At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert housing advice and support to those in crisis.
- Company: Join Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a supportive team and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment focused on making a positive impact.
- Why this job: Be the frontline hero helping people find safe homes and rebuild their lives.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and knowledge of housing law are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Hours: 36 (Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm)
Location: St Peter’s Church Hall, London Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 6QL
Contract: Full-time (On-site only)
Reporting to: Senior Housing Advisor
For three decades, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) has been supporting people experiencing homelessness or the threat of homelessness in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Our vision is that everyone in Kingston is in a safe, stable home and has the agency to build a happy life.
We are looking for a Housing Advisor who doesn’t just know the law, but knows why it matters. If you are a technical expert with a “frontline” heart, we want you in our Housing Crisis Intervention Service (HCIS) team.
Overview: As the first point of contact for those in crisis, you are the front line of KCAH’s mission. This role is a unique blend of high-level housing and welfare benefit advice using specific technical knowledge combined with an applied holistic, trauma-informed care, recognising that our visitors often need to improve their health, wellbeing and resilience during a time of crisis.
Key Responsibilities:
- Expert Advocacy: Provide high-quality advice on housing and welfare benefits that meets the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) of The Advice Service Alliance Standard, as well as representing clients at meetings and advocating for reconsiderations.
- Crisis Intervention: Respond effectively to emergency situations, rapidly referring rough sleepers to outreach or accommodation solutions.
- Caseload Management: Manage your own cases, work collaboratively on shared cases.
- Collaborative Solutions: Work closely with landlords, solicitors, and other services including Kingston Probation to resolve complex housing barriers.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Build trusting relationships with visitors, understanding that health and well-being are as vital to success as a housing solution.
- Impact Reporting: Ensuring the records of each case are maintained to a high standard allowing for monthly statistics and data extraction and assist in collecting qualitative data to aid fundraising.
- Maintain Continuous Learning: Keep your knowledge of law, policy and procedures up to date through individual research and organised training.
About You:
- Empathetic & Resilient: You have the emotional intelligence to work sympathetically and effectively with clients experiencing considerable stress, including those with mental health or drug and/or alcohol use diagnoses.
- Trauma-Informed: You understand that finding a housing solution starts with building a trusting relationship from the very first ‘welcome,’ ensuring wraparound support goes hand-in-hand with legal advice.
- People-First: You possess the ability to interact with everyone in a polite, professional manner, remaining calm and empathetic even during challenging or difficult situations.
- Mission-Driven: You have a demonstrable commitment to the aims and principles of KCAH, believing that every person deserves to be treated with dignity regardless of their circumstances.
- Expertise: You balance this empathy with a sound, up-to-date knowledge of housing law and the welfare benefits system.
Housing Advisor employer: KCAH
KCAH is an attractive employer due to its commitment to trauma-informed care and the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of those facing homelessness. The organization fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, encouraging professional growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Advisor
✨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 KCAH.
✨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 KCAH!
✨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 KCAH, 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 KCAH 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 Housing Advisor
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 KCAH:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to KCAH! 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 KCAH
✨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.
