At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the go-to person for housing support and help service users find their perfect home.
- Company: Join a supportive organisation dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others navigate their housing journey.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting others.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Responsibilities include:
- Being the first point of contact from referring agencies and liaising with the Local Authority to allocate accommodation in line with the organisation’s eligibility criteria to maximise occupancy.
- Carrying out, reviewing and documenting risk assessments in line with procedure.
- Conducting individual assessments to identify service users’ needs and hopes, and working alongside the service user to meet these by providing information, advice and guidance that enable service users to make informed decisions.
- Representing and advocating for service users when appropriate in line with procedures.
- Making referrals to and liaising with relevant agencies and individuals on behalf of service users, including housing, health, training, education and employment, welfare benefits, social services, and criminal justice.
- Keeping up to date with changes to benefit system legislations that may impact the organisation or service users to ensure effective rent collection across all YMCA Cardiff projects and ensuring timely completion of housing benefit claims and obtaining necessary supporting documentation for benefit verification.
- Supporting people to manage their finances and maximise their income via welfare benefit checks, making new benefit applications (i.e. Housing benefit), support with budgeting, bills, rent payments, and reducing any debts.
- Negotiating realistic payment agreements with service users, taking into account financial circumstances and individual needs.
- Promoting, implementing, and ensuring compliance with the licence agreement/contract and rights & responsibilities documents.
- Responding to any conditions/responsibilities that are not met to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all and carrying out full internal investigations if any incidents occur, as per procedure.
- Actively ensuring the security of the building, including monitoring of CCTV systems and regular physical checks.
- Being certified in providing first aid and responding to any incidents as required.
- Managing the nightly occupancy of service users, ensuring that any concerns or actions are communicated to the relevant department.
- Encouraging service user involvement in the development and operation of the service through facilitating consultation and participation.
- Helping organise and encourage activities and any creative projects which would be of interest.
Housing Support Officer in Cardiff employer: YMCA Cardiff Group
Contact Detail:
YMCA Cardiff Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Officer in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing support sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission, especially around supporting service users and managing finances.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with real-life examples during interviews. Talk about times you've successfully advocated for someone or managed a challenging situation. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of a Housing Support Officer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Support Officer in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities listed in the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Housing Support Officer, you'll be liaising with various agencies and service users. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and advocate for others. Let us know how you've done this in the past!
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you've got experience in housing support, social services, or any related field, make sure to bring it to the forefront of your application. We love seeing candidates who have hands-on experience that can benefit our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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 easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA Cardiff Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the responsibilities listed in the job description. Brush up on topics like risk assessments, welfare benefits, and housing legislation. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also prepared to hit the ground running.
✨Show Empathy and Advocacy Skills
As a Housing Support Officer, you'll be working closely with service users. Prepare examples of how you've advocated for someone in the past or how you've helped individuals navigate complex systems. This will demonstrate your ability to connect and support those in need.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations, like handling a difficult service user or managing a financial crisis. Think through your responses ahead of time, focusing on your problem-solving skills and how you would ensure compliance with procedures.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Ask about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how the organisation measures success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.