Temporary Accommodation Support Supervisor

Do you have experience supporting vulnerable people with complex needs in a Housing, Hostel or Supported Accommodation environment, and are you ready to take the next step into a supervisory role? We have an exciting opportunity for a Temporary Accommodation Support Supervisor (18-month maternity cover) to join our Housing team, working to support some of the district’s most vulnerable adults to move on from temporary accommodation into longer-term housing solutions. You will play a key role in the day-to-day running of Council-owned homeless accommodation in West Oxfordshire, ensuring high-quality, safe and well-managed services.

Working closely with internal teams and external partners, you will help residents develop the skills and support they need to move on successfully, while also supervising and supporting a small team of Temporary Accommodation Support Officers. This is a rewarding but demanding role, ideal for someone who combines empathy with professionalism, resilience and strong organisational skills.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supervising and providing day-to-day direction to Temporary Accommodation Support Officers, with direct line management responsibility for two staff members.
• Ensuring the efficient running of Council-owned homeless accommodation, maintaining high service standards and maximising occupancy.
• Managing hostel budgets, minimising voids and ensuring residents are supported to claim the correct benefits and meet service charge requirements.
• Carrying out and overseeing risk assessments, health & safety checks, and property inspections, ensuring repairs and issues are reported promptly.
• Developing bespoke support plans for residents to help them manage their stay and move on into independent accommodation.
• Supporting residents to access benefits, support agencies, employment, education or volunteering opportunities.
• Managing and responding to anti-social behaviour, while maintaining positive relationships with neighbours and local businesses.
• Representing the service at multi-agency meetings and contributing to alternative homelessness pathways.
• Deputising for the Temporary Accommodation Lead when required.
• Participating in an on-call duty rota (additional remuneration provided).

What we’re looking for:

Someone who values structure, confidentiality and professionalism alongside compassion and support. You will be working with sensitive personal information and must demonstrate a strong understanding of safeguarding, GDPR and professional boundaries. You’ll need to be resilient and adaptable, able to remain calm and confident when working in challenging environments or emotionally complex situations. Teamwork is essential, as is the ability to work independently under pressure and meet tight deadlines. You will also need a sound understanding of housing legislation, including the Housing Acts, the Homelessness Reduction Act and associated guidance.

You will need:

• A qualification equivalent to a degree or at least five years’ relevant experience in Housing, Housing Management, Supported Accommodation or a hostel-based environment.
• GCSE Maths and English (grade C/4 or above, or equivalent).
• Experience of working with vulnerable people with complex needs.
• Experience of supervising staff or supporting service delivery within a housing or support setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft and Google packages.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Desirable:

• A relevant professional or academic qualification.
• Knowledge or experience of project management.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.

Special Conditions:

• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across the district.
• Standard DBS check required.
• Deputising for the Temporary Accommodation Lead when required.
• Participating in an on-call duty rota (additional remuneration provided).

Should we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Previous applicants need not apply.

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.

Watch our new 'What is Publica' video to see why it's great to join us!

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.