure exit interviews arecompleted and analyse the results.
Provisionof Support
1. Ensurethe delivery of person centred, strengths based, trauma informed, andco-designed support for customers living in our supported housing units.
2. Ensurethat customers needs are monitored appropriately, and that personalprogression is recorded using the systems provided such as Outcome Star,Wellbeing Assessments and Property Checks.
3. Enablethe Housing Support Officers to proactively engage customers in a range on 1-1and group interventions enabling them to address their needs and respond tocrisis.
4. Enablethe Housing Support Officers to proactively engage and empower customers toattend group sessions focused at addressing their complex needs.
5. To ensurethat all Safeguarding Concerns are recorded and action taken where required.
Maintenance/Cleaning
1. To ensurethat repairs and cleaning of the buildings are carried out promptly to a highstandard, and are cost effective within agreed procedures. Regular visits tothe housing sites is essential to inspect the properties and get feedback fromthe residents.
2. To assistthe Head of Housing in developing a Cyclical Maintenance Programme then monitorand provide periodic reports on its progress.
Staff Development
1. To linemanage the Housing Support Officers and other associated staff providingsupervision, support and personal development.
2. Tocoordinate and chair staff meetings as necessary.
3. Sustainpositive teamwork and maintain high motivation levels amongst staff.
4. Managethe staff rota ensuring there is sufficient staff on all shifts in line withthe service specifications.
Health and Safety
1. To be theresponsible person for the Housing Services as per the Responsible Persons Planand ensure each site has a designated responsible person as required;
2. Ensuringthe cleanliness of the location
3. PresentationStandards
4. Ensuringthe maintenance of the location including the physical building
5. BudgetaryControl
6. Redevelopmentmanagement
7. Loneworking
8. Securityof premises
9. Keyholder/Emergency contact responsibility
10. Ensureall new staff receive Health and Safety awareness as part of their induction.
Performance and FinanceManagement
1. Monitorservice against KPIs reported monthly to the Chief Operating Officer (Places),taking action against poor performance.
2. To be thebudget holder for the Housing Service, monitoring project expenditure to ensurecompliance with forecast budgets, identifying efficiencys where possible andbeing accountable as per the finance procedures.
3. To workwith the Trust and Foundations Coordinator to identify resources to enable thedelivery of support and additional services.
General
1. Preparestatistical and other reports as required by stakeholders or as requested bythe Head of Housing.
2. Reviewpaperwork, policies and procedures and systems used with the housing servicesto improve services and ensuring best practice.
3. Promotethe aims and purposes of the YMCA and ensure projects are actively engaged inthe YMCA Movement. This includes facilitating and participating in fundraisingand awareness raising campaigns, such as Sleep Easy.
4. Participatein Housing Staff meetings and other housing related meetings with residents andstakeholders as required.
5. Torepresent the association at agreed external meetings and report back to theHead of Housing.
6. To be oncall as required on a rota basis (shared with the other Housing Managers). Theon-call function will be responsive to all YMCA Black Country housing sites andwill be required to respond to residents support issues, staffing issues andto work in line with the Repairs and Maintenance Policy. You may have to attend site out of hours whenon call. *If the number of Housing Units delivered by YMCA BCG increases thisrequirement may be reviewed.
7. Carry outwork responsibilities in line with the Associations policies and proceduresincluding safeguarding, equality and diversity, staff development and ensuringthe health and safety of self and others at all times.
8. Liaiseeffectively with external agencies and bodies including local faith groups andbenefactors to enhance the service provided to customers.
9. Participate in localcommunity branch meetings.
PersonSpecification
HousingServices Manager
Experience of
Essential
Desirable
Working with and identifying the needs of homeless people
Experience of property management particularly lettings and rent collection.
Maintaining confidentiality with client information
Managing an effective staff team/ service
Seeking possession and preparing for court proceedings
Skills
Ability to work effectively with residents complaints, concerns and queries.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries
Be able to work unsupervised and as part of a team
Proven ability to Implement and oversee robust financial and operational procedures
Effective project management
A range of problem solving skills.
Able to research and use appropriate information sources within and outside of the organisation
Proficient in ICT( word, spread sheets and development of databases )
Excellent oral and written communication skills at all levels
Excellent administrative and accurate record keeping ability providing information as required to deadline.
Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent
A Housing Management qualification such as a Chartered Institute if Housing or equivalent.
Qualified to NVQ Level 4 in Information Advice and Guidance or equivalent
Knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of tenancy conditions and seeking possession.
Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory regimes and statutory requirements for housing providers.
Knowledge of substance misuse and mental health issues in relation to young people and homelessness
A good understanding on issues affecting vulnerable & homeless people