Housing Support Officer

Nacro's Cas; Redcar; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Redcar is looking for a passionate individual to assist low and medium risk offenders eligible for home detention. This role involves extensive travel and the ability to engage with clients through various communication methods. The ideal candidate will have a clean driving licence and experience in the criminal justice sector is desirable, but not mandatory. The organization offers flexible working opportunities and numerous benefits.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Free eye test and glasses contribution

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Full clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Willingness to undertake extensive travel for business.
• DBS check (enhanced) required.

Responsibilities

• Engage with clients using appropriate communication methods.
• Escalate concerns and resolve issues with others.
• Manage competing priorities and stay organized.

Skills

Communication skills

Active listening

Organizational skills

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

Overview

The role requires genuine interest in people and the ability to interact with clients through multiple channels (phone, email, face to face). You will adapt your communication style to meet the needs of the audience and situation, listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and make decisions with integrity and professional boundaries in the service users' best interests and Nacro. You will know when to escalate issues or seek help and manage competing priorities to deliver timely outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Engage with people using appropriate communication methods and adapt to diverse audiences.
• Listen actively, confirm understanding, ask questions, and provide clear, concise information.
• Escalate concerns when necessary and work with others to resolve issues.
• Manage competing priorities, stay organised, update systems and reports promptly, set reminders, and follow up to ensure outcomes.
• Utilise ICT tools at a basic level (Outlook, Word, Excel). Training will be provided for internal systems.
• Operate within professional boundaries and act with integrity in the best interests of service users and Nacro.
• Travel extensively for business as required; maintain a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle with mileage reimbursed at 45p per mile.
• Obtain required checks and clearances: enhanced DBS check (with DBS Update Service), Prison Clearance, and any other pre-employment screening as applicable.
• Understand and comply with Disability Confident principles; support an inclusive recruitment approach.
• Work from home between property visits where appropriate and liaise with local authority Housing Benefit departments and the DWP to resolve financial issues.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Full clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for role requirements.
• Willingness to undertake extensive travel for business.
• DBS check (enhanced) required; registration on the DBS Update Service preferred.
• Prison Clearance required where applicable.
• Experience or aptitude for working within the criminal justice sector is desirable; we welcome applicants with lived experience of the criminal justice system.

Rewards & Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Free eye test and £50 contribution towards glasses
• Employee assistance programme
• Benefits including generous annual leave entitlement, additional special leave, and an occupational sick pay scheme above statutory requirements
• Flexible working opportunities including home working between property visits
• Opportunity to develop experience across criminal justice agencies and housing/benefits administration roles

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet minimum criteria. Details may vary in high-volume recruitment periods. For more information please refer to the organisation’s disability considerations.

Candidate Note

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Having a criminal record will not necessarily preclude you from being successful in your application.

About the Role

The Community Accommodation with Support, tier 2 (CAS-2) contract is a high-profile commission from the Ministry of Justice, operating in every region across England and Wales. CAS-2 provides accommodation and support to low and medium risk offenders eligible for home detention curfew or bail who would otherwise be held in prison due to lack of accommodation in the community. It is Nacro's largest single contract and is set to grow by 60% over the next 18 months.