Specialist Supported Housing Officer

Job Overview

Working to support our contract with the Ministry of Justice, this role involves managing a number of self contained and small shared accommodation properties within South Central and covering Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and surrounding areas. In addition to providing proactive property management, the role involves engaging with service users (People On Probation) who may have complex needs on release from prison, with the goal of ensuring a smooth transition into the allocated accommodation. The role includes an element of supervision to ensure house rules and license agreements are being adhered to, as well as offering housing related support and signposting where needed. This is predominantly a lone working role and you will need to drive between locations.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensuring properties are safe, secure and clean.
• Ensure accommodation is prepared and ready for occupation in accordance with company timescales.
• Perform all necessary functions to manage the move in/move out process.
• Proactively identify and resolve all property and maintenance related issues efficiently, where applicable in conjunction with the maintenance and/or cleaning teams.
• Undertake weekly visits to all properties and ensure residents are adhering to the house rules and have not abandoned their accommodation.
• Manage reports of Anti Social Behaviour and, where necessary, in conjunction with the Community Probation Practitioner (CPP), actively engage in conflict resolution where possible.
• Build positive relationships with residents and appropriately deal with any emergency situations that may arise during the course of work under guidance from local management teams and other professionals.
• Meet tight deadlines and make properties available within agreed timescales.
• Inventory management of all soft furnishings and sundry items.
• Keep accurate and timely records in accordance with departmental policy.
• Attend mandatory training and participate in staff development courses as appropriate.

Skills

• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills and flexible towards residents' needs.
• Extremely well organised.
• Able to work well under pressure.
• The ability to prioritise.
• Able to work alone and as part of a team.
• Have an interest and willingness to train.
• Network with local and national agencies.
• Full and current manual driving licence.

Knowledge

• Experience in the social housing sector, ideally having worked with people at risk of homelessness.
• Experience of supporting individuals with complex trauma and issues.
• Direct knowledge of People on Probation (POP) and the challenges they face would be a distinct advantage.

Behaviour

• Empathetic and supportive of residents while recognising the need to uphold and adhere to rules.
• Resilient and able to deal with people whose presentation may be complex and sometimes challenging.
• Methodical in approach to ensure everything is done accurately and comprehensively.
• Keen to support colleagues and ensure the business is working cohesively and to the same objectives.
• Keen on a strong compliance culture.
• Able to work without direction.
• Adaptability and being prepared to help out if circumstances require.
• Keen to lead by example.

Expectations

• Act with integrity.
• Act with due skill, care and diligence.
• Act with professionalism.
• Be open and co operative with colleagues.
• Act with compassion to those both within the Company and those we support in the accommodation.

Equal Opportunities

The Housing Network is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. As an employer we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the value of "expertise by experience" and providing More than a Voice for our residents.