Housing Support Worker

**Job description**

**Job Title**:Housing Support Worker

**Reporting into**: Operations Manager

**Company**: Quays Housing

**Location**: Oldham

**Hours**: Full-time (40 hours) - Monday to Friday

**Contract length**: Permanent

**Salary**: £20,500

**Requirements**: Enhanced DBS check (company funded)

Quays Housing provides high quality homes for people who are in housing need, facilitating creative support services unique to each person with the aim of enabling them to recognise and reach their full potential. We work with support providers, local authorities and other statutory and third sector partners to target areas where there is a high priority need to tackle homelessness to create suitable accommodation for single homeless people, vulnerable women with children and survivors of domestic abuse. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Housing Support Worker based in Oldham to provide housing management and support services to vulnerable homeless adults living in supported accommodation. As a committed Support Worker, you will be part of a team who provide high quality housing and support for clients through advocacy, 1-1 support and in group work settings to include life skills and independent living skills. You will work within the Quality Assessment Framework, associated regulations and Quays Housing Policy and Procedure whilst demonstrating our core values of Passion, Pride, Equality and Commitment.

Key responsibilities will include:
**Service Management**
- Assess prospective new Service Users to ensure that that their support needs fall within agreed referral criteria.
- Assist vulnerable tenants in ensuring that their immediate needs are met including, but not limited to healthcare, hygiene, and diet.
- Undertake needs and risk assessments and develop appropriate support plans initially from the details from the Housing Options referral and regularly update this ensuring that progress targets can be measured and reported.
- Build professional relationship with Service Users to enable identification of all relevant support needs and maintain support plan enabling them to sustain their Tenancy Agreement and develop the confidence and skills to manage move on or their own tenancy.
- Advocate on the Service Users behalf if required or work with their advocate if appropriate.
- Contribute to developing sound working relationships Housing Options referral lines, Housing Benefit department other relevant statutory support and voluntary agencies as required.
- Provide information in relation to the service as and when required by senior managers.
- Respond promptly and sensitively in line with procedures to all reports of harassment, domestic violence nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
- Carry out weekly welfare checks.
- Ensure all Service Users have a good understanding of their rights and responsibilities under the tenure agreement.
- Ensure Service Users involvement and consultation over decisions that affect them.
- Work closely with colleagues to share relevant information on Service Users, e.g., safeguarding matters.

**Housing Management**
- Work closely with the Income team to keep up to date on housing related benefits and advise tenants on these to maximize and manage their income
- Support the Income team with Housing Benefit Claims and collation of any relevant information from Service Users.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure that the voids targets are met.
- Complete regular inspections of properties and ensure that properties are maintained to a high standard.
- Encourage Service Users to take responsibility for maintaining their home and to learn the skills they need to work towards more independent living.
- Conduct health and safety risk assessments and implement control measures.
- Contribute to the testing of equipment and systems on site as per health and safety and fire procedures, following up any actions required.
- Reporting of repairs and liaison with internal Assets Team.

**General Responsibilities**
- Maintain accurate records in line with policies and procedures and the requirements of commissioners and other regulatory organizations.
- Complete all mandatory training and comply with requirements.
- Support the Operations Manager with continuous improvement activities within the team.
- Complete all activities within the agreed Key Performance Indicators. This list is not exhaustive and the role of the Housing Support Worker is not limited to these responsibilities, additional responsibilities may be given as and when business needs dictate.
- Work closely with colleagues to share relevant information on Service Users, e.g., safeguarding matters.

**Person Specification**

**Experience**

**Essential**
- Experience of working with vulnerable groups
- Experience of working with vulnerable women, children and domestic abuse
- Experience of working with homelessness.
- Experienced in support planning and completing risk assessments for the service users

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