At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable residents in settling into their new homes and sustaining tenancies.
- Company: Local authority in Southeast London with a focus on community support.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, potential for contract extension, and meaningful work experience.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate with various agencies and teams.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them live independently.
- Qualifications: Experience in social housing and supporting vulnerable individuals is essential.
The predicted salary is between 24.28 - 24.28 £ per hour.
A local authority in London is seeking an experienced and compassionate Tenancy Support Officer (New Builds) to join its Tenancy Services team. This is an excellent opportunity to support vulnerable residents and help new tenants successfully settle into their homes, sustain their tenancies, and access the services they need to live independently.
The Role
As a Tenancy Support Officer, you will work closely with new and transferred tenants during the first 6 to 12 months of their tenancy, providing tailored support and guidance to help them establish and sustain successful tenancies. You will manage a varied caseload of tenants with a range of support needs, working collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies to deliver holistic, person-centred support.
The role will involve assessing support needs, developing support plans, carrying out risk assessments, and acting as an advocate for tenants to ensure they can access appropriate services and maintain stable tenancies.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing referrals and providing tailored support to vulnerable tenants following tenancy sign-up.
- Assessing needs and developing support plans that promote independent living and tenancy sustainment.
- Undertaking risk assessments and identifying support requirements for tenants with complex needs.
- Referring and coordinating support from internal Council services and external agencies, including social services, mental health services, drug and alcohol support providers, and voluntary organisations.
- Attending case conferences, safeguarding meetings, MARAC, mental health, hoarding, high-harm, and multi-agency panels.
- Maintaining accurate records, databases, case notes, support plans, and performance statistics.
- Liaising with and advocating on behalf of tenants regarding tenancy issues, anti-social behaviour, welfare concerns, and support needs.
- Supporting tenants with welfare benefits, financial management, debt issues, and rent account monitoring.
- Working closely with income teams to reduce arrears and maximise benefit entitlement.
- Supporting tenants with repairs reporting and navigating Council housing services.
- Investigating complaints from tenants, Councillors, and MPs in accordance with Council procedures.
- Working alongside Tenancy Officers and Housing Management teams to ensure successful tenancy outcomes.
- Promoting safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of service delivery.
- Maintaining knowledge of housing legislation, tenancy management practices, and best practice in tenancy support services.
Essential Experience
- Experience working with social housing tenants, preferably within a local authority environment.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals and families, including young people, adults, and older residents.
- Experience of casework management, assessments, support planning, referrals, and tenancy sustainment.
- Knowledge of welfare benefits, housing benefits, and support services available to residents.
- Experience attending multi-agency meetings, case conferences, and professional panels involving complex cases.
- Ability to identify risks and implement appropriate support interventions.
- Strong written communication skills, including report writing, correspondence, and record keeping.
- Experience using Microsoft Office applications and housing management databases.
- Ability to build positive relationships with tenants, colleagues, and partner agencies.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to achieve positive outcomes in challenging situations.
- Understanding of safeguarding principles relating to children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
- Basic understanding of tenancy management, housing law, anti-social behaviour, and tenancy enforcement issues.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working with tenants moving into new-build developments or introductory tenancies.
- Knowledge of local support services and stakeholder networks.
- Experience supporting tenants with mental health needs, substance misuse issues, hoarding behaviours, or domestic abuse concerns.
- Experience working within a housing support, tenancy sustainment, or floating support service.
- Experience working closely with Housing Management, Income Recovery, and Tenancy Enforcement teams.
- Knowledge of best practice in tenancy sustainment and early intervention support.
Temporary Support Officer employer: R&R Housing
As a Temporary Support Officer with our local authority in Southeast London, you will be part of a compassionate team dedicated to empowering vulnerable residents and ensuring they thrive in their new homes. We offer a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth, alongside competitive pay and the potential for contract extension, making this an ideal opportunity for those seeking meaningful employment in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Temporary Support Officer
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to R&R Housing, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of R&R Housing. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at R&R Housing. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at R&R Housing
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with R&R Housing.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Temporary Support Officer role at R&R Housing, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show R&R Housing that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
