Overview
Homeless Pathway Officers to work across Birmingham hospital sites, supporting the Discharge to Assess (D2A) model. You will play a pivotal role in improving health, well-being, and housing outcomes for individuals rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness. This position focuses on delivering early intervention, preventing repeated hospital admissions, and facilitating transitions to stable accommodation.
Responsibilities
- Referral and Assessment: Conduct comprehensive needs and risk assessments using a strengths-based approach, ensuring equality of opportunity for all Birmingham citizens.
- Accommodation and Housing: Forge partnerships with housing providers, supported accommodation schemes, and private landlords to identify suitable housing solutions for clients. Support citizens in accessing temporary, supported, or permanent accommodation, ensuring that housing pathways are tailored to individual needs. Provide expertise on homeless legislation, housing rights, and available resources to empower clients in securing appropriate housing.
- Collaborative Working: Liaise closely with the clinically led homeless team to integrate your support into the broader out-of-hospital care model. Facilitate multi-agency working by coordinating between housing, mental health, primary care, and substance misuse services. Representing the service and clients professionally in meetings, advocating for solutions that prevent homelessness and promote sustained housing stability.
- Citizen Support: Deliver person-centred support to help citizens sustain tenancies and access wrap-around care. Educate clients about their housing rights, tenancy responsibilities, and available local support services. Be available to work as part of the mental health-based service when required, providing support directly to citizens within this setting to ensure seamless integration of the pathway model.
- Reporting and Evaluation: Prepare reports and contribute to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by documenting outcomes and appraising service effectiveness. Provide accurate progress reports for key stakeholders, ensuring continuous improvement of the service.
Person Specification
Essential
- Knowledge and Skills:
- In-depth understanding of homeless legislation and Birmingham Homeless Prevention Strategy 2017+.
- Strong knowledge of housing pathways, including access to temporary, supported, and permanent accommodation.
- Proficiency in IT systems (Word, Excel, Outlook) and housing management databases.
- Experience:
- Proven experience working with vulnerable individuals, particularly those at risk of homelessness. Track record of successful collaboration with partner agencies, such as housing providers, health services, and support organisations.
- Experience conducting needs and risk assessments for clients with complex needs.
- Qualifications:
- 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths and English. Relevant training or certification in housing, social care, or related fields is advantageous.
- Abilities:
- Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. Strong communication skills, including the ability to present cases and advocate effectively in multi-agency settings.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in service delivery.
Desirable
- Familiarity with Birmingham’s housing market and local service networks.
- Experience in delivering tenancy sustainment support.
- Knowledge of safeguarding practices and protocols.
Benefits
Comprehensive induction and ongoing learning and development opportunities. A chance to contribute to systemic change and improve outcomes for individuals at risk of homelessness.
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Contact Detail:
New Albany Plain Local Schools Recruiting Team
How to prepare for a job interview at New Albany Plain Local Schools
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of homeless legislation and the Birmingham Homeless Prevention Strategy. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the challenges faced by individuals at risk of homelessness.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully collaborated with partner agencies or supported vulnerable individuals. This will help demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a multi-agency setting, which is crucial for this position.
✨Practice Your Assessments
Since conducting needs and risk assessments is a key part of the job, practice how you would approach these assessments using a strengths-based approach. Think about how you can ensure equality of opportunity for all clients and be ready to discuss your methodology during the interview.
✨Be Person-Centred
Emphasise your commitment to delivering person-centred support. Be prepared to talk about how you would educate clients about their housing rights and responsibilities, and how you would help them sustain tenancies. This will highlight your dedication to improving health and housing outcomes.