Housing Advisor Hospital Discharge in Leeds

As a Housing Advisor Hospital Discharge, you’ll thrive on working with vulnerable adults and helping to enrich their lives. You’ll enjoy partnership working to ensure positive outcomes for our customers. The Housing Advisor Hospital Discharge will be responsible for providing targeted and personalised housing advice and support to individuals with complex health needs, to enable them to achieve sustainable independent living in the community and avoid homelessness.

The post holder will assist individuals to access independent housing through mainstream housing services alleviating blockages and promoting throughput within the system. The post is linked into the Leeds NHS Discharge Team to support timely discharges from hospital for individuals requiring access to general needs housing. The post holder will contribute to providing integrated packages of housing advice and support to people to enable them to live independent, safe, and fulfilling lives in the community using a strengths-based approach.

The post holder will be customer focused and motivated to give the best possible service to the people we support. You will have the opportunity to build and develop partnership skills by working with a range of independent and 3rd sector organisations and with supported accommodation providers to secure suitable accommodation for individuals ready to move on. You will manage your own caseload, including completing housing applications and referrals for support and accommodation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a caseload and progressing move-on through housing pathways.
• Working with NHS Health Accommodation Gateway workers.
• Liaising with Leeds and York Partnership Foundation and other teams to monitor move-on needs.
• Updating commissioners and managers on gaps and barriers.
• Promoting independence in a safe environment.
• Facilitating access to advocacy, tenancy, and support services as required.

Other duties include ensuring accurate documentation in CIS; respecting confidentiality; mobilising outside resources; supporting funding access for furnishings; and coordinating with partner agencies to secure suitable accommodation.

As part of the Leeds Housing Options Team, you’ll work with social workers and health commissioning staff to deliver a cohesive service.

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

Complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Kelly-Anne Simpson (Senior Housing Advisor) or Housing Options Manager Anthony Hodgkinson at leeds.gov.uk. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider eligibility for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. The usual salary eligibility for sponsorship is at least £41,700 per year or meeting other criteria.

Job Purpose: The post holder will manage a portfolio of approximately 150 emergency access and other supported housing units; responsible for timely move-on, all aspects of the re-housing process, and liaising with commissioned services to determine eligibility of referrals. The role includes housing advice to prevent/relieve homelessness and carry out housing need/duty assessments in accordance with the statutory framework.

Responsibilities:

• Take lead responsibility for case managing a portfolio of approximately 150 emergency and temporary accommodation units.
• Coordinate swift move-on from temporary accommodation and manage the re-housing process; liaise with service providers; provide regular updates to management; deliver face-to-face and remote housing options services; manage caseloads; conduct homeless and housing need assessments; write decision letters; liaise with providers to secure temporary accommodation; assist with private rented options and other funding streams; support mediation and youth mediation services; coordinate Sanctuary scheme funding; deliver mortgage and tenancy advice where required; prepare Homeless Prevention Fund applications; support quality assurance; develop partnerships.
• Attend meetings and forums; flexible to change and participate in appraisal, training and development activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues; comply with policies (child protection, health and safety, confidentiality, data protection); promote equality and diversity; challenge discrimination and abuse.

The duties are not exhaustive and may include other duties in the spirit of the post. The Council operates a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the candidate demonstrates the criteria for the post; shortlisting will be based on meeting these requirements.

Skills:

• Problem solving, analytical and social skills for housing options service to vulnerable people.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• ICT proficiency including Word and email; ability to prepare reports; ability to extract/analyse information from systems; team player; ability to work with public, private and third sector.
• Ability to identify support needs and safeguarding concerns.
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviour.

Knowledge:

• Aware of housing options law and policy.
• Aware of needs of homeless people and services in Leeds.
• Knowledge of Equal Opportunities law and safeguarding policy.

Experience:

• Experience in a busy team environment.
• Experience in multi-agency partnership work.
• Experience of writing and reports; experience with homeless and housing need.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics:

• Commitment to Leeds City Council values and anti-discrimination practices.
• Continuous improvement mindset; contribute to Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon goals.
• Respect for equality policies; commitment to training and development; adaptable to change.
• Willingness to participate in training; comply with policies; advocate equality and diversity.
• Recognise and challenge discrimination and abuse; comply with flexibility protocol.