At a Glance
- Tasks: Support asylum seekers through their application process, providing practical and emotional assistance.
- Company: Mears Group PLC helps provide temporary accommodation and solutions to homelessness across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a company vehicle, and discounts on groceries and holidays.
- Other info: Join a company committed to social mobility and diversity, with opportunities for volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable groups, strong communication skills, and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 24600 - 31200 £ per year.
Housing Support Officer
Location: We have various roles across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Salary up to £29,856.80 per annum Including company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 company car allowance
Contract: Full time – Permanent, 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday There is an expectation that any candidates will need to undertake OOH duties.
Annual salary: up to £29,856.80
Housing Support Officer
Location: We have various roles across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Salary up to £29,856.80 per annum Including company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 company car allowance
Contract: Full time – Permanent, 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday There is an expectation that any candidates will need to undertake OOH duties.
This will be for 1 week out of 12. This includes being on 'standby'. This is paid
at £30 per weekday and £50 weekend day. There may be a requirement to attend
properties or/and service users during OOH. This is paid at x 1.5
Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers whilst their claim is being assessed in three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Mears work in partnership with central and local Government, registered providers, tenants, landlords and investors to find solutions to homelessness, provide more social and affordable housing and create specialist housing for people with care needs.
About The Role
We are looking for a Housing Support Officer to join our expanding team. This rewarding role focuses on supporting asylum seekers through their right-to-work application process with the Home Office. You will provide both practical and emotional support, address safeguarding and welfare needs, monitor wellbeing, and keep accurate records for compliance. Every day is different, and while the role can be challenging, it is also highly rewarding for someone who is resilient, empathetic, and people focused
This role is responsible for delivering a high-quality housing management and support service to service users, combining property management with person-centred support. The post holder will manage a portfolio of homes within an assigned region, ensuring properties are maintained to contractual standards while safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of all service users. The role involves coordinating move-ins, move-outs, voids and inspections, monitoring compliance with key performance indicators, and identifying and managing risks. Through regular assessments and engagement, the post holder will identify service users' support needs, provide advice and assistance, and work collaboratively with internal teams, external agencies, care providers and community organisations to ensure appropriate support is in place. The role requires cultural awareness, professional boundaries, resilience, accurate record keeping, performance reporting, and a flexible approach, including supporting colleagues and undertaking ad hoc projects as required.
Role Criteria
- A genuine passion for supporting people from diverse backgrounds and helping them build independence and confidence
- Strong empathy, compassion and the ability to provide practical and emotional support to individuals and families
- The resilience and emotional intelligence to work with people who may be facing complex challenges, including mental health concerns or difficult circumstances
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with service users, colleagues and partner agencies
- Sound judgement and the ability to identify risks, maintain professional boundaries and act with integrity
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to keep accurate records and work in line with safeguarding and compliance requirements
- The confidence to work independently, take initiative and adapt to changing situations
- A flexible approach and willingness to travel between sites when required
- A full UK driving licence
- Experience of working with vulnerable people, asylum seekers, housing support services or safeguarding would be advantageous, but we are primarily looking for individuals with the right personal attributes, values and commitment to supporting others. Full training will be provided.
Benefits We Can Offer You
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
- Volunteering Leave - Mears supports employees to undertake paid volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment.
- Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, Share save scheme, plus much more
- Family friendly policies
- Company Vehicle and Fuel Card
- Access to EAP Counselling sessions
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.
Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.
As part of the recruitment process for this role, we will carry out a Background, Identity, Security clearance & BPSS check. For these checks to be completed, we will require from you the relevant identification, including Proof of Address, References, a valid passport and proof that you have lived in the UK for the last 5 years.
At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.
In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.
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Housing Support Officer employer: Mears Group PLC
Mears Group PLC is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London Enfield where teamwork and customer focus are at the heart of our operations. We provide our employees with opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits, and a supportive culture that values innovation and collaboration, making it a rewarding place to build your career in transport coordination.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by asylum seekers. Understanding their unique needs and experiences will help you connect better with potential service users and demonstrate your empathy during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the housing support sector. Attend local events or join online forums to meet people who work in similar roles. This can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've supported vulnerable individuals. Be ready to share examples that highlight your resilience, problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Mears Group and their approach to housing support. Understanding their values and mission will allow you to tailor your conversations and show how your personal ethos aligns with theirs during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Housing Support Officer position. Highlight key skills such as empathy, resilience, and experience with vulnerable groups in your application.
Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work with asylum seekers or vulnerable populations, and include specific examples of how you've provided support in challenging situations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for helping others and your understanding of the challenges faced by asylum seekers. Use this opportunity to explain why you are a good fit for Mears Group and how your values align with their mission.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for the Housing Support Officer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mears Group PLC
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Housing Support Officer, empathy is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've supported vulnerable individuals in the past. Highlight your ability to listen and understand their needs.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
This role can be challenging, so it's important to showcase your resilience. Discuss situations where you've faced difficulties and how you managed to overcome them while maintaining professionalism.
✨Understand Safeguarding
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding principles and be ready to discuss how you would handle safeguarding issues. This shows that you take the welfare of service users seriously and are knowledgeable about best practices.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios you might encounter in the role. Think through potential challenges and how you would address them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and initiative.