Housing Officer – Mental Health Recovery Team

Transformation Unit; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Chester is seeking a Housing Officer to join the Mental Health Intensive Support Team (MhIST). The role focuses on helping people with complex housing needs access and maintain suitable accommodation.

You will work with patients, carers and housing providers, manage a caseload, and coordinate with local authorities to prevent homelessness and support discharge planning.

Qualifications

• Detailed working knowledge of welfare benefits legislation and application processes.
• Knowledge of tenancy sustainment strategies.
• Understanding of supported housing pathways and eligibility.
• Knowledge of Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Awareness of safeguarding principles when working with vulnerable adults.
• Understanding of the importance of mult-agency working, including collaboration with local authorities, housing services and community organisations.
• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection (e.g. GDPR), and accurate record keeping in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of Health systems/services.
• Previous knowledge of mental health care provision.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individuals with complex housing needs, providing practical advice, support and advocacy around housing and welfare benefits.
• Work as part of the multidisciplinary team to ensure housing needs are considered throughout a person’s care and discharge planning.
• Liaise with local authorities, housing associations, supported accommodation providers, landlords and welfare agencies to identify and secure appropriate housing options.
• Support individuals with housing applications, tenancy sustainment, welfare benefit issues and homelessness prevention, helping them maintain stability and independence within the community.
• Develop positive working relationships with partner agencies.
• Experience of working with vulnerable adults is essential, and experience of working alongside mental health services would be an advantage.

Skills

Good literacy and numeric skills

Job description

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Chester is seeking a Housing Officer to join the Mental Health Intensive Support Team (MhIST). The role focuses on helping people with complex housing needs access and maintain suitable accommodation.

You will work with patients, carers and housing providers, manage a caseload, and coordinate with local authorities to prevent homelessness and support discharge planning.