Preston Housing First Officer

For an informal discussion please contact Bal - 07543 502707

What we offer
- 28 days annual leave - rising to 30 days after 5 years service.

Day's leave for birthday.

Health plan - claim money back for optician, dentist, acupuncture etc

Blue Light Card.

On going training

The Foxton Centre aims to work with the most marginalised communities in Preston to provide them with opportunities to flourish as human beings.

As we grow we are looking for passionate, highly motivated individuals to join our team.

**Main Role**:
Support the ongoing work within our Preston Housing First Service. To support clients who were previously long term homeless in maintaining shared accommodation with an aim to successfully live independently. Manage caseloads and 1:1 support for clients.

**Main tasks and responsibilities**.
- As a member of the team you would provide high quality, support for clients through case work and 1:1 support
- Deliver face to face sessions daily with a person centred approach
- To maintain a caseload of clients and offer clients assertive, consistent, ongoing advice and guidance tailored to their individual needs.
- Responsible for liaising and networking with partner agencies and feeding into strategic multi-agency groups, as well as completing referrals to other agencies
- Carry out risk assessments in relation to all clients, and carry out regular reviews in line with our risk management protocols
- Administration duties such as compiling statistics and progress reports, including recording and monitoring of case loads
- Complete high quality professional standard recordings
- Evaluate and monitor the work as required and update monitoring databases including reviewing client progress with service users using evidence-based review tools.
- Identify ways in which project services can develop and improve with special reference to homeless and vulnerable people in Preston.
- Participate and contribute to Foxton Centre Team, contributing to the ethos of continuous improvement
- Proactively engage with difficult and vulnerable clients and support clients to make informed choices about their own wellbeing
- Advocate where possible on behalf of clients with external agencies e.g. Drug / Alcohol Services, Probation, Health Care Providers
- To motivate and help clients access pathways to accommodation and ensure they comply with terms of their tenancies
- Accompany clients to attend appointments and where possible to encourage the clients to represent themselves
- Support and assist viewing properties
- Proactively negotiate and complete support plans with each client with a task focused approach
- Undertake welfare checks on a regular basis
- Provide clients with practical and emotional support to address Housing First Principles of active engagement, and build on client’s strengths
- Support clients on a shared housing model and understand the complexities this may bring.
- Ensure all service users case files are up to date and relevant, in line with The Foxton Centre policy and procedures.
- Proactively manage a case load and work independently
- To work within the homes of clients in a supported accommodation approach
- To lone work within guidelines and The Foxton Centres policies and procedures
- To continually and dynamically risk assess for both staff and clients
- To work in a therapeutic manner in line with Psychological Informed Environments practice.
- To undertake and co-ordinate weekly house meetings
- To work creatively with people to overcome barriers associated with rough sleepers.
- To complete daily living skills with clients ie. Cleaning, cooking, budgeting and on an individual and group work basis.

**Other tasks and responsibilities**
- Undertake training as identified and required
- Attend regular supervision and undertake training
- Attend and participate in regular Team Meetings.
- Staff will include addressing any anti-social behaviour, completing housing benefit claims and addressing any issues upon the start of tenancy's. Dealing with council tax and utilities bills as and when required
- Monitor furniture, equipment, laundry, white goods, cleaning and gardening services charges and arrears.
- Lead house meetings and address any tenant/staff issues.
- Liaise with other relevant agencies
- To liaise with housing management services to co-ordinate repairs to properties
- Liaise with the Team Leader regarding financial records, tenant changes, monitor rents and tenancies to ensure amendments are completed correctly and in as timely a manner as possible.
- Undertake any other duties as required.

Person Spec
- Experience in working with client experiencing homelessness
- Managing complex and difficult situations in relation to people
- Experience of case work including case management systems
- Experience of completing administration tasks such as compiling data, stats and reports
- An understanding of housing issues and regulations
- Ability to liaise with and co-ordinate th