Housing Support Officer

Mears Group; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing support organization in Derry/Londonderry seeks a Housing Support Officer to assist asylum seekers through their right to work and application processes. The role requires resilience, empathy, and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will provide emotional support and address safeguarding issues while maintaining accurate records. Benefits include a competitive salary, annual leave, and a company vehicle.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Paid volunteering leave

Discounts through Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Company vehicle and fuel card

Access to EAP counselling

Qualifications

• Experience needed in supporting vulnerable people.
• Understanding of safeguarding is critical.
• Ability to keep accurate records for audits.

Responsibilities

• Support asylum seekers through their application process.
• Address welfare issues and provide emotional support.
• Maintain professional boundaries while aiding recipients.

Skills

Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups

Understanding of safeguarding procedures

Effective communication with colleagues, authorities, and service users

Ability to identify support needs and develop support packages

Experience with mental health and challenging behaviour

Record keeping and risk assessment experience

Ability to work independently

Resilient and adaptable

Supportive, trustworthy, approachable, empathetic

Flexible and willing to travel

Full UK driving license

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Derry/Londonderry

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. As of May 2021, Mears supported over 19,000 service users across these regions. We work 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 role supports asylum seekers through their right to work and 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.

Responsibilities 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.

Role Criteria:

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures
• Ability to identify support needs and develop support packages
• Experience with mental health and challenging behaviour
• Effective communication with colleagues, authorities, and service users
• Record keeping and risk assessment experience
• Ability to work independently
• Resilient and adaptable
• Supportive, trustworthy, approachable, empathetic
• 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. The recruitment process includes DBS & BPSS checks and Security Clearance, requiring ID, proof of address, references, 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
• Discounts through Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP counselling

To apply or discuss your application, contact Beth Dunford at [e-mail]. We support diversity and inclusion, are a Disability Confident employer, and proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant with the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

We encourage applicants to share background information voluntarily to help us promote social mobility. This information is optional and does not affect your application.