Ark Housing Association | Floating Support Officer

JOB TITLE: Floating Support Officer LOCATION: Greater Belfast Area BASED AT: Unit 1, Hawthorn Office Park, 43 Stockmans Way, Belfast REPORTING TO: Team Leaders / Homeless Services Manager JOB PURPOSE: To ensure the delivery of a comprehensive floating support service for homeless families and to provide high-quality customer services to our homeless services clients in accordance with the strategic objectives of Ark Housing. About The Role As Floating Support Officer, you will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive support service for families experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness or in housing stress, and will provide high-quality customer services to those families in accordance with the strategic and business objectives of Ark Housing. Our homeless services have been developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) through the Supporting People Programme. Core Areas of Responsibility 1.Delivery of a client-led multi-needs assessment and floating support service to homeless families within the Greater Belfast area. 2.Establish and develop a professional working relationship with homeless services clients in accordance with the Associations Professional Boundaries Policy and to undertake client risk assessments where required. 3.Establish and maintain good working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies and to sign-post clients to those agencies in accordance with identified need. 4.Assist clients in respect of securing long term suitable accommodation which meets their needs, and to assist clients in sustaining existing tenancies where required through the provision of professional advice and support. 5.Assist, advise, advocate on behalf of, and signpost clients where required in a range of support areas, including, but not limited to education, employment, health, social security / benefits, financial management, and life skills. 6.Ensure the Safeguarding of clients through the adherence and application of the Associations safeguarding policies. 7.Liaise with agencies, statutory authorities, emergency services, voluntary community groups as required. 8.Communicate regularly with clients on all matters pertaining to their support, including the undertaking of home visits, telephone consultations, and by other means as agreed with clients. Qualifications, Skills & Experience A relevant qualification (QCF/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent e.g. 5 GCSEs) AND 1 years experience in providing support services to individuals or families OR 3 years experience in providing support services to individuals or families 1 years experience in: Developing person centred needs/risk assessments and support plans Managing case loads Advocating on a persons behalf Working in partnership with external agencies Benefits & Main Terms & Conditions of Employment Contract: Permanent (Subject to 6 Month Probationary Period) Hours: 21 Per Week. Due to the nature of the role, you may on occasion be required to work outside normal office hours. Remuneration: £23,799.93 – £26,179.36 pro rata (Subject to Review April 2025) Pension: NILGOSC contributory pension scheme. Employer contribution is currently 19%. Remuneration to include employer pension contributions is equivalent to £28,321.92 – £31,153.44 pro rata. Annual Leave: 22 days annual leave moving to 27 after 5 years service and 32 days after 10 years service. Statutory Leave: 13 customary holidays per annum. Occupational Sick Pay: Maximum of 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay. (Depending on length of service). Other Benefits: A range of excellent work and family friendly policies, including hybrid working. Access to Gym facilities at Head Office. Access to Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme. EV Charging Facilities at Head Office with on-site Car Parking. Essential Car User Allowance of £1,239 (pro rata) paid in monthly instalments & Business Mileage Reimbursement of £0.45p per mile. MAIN TASKS: Floating Support Service To be responsible for delivering a client-led multi-need assessment and floating support service to homeless families within the Greater Belfast area. To establish and develop a professional working relationship with homeless services clients in accordance with the Associations Professional Boundaries Policy and to undertake client risk assessments where required. To establish and maintain good working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies and to signpost clients to those agencies in accordance with identified need. To assist clients in respect of securing long term suitable accommodation which meets their needs, and to assist clients in sustaining existing tenancies where required through the provision of professional advice and support. To assist, advise, advocate on behalf of, and signpost clients where required in a range of support areas, including, but not limited to education, employment, health, social security / benefits, financial management, and life skills. To ensure the Safeguarding of clients through the adherence and application of the Associations safeguarding policies. To liaise with agencies, statutory authorities, emergency services, voluntary community groups as required. To communicate regularly with clients on all matters pertaining to their support, including the undertaking of home visits, telephone consultations, and by other means as agreed with clients. Page | 9 Administration To undertake all case management administrative processes in respect of needs assessment, support planning, risk assessment and others where required and in accordance with the Associations documented policies and procedures. To participate in case work management and ensure the implementation of effective case work monitoring systems. To maintain accurate records to meet the requirements of Supporting People Monitoring frameworks. To prepare reports for the Team Leaders and Homeless Services Manager as and when required. To plan and manage your own workload in a professional and effective manner. To ensure that all policies and procedural guidance is adhered to in the completion of all administrative tasks. To ensure that all Legislative requirements are complied with e.g. Data Protection, Confidentiality, Child Protection, Safeguarding, Equality, Human Rights, Health and Safety requirements. To contribute to and assist in the effective management and administration of the Floating Support Service. To attend team meetings, client consultations, case management reviews and others as directed. To actively participate in supervision and performance coaching meetings with line manager. To ensure the delivery of services in accordance with Ark Housings standards of service. Quality Assurance To contribute to the development of service improvement initiatives through the promotion of best practices, innovations, and ideas. To ensure that appropriate arrangements exist for service user involvement. To ensure the highest achievement of customer satisfaction standards. Representation To represent Ark Housing at meetings, interviews, seminars, conferences, training events in a positive and effective way. To always ensure the professional representation of Ark Housing. To participate in any internal and external personal development training/learning being provided or recommended by the Team Leader or Homeless Services Manager. Communication To ensure that you communicate effectively both internally and externally with colleagues, agencies, and others. To ensure that you provide effective reporting both verbally and written as required. To ensure that confidentiality is always maintained. To ensure the effective use of all available resources including IT provision and other communication systems. To contribute to the development of effective communications systems and management of them accordingly. The post holder may be required on occasion to be involved in internal working groups or teams in the development of new departmental initiatives, public relations activities or in the development of organisation or service-related literature. The postholder may at times be required to undertake a range of cross-different and generic activities related to their area of responsibility, and behalf of the association where required, in the event of staff absences, shortages and as directed by the Director of Housing. ANY OTHER DUTIES: The nature of this post is such that this Job Description cannot be prescriptive. It is a requirement that the post holder demonstrates a high level of flexibility and responsiveness to changing circumstances and work demands of the service. The postholder will be expected to carry out any other duties as directed, which are considered reasonable and in accordance with the general duties and responsibilities of this post. The postholder shall therefore be required to positively respond to such demands and ensure that the commitment, innovation, flexibility, and delivery of high-quality services remain paramount. WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Because of the nature of this position, you will be required to work away from your normal base to other locations including working from home. A Hybrid home/office working policy is in place. You may on occasion be required to attend work outside normal office hours. HOURS: Working hours will be defined as per your agreed contract of employment. The floating support service will be delivered by a team of floating support officers typically between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and occasionally in the evenings and weekends where required. Additionally, the post holder may be required on occasion to work to provide out of hours emergency cover on a rota system. Floating Support Officer (Personnel Specification) Qualifications / Experience Essential A relevant qualification (QCF/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent e.g. 5 GCSEs) And 1 years experience in providing support services to individuals or families Or 3 years experience in providing support services to individuals or families 1 years experience in: Developing person centred needs/risk assessments and support plans Managing a caseload Advocating on a persons behalf Working in partnership with external agencies Desirable A recognised qualification in one or more of the following areas: Housing or Homelessness Benefit Advice Health & Social Care Knowledge Essential Working knowledge of Data Protection legislation, policy & best practise as it applies to Northern Ireland and corporate bodies. Working knowledge of Equality legislation, policy & best practise as it applies to Northern Ireland and corporate bodies. Sound knowledge and understanding of the following areas: Housing related support The benefit system Skills & Abilities Essential Excellent level of IT literacy with experience in the use of a wide range of Microsoft Office products. Strong communication & organisational skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and negotiate with others. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Other Essential Full driving license and access to own car for travel. Be able to work flexible hours if required, including evenings and weekends.