Supported Accommodation Officer

As a Supported Accommodation Officer, you will facilitate residents to move into our accommodation and live in a place of safety and stability. You will help residents to progress towards independent living and gain the life skills to sustain this. Residents often arrive with more than just a housing problem and you will help them to address these problems during their stay. This will involve liaising and working closely with other voluntary and statutory agencies. You will also ensure that the properties are kept to a good standard as well as carrying out basic financial and administration functions in the operation of the house. The exact hours and locations of your work will vary, based on the needs of the organisation. You must be flexible, and some evening and weekend work will be required. You will also be expected to participate in the on‑call system (approximately 1 week in 8) to provide emergency cover (by telephone or at the premises) during normal working hours.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop a professional relationship with residents to help them achieve their goals, e.g. future housing, training, employment, etc.
• Draw up a support plan for each resident and assist in their personal development and preparation for independent living.
• Encourage and assist residents on practical matters relating to their claim for benefits, their search for permanent accommodation and resolving other problems which may be contributing to their homelessness.
• Liaise with external agencies on behalf of individual residents and inform and encourage residents to obtain help themselves from outside agencies and the statutory authorities in relation to any aspect of their welfare.
• Promote positive health attitudes among residents such as ensuring registration with a local G.P., etc.
• Promote the services and support networks provided by St Petrocs and other organisations.
• Assist residents to ‘move‑on’ by liaising and working with the Resettlement team and completing a resettlement plan.
• Facilitate direct access to available accommodation by single homeless people in accordance with admission criteria.
• Carry out practical tasks relating to the day‑to‑day efficient running of the house, including minor general maintenance, obtaining household supplies and arranging repairs and replacements, etc.
• Ensure that residents are clear about arrangements for paying accommodation charges and ensure they are paid on a timely basis.
• Ensure that the resident’s rights and responsibilities are understood.
• Facilitate and create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in the house and encourage the participation and involvement of each resident.
• Maintain the cleanliness and security of the building.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations, in accordance with our policies and procedures.
• With backup support, provide an on call service for emergencies across all services during normal working hours (approximately 1 week in every 8).
• Monitor the rate of referrals to the house and take action to deal with void/vacant bed spaces.
• Maintain efficient administration systems including the daily diary, confidential personal files, and accident/incident reports.
• Work within an agreed budget and maintain records in accordance with our policies and procedures (e.g. payment of weekly charges, records, petty cash systems, etc.)
• Ensure all income is accurately recorded and handled in a secure manner.
• Work in other areas of the service as required.
• Attend events as a positive ambassador for St Petrocs, promoting and raising awareness of its services and inspiring existing and potential supporters.
• Carry out any other duties as reasonably requested.

Who we’re looking for:

You’ll share our core values: You should have previous experience of working with vulnerable adults, along with a knowledge and appreciation of the many complex issues surrounding homelessness. Importantly, we’re looking for someone who passionately believes in our mission of ending homelessness. Homelessness is not an inevitability. It can be solved, and it can be prevented. In addition to the criteria outlined below, this post is subject to successful completion of a Basic disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Due to the nature of our work, you must also have a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Essential Criteria:

• Commitment to our services and the people we serve
• Able to follow processes and maintain high standards
• Comfortable working independently
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
• Able to manage conflict and challenging behaviour
• Able to relate to and motivate disadvantaged individuals
• Energetic, creative and driven, with a proactive and positive approach

What it’s like working with us:

We know that our staff are at their best when they feel supported, happy, and healthy – at work and at home. To that end, we’re pleased to offer the following employee benefits:

• 33 days annual leave a year, including bank holidays
• Enhanced maternity, partner, shared parental, and adoption pay
• Paid time off for neonatal care
• Paid time off for IVF treatment
• Competitive pension scheme
• Long-service awards
• Non-contributory life insurance (up to 3 x basic salary)
• Paid professional subscriptions (where relevant to role)
• Enhanced sick pay scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP) including access to counselling services
• Free eye tests and free vaccinations