Independent Living Officer

LiveWest; St. Austell; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/Office balance discussion

26 days annual leave plus bank hols

Pension contributions up to 9%

Health plan and GP services

Cycle to Work scheme

Volunteer days

Enhanced sick pay

Job summary

LiveWest is seeking an Independent Living Officer to support older customers in our St Austell schemes. You will be the on-site contact, ensuring safety, welcoming new residents and signposting to external services while maintaining strong relationships with partners and colleagues.

The role offers part-time hours (22 hrs/week), a permanent contract, and a focus on low‑level support, budgeting help and tenancy guidance to promote safe, vibrant communities.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer-facing roles with strong service focus.
• Ability to work independently with resilience and initiative.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build relationships with customers and partners.
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems and resolve issues at first contact.
• Good literacy, numeracy and general IT skills.
• CIH Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the scheme is safe, clean and well maintained, overseeing contractors and monitoring standards.
• Carry out regular health and safety checks, fire safety inspections and scheme risk assessments, keeping accurate records.
• Provide advice and signposting to customers, including support to access external agencies, alarms and wellbeing services.
• Welcome new customers, complete scheme inductions and assist with basic support or benefit‑related queries.
• Help customers understand their tenancy responsibilities, addressing low‑level breaches and escalating concerns where necessary.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and local partners to support community activities and a positive living environment.
• Support customers to maintain their tenancy, offering low‑level support around budgeting and accessing benefits.

Skills

Customer-facing

Autonomy

Communication

Problem solving

IT skills

Education

CIH Level 3 qualification

Tools

Driving licence

Job description

Do you thrive on building meaningful relationships and making a real difference in people’s daily lives?

As an Independent Living Officer, you’ll play a key role in helping older customers live safely, securely and independently within our Independent Living schemes. You’ll be a familiar and trusted presence on site, ensuring the scheme is well‑managed, welcoming and compliant, while offering low‑level support, guidance and signposting to help customers thrive in their homes. You’ll be the first point of contact for customers, working closely with colleagues and local partners to deliver a friendly, consistent and customer‑focused service. From supporting new customers to settle in, to maintaining safe communal spaces, you’ll help create positive environments where customers feel supported, included and able to enjoy life in their community.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the scheme is safe, clean and well maintained, overseeing contractors and monitoring standards.
• Carry out regular health and safety checks, fire safety inspections and scheme risk assessments, keeping accurate records.
• Provide advice and signposting to customers, including support to access external agencies, alarms and wellbeing services.
• Welcome new customers, complete scheme inductions and assist with basic support or benefit‑related queries.
• Help customers understand their tenancy responsibilities, addressing low‑level breaches and escalating concerns where necessary.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and local partners to support community activities and a positive living environment.
• Support customers to maintain their tenancy, offering low‑level support around budgeting, accessing benefits and managing their home.
• Work collaboratively to identify improvements and new ways of working to enhance services for customers.

Why Join LiveWest

You’ll be part of a friendly, supportive team that makes a meaningful difference every day. In this role, you’ll have the autonomy to build strong relationships with customers, take initiative and shape how services are delivered within your schemes. If you’re passionate about helping people live well and want a role where you can see the positive impact of your work, this is a great opportunity.

This role is being offered on a part time, permanent contract. The successful candidate will be working 22 hrs per week Monday/Wednesday/Friday based in the St Austell area.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups. Appointment to this role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Essential

• Experience in a customer‑facing role focused on delivering excellent customer service.
• Ability to work independently with high levels of resilience and autonomy.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with customers and partners.
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems and resolve issues at first contact.
• Understanding of professional boundaries and ability to work sensitively with older customers.
• Good literacy, numeracy and general IT skills.
• CIH Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience working in the social housing sector or with registered providers.
• Understanding of issues affecting older people and local service provision.

Please note: This role is not eligible for CoS. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the role without requiring a CoS.

Our Reward And Benefits

• Working Style: Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance.
• Generous Annual Leave: Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions: Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks: Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development: Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support: Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters: Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel: Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back: Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

About Us

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

Inclusion At LiveWest

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities. Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.