Housing and Support Officer - Skelmersdale, United Kingdom - Birchwood Centre

Description

Birchwood is a national award-winning Charity within the homeless, housing and mental health sector.

We are an evolving, dynamic and fast paced charity with a strong community presence in the West Lancashire borough.

Our mission is to prevent homelessness and social isolation by empowering individuals to make positive and informed choices about their future lives.

We do this by providing a range of housing related support services, including supported accommodation, mediation, independent living support, and development to young people and adults experiencing difficulties with their mental health and well-being.

Due to continued growth an exciting opportunity has arisen within our housing and homelessness team as Housing Support Officer based out of our head office in Skelmersdale.

Job Summary

To deliver a range of wrap around, holistic interventions including life skills support, learning support and move on support to prevent and reduce youth and adult homelessness who have high and complex needs.

To work with young people and adults to support them in crisis management and practical daily living including referral to the appropriate agencies as required, to prevent and reduce homelessness and enable clients to move on to independent living.

To provide a housing management service to move on and general let properties to include the management of tenancy breaches, support more vulnerable clients and ensure that anti-social behaviour is addressed and prevented by working collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To engage, support and motivate homeless individuals with high and complex needs.
• Complete needs assessment, risk assessments and support plans for all service users.
• To work with young people and adults to support them with crisis management and in practical daily living including referral to the appropriate agencies as required, to enable them to move on to independent living.
• To support young people and adults into education, training, learning and leisure activities.
• Carry out regular inspections of the supported living accommodation and prioritising fire safety risk assessment follow up work.
• Provide up-to-date relevant and appropriate information, advice and guidance on a range of issues including housing, welfare, finance and associated tenancy management responsibilities
• Maintain accurate and current records in line with data protection policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with local partners such as health, safer neighbourhood teams, the voluntary sector and youth services on neighbourhood safety and ASB issues, attend ad hoc or routine meetings as appropriate.
• Visit clients in their own homes to provide emotional and practical support.
• Conduct viewings and sign ups with new tenants.
• Attend court to represent Birchwood on and/or provide witness statements as required in respect of ASB and rent arrears.
• Checks on property condition as required for the purpose of tenancy compliance and property standards.
• Responsibility for maintaining performance in respect of lettings and income recovery in line with agreed KPI's.

General

• Able to develop effective working relationships with colleagues across Birchwood and external agencies.
• Confident and able to work alone
• Positive mind set with a focus on solutions rather than obstacles
• Demonstrates the ability and motivation to learn quickly and achieve results
• Willingness to take responsibility and be proactive and creative in finding solutions
• Resilient and able to respond to change and new ways of working positively
• Excellent communication skills, able to adapt approach to the audience
• Comply with all Birchwood Centre's policies and procedures.
• Undertake appropriate Induction and any Mandatory training.
• This job description is not intended to be exhaustive but to indicate the main responsibilities of the post and may be amended from time to time after consultation with the post holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Recruitment Criteria / Essential /
Desirable

Qualifications
Minimum of NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience -
Desirable

Knowledge & Experience
Experience of working with young people and adults -
Desirable
Experience of liaison with partner agencies -
Desirable
Use of Microsoft software packages (e.g., Office) -
Desirable
Experience in working within the social housing sector -
Essential

Skills & Abilities
Experience of providing good client service -
Essential
Experience of dealing with clients in person -
Essential
Experience of working with external partners -
Essential
Experience of working to plans and targets -
Essential
The ability to exercise good judgement -
Essential
Willing to respond at short notice in the event of a major incident -
Essential
A clear commitment to equality and di