Independent Living Officer in Ivybridge

Do you thrive on building meaningful relationships and making a real difference in people's daily lives? As an Independent Living Officer, you'll play a key role in helping older customers live safely, securely and independently within our Independent Living schemes. You'll be a familiar and trusted presence on site, ensuring the scheme is well-managed, welcoming and compliant, while offering low-level support, guidance and signposting to help customers thrive in their homes. You'll be the first point of contact for customers, working closely with colleagues and local partners to deliver a friendly, consistent and customer-focused service. From supporting new customers to settle in, to maintaining safe communal spaces, you'll help create positive environments where customers feel supported, included and able to enjoy life in their community.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the scheme is safe, clean and well maintained, overseeing contractors and monitoring standards.
• Carry out regular health and safety checks, fire safety inspections and scheme risk assessments, keeping accurate records.
• Provide advice and signposting to customers, including support to access external agencies, alarms and wellbeing services.
• Welcome new customers, complete scheme inductions and assist with basic support or benefit-related queries.
• Help customers understand their tenancy responsibilities, addressing low-level breaches and escalating concerns where necessary.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and local partners to support community activities and a positive living environment.
• Support customers to maintain their tenancy, offering low-level support around budgeting, accessing benefits and managing their home.
• Work collaboratively to identify improvements and new ways of working to enhance services for customers.

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing role focused on delivering excellent customer service.
• Ability to work independently with high levels of resilience and autonomy.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with customers and partners.
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems and resolve issues at first contact.
• Understanding of professional boundaries and ability to work sensitively with older customers.
• Good literacy, numeracy and general IT skills.
• CIH Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience working in the social housing sector or with registered providers.
• Understanding of issues affecting older people and local service provision.

This role is being offered on a full time, 6 month Fixed Term basis working 37 hours per week. This is a field-based role across the Tavistock/Ivybridge/Plymouth area.

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave: Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service – and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro-rated for part-time roles).
• Pension Contributions: Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks: Access to a health-care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development: Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support: Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters: Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel: Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back: Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.