Housing Support Officer

Mears Group; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading social housing provider in Aberdeen is seeking a Housing Support Officer to assist asylum seekers in their applications. The role focuses on providing both practical and emotional support, while maintaining professional boundaries. Ideal candidates will be resilient and caring, with strong communication skills. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, including a company vehicle and paid volunteering leave.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Paid volunteering leave

Staff discounts via Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Access to EAP counselling sessions

Qualifications

• Experience with mental health and challenging behaviour.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• Full UK driving license required.

Responsibilities

• Support asylum seekers through their application process.
• Provide practical and emotional support.
• Monitor wellbeing and maintain records for audits.

Skills

Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups

Effective communication skills

Ability to work independently

Resilient and supportive nature

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Aberdeen

Salary up to £28,917 per annum

Full time – Permanent, 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday

Including company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 company car allowance

Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers whilst their claim is being assessed in three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. At the end of May 2021, Mears had over 19,000 service users across these regions. Mears works in partnership with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to find solutions to homelessness, provide more social and affordable housing, and create specialist housing for people with care needs.

About the Role:

Due to contract expansion, we are seeking a Housing Support Officer to join our team. This position focuses on supporting asylum seekers through their right to work asylum application process with the Home Office. The ideal candidate will be resilient, trustworthy, caring, empathetic, and a people person. Every day offers new challenges and rewards in this role.

As a Housing Support Officer, your main duties include supporting service users at various stages of their asylum application, addressing safeguarding and welfare issues, providing practical and emotional support, monitoring wellbeing, and maintaining accurate records for Home Office audits. Maintaining professional boundaries and resilience is essential to provide a consistent and effective service tailored to the needs of service users.

Role Criteria:

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures
• Ability to identify individual and family support needs and support packages to maintain independence
• Experience with mental health and challenging behaviour
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, local authorities, and service users
• Experience with record keeping and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently
• Resilient and supportive nature
• Trustworthy, empathetic, approachable, and a good listener
• Flexible and willing to travel
• Full UK driving license

Note: All roles require entitlement to work in the UK. Mears does not offer visa sponsorship.

Recruitment Checks: DBS & BPSS checks, security clearance, and relevant identification including proof of address, references, a valid passport, and proof of UK residence for the last 5 years.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day
• Paid volunteering leave
• Staff discounts via Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP counselling sessions

To apply or discuss your application, contact Beth Dunford at [e-mail]. We support applicants throughout the process and promote diversity and inclusion. We are a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award holder in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and support veterans and social mobility initiatives.