Support Worker - Supported Housing

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Bath; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking a Housing Support Worker to assist homeless households in achieving independent living. The role involves high-quality support for residents in accommodation, practical housing management tasks, and a collaborative approach with a focus on well-being and community impact. If you are dedicated to making a positive difference to vulnerable people's lives, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

• Experience working with service users with diverse needs.
• Ability to handle practical problem-solving effectively.
• Collaborate effectively with contractors and partners.

Responsibilities

• Assist homeless households in supported housing and temporary accommodation.
• Provide person-centred support and develop independent living skills.
• Administer rent accounts and ensure safety of residents.

Skills

Influencing skills

Negotiating skills

Problem-solving

Collaborative work

IT skills

Education

Background in supported housing or welfare support

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

About the Team

Make a difference, helping homeless households into long-term accommodation.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has developed a range of accommodation options in Bath for homeless households. Our new supported housing service is managed in house, with Council staff supporting residents and preparing them to move on to their own homes. The team also manages the Council’s brand-new general needs social housing.

About the Role

The purpose of this role is to assist homeless households living in the Council’s supported housing and temporary accommodation.

You will primarily work with single, former rough sleepers – providing high-quality person-centred support that enables residents to move on to independent living. At a case level, you will encourage service users to develop independent living skills and address any debts and un-met support needs, which may prevent a landlord from offering them a tenancy.

As part of a small team, you will provide practical housing management for the Council’s accommodation and new social housing. This will include:

• Administering rent accounts; ensuring rents are paid and that eligible benefits are claimed.
• Confirming residents follow management rules and that they – and our accommodation – are safe and secure.
• Checking repairs are completed and empty property times are kept to a minimum.
• Preparing rooms for occupation by new residents; welcoming them to the houses and making sure they are able to settle quickly.

About You

You should have:

• Strong influencing and negotiating skills and an ability to work in a team.
• Experience of practical problem-solving.
• The ability to work with service users with a wide range of needs and problems.
• A collaborative approach to working with contractors and partners.
• Good IT and record keeping skills.
• An understanding of the Council’s housing duties.

This is an in-person role, based in the Council’s accommodation in Grosvenor Place, Bath.

It is strongly desirable for candidates to have a background in supported housing, homelessness, welfare support or a similar field.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.

This is a challenging but rewarding role. If you believe that you can make a real and positive difference to the lives of our residents, we would love to hear from you.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Tom Hugo, Senior Housing Practitioner, [e-mail] or call 01225396219

Interview date: 03/07/2025

About Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath & North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath & North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples live. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.