At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting individuals facing housing and substance misuse challenges.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a dedicated organisation making a difference in East Kent.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for travel across East Kent.
- Why this job: Empower people to achieve stable housing and recovery from substance misuse.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing or support services and strong leadership skills required.
- Team Leader - East Kent Housing
- Support
- Service
- Kent
- Vacancy
Type: Permanent About the Role We are looking for an experienced and motivated Housing Support Team Leader to join our East Kent Housing Support team.
You will be responsible for line managing a team of Housing Support Workers and supporting the Service Manager in the effective leadership and delivery of the service.
The overarching aim of the project is to increase the proportion of people entering structured treatment and support them to maintain stable and secure housing.
The service works with people experiencing housing-related needs alongside drug and alcohol issues, helping them access appropriate support, engage with treatment and secure and sustain suitable accommodation.
Key outcomes for the service include
- Improving successful recovery outcomes for people engaged in structured drug and alcohol treatment.
- Reducing unplanned discharges from treatment for people with housing-related needs.
- Supporting people in temporary accommodation who have substance misuse support needs and signposting them into appropriate local services.
- Reducing the number of people losing temporary accommodation due to substance misuse or associated behaviours.
- Improving access to, and sustainment of, suitable accommodation for people engaging in structured drug treatment.
- Reducing unmet housing need among people engaged in structured drug and alcohol treatment.
- Contributing to the development of an evidence base around housing-related needs for people dependent on drugs and alcohol and the most effective interventions.
On a day-to-day basis, you will allocate caseloads, manage a small number of complex cases, support and develop your team, and ensure that deadlines, performance targets and quality standards are consistently met.
You will be responsible for contributing to performance targets set by Forward and local Grant Funding Commissioners.
You will also support the Service Manager to ensure that data is accurate, recorded appropriately and submitted within required timescales.
At times, you will be the most senior representative on site and will be required to deputise for the Service Manager, ensuring the smooth and effective running of the service.
This is a position of trust, requiring strong communication, sound judgement and a collaborative approach.
You will build an effective working relationship with the Service Manager and work closely with other Forward departments and external partner agencies, particularly Local Authority Housing Teams, to achieve positive outcomes for the people we support.
Flexibility is essential, as the role will involve travelling to other projects across the East Kent region where required.
This will help ensure continuity of care and support for the client group.
About You We are looking for an experienced professional who is passionate about supporting people affected by homelessness, substance misuse and other complex needs.
You will have experience of working within housing, homelessness, substance misuse, health, social care or a related environment, alongside the ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
You will be confident managing competing priorities, supporting staff with complex cases and ensuring that services meet performance, quality and contractual requirements.
- You will have: Qualifications and Experience
- A qualification in management or relevant management experience.
- Accreditation, qualification or relevant experience in homelessness, substance misuse, health, social care or a related field.
- A housing qualification, or a willingness to work towards one.
- Experience of supporting people with complex needs and/or experience within housing or support services. Knowledge
- Knowledge of community support and housing services.
- Knowledge of key housing and homelessness legislation.
- An understanding of the factors that contribute to homelessness.
- Awareness of the criminal justice sector and its impact on individuals and their housing and support needs.
- An understanding of substance misuse and the challenges faced by people accessing structured treatment. Skills and Approach
- Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to support and develop a team.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- The ability to manage complex cases effectively and provide appropriate support and guidance to staff.
- Strong communication and partnership-working skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies, particularly Local Authority Housing Teams.
- The ability to work towards performance targets and maintain high standards of service delivery.
- Confidence in making decisions and deputising for the Service Manager when required.
- A flexible approach and willingness to travel across East Kent to meet service needs.
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.
To Apply If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application
Team Leader - East Kent Housing Support Service in Margate employer: Forward Trust
Forward Trust in Margate is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community by empowering job seekers, particularly those facing barriers such as ex-offenders. With a strong focus on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive benefits, we foster a supportive work culture that values collaboration and personal development, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about helping others succeed in their career journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader - East Kent Housing Support Service in Margate
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Forward Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Forward Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Forward Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Forward Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader - East Kent Housing Support Service in Margate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Forward Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
