Housing Support Officer

Mears Group; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Housing Support Officer, where you'll play a vital role in assisting asylum seekers through their application processes. This dynamic position offers daily challenges and rewards, allowing you to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. With a focus on empathy and support, you'll help clients navigate their rights and needs, ensuring their well-being throughout their journey. Enjoy a fulfilling career with competitive benefits, including a company vehicle or car allowance, generous annual leave, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Paid volunteering leave

Discounts via Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Company vehicle and fuel card

Access to EAP counselling

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable populations is essential.
• Strong communication skills and empathy are crucial for this role.

Responsibilities

• Support service users through their asylum application process.
• Provide emotional and practical support tailored to individual needs.

Skills

Experience with vulnerable and diverse client groups

Understanding of safeguarding procedures

Effective communication skills

Experience with mental health issues

Ability to work independently

Resilience and empathy

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Locations: Scunthorpe, Grimsby, and Cleethorpes

Salary: Up to £28,917 per annum

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

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

Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers while their claims are being assessed across three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. As of May 2021, Mears supports over 19,000 service users. We partner with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to tackle homelessness, expand social and affordable housing, and create specialized 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 focuses on supporting 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. Each day presents different challenges and rewards, making this a dynamic and fulfilling position.

Your main duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting service users at various stages of their asylum application, including safeguarding and welfare issues.
• Providing practical and emotional support to service users.
• Monitoring wellbeing and support needs, ensuring all records are accurate for Home Office audits.
• Maintaining professional boundaries and resilience to provide consistent, high-quality support tailored to service users' needs.

Role Criteria:

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• Ability to identify individual and family needs and support packages to maintain independence.
• Experience working with mental health issues or challenging behavior.
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, authorities, and service users.
• Experience with record keeping and risk assessments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Resilient and supportive, with good listening skills, approachability, and empathy.
• Flexible and willing to travel.
• Full UK driving license.

Note: All roles require entitlement to work in the UK; Mears does not sponsor visas.

Recruitment Checks: DBS & BPSS checks, Security Clearance, requiring proof of address, references, 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
• Discounts via Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP counselling

To apply or discuss further, contact Beth Dunford at [e-mail]. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are a Disability Confident employer. We support the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, along with other recognitions for supporting veterans and promoting social mobility.