Housing Support Worker

Overview

To provide housing related support to people who are homeless to enable them to maintain their tenancies and to achieve their aspirations for independent living.

This job description is generic and applies to all housing support workers. The duties will be determined by the individual needs of the users being supported. The context in which support is provided may vary according to the users living environment, housing management and support, housing management only or floating support only.

Support provided will be weekly and will be based around each individual's needs, focussing on but not exclusively substance misuse, mental health, benefits, housing and property bidding, independent living skills to ensure they are in a position to move on into independent living.

• Identify users individual support needs and, through consultation and agreement with the user (and, where appropriate, their manager), devise and implement suitable support plans to ensure that identified support needs are met.
• Encourage and support tenants to live as fully and independently as possible within the local community, providing information, emotional, organisational and practical support and training as appropriate.
• To carry out risk assessments as and when necessary due to the changing needs and aspirations of users.
• Organise and provide appropriate support for tenants preparing to move-on to greater independence, including support through the move and resettlement into their new home.
• Contribute to the protection of service users from abuse, and support service users when they are distressed raising appropriate issues to manager or safeguarding.
• Liaise with other housing, health and social care professionals, benefits, welfare and advocacy agencies, and other landlords as appropriate.
• Advocate for tenants where appropriate. Collect rent and/or service charge from tenants on a monthly basis, supporting tenants should they fall into arrears with this.

• Report, order and inspect day to day repairs and estate maintenance, monitoring the performance of the Associations contractors. Ensure that fire and other equipment is regularly serviced, tested and complies with health and safety requirements. Record weekly/monthly health and safety checks. Carry out risk assessment and hazard reporting in line with health & safety policy and procedures.

• Work within a team, supporting colleagues and attending team meetings, recording and sharing information appropriately and confidentially.
• Keep up to date with issues relevant to housing & support, welfare benefits and other relevant legislation.
• To undertake all core training required for this post and other training and professional development activities as required.
• Undertake other delegated tasks and responsibilities that fall within your capabilities.
• To be aware of Ability's values, policies & procedures that are current at any time and always to carry out duties accordingly.
• To comply at all times with the Association's legal, contractual and regulatory responsibilities in relation to the above duties.