Supported Accommodation Housing Officer

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Coventry City Council is seeking a dedicated individual to join their Housing and Homelessness Service. This role involves managing temporary accommodations, advocating for individuals facing homelessness, and providing tailored support to help them secure permanent housing. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation skills and a positive attitude towards making a difference in the community.

Qualifications

• Positive attitude towards helping people overcome homelessness.
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Willingness to learn housing and homelessness legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of properties in temporary accommodation.
• Resolve issues promptly to secure permanent housing.
• Work across multiple sites within the city.

Skills

Negotiation

Advocacy

Resilience

Problem Solving

Job description

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About The Team We Are Recruiting To

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all and free from discrimination and bias.

The Housing and Homelessness Service is a very busy environment and faces several challenges in meeting the housing needs of citizens of Coventry. The team has grown significantly over the last 12 months, reflecting that Housing & Homelessness are now a key council priority.

The team is responsible for:

• Provision of the statutory homeless service
• Provision of temporary accommodation
• Management of the housing register
• Coordination of support to citizens rough sleeping
• Commissioning of homeless services
• Responsibility for housing strategy

The Council's strategic vision is outlined in the Housing & Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategies, both approved in 2019.

Joining this expanding team offers a chance to make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our city by preventing homelessness and providing tailored support and interventions.

What is the job role?

Due to the expansion of the supported accommodation team, we are excited to share new developments. Our work now extends across multiple sites within the city, providing a fantastic opportunity to join a growing team committed to making a difference.

You will manage a caseload of properties, working with individuals in temporary accommodation to resolve issues promptly and secure permanent housing.

You need to be creative, solution-focused, and skilled in negotiation and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.

The role involves shift work: 07:30 - 16:00 & 11:00 - 19:30, Monday to Friday.

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and appointment is conditional upon a satisfactory DBS check.

Who are we looking for?

To succeed, you should have:

• A positive attitude towards helping people overcome homelessness
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Resilience and determination to achieve outcomes for homeless people
• Willingness to learn relevant housing and homelessness legislation
• The ability to travel around the city
• Initiative, forward-thinking, and solutions-oriented approach due to the reactive nature of the role
• A full UK driving license and access to a car

If you need assistance with your application, please visit our accessibility page for support.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups, including:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Individuals currently in or previously in care
• People who consider themselves disabled or have a long-term health condition

For full application details, see the 'Coventry City Council Application Process' document on our jobs page. Note: Use of AI in applications will lead to rejection unless justified.

Interviews are scheduled for Friday, June 6th (assessment-based) and Monday, June 9th (panel interview).

About Coventry

Coventry is a vibrant, diverse city with a proud, innovative spirit. Our community comes together to address challenges and foster social change. We are committed to excellence, with around 5100 staff from diverse backgrounds dedicated to serving our residents. Join us to make a difference and enjoy our rewards and benefits at our careers page.

Attached documents:

• Coventry City Council Application Process.pdf
• Job Description and Person Specification.pdf