Housing Officer at Semester Recruitment in Wigan

Housing Support Officer

This is a permanent position based in the Wigan area.

Essential:

• Minimum of 1 years’ experience working within a supported housing or similar environment
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively
• Strong communication, organisation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
• Competence in using IT systems for record-keeping and communication
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults
• Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS Check

We are seeking a compassionate, motivated and experienced Housing Support Officer to join our team. The successful candidate will work across our portfolio, providing person-centred support to help residents maintain their tenancies and achieve greater independence.

Key Objectives

• To provide face-to-face tenancy support and housing management services to residents who require enhanced support in order to sustain their accommodation.
• To work alongside partner and specialist agencies to ensure residents are signposted to appropriate specialist support agencies when required.
• To provide intensive housing management services to ensure the accommodation remains safe, compliant and in a good condition for the residents.
• To be a flexible, supportive and professional member of the team, promoting PPSL’s organisational values when working with clients or associated professionals.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for completing housing related needs assessments with referred individuals, in collaboration with their referral agencies, families and associated professionals in a timely and efficient manner.
• Carry out accompanied viewings and Risk Assessments to ensure the accommodation meets the client’s needs.
• Maintain information relevant to the client group in order to deliver effective housing management and tenancy support e.g., directory of local agencies/services.
• Undertake intensive housing management services assessing security, health and safety checks (internal and external) prior to the sign-up and then again throughout the term of the tenancy during routine visits etc.
• Complete referrals for aids and adaptations to be installed in and/or around the home, supporting applicants where required with Occupational Therapist assessments seeking approval for adaptations from the Head Landlord where required.
• Partnership working with external agencies such as NHS, Adult Social Care, Probation Services etc. in line with multi-Agency protocols.
• Complete weekly room checks to check standards of cleanliness, incidents of damage or decline in environment.
• Be responsible for booking-in approved referrals at the property allocated to them.

Discuss the Tenancy/License agreement (in easy read format if required) tenant handbook, support agreement and house rules ensuring the client understands their responsibilities whilst living in supported accommodation.

• Support the resident with all benefit applications in the required format and within local authority timescales along with other associated tenancy related paperwork such as council tax assistance, TV licensing etc.
• Hold regular house meetings and group support sessions to encourage community-

based initiatives and positive living within a shared accommodation environment.

• Signposting, and giving advice on benefits, debts and bills that are non-tenancyrelated. Along with providing information and signposting for specialist agencies including drug and alcohol services, charities, mental health crisis teams etc.
• Regularly update Risk Assessments on behalf of the resident.
• Responsible for reporting Safeguarding referrals to the relevant local authority where there is cause for concern.
• Respond to Anti-Social behaviour concerns or issues, serve notices and warnings in accordance with procedures and liaison with professional external agencies such as local enforcement teams, neighbourhood police etc.
• Advocate on behalf of your resident and attend court hearings if required.
• Ensure awareness at all times of internal policies and procedures, working within

them to ensure all housing management and tenancy related support tasks are

delivered in an appropriate and timely manner.

• Where applicable work alongside on-site security or local enforcement teams to deal with reported instances of ASB.
• Ensure all required Health and Safety checks are conducted on a weekly / fortnightly / monthly / annual basis and reported in the agreed format to the Registered Provider.
• Monitor and ensure that fire drills and alarm checks are completed and recorded correctly, highlighting where correct evacuation procedure has been adhered to.
• Ensure that communal and external areas are kept clean, clear and free of hazards.
• Advise and assist residents with any disputes in relation to their household or local community in accordance with the Anti-Social behaviour procedure and, also via collaborative engagement with neighbours etc. to de-escalate and promote conflict resolution.

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