Emergency Accommodation Support Officer

**Job description**

**Job Title**:Emergency Accommodation Support Officer

**Reporting into**: Regional Housing Manager

**Department**:Quays Housing

**Location**: Brighton

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

**Contract length**: Temporary (12 months - possibility of a permanent role)

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

**Job Summary**

A committed and solution-focused Emergency Accommodation Support Officer to provide advice and support to residents allocated within Quays Housing’s Emergency Accommodation schemes in the Brighton area

**Key Responsibilities**
- To assess the needs of residents allocated within Quays Housing’s Emergency Accommodation properties in order to facilitate appropriate support. Refer to statutory and voluntary agencies as suitable.
- To work with vulnerable households; support agencies and Brighton & Hove City Council to reduce eviction rates due to anti-social behaviour and other breaches of the license agreement.
- To work with residents in order to carry out assessments, where applicable.
- Communicate with residents, their representatives, other organisations and professional bodies, including services within the Council on matters concerning the assessment of entitlement to benefit
- Interact with residents using a variety of different methods, (remote, face to face and home visits), who would like assistance with claiming benefits or challenging decisions.
- To take lead in recovery of ineligible charges from the residents at the emergency accommodation schemes.
- To liaise with the Quays Housing income team on a regular basis to maximise the recovery of ineligible charges from the residents at the emergency accommodation schemes.
- To advise on amenities and facilities in the local area that may be of assistance to the household whilst living in emergency accommodation e.g. parent and toddler groups, launderette, drop in support, churches.
- To advise on all further housing options to facilitate move on from Emergency Accommodation.
- To carry out routine inspections, reporting disrepair and / or other concerns to the central office and maintenance team.
- To establish positive professional relationships with residents and other entities and third party sector.
- To work closely with colleagues and external agencies to ensure a seamless service for residents.

**The Successful Applicant**
- Proven experience of working with accommodation housing management services (preferably within homeless services).
- Knowledge and experience in health and safety requirements for housing.
- Knowledge of what welfare benefits residents could qualify for and the experience of previously supporting residents in claiming the said benefits.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and IT literate.
- Ability to listen and motivate residents.
- Excellent communication skills, able to convey information clearly and confidentially with an ability to influence, negotiate and resolve disputes.
- Able to deal with stressful and emotional situations calmly and objectively.
- Able to identify safeguarding issues and use appropriate reporting mechanisms.
- Practical and logical with a solution focused approach.

**What we offer**

Our attractive benefits package includes
- A competitive salary
- 40 hour working week
- Full training
- Career advancement
- 25 days annual leave pro-rata (increasing with service)
- A contributory pension scheme
- NHS Cash Top Up Plan - claim back costs of everyday healthcare (WPA)
- Reward Hub - discounts and cash back from high street retailers
- Wellbeing Centre
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Life Assurance

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract

**Salary**: £24,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Sick pay
- Store discounts
- Wellness programmes

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- No weekends

**Experience**:

- accommodation housing management: 1 year (preferred)
- health and safety in housing: 1 year (preferred)