Specialist Support Coach - Housing
Orbit Group About the role
We’re building thriving communities as one of the UK’s largest housing groups and a leading developer of affordable housing. We believe everyone is entitled to a good home they can afford, in a place they are proud to live. More than 100,000 people live in our homes. If you want to experience work that’s truly rewarding, join us. Because when we achieve together, customers and communities thrive. Work for Orbit. Believe in people.
The role
Orbit is delighted to be recruiting for a Specialist Support Coach to join us in this brand new role to the organisation. This new and essential role will see the Specialist Support Coach manage a specialist caseload of customers with multiple and complex needs (including hoarding), providing intensive, person-centred support to sustain tenancies, reduce risk, and improve wellbeing. You will partner up with our Community Coaches in working 1-1 with our customers and out in our wider communities, providing specialist and individual understanding to complex needs. This role will be based out of either our Erith or Maidstone offices and will be required to cover the South East area - a driving license and access to your own vehicle will be required. This role is part of our Customer directorate where you'll help us to lead the way in keeping our promise to more than 100,000 customers.
What you'll achieve
- Manage a specialist caseload of customers with complex needs (e.g., hoarding, mental health, neurodiversity, substance misuse, domestic abuse, offending history and self-neglect).
- Complete comprehensive assessments and develop tailored support plans; provide 1:1 ongoing support to sustain tenancies and improve outcomes.
- Carry out home visits where appropriate to complete assessments, deliver support and review progress.
- Coordinate referrals and contribute to the Better Days programme, working with operational teams to ensure a smooth customer journey.
- Build and maintain effective partnerships and referral routes with local services (including local authority, safeguarding and hoarding services) and represent the organisation at internal and external meetings.
- Lead and contribute to multi-agency working, coordinating actions across partners and internal operational teams to manage risk and achieve agreed outcomes.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records on the customer management system, meeting agreed service standards and information-sharing requirements.
- Monitor and report on activity and impact; provide insight on trends, gaps in services, emerging needs and risk to support service improvement.
- Handle challenging conversations and behaviours professionally, balancing firm, proportionate challenge with empathy and support.
- Work in line with organisational policies and legislation, including health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity, data protection and the Code of Conduct.
What you'll bring
Essential skills- Experience providing intensive support to people with multiple/complex needs (housing, social care or support services).
- Experience supporting hoarding, self-neglect and/or tenancy-related risk.
- Skilled in assessment, support planning, risk management and safeguarding (including capacity-related considerations).
- Able to work independently and flexibly, managing competing priorities within a high-risk caseload.
- Excellent communication skills; able to manage emotionally demanding situations calmly and professionally, using a firm, empathic and proportionate approach.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and customer-focused service delivery.
- Enhanced DBS.
- Training/accreditation in hoarding, self-neglect and/or mental health interventions.
- Understanding of housing law, tenancy enforcement and proportionate legal remedies in complex cases.
- Evidence of achieving sustained outcomes in long-term, entrenched cases.
- Ability to contribute to service development and share learning/best practice across teams.
- Relevant qualification (e.g., HNC/HND in Housing, Social Care or similar) or equivalent experience, plus willingness to undertake role-specific training.
Why Orbit?
Choosing us means being rewarded in every sense. Here’s what you can expect to enjoy with us:
- A rewarding experience that works for you. We strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive. For a better work-life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.
- A place to progress. From training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow.
- A purpose to feel proud of. We’re proud to make a difference to people together. We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people.
How we hire
We aim to make our hiring process simple and fair: Online application, Interview(s), Decision and offer. We put the safeguarding of our customers, colleagues and contractors at the heart of everything we do and as such, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check.
Your tasks
Support customers with complex needs, providing tailored assistance to improve their wellbeing and sustain tenancies.
Your profile
Experience in supporting individuals with complex needs and excellent communication skills required.
What's also included
Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and a rewarding experience that makes a difference.
Tech stack & ways of working
Specialist Support Coach - Housing employer: Orbit Group
At Orbit, we pride ourselves on being a leading housing group dedicated to building thriving communities and providing affordable homes. Our work culture is rooted in collaboration and a strong commitment to customer focus, ensuring that our employees feel valued and empowered to make a difference. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a supportive environment, joining us as a Contracts & Standards Manager means contributing to meaningful change while enjoying the benefits of working for an organisation that truly believes in people.
Your perspectives
Make a real impact in people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
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 Orbit 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 Orbit 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 Orbit 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 Orbit Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Orbit Group
Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Orbit 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 Orbit 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.
