Senior Accommodation Support Officer

Red Snapper Recruitment are recruiting for an Senior Accommodation Support Officer based in Bristol.

The purpose of this role is to ensure delivery of effective interventions and stakeholder liaison in custody and in the community in order to support male participants throughout the region to address their housing needs and reduce their likelihood of reoffending.

This is a full-time 37 hours (Mon - Fri), permanent contract, offering a salary between 26,150 - 32,668 per annum.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To assist the Accommodation Team Support Manager in continuous improvement to practice and the delivery of a high-quality service.
• To provide specialist housing law/process advice and guidance in Housing to participants, accommodation staff and other employees where required.
• To provide coaching, mentoring and workshops to all members of the team to develop their standards of practice and knowledge.
• To ensure the maintenance of up-to-date knowledge and skills in relation to housing advice, law and support for participants.
• Work in close partnership with Probation Practitioners in order to understand and respond to the housing needs of participants, carrying out initial assessments and constructing a housing resettlement plan, taking account of risk and the needs to facilitate appropriate actions and outcomes.
• Build and maintain an effective relationship with actual and potential referral agencies, authorities, stakeholders and organisations in order to facilitate referrals to programmes/ activities/ services as required and support participants housing needs.
• To forge effective relationships with housing law experts in order to increase successful housing outcomes for participants.
• To work with individuals and groups of staff in the team to identify learning needs and areas for development both in terms of housing and the skills required to work effectively with participants in custody and the community.
• To provide regular supervision to a team of Accommodation Support Officers and to manage and monitor caseloads to meet contractual requirements.
• There will be a requirement to attend Prisons on a regular basis to support custody-based employees. This will require prison vetting.
• To coach and mentor staff to develop specialist housing skills, knowledge and understanding to deliver a high quality, outcome-based service.
• To facilitate workshops, action learning sets and case discussion among colleagues to support more formal learning, peer learning and professional development.
• To work directly with a caseload of individuals who, in particular require specialist advice to overcome legal barriers to gaining housing.
• To attend specialist training as required to ensure up to date knowledge and skills in relation to the provision of housing advice and guidance
• To identify and take the necessary actions to protect children and vulnerable adults and promote their welfare in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures
• To ensure the safe and compliant delivery by ensuring regulations, company policies and contractual requirements are understood and adhered to, e.g., Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Information security.
• To handle personal data in accordance with the organisation's data protection policy.

Person Specification

• Essential to have a good working knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and a thorough knowledge of housing options.
• A thorough understanding of the homelessness reduction act 2017
• A good understanding of the work of the Probation and Prison Service
• Clear understanding of equal opportunities
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by those leaving custody
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal aid eligibility rules
• Good understanding of learning styles and staff development techniques
• An understanding of safeguarding.
• Level 3 Award in Education and Training (or PTLLS
• Knowledge of tenancy law concerning housing associations, private and social landlords
• Ability to work with complex and high need participants
• Proven track record as a competent and high performing practitioner in the housing field, promoting best practice in service delivery
• Ability to facilitate workshops /case discussions and give feedback diplomatically and sensitively

Role is subject to DBS check at the relevant level.

If you would like to be considered for this position and have the relevant experience, then please email your CV to (email address removed)

Alternatively, if this role is not for you but you do know somebody who would be interested please refer them. We have a referral bonus scheme and will pay 75, in retail vouchers of your choice, for referrals who are not already known to us.

Due to the high volume of applications received, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, I am afraid your application has been unsuccessful.

We are a dedicated recruitment company providing top quality professionals and services to Housing Providers across the UK.

Red Snapper Recruitment is a member of the Red Snapper Group.

The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) - a free and confidential service to candidates.

The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.