Housing Support Officer

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

Job summary

A leading company in social housing is seeking a Housing Support Officer in Leeds to assist asylum seekers during their application process. The role requires resilience and effective communication skills, focusing on individual needs and welfare. Benefits include a competitive salary, company vehicle, and 25 days of annual leave.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Paid volunteering leave

Staff discounts with Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Company vehicle and fuel card

Access to EAP counselling

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• Record keeping and risk assessment experience.

Responsibilities

• Support service users through their right to work asylum application process.
• Address safeguarding and welfare issues, providing practical and emotional support.
• Maintain accurate records for Home Office audits.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Resilience

Empathy

Trustworthiness

Ability to work independently

Flexibility

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Leeds

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 involves 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 good communicator. Every day offers new challenges and rewards.

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 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 with mental health and challenging behavior
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, authorities, and service users
• Record keeping and risk assessment experience
• Ability to work independently
• Resilience and adaptability
• Supportive, trustworthy, empathetic, and approachable
• Flexible and willing to travel
• Full UK driving license

Note: All roles require legal entitlement to work in the UK. Mears does not offer visa sponsorship. The recruitment process includes DBS & BPSS checks and Security Clearance, requiring proof of ID, address, references, passport, and UK residence history.

Benefits:

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

To apply or discuss further, contact:

Beth Dunford ([e-mail])

We support diversity, inclusion, and social mobility, and are committed to equal opportunities for all.