Accommodation Support Worker

Old Moat; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Parental leave

Discounts

Job summary

Manchester City Council is recruiting for a role within the homeless services team at Poplars, Manchester. The position involves supporting residents who are transitioning from temporary to permanent housing, with shifts across days and evenings on a 3-week rolling rota.

You will manage admin tasks, assist with housing benefit claims, and act as a key worker for residents. The role requires strong IT skills, resilience and a compassionate approach to vulnerable individuals, with training

Qualifications

• Experience in risk assessment and safeguarding work.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities.
• Knowledge of professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Support residents to settle into accommodation and move to permanent housing.
• Complete booking in paperwork and benefit claims for residents (Housing Benefit and Universal Credit).
• Act as allocated key worker for a caseload of residents and provide support sessions.
• Update handovers and maintain accurate records across multiple systems.
• Conduct welfare checks, building checks and safety responsibilities on shift.
• Assist with eviction notices and warnings when required.

Tools

Liquid Logic

HPA2

Manchester Move

MAS gateway

Microsoft Office

Microsoft 365

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours and pattern: 35 Hours Per Week. This role operates on a rota basis covering weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays. Shifts include:

• Day Shift: 8:00am to 3:00pm
• Evening Shift: 1:00pm to 8:00pm
• Cover Shift: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Flexibility is required as shifts will be scheduled across weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays to meet service needs.

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Additional Payments: 6.7% Flexibility payment

Closing Date: 09 September 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action

This role is subject to - 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

This is a rewarding role which involves direct working with some of the most vulnerable in our society: Manchester's homeless community. Poplars offers Temporary accommodation to 24 male and female singles being discharged from hospital with no accommodation to return to, or those with low support needs including mobility issues.

In this role you will support residents to settle into the accommodation, with the goal of moving residents onto more permanent accommodation. You will complete booking in paperwork and benefit claims with residents for both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit when required. You will be the allocated key worker for case load of residents to support during their stay at the accommodation. You will be expected to complete support sessions and signpost residents to benefits agencies, complete referrals to adult social care where required. You will also complete move on work with residents, identify what their support needs are, and complete suitable referrals. This in most cases will be to private rented accommodation and to social housing, but could also be to inhouse accommodation services, ABEN projects, commissioned sites.

The role requires for multiple tasks to be undertaken being able to multitask and organise your time is vital. You will be responsible for the day to day running of the service. All staff are responsible for Health and Safety of the building and will be required to complete building checks, room checks and welfare checks each day. Staff will also be required to tidy and clean flats when they become vacant in preparation to re-let.

In addition, there may be emergency incidents that occur on shift at times, that you will be required to deal with. This could be contacting the emergency services for a resident, liaising with professionals about a resident or supporting someone in a time of crisis.

Support staff will also be required to issue eviction notices, written and verbal warnings to residents when required.

You will also be required to complete admin duties whilst on shift, we use multiple systems each day – Liquid Logic, HPA2, Manchester Move, MAS gateway and programmes on Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365, as well as various spreadsheets to input and retain relevant information. You will also be required to update the handover each shift and ensure the information inputted is accurate and up to date.

This role is part of a 3-week rolling rota with support staff working 5 days over 7 days which will include weekends, the shifts consist of days and evenings. There is one cover week on the rota, and you will be required to work whatever shift is prioritised at the time. Shift work is crucial to the role and is non-negotiable as shifts are part of the contract, with this you receive a 6.7% increment on top of the Grade 5 salary.

There is one Team Leader and two Homeless Lead Officers who line manage the team of 3 support workers at Poplars as well as two other sites. There will be security on site during all shift times and waking nights.

About the Candidate

This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of our friendly and supportive teams who make a real difference day in day out to our residents lives.

We are looking for a motivated and reliable individual with strong organisational skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. We need someone to be passionate about ending homelessness and supporting residents who are experiencing it.

The homeless service is always expanding and adapting. You will join a team of colleagues who are highly motivated to learn, develop and grow with the service. This is an extremely rewarding but also at times challenging role, which offers excellent opportunities for knowledge building and training.

Being competent in IT skills is essential at Manchester City Council as we use several systems daily. You will be provided with training for the systems but will need a good understanding of IT in general.

All other role relevant training/shadowing will be provided.

An ability to be resilient and have a warm friendly approach, whilst maintaining professional boundaries is crucial, and a positive demeanour with a can-do attitude, is what a candidate who will work at Poplars should demonstrate.

Rough sleeping, leaving somewhere safe, and subsequently becoming homeless with the addition of admission to hospital can be the lowest point of someone’s life. In order to support residents, we need candidates to be committed, passionate and empathetic to this fact and work towards positive outcomes.

Essential Criteria

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of your application response, please can you refer to the Essential Criteria for the role, outlined below. If this information is not included in your response, or it is not met, we will not be in a position to interview you.

In not more than 750 of your own words, using examples from your own experience, tell about:

• Your own experience of risk assessment and safeguarding work
• Your own experience and ability to manage conflicting priorities
• Your own experience of professional boundaries and confidentiality awareness

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester is isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance- Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension- You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave- Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your newborn or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks- Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow- We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member- We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave- Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the Accessibility tools button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you’re successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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