At a Glance
- Tasks: Support asylum seekers through their application process and provide practical and emotional support.
- Company: Join Mears, a leader in providing housing solutions for vulnerable communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a company vehicle, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for community engagement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Cultural awareness, strong communication skills, and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 29856 - 29856 £ per year.
Annual salary up to £29,856.80 (per annum) with company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 car allowance.
Location: Newcastle / Gateshead.
Contract: Full time – Permanent, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. OOH duties expected for 1 week out of 12, paid at £30 per weekday and £50 weekend day.
Organisation: Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers in Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. We work in partnership with local authorities, registered providers, tenants, landlords and investors to find solutions to homelessness and to provide specialist housing for those with care needs.
Role Overview: The Housing Support Officer delivers a high‑quality housing management and support service to asylum seekers, supporting them through the Home Office right‑to‑work application process. The role combines property management with person‑centred support, safeguarding welfare and wellbeing, and ensuring compliance with statutory and organisational standards.
Responsibilities:
- Support asylum seekers throughout their application process, ensuring welfare and safeguarding needs are met.
- Provide both 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.
- Be flexible and willing to travel between sites and handle ad‑hoc projects as required.
- Manage a portfolio of homes in an assigned region, ensuring properties are maintained to contractual standards.
- Coordinate move‑ins, move‑outs, voids and inspections, monitoring key performance indicators.
- Identify and manage risks, liaising with internal teams, external agencies, care providers and community organisations.
- Hold a full UK driving licence.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Cultural awareness and respect for diverse communities.
- Professional boundaries, resilience and empathy.
- Strong record‑keeping and performance reporting skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work independently and maintain initiative.
- Full UK driving licence and entitlement to work in the UK.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Mears Fun Day (annual celebration).
- Volunteering leave to support community work.
- Staff perks through Mears Rewards: discounts on groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, share‑save scheme, and more.
- Company vehicle and fuel card.
- Access to EAP counselling sessions.
Equality and Diversity: Mears Group is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion focused employer. We are a Disability Confident employer and we support diversity and equal opportunity. All applicants must have entitlement to work in the UK; we do not offer visa sponsorship. The position is subject to background, identity and security checks before commencement.
Housing Officer employer: Mears Group
Mears is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the welfare of both employees and the communities they serve. With competitive benefits such as a company vehicle, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, Mears empowers Housing Support Officers to make a meaningful impact in the lives of asylum seekers in the vibrant Newcastle/Gateshead area. Join a team that values diversity, promotes independence, and celebrates achievements through events like the Mears Fun Day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Officer
✨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 Officer
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.
