Post: Housing Support Worker (Hostel)
Salary: Scale
Responsible to: Service Manager
Hours of Duty: 35 per week on a rota basis, to include some evening work until , weekend work and sleep in duties.
As part of a team to provide a quality service for homeless people with housing difficulties, which takes account of their individual needs, the aims of the organisation and current good practice.
1) Administration and Recording
i) To collect rents, access petty cash and record transactions in line with project procedures.
ii) To carry out routine administrative tasks as required.
iii) To maintain files on service users, and to complete all necessary paperwork, ensuring information is up to date, accurate and relevant.
2) Housing Management Duties
i) Rent collection
a) Record and receipt all rent payments received.
b) Ensure all payments are locked away.
c) To ensure the prompt completion and submission of HB applications and on-going renewals
d) Advise service users with regard to claiming benefits.
e) Ensure all relevant documentation is received and submitted on behalf of working service users to maximise rental income.
ii) Arrears maintenance
a) Issue letters in keeping with arrears procedure guide
b) Establish & maintain on-going contact with service users in arrears
c) Monitor agreements and take appropriate action where agreements fail
d) To liase with the Finance and Administration Officer to ensure the prompt completion and submission of HB backdate appeals where appropriate
e) Maintain contact with ex service users to maximise receipt of Former Resident Arrears.
iii) Tenancy Maintenance
a) To understand the terms of the tenancy/licence agreement
b) To assist tenants in fulfilling the requirements of their tenancy.
c) To issue notices/warnings regarding breaches of tenancy
3) Housing Support Services
i) To take part in the interviewing and assessment of potential service users
ii) To carry out move in and induction of new service users
iii) To contribute to and deliver the life skills development programme
iv) To identify the support needs of individual service users.
v) To agree and implement individual support plans through one-to-one sessions and group work.
vi) To identify and access specialised services as appropriate.
vii) To assist homeless people to identify and address the skills needed to access and maintain independent accommodation.
viii) To be sensitive to and respond appropriately to crisis situations affecting service users.
ix) To encourage service user participation in the planning, development and implementation of services.
x) To provide and access appropriate training and education regarding health and the personal and social development of service users.
xi) To ensure all admissions and moves within the project are planned and carried out in accordance with project guidelines.
4) Housing Maintenance Services
i) To undertake minor repairs and domestic tasks as necessary.
ii) To report repairs in accordance with project procedures.
iii) To maintain high standards of accommodation with regard to fixtures and fittings, furnishings and decoration.
5) Health and Safety
i) To work within the guidelines of the projects health and safety policy and procedures
ii) To be aware of and undertake responsibilities with regard to health and safety issues affecting staff, service users and visitors.
iii) To undertake training necessary to implement the projects health and safety policy
iv) To be aware of changes in Health and Safety legislation which affect the delivery of services.
6) Advice, advocacy and liaison
i) To provide accurate and up-to-date advise on issues affecting service users both individually and through group work.
ii) To liase with other agencies and advocate on behalf of service users with the aim of preparing homeless people to undertake their own negotiations.
iii) To advise referral agencies and homeless people of the services the project provides.
iv) To ensure homeless people are aware of their rights within the project, and the procedure for making complaints.
7) Resettlement support services
i) To ensure moves to move on accommodation are planned, within agreed procedures and meet the practical and emotional needs of service users.
ii) To liase with the other support providers (internal and external) at the appropriate time.
iii) To maintain records and statistics as appropriate.
8)
i) To undertake training which addresses identified individual and organisational requirements.
ii) To prepare and participate in regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals.
9) Team Working
i) To ensure that communication within the team encourages equal and active participation and a supportive environment to facilitate the sharing of experiences and skills.
10) Other Duties
i) When required to attend Board of Trustees and other relevant meetings
ii) To be aware of and work within agreed project policies and procedures.
iii) Any other duties of a similar nature, which may be identified from time to time, and are commensurate with this level of responsibility.