InstaStaff are currently recruiting for a Homeless Family Support Officer to join the housing solutions and support services division of one of the largest councils in the UK.
This role will be on a long-term temporary basis and based out of the office in Perry Barr.
As a Homeless Family Support Officer, the role will include supporting in the day to day running of the homeless centre, dealing with families and individuals, providing housing and advise on various topics.
The duties of the Homeless Family Support Officers will include:
- Deliver a responsive and customer focused temporary accommodation tenancy support service that enables residents to sustain their homeless centre tenancy and successfully move on into suitable secured accommodation.
- Support the day-to-day operation of the homeless centre. Ensure the service operates within legislative requirements and statutory targets for homelessness and pre-tenancy services.
- Ensure a fair and transparent process is followed in occupying void units, including appropriate risk assessments are conducted.
- Provide homelessness and housing advice, develop and implement TA Move On plans and help resident access additional support needed to timely move on into suitable secured accommodation.
- Support the service to ensure homeless centre tenancy support, void management, building repair and maintenance activities operate efficiently.
- Ensure Homeless Centre policies and procedures, tenancy agreements, and rules are understood and adhered to by residents and visitors.
- Deliver a high-quality tenancy support service to residents and effectively respond to the changing needs of customers and legislation.
- Issue licence agreements, deliver resident inductions and facilitate resident group meetings. Help residents to build support networks and engage in relevant local community activities.
- Ensure residents promptly access support identified in their Personal Housing and TA Move On plans. Make referrals to support agencies and build confidence in customers to effectively manage their expenditure and maximise their income and independence.
- Process housing benefit/DHP claim forms to minimise the risk of rent arrears and bad debt. Promptly liaise with TA Finance Officers to determine best course of action in dealing with non-payment of TA rent and service charge.
- Monitor and accurately record income received. Ensure any income collected is received within agreed procedures and targets.
- Follow service procedures when issuing and recording warnings for minor breaches in tenancy. Immediately report serious breaches of tenancy to your line manager and the resident s caseworker. Attend court evictions where required.
- Ensure discharge of interim duty and notice to vacate decisions are made in accordance with relevant homelessness legislation and service policies.
- Support the service to compile TA suitability review paperwork and case bundles for court proceedings.
- Responsible for void room management and ensuring units are promptly made ready to re-let by carrying out room inspections, arranging repair and decorating work, carrying out stock inventories and replenishment. This may occasionally include making up beds and cleaning units.
- Ensure there is sufficient void unit capacity within the homeless centre to respond to immediate/first night placement TA requests.
- Carry out administration and reception duties. Ensure resident records are accurately kept up to date and resident s change in circumstances are immediately communicated to the caseworker.
- Responsible for the safety of residents, visitors and other colleagues. Help ensure the Homeless Centre is always secure and all health & safety procedures are adhered to.
- Monitor movement in and out of the building. Ensure strict signing in and out procedures are followed by all residents and visitors.
- Report safeguarding concerns and health & safety risks/breaches to the appropriate person, service or agency.
- Carry out routine fire and other alarm tests, building risk assessments, health & safety inspections.
- Promptly report decorating, maintenance and repair works. In the event of emergency breakdowns, arrange for the appropriate contractor to attend the site to repair the fault.
- Monitor and ensure high standards of cleanliness is consistently maintained throughout the Homeless Centre and occasionally assist with the cleaning of communal areas when required.
- Help the service to ensure all areas of managing homeless centres are operating as efficiently as possible, including void unit income loss is minimised by optimising occupancy.
- Establish and build effective relationships with local communities, other statutory and voluntary agencies, commissioners and providers to help the service deliver effective TA tenancy support.
- Work effectively and collaboratively with the Housing Solution & Support Case Management Service.
- Help the service to respond to complaints, member s enquiries and Freedom of Information requests.
- Support service reviews and the implementation of new working practices.
- Maintain knowledge of the welfare benefit system and relevant Homelessness and Housing legislation.
- Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
- Take responsibility, appropriate to the post, for ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures aimed at promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and adults.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade that may be required. These may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the service.
- Work flexibly, provide emergency cover at other homeless centres and cover alternative shifts in times of staff absences when required.
The ideal Homeless Family Support Officer will have:
- Empathy
- The ability to support people and provide advice and guidance
- Experience within a similar role
- An enhanced DBS
The hours of the Homeless Family Support Officer will be 36.5 hours per week, flexible to suit the role
The salary for the Homeless Family Support Officer will be £22,776 per annum, £12.00 per hour
