Housing Support Worker

Salary                          £26,938 - £29,264 (pro rata of £33672 – 36580)

Hours                           .8 FTE (equivalent to 4 days per week), to suit both you and the needs of the Charity. This will include some ‘out of hours’ cover.

Location                      Much of the work is undertaken from our houses located around Birmingham. Office work is undertaken from our Office base and from home by arrangement.

Responsible to            Operations manager

Key tasks: To work with other staff and volunteers to ensure that Hope’s houses are clean, safe and comply with legal standards; To help people move into and out of Hope Housing and to work with other Hope staff and other organisations to promote residents’ well-being and to support newly granted refugees on their road to independence.

Job description

1.      Ensure that houses and gardens are safe, welcoming and well maintained

2.      Undertake simple repairs and maintenance to Hope Houses

3.      Commissioning repairs where appropriate, within Hope’s housing maintenance budget.

4.      Complete and record regular fire and health and safety checks.

5.      Ensure rooms are clean and ready for new clients to move into

6.      Help new residents move in and provide an induction.

7.      Undertake and document client risk assessments

8.      Help new refugees develop and carry out plans to help them thrive

9.      Ensure safeguarding of clients in accordance with Hope’s safeguarding policy and procedures

10.  Complete License Agreement and diarise end dates

11.  Draft eviction letters and supporting letters when required

12.  Assist with obtaining client documents

13.  Empower residents to register and engage with appropriate health services

14.  Encourage residents to get involved in activities likely to contribute to their well-being.

15.  Help clients develop the skills needed for life after leaving Hope Projects

16.  Conduct and record house meetings when required

17.  Help residents move out at the end of their license

18.  Assist with the support and running of the regular monthly residents meeting ‘Hope Asylum Voices’

19.  Accurately record work with clients using outlook diary and lamplight database.

20.  Build relationships with organisations, volunteers and charities

21.  Contribute to planning and the development of Hope Project

22.  Liaise with partner agencies

23.  Develop and maintain positive rapport with clients whilst maintaining professional boundaries

24.  Commitment to learn and develop new skills to meet service needs

25.  To provide training where required

26.  Attend Team Meetings, Steering Group and other Partner meetings. To maintain a good relationship with other Hope staff and partners

27.  Contribute to the wider work of Hope Projects including fundraising and awareness raising.

28.  Help raise awareness of Hope Projects and the issue of asylum destitution

29.  Engage with regular support and supervision

30.  Undertake training when required

Person specification

Experience

1.      Experience of working supportively with vulnerable / at risk people

Ability

2.      Good listener

3.      Able to assess safety in houses

4.      Able to assist in the safeguarding of at-risk people

5.      Able to carry out basic repairs

6.      Able to liaise with contractors such as plumber and electricians

7.      Organised, able to effectively time-manage a varied workload

8.      Capable of working on own initiative outside of an office environment

9.      Good written and spoken English

10.  Ability to use common office IT software and to record work on a database

11.  Able to work within a budget.

Knowledge

12.  Understanding of issues affecting Refugees and destitute asylum seekers

Qualities

13.  Sympathy towards Refugees and destitute asylum seekers

14.  Good at communicating with colleagues and managers

15.  Willing and able to travel around Birmingham