Housing officer

BCOP; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Public transport access

Annual leave 24+ days

Health insurance

CPD opportunities

Supportive culture

Job summary

BCOP is seeking a Housing Officer in Birmingham to provide professional housing management and resident support across our independent and supported living schemes and almshouse accommodation.

You will manage a varied caseload, help residents sustain tenancies, address welfare needs, and work with partners to ensure safe, dignified living.

Travel across Birmingham, 12 months in social housing, CIH Level 3 in progress, and a full UK driving licence are required.

Qualifications

• 12 months’ experience delivering social housing services.
• Good knowledge of housing legislation, regulation and good practice.
• Experience supporting older or vulnerable residents is valuable.
• Willingness to work towards CIH Level 3.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional housing management and resident support.
• Manage rent accounts and support residents to sustain tenancies.
• Develop support plans and coordinate with partner agencies.
• Carry out property, health and safety checks and address issues.
• Record keeping using BCOP systems and safeguarding actions.

Skills

Social housing experience

Empathy and communication

Driving licence

Education

CIH Level 3 housing qualification

Tools

Housing management software

Job description

Hours: Full time - 35 hours per week with flexibility to occasionally work outside normal office hours to meet resident needs

Salary: £29,565 - £31,317 per year, depending on qualifications and experience

Location: Head office in Stirchley, Birmingham, with travel to various locations within Birmingham

BCOP supports older people across Birmingham through a range of independent living, supported living and almshouse accommodation schemes, alongside our nursing care homes and community services. We are committed to helping people live independently, safely, and with dignity in later life.

The housing officer will provide professional and effective general housing management and specific support services to residents over 60 or 55 with a disability living in our independent and supported living schemes and alms house accommodation dispersed around the Birmingham area.

The role

As a Housing Officer, you will provide a professional, responsive and person-centred housing management service to older people living in BCOP’s independent and supported living schemes and almshouse accommodation across Birmingham.

You will manage a varied caseload, working directly with residents to help them maintain their tenancies, live independently and access appropriate support when they need it. The role combines housing management with resident support and community engagement, so you’ll need to be equally comfortable dealing with practical housing matters and working sensitively with people who may have a range of health, disability, financial and wellbeing needs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing high-quality housing and neighbourhood management services in accordance with relevant legislation, regulation and BCOP policies.
• Supporting residents to sustain their accommodation, including developing appropriate support plans and working collaboratively with other agencies.
• Managing rent accounts, helping residents maximise their income and taking early action to prevent and address arrears.
• Managing tenancy breaches, anti-social behaviour, nuisance, property condition and hoarding issues firmly, fairly and sensitively.
• Supporting the management of empty properties, allocations, viewings and new resident sign-ups.
• Investigating and responding to Stage 1 complaints.
• Carrying out property, neighbourhood, health and safety and compliance checks and following actions through to resolution.
• Identifying, recording and appropriately escalating safeguarding concerns.
• Working with contractors, telecare providers, local authorities, health services and other partners to ensure residents receive appropriate support.
• Encouraging resident involvement and organising meaningful activities that support social connection, health and wellbeing.
• Maintaining comprehensive, accurate and auditable records using BCOP’s housing management systems.

You’ll be part of a small and busy Housing & Property Services team, so flexibility, good judgement and a willingness to work collaboratively will be important.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with at least 12 months’ experience of delivering social housing services, together with a good working knowledge of housing legislation, regulation and good practice. Experience of supporting older or vulnerable residents would be particularly valuable.

You will have, be working towards, or be willing to work towards a relevant professional housing qualification of at least CIH Level 3. You’ll also need a good understanding of the welfare benefits system and be confident using IT and housing management systems.

This is very much a people-facing role. You’ll need empathy and patience, but also the confidence and assertiveness to deal with difficult situations, enforce tenancy conditions and make sound professional decisions when necessary.

We’re looking for someone who takes responsibility for getting things done, works with honesty and integrity and is naturally curious about what lies behind a problem rather than simply dealing with the immediate issue. You'll enjoy working collaboratively with residents, colleagues and partner organisations and be keen to identify ways in which our services can continually improve.

Experience of supported housing, legal enforcement, contractor management or resident consultation and engagement would be an advantage, but isn't essential.

As the role involves regular travel between BCOP’s housing schemes, you'll also need a full UK driving licence and a suitably insured and roadworthy vehicle available for work each day.

What’s on offer

As well as a competitive salary, other benefits of working for BCOP include:

• Free on-site car parking and good public transport links
• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service)
• Free health insurance
• Ongoing professional development and CPD opportunities
• Supportive, values-based working environment