At a Glance
- Tasks: Help men leaving prison find safe housing and prevent homelessness.
- Company: Established East Midlands housing charity with a mission to support vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: 37-hour work week, occasional evening/weekend shifts, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Ideal for those with backgrounds in housing, probation, or support services.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced role where your efforts directly impact lives and communities.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of housing legislation and experience supporting individuals with complex needs.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 28600 £ per year.
Help men leaving prison or on probation into safe, stable housing, and stop homelessness before it starts.
About the role
A well-established East Midlands housing charity is recruiting an Accommodation Advisor to join its Ministry of Justice-funded housing service across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. You’ll work with men who are sentenced prisoners or on probation and need support with housing, from preventing and relieving homelessness to sustaining tenancies. This is a fast-paced, target-driven role where you’ll see the difference you make.
What you’ll be doing
- Managing a busy caseload of men in custody and in the community
- Completing needs and risk assessments and agreeing short, focused action plans
- Delivering 1:1 and group sessions in prisons and community settings
- Working with probation, local authorities and voluntary sector partners, and challenging professionally when needed
- Handling safeguarding concerns sensitively and keeping accurate records
- Meeting individual and team KPIs
What you’ll need
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation and options
- Experience supporting people with complex needs, including housing, benefits, health and finances
- Experience working in a target-driven environment
- Experience of group work and safeguarding
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- A full driving licence and vehicle, or the means to travel across Leicestershire
What’s on offer
- 37 hours per week
- Occasional evening and weekend work
- A varied role with real impact on vulnerable people
Who this suits
Housing options officers, resettlement workers, probation services officers, homelessness prevention workers, and support workers from criminal justice or supported housing backgrounds.
Accommodation Advisor employer: Service Care
Service Care Solutions is an excellent employer for Multi Traders, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on responsive repairs in the community of Rugby, employees benefit from a company van, optional on-call payments, and comprehensive in-house training, ensuring they have the tools and skills needed to excel in their roles. Join a team that values professionalism and respect while providing meaningful service to local residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accommodation Advisor
✨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 Service Care.
✨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 Service Care!
✨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 Service Care, 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 Service Care or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Accommodation Advisor
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 Service Care:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Service Care! 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 Service Care
✨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.
