Housing Officer – Supported Housing

at  HR Solutions Client

Hours: Part-time, 15 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £30,285 - £32,330 per annum, pro-rata for part time hours
Location: Islington, London, N1
Start date: September 2024
Our client Peter Bedford Housing Association (PBHA) is a housing association with charitable aims that create positive change in people’s lives. As well as homes and support, PBHA empowers people to learn, access work and discover their creative talents. Based in Hackney, Islington and Newham, PBHA work with people who are homeless, have mental ill health, learning difficulties and multiple needs. PBHA’s work enables people to move on and lead independent lives.

THE MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE POST IS:

• To have worked in a paid or voluntary capacity with at least one of the following groups: people who have mental ill health; learning difficulties; people who have been homeless and rootless; or people who have alcohol-related problems. It is preferable that you have experience working with people with learning difficulties. To have an understanding of the particular wellbeing needs of minority ethnic groups.

PETER BEDFORD HOUSING ASSOCIATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER WHO SUPPORT AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE AND DIVERSITY FOR THEIR STAFF AND THOSE THEY REPRESENT. THEY ARE COMMITTED TO ENCOURAGING FURTHER GROWTH FROM DIVERSE GROUPS, AND WELCOME APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES AND UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS. CURRENTLY, PBHA HAVE AN UNDERREPRESENTATION FROM MEN AND DISABLED COMMUNITIES. AS SUCH, THEY PARTICULARLY WELCOME APPLICANTS FROM THESE GROUPS.

For more information about Peter Bedford Housing Association, please visit their website at https://www.peterbedford.org.uk/

THE ROLE:

The postholder will work in partnership with the support service provider to deliver a quality housing management service to 11 tenants with learning disabilities. Post holders will work from a purpose new build service in Islington. The postholder will have access to PBHA local offices where appropriate. The post holder will be issued the IT equipment necessary to facilitate mobile working.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To be responsible for working a caseload of tenants at this service.
• Identifying individual tenancy needs through assessment and an identified Housing Plan detailing risks, needs and move on plans.
• Provide a weekly housing management drop in.
• Ensure that tenants apply for benefits where eligible, and signpost tenants to information on how to maximise income.
• Record and monitor any breaches of tenancy agreement and work proactively and within procedures to resolve them.
• Liaise with support officers, the Income officer, and the finance department to provide effective prevention and management of rent issues.
• Liaise with colleagues to ensure void targets are met and properties are let within agreed timescale.
• Assist in the moving in/out process.
• Deal with complaints, nuisance and tenancy disputes as they arise. Work with tenants to promote self-help and mediation approaches to dispute resolution and address and escalate in line with procedure.
• Carry out regular building inspections, reporting repairs.
• Enforce the conditions of tenancy that enable PBHA to undertake urgent works such as electrical testing.
• Carry out H&S and fire checks and assessment, liaising closely with others to ensure that follow up actions are completed.
• Report safeguarding concerns as appropriate.

TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensuring that proper records are kept, and information is passed to other team members as necessary.
• To ensure that PBHA’s computerised and manual systems are accurately updated specifically in relation to contact with tenants and stakeholders.
• To meet required standards and contract compliance of commissioning bodies where PBHA delivers a service.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

Although we are keeping direct experience/knowledge requirements to a minimum, we do need you to use the application form or covering letter to demonstrate your capabilities, in relation to each point listed under role requirements. Where relevant use your answers to illustrate how your competences have helped you achieve positive results.