Independent Living Assistant

Independent Living Assistant

Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) On-site
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing Trust

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support residents in living independently and safely while managing housing matters.
  • Company: Join a values-driven housing association focused on community and wellbeing.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help build connected communities.
  • Qualifications: Experience in housing management and strong communication skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

We’re looking for an Independent Living Assistant to join our Supported Living Services team, helping us provide high-quality housing management and wellbeing support to residents across our Independent Living Schemes.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you’ll help residents to live safely, independently and with dignity. You’ll provide practical support with housing and tenancy matters, respond to resident enquiries, support welfare visits and help ensure our schemes remain safe, secure and well maintained. You’ll also support residents moving into their new homes, liaise with repairs and property services, assist with resident engagement activities and maintain accurate resident and tenancy records.

Working closely with colleagues and external partners, you’ll help identify when residents may benefit from additional support and connect them with appropriate health, care and community services. A key part of the role will be building positive relationships with residents and helping to create welcoming, connected communities. You’ll support activities that promote wellbeing and reduce social isolation, while ensuring residents receive a responsive and person-centred service.

About you

You’ll have a good working knowledge of managing tenancies or delivering housing management services, alongside strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with residents. Organised and confident working independently, you’ll be able to manage competing priorities and will have excellent administrative, IT and record-keeping skills.

You’ll also have an understanding of safeguarding principles and be comfortable responding appropriately to resident concerns. Experience of supporting older or vulnerable people would be an advantage, particularly within a housing environment, as would an understanding of telecare technology, health and social care services, or a relevant housing, health or social care qualification.

You’ll need a valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes, as the role involves working across our services.

Our core priority

JRHT strives to be a housing association that is sustainable and engaging, providing high quality and continuously improving services and decent affordable homes in well managed communities prioritising those in greatest need.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the online application. Closing date for applications is 3rd November 2026. Interviews will take place in early November. Please note that we will be shortlisting and interviewing on an on-going basis and reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received.

Additional Information

We are a values driven organisation and our values drive our behaviours. We’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and we hope others will do the same. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace, where all colleagues can be themselves.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At JRHT we believe in giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or social economic background. We positively encourage applications from people with experience of living in poverty.

As part of our commitment to equity and specifically anti-racism, we operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process. We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

Independent Living Assistant employer: Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing Trust

At JRHT, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued. Located in the vibrant Plaxton Court community, our Food Service Assistants play a crucial role in enhancing the dining experience for residents and guests, with opportunities for personal growth and development within a caring organisation dedicated to making a positive impact. Join us to be part of a team that prioritises trust, care, and community engagement while enjoying competitive pay and a commitment to equality and diversity.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing Trust

Contact Details:

Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing Trust Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Independent Living Assistant

✨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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing 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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing 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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing 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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing 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 Independent Living Assistant

Housing Management
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Relationship Building
Organisational Skills
Administrative Skills
IT Skills

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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing 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 Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Housing 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.