Housing Support Officer

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

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Housing Support Officer to provide essential support to asylum seekers. This role offers the chance to make a real difference in people's lives by assisting them through their right to work and asylum applications. With a focus on empathy, communication, and resilience, the ideal candidate will thrive in a challenging yet rewarding environment. Join a forward-thinking organization that values diversity and inclusion, and enjoy a range of benefits including a company vehicle, generous leave, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Company vehicle and fuel card

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Paid volunteering leave

Staff discounts through Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Access to EAP counselling sessions

Qualifications

• Experience with vulnerable client groups and safeguarding procedures.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Support asylum seekers through their application process.
• Address safeguarding and welfare issues while maintaining records.

Skills

Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups

Understanding of safeguarding procedures

Effective communication skills

Experience with mental health or challenging behaviors

Ability to work independently

Resilient and supportive nature

Trustworthy and empathetic

Record keeping and risk assessments

Flexibility and willingness to travel

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Locations: Scunthorpe, Grimsby, and Cleethorpes

Salary: up to £28,917 per annum

Employment Type: Full time – Permanent, 40 hours 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 supported over 19,000 service users. We work in partnership with central and local governments, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to address homelessness, expand 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 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 good communicator. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities, making this a rewarding role despite its demands.

The main duties include but are not limited to 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 promote independence
• Experience with mental health or challenging behaviors
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, local authorities, and service users
• Experience in record keeping and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently
• Resilient and supportive nature
• Trustworthy, approachable, and empathetic
• Flexible and willing to travel
• Full UK driving license

Additional Requirements: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK; Mears does not offer visa sponsorship. A DBS & BPSS check and Security Clearance are part of the recruitment process, requiring relevant identification, proof of address, references, a 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
• Staff discounts through Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP counselling sessions

To apply or discuss your application further, contact:

Beth Dunford ([e-mail])

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, are a Disability Confident employer, and support the Armed Forces Covenant with a Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We also promote social mobility and invite optional background information during the application process to help us understand diverse experiences, using the Social Mobility Index for assessment and improvement.