Job title:
Tenancy Sustainment Support Worker
Reports to:
Service Manager
Salary Grade:
£25,360.50 - £27,560.50 (Inclusive of a 10% project supplement)
Hours
37 PW – Paid break
Location
Mansfield
Term
FT/Perm
Annual Leave
27 Days per year (2 are allocated between Christmas and new year) + Stats
Action is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and agency workers to share this commitment.
Background
Action are looking for exceptional individuals who have the passion to deliver on our vision of supporting people out of Homelessness.
The Tenancies Support Worker will form part of a new team working with clients experiencing homelessness in Mansfield and creating a range of strategies and support plans to address their homelessness and issues preventing them from sustaining a tenancy.
The Sustainable Tenancies Support Worker will work with clients who have Medium to high needs
Staff are expected to work flexible hours in line with the needs of the client. Therefore some work may be required outside of the conventional working week.
Primary purpose of the post
To provide flexible, open-ended support, advice and assistance to people who have previously struggled to sustain a tenancy, have been living on the streets or are stepping down from the Housing 1st accommodation so that they are able to access and maintain a safe and secure home of their own.
Key role specific responsibilities
The sustainable tenancies support worker will provide front line delivery of high quality person centered support to enable clients to live independently. This role will be split across the projects in Mansfield including our Winter shelter.
- To provide effective housing management and income maximisation advice to tenants in relation to successful tenancy sustainment
- To provide practical help to support vulnerable tenants who are experiencing problems managing their tenancy to comply with the terms of their tenancy agreement.
- Work with clients to identify barriers to their tenancy sustainment including but not limited to Mental Health, Substance-misuse and/or offending and work with them to address these issues and engage with appropriate services
- Establish open and trusting relationships with people who are/have been living on the streets or in temporary/insecure accommodation.
- Supporting service users to achieve their goals and outcomes through intensive case management.
- Enable service users to access community resources, and offer personal/emotional support.
- Provide a safe, welcoming environment for people accessing services.
- Develop an enabling partnership approach that supports all people using the service to attain their rights and entitlement.
- Actively participate in achieving defined outcomes for service users.
- Actively identify the strengths and aspirations of service users and enable the access to relevant opportunities and/or services.
- To deliver agreed Centrepoint Likewise Activities
· To participate in the delivery of client engagement activities. This may be informing clients of relevant activities and facilitating their attendance, or leading or supporting the delivery of a group work session
· Assess referrals and manage waiting lists
· Work in partnership with the Housing Officer to minimise empty bed spaces, maximise rental income and support tenancy management and eviction procedures. The SW and will help with the prevention of property damage and cost incurred by identifying and reporting necessary tenancy issues
· To collate a defined range of information relating to the service user's progress to support evaluation of the approach.
· With customer agreement, liaise with other agencies to ensure the client is sustaining their tenancy such as Housing Benefits, DWP, Criminal Justice services, Health services, employment and training agencies.
· Support the customers to access community resources including attendance at Actions Lifewise Sessions
· Record and monitor progress of each service user; regularly review the person centred risk assessment and support contract.
· Implement existing policies and procedures and to input into the development of new policies and procedures.
· Positively promote and engage in the delivery of support models employed by Action and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure that Action offers the best possible service to clients, in the most appropriate way.
· Actively participate in achieving key performance indicator targets as set by Action Housing and Mansfield District Council.
· Attendance at Steering group meetings, Homeless prevention meetings, rough sleeper meetings as and when required.
· To deliver Centrepoint Lifewise accredited sessions to Action clients, complete worksheets as required and submit to Centrepoint for accreditation. Training to be given.
· This list is not exhaustive
Person Specification
Experience
· Minimum 1-year experience of Housing Management, including rent arrears recovery, anti-social Behaviour and void management or experience of delivery tenancy sustainment work
· Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver outcomes
· Previous experience of working with vulnerable people
· Experience of operating within safeguarding policies and procedures
· Experience of lone working and operating according to safe working practices
· Experience of using housing software systems and ability to learn new systems quickly
Knowledge
· Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefits system
· An understanding of voids processes and minimisation of void turnaround times
· An understanding of allocation of properties, including advertising, tenancy references and sign ups
· An understanding of rent recovery process, including legal remedies
· Knowledge of what constitutes anti-social behaviour, how to deal with it effectively and the inventions available
· A understanding of issues affecting vulnerable people and their engagement with services – in particular around financial literacy and housing benefits
· Knowledge of benefits system and applications process, including Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance and Housing Benefits
· An understanding of housing law and local knowledge of housing options and services available
Qualifications
- GCSE or equivalent grade C or above in Maths and English
- NVQ 3 in Housing or other relevant subject (desirable)
Professional Skills
- Ability to communicate effectively and accurately orally, and in writing
- A demonstrable knowledge of all Microsoft applications, in particular excel spreadsheets
· The ability to remain calm under pressure and to work to tight deadlines
· Excellent literacy and record keeping skills
· The ability to work with a wide range of people effectively
Personal Qualities
- Self confident
- Positive, passionate and driven
- Highly self motivated, and can work independently using own initiative
- Strong team working skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
- Commitment to working within Action’s core values and mission
Misc
- Full UK Drivers Licence, with access to your own vehicle on a daily basis
- The role holder will reasonably be expected to work across geographical locations and diverse projects in response to business need
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SERVICE AREA: Mansfield
JOB TITLE: Sustainable Tenancies Support Worker
GRADE: CSW grade
ESSENTIAL: This post has been designated as an Essential Car User. A Full UK Driver’s license and access to a vehicle is essential. The vehicle must be insured for business use and have a current MOT certificate.
This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Minimum 1-year experience of working with one of the following client groups: offenders, young people, substance users, people with mental health issues or domestic abuse survivors
At least 12 months experience of delivering housing related support, with an understanding of housing law and local knowledge of housing options and services
Demonstrates an understanding of the issues facing this client group, and has a dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable people
Understanding of the welfare benefits system and application process
Ability to engage clients who are unmotivated and be a key influencer with the ability to be flexible in their approach to suit the client
An understanding of the social, emotional and vulnerability of the service users supported by this team
Understanding of the importance of confidentiality, risk management, safeguarding and GDPR
Qualifications
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent experience with a minimum of GCSE English and Mathematics Grade A-C (or equivalent)
Computer skills including all Microsoft packages
Professional Skills
Integrity, professionalism and a good understanding of the importance of professional boundaries
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal particularly communication via phone or e-mail
Good organisational skills, the ability to work flexibly, on your own initiative and to prioritise workload
Ability to deliver group work
The ability to be flexible and cooperative as part of a team
Ability to work with a wide range of people effectively
Ability to adapt and learn to new IT systems
Personal Qualities
Willingness to continue further training and personal development
Ability to show empathy
Time management skills and the ability to work and efficiently to juggle multiple priorities
Confident and self-motivated
Commitment to working within Action’s core Vision, Values and Mission
Resilience and the ability to work in a pressurised environment whilst remaining calm and professional
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £25,360.50-£27,560.50 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Schedule:
Experience:
- Tenancy Support: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person