Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees in Cirencester
Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees

Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees in Cirencester

Cirencester Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Publica Group Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide vital homelessness advice and support to vulnerable refugees seeking housing solutions.
  • Company: Join Publica Group Ltd, a forward-thinking organisation transforming local services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, health cash plan, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a meaningful role.
  • Qualifications: Experience in housing or support services, strong communication skills, and resilience.
  • Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

In this important role, you will provide a comprehensive homelessness advice and prevention service, helping vulnerable households understand their housing options and access suitable accommodation. You will assess housing applications, determine statutory homelessness duties and work closely with partners to help households secure sustainable housing solutions. The role will also involve visiting applicants in their homes or temporary accommodation and supporting them to access private rented housing where possible.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Assessing applications from refugees seeking advice about their housing situation
  • Determining homelessness duties for households presenting as homeless under refugee schemes
  • Supporting households to secure private rented accommodation, including accessing appropriate funding
  • Helping applicants register for housing through HomeseekerPlus and validating documentation
  • Creating and managing personalised housing plans to prevent or relieve homelessness
  • Working closely with partner agencies, refugee support organisations and the County Council
  • Sourcing suitable temporary and longer-term accommodation to meet the councils housing duties
  • Maintaining accurate case records and monitoring information
  • Managing a caseload within prevention and relief duties during busy periods across the wider homelessness service

About You

You will have experience working within a housing or homelessness service and a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable people through challenging situations. You will be confident managing complex cases, working with partner agencies and providing clear advice and support to individuals with a range of needs. You will also bring:

  • Experience working in housing, homelessness or a related support service
  • Experience supporting vulnerable people or those with complex needs
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to manage your own caseload and prioritise effectively
  • Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
  • Experience of working collaboratively with partner organisations
  • The ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations

Knowledge or experience of issues affecting refugees or asylum seekers would be beneficial, and Ukrainian language skills would be an advantage but are not essential. You will need resilience and adaptability, as you will often work with people experiencing stress, crisis or confrontation. It is important that you can manage these situations calmly and confidently. You should also be emotionally resilient and able to support others while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Teamwork is essential in this role, and you will need to work effectively with colleagues and external partners.

Please note that you will be based in our offices five days a week and will need the ability to travel as required. This is a 12 months fixed term contract.

Special Conditions

  • The role may require travel to other Publica or client locations
  • DBS check required
  • You may occasionally be required to work additional hours in line with service needs
  • The role involves visiting applicants in their homes or temporary accommodation

What we can do for you

  • Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
  • Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
  • 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
  • Renewed again for another year there is a health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
  • Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of up to 7% of your earnings
  • Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
  • Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
  • Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
  • Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary

About The Organisation

You will be employed by Publica Group Ltd which was created by four partner Councils (West Oxfordshire District Council, Cotswold District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Forest of Dean District Council) to deliver more efficient and improved services. Publica is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities. Publica is a unique place to work, established to transform the way local services are delivered, fundamentally rethinking the way our services are designed and delivered in a digital era, making us a customer-focused organisation driven by real user needs.

Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees in Cirencester employer: Publica Group Ltd

Publica Group Ltd is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming local services and supporting vulnerable communities, particularly refugees. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a comprehensive benefits package including health cash plans and additional income protection. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth and resilience, making it a rewarding environment for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Publica Group Ltd

Contact Detail:

Publica Group Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees in Cirencester

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the homelessness and housing sector, especially those who work with refugees. Attend local events or online webinars to connect with potential employers and learn about job openings before they’re advertised.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your experiences and commitment to helping vulnerable people. Let them know why this role matters to you and how you can make a difference.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the unexpected! You might face challenging questions or scenarios during interviews. Think about how you would handle tough situations with applicants and be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to support those in need.

We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees in Cirencester

Homelessness Advice
Housing Assessment
Statutory Homelessness Duties
Private Rented Accommodation Support
Case Management
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
IT Skills
Collaboration with Partner Organisations
Resilience
Adaptability
Emotional Resilience
Teamwork
Knowledge of Refugee Issues

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in housing or homelessness services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Homelessness Relief Officer, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves working closely with vulnerable households and partner agencies, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong communication and interpersonal skills. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve effectively supported individuals in challenging situations.

Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on conveying your message effectively.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super straightforward and user-friendly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Publica Group Ltd

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Homelessness Relief Officer. Familiarise yourself with the housing options available for refugees and the statutory homelessness duties. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your previous experience in housing or homelessness services. Think of specific examples where you've supported vulnerable individuals or managed complex cases. This will demonstrate your capability and commitment to helping those in need.

✨Practice Active Listening

During the interview, listen carefully to the questions being asked. This role requires strong communication skills, so showing that you can actively listen and respond thoughtfully will set you apart. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you’re unsure about something.

✨Demonstrate Team Spirit

Teamwork is crucial in this role, so be ready to talk about how you've collaborated with colleagues or partner organisations in the past. Share examples that highlight your ability to work effectively within a team, especially in challenging situations.

Homelessness Relief Officer - Refugees in Cirencester
Publica Group Ltd
Location: Cirencester

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