Job Description
Job Title: Support Officer
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £26,990.93 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Working rota between Monday & Sunday
Location: Clarence House, Bedford
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria.
Please note that while we accept applications on the basis of any valid UK work permission, we will not apply for any further sponsorships.
The difference you will make as a Support Officer
We believe in providing care and support to our clients that enables them to make informed decisions about their life, increasing wellbeing – greater independence, better coping strategies or a richer network and sense of self‑achievement. You will be working from one of our supported services providing support to customers in a variety of ways.
Responsibilities
* Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs
* Use SMART goal planning to provide needs‑led holistic support
* Create an environment that promotes opportunities for customers to develop, learn and enable skills towards independence
* Provide a comprehensive support planning service to customers in line with department policies, procedures and approach
* Ensure customers are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities and are enabled to participate in the service through consultation and participation
* Set up and maintain customer files and ensure accurate records are kept in accordance with HCS policies
Additional Role Profile
Supporting Customers
* Lead on co‑producing bespoke support and move‑on plans, involving key stakeholders where appropriate
* Organise and carry out regular planned reviews of support and risk plans, or following an incident or significant change in circumstances
* Engage customers to meet agreed outcomes and develop life skills
* Assist customers with day‑to‑day support and tenancy‑related matters
* Identify and promote opportunities for employment, education and training, and support customers to remove barriers
* Signpost customers to appropriate external support services, including food banks and other community resources
* Support customers to be ‘tenancy ready’ and to become financially independent through budgeting plans and income maximisation
* Support and monitor customers’ healthcare needs, ensuring appropriate contact with healthcare professionals
* Empower customers to manage medication by following the medication procedure
* Lead on support initiatives including group work
* Ensure the safety of customers by following safeguarding procedures, recognising and acting on significant risk, and escalating appropriately
* Record and update accurate, strengths‑based customer information on the local or appropriate digital platform
Service Delivery
* Facilitate the referral process into the service and assess potential new customers
* Contribute to the delivery of a housing management service, including income collection and tenancy‑related support
* Work with customers to maintain a safe environment by reporting repairs and health and safety concerns
* Clean and prepare rooms as appropriate
* Resolve difficult and challenging situations sensitively, balancing the needs of the individual with service safety responsibilities
* Develop and maintain local partnerships to provide a holistic support network for customers
* Carry out day‑to‑day administration and operational duties
* Work flexible hours, travel to different properties within the defined area as required, and use the Lone Worker system as necessary
* Ensure customers are safe at all times, carrying out duties within Riverside’s policies and procedures (health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR, cash handling, etc.)
* Deliver the role in line with Riverside’s values – “Our Riverside Way”
* Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflection practice sessions
* Undertake regular training and continuous development to deliver the role safely
* From time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties in consultation with your Line Manager
Person Specification
Essential
* Understanding of barriers faced by vulnerable and diverse customer groups
* Experience of delivering structured support and risk management
* Team player with a caring, empathetic, flexible, resilient, can‑do attitude
* Previous experience in positively resolving incidents
* Demonstrated initiative and confidence to make decisions
* Competent administrative and IT skills (reporting and communication)
Desirable
* Knowledge of psychological or trauma‑informed approaches to support
* Experience working in challenging environments, with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise tasks to achieve results
* Knowledge of current benefit systems
* Experience working in a care and support environment
Benefits
* Competitive pay & generous pension
* 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
* Flexible working options
* Investment in learning, personal development and technology
* Wide range of benefits
About Riverside
Riverside is part of One Housing Group, a leading not‑for‑profit social housing and regeneration organisation with a portfolio of over 75,000 homes across the UK. We provide supported housing services to those affected by homelessness and offer a range of services including social care, employment support and retirement living.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are inclusive and value diversity in all its forms. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants who declare they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements, they are guaranteed an interview.
Applications
We encourage applications from individuals who meet the minimum requirements but also from those who are committed and enthusiastic about making a positive impact. We do not limit applicants to those who meet all essential criteria.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr