Independent Living Team Leader

Independent Living Team Leader

Location: Tunbridge Wells

Salary: £35,116

Contract: Permanent

Probation Period: 6 months

Notice Period: 1 month

Who are we?

We provide more than 13,000 homes across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Over the years we have invested heavily in our homes and continue to do so as part of the Peabody Group. We promote hybrid working and have more than 300 employees based in various locations across our operating area

About the role

This role is subject to a DBS check.

• To work as part of a team managing our Independent Living Officers and working to implement our Older Persons Strategy by contributing to meetings, action plans and leading on positive change to build vibrant communities. Take an innovative approach to reduce voids and promote our independent Living service.
• To take residents on a journey of involvement ensuring the residents voice is heard to shape and influence our services and provide places people want to live. Ensure excellent communication with residents by attending meetings, keeping residents updated with timely communication and ensuring residents needs are met, keeping our residents at the heart of what we do.
• Lead, support and motivate a team of independent Living Officers, developing them as individuals and creating a culture of continuous service improvement. Support the Independent Living Service Manager to create a seamless service for staff and residents on the day to day service delivery.

A full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle is required for this role.

Why Choose Us

• Contributory pension scheme 4% to 10% matched contributions
• Hybrid working
• Free onsite car parking
• Life assurance of 4x annual salary (Terms and Conditions apply)
• 30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• Two volunteer days per year
• Employee assistance programme (24/7 telephone advice, information portal & face to face counselling sessions)
• Corporate eye care scheme providing free eye tests and free VDU glasses or contribution towards VDU glasses
• Extensive annual Staff Wellbeing programme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave provision
• Flexible annual benefits (for dental, healthcare, shopping vouchers, technology etc.)
• Annual flu vaccinations
• Access to an extensive range of corporate discounts on shopping, travel & days out
• Social events, including lunchtime walking, rounders, festive Fridays
• Travel loan

Role Specific Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

Provide strong leadership, manage, motivate and develop a team of Independent Living Officers, offering person centred, time limited preventative services to TCH residents.

Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and support and identifying any training or development needs.

Collaborate with the Independent Living Service Manager in recruitment, selection and onboarding of new staff members.

Ensure that the team are pro-active in the identification of the support needs of residents, utilising referrals to outside agencies.

To provide leave and sickness cover across all Independent Living when staffing levels are low ensuring that staffing levels are maintained.

To provide a weekly rota of staff covering schemes to TCH staff, Careium and record on the rota training/ absence.

Support colleagues in providing services to residents and across all Independent Living schemes. To ensure properties and schemes are well managed and maintained ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction within our Older Person Services.

To represent TCH at external agency meetings in relation to individual residents & community safety.

Work to deliver a high standard of intensive housing management including directing/monitoring contractors for the services required e.g. grounds, window cleaning, cleaning, pest control and any other contracts attached to the service.

Ensure the safety of staff within working hours by monitoring signing on/off procedures and use of the Peoplesafe/Calendar in line with Lone Working Procedures.

Support and motivate the team to build communities within our schemes, by looking at opportunities to include the outside community, health professionals and promoting activities to improve health and wellbeing.

Maintain accurate records in relation to resident s vulnerability and support requirements, ensuring effective communication internally and with external partners.

Make appropriate referrals to assist residents to sustain their tenancy and improve their well-being and take steps to ensure customers remain engaged with required support.

Raise Purchase Orders when required and monitor budget levels within the financial year looking for value for money and savings.

To deputise for the Independent Living Service Manager at times when they are unavailable due to annual leave, training, meetings or sickness.

Tenancy

Address, monitor and report any breaches of tenancy. Respond to complaints and tenancy disputes in a timely manner, including preparing papers for court where necessary.

Ensure viewings and tenancy signups are arranged within the shortest possible timescale and an introductory visit is booked in with the resident by the Independent Living Officers.

Carry out procedures and administration relating to tenant rights, mutual exchanges, succession, joint/sole tenancies, abandoned properties, notices.

To support and guide the Independent Living Officers in ASB, ensuring cases are recorded on systems provided and monitor actions and timelines.

Be an active and flexible participant in resident involvement. Liaise with residents by regularly attending schemes, bi monthly resident meetings/ sheltered panel to promote effective older persons resident involvement.

Assist the Independent Living Officers with building inspections, identifying elements of maintenance required, report repairs and being proactive in implementing the required works. Maintain a high standard of cleanliness safety and security.

To manage our Independent Living stock in accordance with the policies and procedures of TCH including managing anti-social behaviour, tenancy management, Safeguarding.

To work effectively with other internal staff, external partners and agencies to ensure that the services are seamless and tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of the residents, based on clear mutual expectations.

Work with the Housing Option Team to ensure that the needs of Town & Country older residents are reflected in the local offer in our neighbourhoods, reflecting the make up of our client base.

Take action in accordance with policy and procedure in all safeguarding concerns.

Compliance & Regulation

Take responsibility for the security and safety of our Specialist Housing to the agreed level. This will include undertaking checks to fire and call system alarms or equipment and taking responsibility for contacting the appropriate agencies to service defects.

Ensure that H&S tasks are carried out by the Independent Living Officer, recorded on appropriate systems and monitored.

Maintain and monitor all relevant record systems (e.g. React, Genero & Touchpoint etc), including computer management systems.

To assist persons by providing first aid facilities/treatment.

General

To adhere to our equal opportunities policy and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.

Recognise, respect and promote the different roles and diversity of the individuals within the business.

To actively contribute towards our key performance indicators and professional standards.

To ensure that relevant TCH policy procedures are developed to respond to external challenges facing the organisation and the needs of residents.

Work in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Law and be responsible for the integrity of personal information you process. This may include identifying anomalies in data and investigating and correcting them where appropriate. Ensure you attend training on data protection regularly.

To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant EC directives.

To participate in training and attend other meetings and staff events as required.

To undertake other such duties as may be reasonably expected from time to time.

Be an effective member of your team, presenting a positive impression of your section and the business.

About You

Education & Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent education.

Key Skills & Competencies

Knowledge and or experience of housing and tenancy management.

Demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable people.

A working knowledge of welfare benefits and relevant legislation.

Ability to produce clear and concise written reports.

Ability to adapt and respond to changes in legislation and requirements.

Effective use of IT systems, including Microsoft Office and databases.

Ability to persuade, influence and negotiate with a wide range of people gaining their commitment and influencing outcomes.

Able to analyse information and data logically and reach sound conclusions.
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