Housing Support Officer

Livin Housing Limited; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Doncaster seeks a Housing Support Officer to assist asylum seekers through their application processes. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, resilience, and experience working with vulnerable groups. Responsibilities include providing practical support and maintaining records. The role offers a salary of up to £28,917 and includes benefits like a company vehicle and annual leave.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Company vehicle and fuel card

Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• Effective communication with colleagues and authorities.

Responsibilities

• Support service users during their asylum application process.
• Address safeguarding and welfare issues.
• Maintain accurate records for Home Office audits.

Skills

Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups

Understanding of safeguarding procedures

Effective communication skills

Ability to identify individual and family needs

Experience with mental health challenges

Resilient and adaptable

Full UK driving license

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,917.00

Housing Support Officer

Location: Doncaster

Salary: up to £28,917 per annum

Full-time – Permanent, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

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

Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers while their claims are being assessed in three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. As of May 2021, Mears supported over 19,000 service users across these regions. We work in partnership with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to address homelessness, increase social and affordable housing, and develop 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 exciting position 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 good people person. Every day presents new challenges and rewards in this role.

As a Housing Support Officer, your main duties will include supporting service users at various stages of their asylum application process, 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 deliver consistent, effective 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 working with mental health challenges and challenging behaviour
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, local authorities, and service users
• Experience with record keeping and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Resilient and adaptable
• Supportive, trustworthy, empathetic, and approachable
• Flexible and willing to travel
• Full UK driving license

All roles require the entitlement to work in the UK. Mears does not offer visa sponsorship.

As part of the recruitment process, successful candidates will undergo DBS & BPSS checks and Security Clearance. Please provide 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
• Volunteering leave in support of our social value commitments
• Staff discounts through Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling

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 the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We also support veterans transitioning into civilian careers and promote social mobility through voluntary background sharing during applications, to better understand and support diverse candidates.