Supported Housing Officer

BRC Jobs; Taunton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Building Recruitment Co Ltd is seeking a Female Supported Housing Officer in Bridgwater & Taunton, Somerset. The role covers 19 refuge properties with a focus on safe, well-maintained accommodation and effective rent and service charge management.

You will work with the Refuge Service Manager and external agencies to ensure residents receive housing-related support, budgeting help, and access to services. This is a full-time, permanent, female-only position with a 37.5-hour week.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing, supported accommodation, homelessness or social care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage rent accounts, monitor arrears and assist budgeting.
• Strong admin skills including accurate record-keeping and reporting.
• Good IT skills (Word, email, basic spreadsheets).
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to build professional relationships with boundaries.
• Non-judgemental, compassionate and person-centred approach.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Manage housing across 19 refuges, maintaining high accommodation standards.
• Conduct regular health and safety checks and fire safety tests.
• Liaise with Finance to support rent recovery and arrears management.
• Support residents with budgeting and access to welfare benefits and debt advice.
• Maintain accurate housing records and documentation.

Skills

Housing management experience

Communication skills

Budgeting & financial management

Administration & records

IT skills (Word, email, spreadsheets)

Teamwork & independence

Boundary setting

Non-judgemental, compassionate

UK driving licence

Tools

Microsoft Word

Email

Spreadsheets

Job description

Supported Housing Officer

Location: Bridgwater & Taunton, Somerset

Salary: £26,200

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, full-time

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable people and helping survivors of domestic abuse rebuild their lives?

We are currently recruiting for a Female Supported Housing Officer to join a dedicated domestic abuse refuge team, supporting individuals and families who have experienced domestic abuse.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference by ensuring safe, well-maintained accommodation and providing an effective housing management service across 19 refuge properties.

You will work closely with the Refuge Service Manager, support staff and external agencies to ensure properties are safe, financial accounts are managed effectively and residents receive appropriate housing-related support.

About the Role

As Housing Officer, you will take responsibility for the effective housing management of refuge accommodation across Bridgwater and Taunton. You will play an important role in maintaining property standards, managing rent and service charge accounts, minimising arrears and ensuring accommodation is safe, welcoming and ready for new referrals.

You will also work alongside the wider refuge team to support residents with financial management, housing-related issues and access to appropriate services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage housing provision across 19 refuge properties, ensuring high standards of accommodation and property maintenance.
• Carry out regular health and safety checks, including weekly fire alarm testing and monthly fire safety inspections.
• Ensure properties are safe, clean and appropriately maintained.
• Prepare rooms for new referrals and ensure accommodation is ready for incoming residents.
• Maintain property inventories and monitor stock levels.
• Monitor rent and service charge accounts, ensuring payments are up to date.
• Identify and address rent arrears, supporting residents to establish SMART payment plans and improve financial management.
• Work with residents to prevent arrears escalating and minimise the risk of eviction.
• Liaise with the Finance Team to support effective rent recovery.
• Monitor and recover former tenant arrears, working with external agencies where necessary.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing and welfare benefits.
• Support residents with housing-related financial matters and signpost them to appropriate debt advice and specialist services.
• Maintain accurate records, correspondence and housing management documentation.
• Work collaboratively with the refuge team and external agencies to ensure effective communication and joined-up support.
• Attend team meetings and represent the service professionally at all times.

About You

We are looking for someone who is empathetic, organised and proactive, with a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working within housing, supported accommodation, homelessness or a social care setting.
• An understanding of domestic abuse, its impact on individuals and families, and the challenges faced by survivors.
• Knowledge of housing and welfare benefits.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage rent accounts, monitor arrears and support individuals with budgeting and financial management.
• Strong administration skills, including accurate record keeping and report writing.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, email and basic spreadsheets.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
• The ability to build professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• A non-judgemental, compassionate and person-centred approach.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting people with complex needs or challenging behaviour.
• Experience working within domestic abuse services, homelessness or supported housing.
• Previous experience of housing or finance management.
• Understanding of property health and safety requirements within shared accommodation.
• Personal experience of domestic abuse, homelessness or social exclusion.

Please note: Previous domestic abuse experience is not essential, as full training will be provided.

Important Information

• This is a female-only position, subject to the employer confirming the applicable occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are essential.
• Full training and ongoing support will be provided.