Housing Support Officer

23 months contract with a Southwest London based Local Authority.

Housing Support Officer Rough Sleepers (Gr F)

Job Summary:

With a role focus on delivering the Rough Sleeper Support service to support the work of the Rough Sleeping Coordinator and Housing colleagues to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the resettlement service to vulnerable households including former rough sleepers.

The post holder will have a key role in relation to safeguarding and joint working with Adult Services.

Sample of Key Duties/Accountabilities:

To deliver all aspects of an effective resettlement & support service to vulnerable service users including former rough sleepers in accordance with contract requirements relevant legislation and best practice.

To assist the Rough Sleeping Coordinator and Housing Support Manager with all aspects of service planning policy support and administration.

To provide specialist advice to colleagues within the Council with regards to support services for vulnerable people and the needs of service users and to provide advice on the impact of legislative change.

Ensure adherence to performance targets and to provide statistics for the same.

To contribute to the joint review and/or planning of protocols services and supported accommodation relating to the client group including the development of new or expanded services in conjunction with Adult Social Care/Health/and voluntary sector partners.

To participate in joint reviews of homelessness services and/or services for older and vulnerable people ensuring the implementation of initiatives to minimise homelessness amongst vulnerable households and maximise the effective use of accommodation.

To contribute to the teams work with other specialist teams to assess individual needs and to review and implement care and support plans and to work with colleagues and partners to identify appropriate housing and support strategies where clients have complex or multiple needs.

To ensure development and regular review of individual rehousing and support plans for all clients open to the service.

To attend all relevant forums meetings and seminars as required and to represent the Service at working parties meetings and training events as required. This may involve occasional evening working.

To convene and attend Professional Meetings and all other housing and/or social services panels caseconferences and working groups as appropriate.

To maintain an uptodate knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to provision of support to vulnerable households and safeguarding.

To provide specialist advice regarding housing benefits health care etc. ensuring that appropriate services are accessed and tenancy sustainment is achieved.

To effectively manage all casework ensuring efficient record keeping and administration and to lead on more complex cases.

To work with all agencies to ensure that clients income is maximised to avoid rent arrears.

Essential Experience Required:

Possesses extensive knowledge of current issues policies benefits and legislation relevant to housing support provision.

Has handson experience working in a busy frontline public sector housing team or a similar environment with vulnerable households and in particular those sleeping rough.

Able to assess housingrelated support needs for vulnerable individuals and provide detailed guidance to colleagues and the staff team.

Shows the ability to comprehend and apply complex case law translating information into innovative practices and management.

Additional information to note:

Hybrid working arrangements (23 days per week are required on site).

The role will report to the Housing Support Manager and has no line management responsibility.

The closing date for this position is Thursday 29/02/2024.