Housing Support Officer

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

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Housing Support Officer to assist asylum seekers in navigating their application processes. This role is pivotal in providing emotional and practical support, ensuring clients feel secure and understood during challenging times. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, resilience, and a genuine empathy for others. This position offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Volunteering Leave

Discounts through Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Company Vehicle and Fuel Card

Access to EAP Counselling

Qualifications

• Experience working with diverse client groups and understanding safeguarding.
• Ability to support individuals with mental health challenges and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Support asylum seekers through their application process and monitor wellbeing.
• Address safeguarding issues and provide practical and emotional support.

Skills

Experience with vulnerable client groups

Understanding of safeguarding procedures

Effective communication

Record keeping and risk assessments

Resilience

Flexibility and willingness to travel

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Location: Leeds

Salary: up to £28,917 per annum

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

Benefits include 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 supported over 19,000 service users. We collaborate with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to address homelessness, increase social and affordable housing, and develop specialized housing for individuals with care needs.

About the Role:

Due to contract expansion, we are seeking a Housing Support Officer to join our team. This role involves 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. Every day will present new challenges and rewards.

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 are essential to delivering a high-quality, needs-based service.

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 with mental health and challenging behavior
• Effective communication with colleagues, local authorities, and service users
• Experience in record keeping and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently
• Resilience
• Supportive, trustworthy, empathetic, approachable, and a good listener
• Flexibility and willingness 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 relevant identification, proof of address, references, a valid passport, and proof of UK residency over the last 5 years.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day
• 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 applicants throughout the process and are committed to diversity and inclusion. We are a Disability Confident employer, support the Armed Forces Covenant, and promote social mobility through voluntary background sharing during applications to improve opportunities for diverse candidates.