Current jobs related to Housing Advisor - Hastings, East Sussex - Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Position Overview

The Housing Advisor will be an integral part of a newly established Housing Team within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, aimed at integrating housing expertise into our adult mental health services. The Housing Advisor will offer housing guidance and interventions to individuals engaged with adult mental health services. Each Housing Advisor will be designated to a specific Local Authority area and will handle housing referrals for clients residing in that region.

This role necessitates travel across various locations within the assigned Local Authority area, including inpatient and community mental health teams, local government offices, and clients' residences. Housing Advisors are expected to engage with clients both in-person and virtually, depending on individual needs, demand, location, and preferred communication methods.

Ideal candidates will possess a robust understanding of housing and homelessness laws, procedures, and practices, along with experience in delivering housing advisory services to vulnerable populations. While prior experience in working with individuals facing severe and persistent mental health challenges is not mandatory, it would be beneficial.

Key Responsibilities

Housing Advisors will receive referrals for individuals utilizing adult mental health services who have diverse housing requirements. You will be tasked with providing specialized housing advice, support, and interventions for adults in mental health services, aimed at preventing or alleviating homelessness, or enhancing substandard housing conditions. This will involve conducting comprehensive housing assessments, formulating clear action plans to address clients' housing needs, and coordinating necessary activities to achieve favorable outcomes. You will be responsible for managing and prioritizing a caseload of individuals in housing distress within your designated area, while also contributing to an office hours duty system for referrals across the region.

Housing Advisors will maintain formal working relationships with the Local Housing Authority they are affiliated with. A component of this role includes preparing documentation on behalf of the Local Housing Authority for individuals who may be at risk of homelessness or facing housing instability. Housing Advisors will operate in compliance with mental health and homelessness legislation, including statutory Codes of Guidance and policies pertinent to their Local Housing Authority.

About Our Organization

We understand that working in mental health can be challenging, which is why we prioritize the well-being of our staff by providing regular supervision, mentoring, and any additional support necessary to ensure their welfare. We also promote flexible working arrangements.

We believe that a healthy work/life balance yields significant health benefits, positively influencing the care we deliver. We encourage discussions about flexible working options, such as partial remote work, part-time hours, or adaptable start and finish times. If it aligns with your needs and the role, we will strive to accommodate it.

Our mission is to deliver exceptional care and treatment; our employees are central to realizing this vision. If you possess the passion, commitment, drive, and skills to help us achieve our goals, we would be eager to hear from you.

To safeguard the health and safety of our staff, clients, and visitors, we encourage our workforce to receive full vaccination against COVID.

Job Duties

- Provide specialized housing advice, support, and interventions to clients regarding their housing needs, aimed at preventing or alleviating homelessness, securing quality long-term housing solutions, and mitigating financial difficulties.

- Prepare documentation and assist decision-makers with formal applications for assistance on behalf of the Local Housing Authority, for individuals who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness, adhering to homelessness legislation, statutory Codes of Guidance, and the policies of the relevant Local Housing Authority.

- Collaborate between local mental health and housing systems to ensure that clients and staff receive timely and high-quality specialized housing input and access to broader housing teams and referral pathways.

The position will primarily operate within the designated area, with the expectation of traveling across multiple sites as needed. Occasionally, this may involve travel beyond the immediate area to meet client needs.

Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of relevant housing policy and practice, including laws related to local housing authority homelessness duties and social housing allocation.

Desirable

• Significant experience in a professional housing advisory role with individuals facing housing and mental health challenges.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Good understanding of responsibilities related to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Experience in partnership collaboration within various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies.