Fat Macy’s is a social enterprise that helps people to move on from temporary accommodation and build a stable life. We do this through a culinary and hospitality training programme combined with tailored, holistic support around wellbeing, employment and sustaining a tenancy.
Through our work experience programme, trainees learn valuable skills and experience, learning alongside the professional chefs and front of house teams in our restaurant and catering business. Trainees are supported by their Progression and Engagement Officer who provides 1:1 coaching, based on their individual needs, around navigating challenges, harnessing their strengths and building their confidence.
After 200 hours, trainees can access a grant to put down a deposit on rented accommodation – with ongoing support around the transition into independent living. So far, our programme has worked with more than 90 participants from hostels, provided more than 8,500 hours of work experience and moved 12 trainees into their own homes.
By providing a pathway into employment and the support to build a life that everyone deserves, we are helping to break the cycle of homelessness in the UK.
Founded in 2016, we have been funded by the National Lottery, UnLtd, and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation among many other generous supporters. Our work has been featured in the Observer, the BBC, the New Statesman, VICE and Time Out.
About the role
We’re looking for a Resettlement Officer to work with graduates of the Fat Macy’s Milestone Programme, preparing and supporting them with their move from hostel to home, and ensuring they are developing the skills and confidence to sustain their tenancy long term. You will also be responsible for developing and fostering partnerships with landlords and estate agents, to allow for quicker and smoother transitions into the private rent sector for graduates of the programme. We need a committed and enthusiastic individual who is looking for an exciting and meaningful role in an expanding social business.
Your responsibilities
Frontline Resettlement Work
-
Assisting the Progression and Engagement Officer whilst trainees are in their last 50 hours of the Milestone Programme, to make sure they are prepared for their 360 review and move on process. This includes gathering their relevant documentation, completing a budgeting plan, and collecting evidence from relevant partners.
-
Working with the Progression and Engagement Officer to complete the graduates’ 360 reviews, an essential part of their progress to receive the Housing Deposit Grant.
-
Writing and submitting Housing Deposit Grant applications to the Board of Trustees.
-
Engaging with Fat Macy’s graduates who have been unable to move out of temporary accommodation after completing the programme, making an action plan to identify their barriers and how to overcome these.
-
Supporting graduates to use their Housing Deposit Grant and with their move on process.
-
Coordinating payment of Housing Deposit Grants, as well as any financial support for moving costs.
-
Supporting graduates regularly in the first six months of their move on, using the support curriculum and progression plan to ensure they are putting things in place to sustain their tenancy and employment, such as understanding their bills, setting up direct debits, and navigating their local community.
-
Ensuring the graduate is learning the skills to sustain their employment and accommodation, and/ or can find alternative secure accommodation should they need to move again.
-
Continuing to check in with graduates beyond the initial six months, up to two years, supporting the graduate with potential issues that may arise, whilst also coaching them to identify the solutions themselves.
-
Updating graduate information on our internal database and maintaining thorough records of communication with trainees.
-
Completing relevant impact information as required by the Impact and Learning Lead.
-
Assist with planning and organising trainee and graduate well-being trips and socials where necessary
-
Conducting reviews every two months for graduates who have not secured their accommodation yet, using these to put plans in place for their successful move on.
-
Conducting six-monthly check ins (for up to two years) with each graduate after they have used their move-on grant.
Partnerships
-
Coordinating life coaching sessions, therapy sessions and mentoring sessions for graduates.
-
Reaching out to landlords and estate agents to form partnerships with Fat Macy’s, developing pathways for graduates into the private rental sector.
-
Continue to foster existing partnerships with landlords and estate agents, establishing regular communication to ensure long term and successful partnerships.
Person Specification
We know that there are great candidates who will not fit everything described, or who have important skills we have not mentioned. If your experience looks different to what we have described below, but you believe is relevant to the role, please do not hesitate to apply.
We encourage applicants with lived experience of homelessness and temporary accommodation.
-
You enjoy working with people from all walks of life - we are a diverse team and encourage this within our teams.
-
You are organised, hard working and have excellent attention to detail.
-
We need team players - you’ll be ambitious but can listen, and work well with others.
-
3+ years of frontline work experience of supporting people to be housed in the private rent sector, or other relevant experience.
-
2+ years of experience of building and maintaining key professional partnerships.
What we can offer you
-
An incredible learning experience working within an impactful social enterprise that addresses one of the biggest issues facing the UK.
-
Excellent opportunities for training and progression within an exciting and growing team.
-
Opportunities for flexible working.
-
25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and your birthday off.
-
Two wellbeing days per year. These can be used for general wellbeing or to volunteer for a charity.
-
The option to 'buy' an additional five holiday days per year.
-
Access to life coaching and counselling, following successful completion of your probation.
-
Free staff lunch when at head office.
-
25% discount in our sister restaurant, Sohaila.
-
Cost price bottles of wine from the Sohaila bottle shop.
Key information
-
Salary: £27,000- £30,000, dependent on experience
-
Hours: 37.5 hours a week (full time), part time hours will be considered
-
Reports to: Programme Lead
-
Location: Flexible, with an office in Shoreditch and partner hostels across London, UK. We aim for all team members to work from our head office at least two days a week, however we expect this to be more for frontline or full time employees. We do this to ensure there is always a member of staff onsite for our trainees. Which days each person comes in are agreed as a team, in order to support everyone's needs
-
Start: March - April 2025
-
As a precondition of employment we’ll need you to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide two satisfactory references, one of which should detail your suitability to work with young people and another to be from your most recent employer.
How to apply
-
Please share your CV and a covering letter, no more than one page, explaining why you’d like to work at Fat Macy’s and how you’re suited to the job by Sunday 16th February 2025.
-
Please also complete our EDI monitoring form. This form will not be shared with those involved in the selection process. It is for monitoring purposes only and will not affect the consideration of your application.
-
All applications will be anonymised before they are seen by the shortlisting panel.
-
We will contact all applicants by Thursday 20th February.
-
Initial interviews will be by phone during the week starting 24th February.
-
Second round interviews will be held in person, at our offices in Shoreditch. Dates tbc.
-
Should you be invited to a second round interview, we will share guidance and the interview questions in advance. We do this to support all applicants to be fully prepared and confident in their interviews.
-
We will support any access requirements you may have during the recruitment process and ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place.
-
We particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience of homelessness and/or accessing the benefits system. If you have this experience, we will guarantee you a first-round interview if you meet the majority of the person specification. Please let us know in your application letter if this applies to you.