At a Glance
- Tasks: Support low and medium risk offenders in finding accommodation and meeting their needs.
- Company: Nacro is a leading social justice charity focused on reducing reoffending and supporting communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a supportive employee assistance programme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience in the criminal justice field.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence and a genuine interest in helping others are essential.
- Other info: Open to applicants with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Full Time: Working hours are 8 hours per day, shift patterns and flexibility will be discussed during the interview. (The provision of the contract is between 08:00 and 22:00)
Location: Plymouth
Candidates are required to have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle for the purposes of undertaking the requirements of this role.
Making a difference:
The Community Accommodation with Support, tier 2 (CAS-2) contract is a high-profile commission direct from the Ministry of Justice. Operating in every region across England and Wales, CAS-2 provides accommodation and support to low and medium risk offenders that are eligible for a home detention curfew or bail that would otherwise be held in prison because they do not have accommodation in the community. It is currently Nacro’s largest single contract and is set to grow by 60% over the next 18 months!
What will you be doing:
In this role, no two days are ever the same and you will have the opportunity to make an impact and a difference for our service users and wider communities. Managing your diary to meet the requirements of the role, you’ll meet with service users, discuss support needs and how we can help them to meet their objectives; complete Support and Safety Plans, work with Community Probation Practitioners and court staff to best support our service users. You’ll also need to be able to help our service users with applying for Housing Benefit and paying rent, etc. All of our properties require to meet the ‘Decent Homes Standard’ and to do that you’ll need great attention to detail to ensure that our homes are clean, tidy and all repairs are reported and actioned, so they are readily available for our service user to move into.
- People who love this role are:
- Resilient: doesn’t take the events of the day home with them, undertakes activity to care for own wellbeing.
- Curious: will ask questions to understand before finding solutions or signposting.
- Emotionally intelligent: perceptive to human behaviour, instinctively knows when something isn’t right.
- Has a level of self-confidence and knows own limitations. Positive outlook – enthusiastic and willing to learn.
- Warm personality, smiles and gives appropriate eye contact.
- Demonstrates team working and supports peers. Combines efforts with others.
- Personal values match those of Nacro.
What are we looking for:
- Genuine interest in people – wants to interact with people through different methods (phone, email, face to face) and can change their own communication style to meet the needs of the audience and situation. Listening, asking questions to confirm understanding, clear and concise, doesn’t always accept the status quo. Uses common sense to help make decisions.
- Acts with integrity and within professional boundaries in the service users\’ best interests and Nacro. Knows when to escalate issues or concerns, and to ask for help.
- Able to manage competing priorities – manages self, is organised to deliver, updates systems and reports in a timely manner, sets reminders and follows up to ensure outcomes happen. Pays attention to the detail.
- ICT literate – training will be given for our systems, need to be able to use Outlook, Word and Excel at a basic level.
Non-Negotiables: Without these things you would find it very challenging to complete the job role.
- Full clean UK Driving licence.
- Access to vehicle – you will be reimbursed for your mileage at 45p per mile.
- Willing to undertake extensive travel for business.
- Business car insurance will be required if appointed for the post.
- An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role, as well as registration on the DBS Update Service. These will be completed as part of the Pre-Employment Screening process. This role also requires a Prison Clearance.
- We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and having a criminal record will not necessarily preclude you from being successful in your application.
Rewards and Benefits:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Free eye test and £50 contribution towards glasses
- Employee assistance programme
- Excellent benefits including a great annual leave entitlement, additional special leave, an occupational sick pay scheme which exceeds statutory requirements.
- The opportunity to work flexibly within the community as this role allows you to work from home in between property visits.
For further information about Nacro’s (CAS-2) Benefits, please click here.
For further information about the role, please click here.
If you have any questions or would like to have an informal chat regarding the role, please email ellie.frisby@nacro.org.uk
This role provides an excellent springboard into other criminal justice professions including experience of working with a range of criminal justice agencies. In addition, you will gain experience in liaising with local authority Housing Benefit departments and the DWP to resolve financial issues.
Request for Visa Sponsorship – NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS VACANCY
Nacro is a visa sponsorship licence holder. There is strict criteria for visa sponsorship set by the British Government. This vacancy does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship; however, depending on your personal circumstances, there may be a different route for you to be able to legally work with us.
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Housing Support Worker employer: Nacro
Contact Detail:
Nacro Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Ministry of Justice's initiatives and policies related to housing support for offenders. Understanding the context in which Nacro operates will help you demonstrate your knowledge and commitment during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the criminal justice and housing sectors. Attend local events or join online forums where you can connect with others who work in similar roles. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've demonstrated resilience and emotional intelligence. Think of examples that showcase your ability to handle challenging situations and how you’ve positively impacted others.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific needs of low and medium risk offenders regarding housing support. Being able to articulate how you can meet these needs will set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely interested in making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Housing Support Worker role. Emphasise your ability to manage competing priorities, your communication skills, and any experience you have in supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your genuine interest in helping people and your understanding of the challenges faced by low and medium risk offenders. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your resilience, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have any qualifications or training related to social work, community support, or similar fields, make sure to mention them. Also, include your full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, as these are essential for the role.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: The role requires strong interpersonal skills. Highlight your ability to listen actively, adapt your communication style, and work collaboratively with others. Mention any experience you have in managing relationships with service users or stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nacro
✨Show Your Resilience
As a Housing Support Worker, resilience is key. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled challenging situations in the past and what strategies you use to maintain your wellbeing. This will demonstrate your ability to cope with the demands of the role.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Highlight your understanding of human behaviour during the interview. Share examples of how you've been perceptive to others' needs and how you've adapted your communication style to connect with different individuals. This will show that you can build rapport with service users.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
The role requires managing competing priorities effectively. Be ready to explain how you stay organised, manage your time, and ensure that tasks are completed on schedule. Mention any tools or methods you use to keep track of your responsibilities.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios you might face in the role. Think about how you would assist service users with applications for Housing Benefit or address maintenance issues in properties. Practising these responses will help you feel more confident during the interview.