At a Glance
- Tasks: Support asylum seekers through their right-to-work application and provide practical and emotional support.
- Company: Join Mears, a leader in providing housing solutions and support for vulnerable communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, company vehicle, and discounts on groceries and holidays.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career growth and community volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a full UK driving licence are essential for this role.
The predicted salary is between 29856 - 29856 £ per year.
Annual salary: up to £29,856.80
Location: Covering Area 2 – Angus, Dundee, Falkirk and Fife
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 works 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
- Support asylum seekers throughout their application process, ensuring welfare and safeguarding needs are met
- Provide practical and emotional support to individuals and families
- Identify needs and put in place support packages to promote independence
- Work with vulnerable and diverse client groups, including those with mental health needs or challenging behaviours
- Carry out risk assessments and maintain accurate records for audits and compliance
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, service users, local authorities, and partner organisations
- Maintain professional boundaries while being approachable, empathetic, and supportive
- Work independently, showing resilience and initiative
- Flexible and willing to travel between sites
- Hold a full UK driving licence
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
Required Qualifications
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.
EEO Statement
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.
Housing Support Officer in Dundee employer: Mears Group
Mears Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Housing Support Officers in the beautiful regions of Angus, Dundee, Falkirk, and Fife. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, Mears provides generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, a company vehicle, and opportunities for professional growth through community volunteering initiatives. Join a team that values resilience, empathy, and cultural awareness while making a meaningful impact on the lives of asylum seekers and vulnerable individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Officer in Dundee
✨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 Mears Group.
✨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 Mears Group!
✨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 Mears Group, 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 Mears Group 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 Support Officer in Dundee
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 Mears Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mears Group! 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 Mears Group
✨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.
