Housing Officer – Supported Housing

Hours:            Part-time, 15 hours per week              

Contract:        Permanent

Salary:            £30,285 - £32,330 per annum, pro-rata for part time hours

Location:        Islington, London, N1

Start date:      September 2024

Our client Peter Bedford Housing Association (PBHA) is a housing association with charitable aims that create positive change in people’s lives. As well as homes and support, PBHA empowers people to learn, access work and discover their creative talents. Based in Hackney, Islington and Newham, PBHA work with people who are homeless, have mental ill health, learning difficulties and multiple needs. PBHA’s work enables people to move on and lead independent lives.

The role:

The postholder will work in partnership with the support service provider to deliver a quality housing management service to 11 tenants with learning disabilities. Post holders will work from a purpose new build service in Islington. The postholder will have access to PBHA local offices where appropriate. The post holder will be issued the IT equipment necessary to facilitate mobile working.

 

Key duties and responsibilities:

•        To be responsible for working a caseload of tenants at this service.

•        Identifying individual tenancy needs through assessment and an identified Housing Plan detailing risks, needs and move on plans.

•        Provide a weekly housing management drop in.

•        Ensure that tenants apply for benefits where eligible, and signpost tenants to information on how to maximise income.

•        Record and monitor any breaches of tenancy agreement and work proactively and within procedures to resolve them.

•        Liaise with support officers, the Income officer, and the finance department to provide effective prevention and management of rent issues.

•        Liaise with colleagues to ensure void targets are met and properties are let within agreed timescale.

•        Assist in the moving in/out process.

•        Deal with complaints, nuisance and tenancy disputes as they arise. Work with tenants to promote self-help and mediation approaches to dispute resolution and address and escalate in line with procedure.

•        Carry out regular building inspections, reporting repairs.

•        Enforce the conditions of tenancy that enable PBHA to undertake urgent works such as electrical testing.

•        Carry out H&S and fire checks and assessment, liaising closely with others to ensure that follow up actions are completed.

•        Report safeguarding concerns as appropriate.

 

Customer Focused Services:

•       Promote and support tenants to access participation and co-production opportunities.

•       To take collective responsibility for any shortfalls identified through complaints.

•       To act within the Professional standards for engaging with complaints as set by the Chartered Institute of Housing.

 

Team Responsibilities:

•     Ensuring that proper records are kept, and information is passed to other team members as necessary.

•     To ensure that PBHA’s computerised and manual systems are accurately updated specifically in relation to contact with tenants and stakeholders.

•     To meet required standards and contract compliance of commissioning bodies where PBHA delivers a service.

 

All staff are expected to:

•       Work co-operatively as part of a team and with other teams.

•       Participate in staff training and development activities.

•       Ensure the observation of all PBHA’s policies and practices, including those relating to equality and diversity, data, health and safety, financial control, standing orders, sustainability, recruitment, supervision, appraisals, sickness and disciplinary.

 

Access Information: 

The post is based at the project, Rosehip House and Isledon Hub. Rosehip House has step-free access and is accessible to wheelchair users. Isledon Hub has step-only access. The role may involve some travel within Islington and working in tenants’ homes.

 

Main Conditions of Service:

This is a part-time position. The post is for 15 hours per week. Duties will occasionally be carried out over evenings and some public holidays. Overtime is not paid but in line with Agile working, hours can be averaged out over a 2-week period. PBHA implements Agile working practices which are to be negotiated with the line manager.

In common with all posts at PBHA, confirmation of appointment is subject to a probationary period (6 months).

PBHA is committed to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and is striving to be an anti-racist organisation.

Role Requirements:
Although we are keeping direct experience/knowledge requirements to a minimum, we do need you to use the application form or covering letter to demonstrate your capabilities, in relation to each point listed under role requirements. Where relevant use your answers to illustrate how your competences have helped you achieve positive results.

The minimum experience required for the post is:

•        To have worked in a paid or voluntary capacity with at least one of the following groups: people who have mental ill health; learning difficulties; people who have been homeless and rootless; or people who have alcohol-related problems. It is preferable that you have experience working with people with learning difficulties. To have an understanding of the particular wellbeing needs of minority ethnic groups.

The competencies required for the post are the ability to:

•       Can positively contribute and take initiative; good negotiation skills

•       To be positive, resourceful, and resilient when working in challenging environment

•       Able to constructively challenge and lead positive change

•       Understanding and ability to manage boundaries effectively

•       Good verbal, written & positive interpersonal communication skills, ensuring that stakeholders are treated with respect and dignity

•       Ability to manage, plan and take responsibility for your own caseload

•       Establish productive partnerships with a range of key stakeholders

•       Good computer literacy including the ability to use Windows applications and word processing and database packages.

•       Have the flexibility to accommodate work responsibilities that occasionally extend beyond normal working hours at short notice.

•       Work in partnership with the support provider to provide an excellent, joined-up service for the tenants

PBHA offers in return:

•       26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days with service

•       Company pension scheme with employer matching up to 5% of contributions

•       Agile working

•       Eye care vouchers

•       Cycle to work scheme

•       Enhanced company sick pay

To apply, please register your interest and we will send you an application form to complete. Using an application form supports equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices.

Peter Bedford Housing Association is an Equal Opportunities employer who support an inclusive culture and diversity for their staff and those they represent. They are committed to encouraging further growth from diverse groups, and welcome applications from people of all abilities and under-represented groups. Currently, PBHA have an underrepresentation from men and disabled communities. As such, they particularly welcome applicants from these groups.