Job description:
Floating Support Officer: Rough Sleeping Programme
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Floating Support Officer to provide intensive, person centred support to individuals who are rough sleeping, have a recent history of rough sleeping, or are moving from the streets into accommodation.
The primary purpose of the role is to support people to move away from rough sleeping, settle successfully into accommodation and reduce the risk of returning to the streets. The postholder will manage a caseload of individuals who may have multiple and complex needs and will provide flexible support based on each persons circumstances.
The role will involve building effective relationships with people who may be difficult to engage and providing practical support around housing, tenancy sustainment, benefits, finances, health and wellbeing, access to services and wider factors that may affect an individuals ability to maintain accommodation.
The postholder will complete needs and risk assessments, develop and regularly review individual support plans, undertake regular face to face visits and coordinate support with relevant services. They will work closely with homelessness and rough sleeping services, accommodation providers, health and social care services and voluntary and community sector partners.
We are particularly looking for candidates with demonstrable experience of working directly with people who are rough sleeping or have experienced street homelessness. Experience of supporting people with multiple and complex needs, including mental health needs, substance misuse, trauma and social exclusion, would be particularly relevant.
Candidates must be confident undertaking assertive engagement, working independently in community settings, managing a varied caseload, responding appropriately to risk and safeguarding concerns and maintaining accurate and timely case records.
This is not solely an office based role. The postholder will be expected to work flexibly across the borough, including meeting people in their accommodation and community settings. The successful candidate must therefore be comfortable undertaking regular face to face work with people who have experienced rough sleeping and working collaboratively with a range of partner agencies
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To provide a homelessness prevention, housing options and bespoke service to those single clients homeless or threatened with homelessness
To assist and guide single clients with support needs to make appropriate choices reading their housing pathways
To ensure that single clients receive, either directly or through relevant partners, appropriate advice on their housing options that offer alternatives to the making of a homeless application
To ensure that all enquiries and cases are progressed speedily and efficiently and that all set targets are achieved
To ensure excellent customer service standards are maintained and contribute to year on year improvement of those standards
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
To use a dedicated assessment tool to determine the most appropriate form of supported accommodation for single clients
To contribute in the development and delivery of team plans and other relevant council plans and strategies so that targets and performance requirements are met
To effectively communicate the Council�s duties and policies to customers and partner organisations directly, in writing and through customer information
To provide detailed customer care letters to clients setting out advice given and the agreed housing pathway where homelessness cannot be prevented
To write s184 decision letters
To be the contact point for one or more local hostel providers and to develop excellent working practices between them and the council
To make recommendations on the use of temporary discretionary accommodation pending a supported hostel placement
To develop and share a comprehensive network of contacts across the public, private and voluntary sectors to improve partnership working
To work closely with adults social care, children�s services, mental health professionals, probation and health care professionals to expedite assessments to determine statutory homeless duties, specific housing needs and the most suitable housing options for single clients
To work with supported housing providers to determine suitable placements having regard to the needs and requests of the clients
To have a good understanding of the responsibilities of social landlords, Children�s Services, YOT, Police, Probation, Social and Health Services and of local voluntary sector provision in relation to housing need, homelessness and homelessness prevention work
To keep abreast of developments in legislation, local and national policies, protocols and Service level agreements as they pertain to homeless prevention and care and protection of vulnerable adults and young people
To hold a caseload of single clients from first referral to HOST to satisfactory and appropriate housing solutions
To ensure that all contact with customers and other organisations is fully recorded and where possible confirm advice given in writing
To ensure all housing options case work is clearly and appropriately documented
To record data and statistical information accurately and on time
To respond to queries from customers or their approved advocates and other stakeholders � whether in person, by telephone, email or in writing in line with the councils standards
To make recommendations for use of the Homelessness Prevention Fund, Rent Deposit or Bond scheme or other related direct financial assistance where such would prevent homelessness
To represent the Council at joint assessment, casework, hospital discharge and probation meetings
To contribute to the setting and achievement of HOST�s KPIs, targets and objectives
To undertake all duties with due regard to Health & Safety legislation. To ensure all necessary risk assessments are undertaken, maintained and reviewed
Knowledge:
Knowledge of the duties owed to the homeless under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Act 2002
Knowledge of the strategies for preventing homelessness and the main housing options initiatives, provided by both statutory and voluntary organisations
A working knowledge of the Care Act and Equality Act as they pertain to single vulnerable people
Qualifications & Experience:
The ability to deliver homelessness prevention and housing option solutions with these being tailored to diverse communities and differing customer needs
The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a good standard, giving advice and information sensitively and persuasively
The ability to negotiate both with homeless people and on their behalf to broker housing solutions
Experience of working in a busy customer-oriented environment, delivering excellent customer service
Excellent IT skills, with the ability to use a range of databases and MS Word and EXCEL to produce a wide range of letters and documents and MS Outlook to process the full range of email and diary functions.
HOST Casework Officer - Housing in London employer: Matrix Prism
As a Divisional Accountant within our dynamic finance team, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and continuous improvement. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in tailored training opportunities and a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly influence strategic decision-making. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a fulfilling career path that not only meets financial targets but also enhances the professional image of our finance function.
