Senior grants officer jobs in birmingham

Job Purpose 

The Accommodation Advisor provides housing support, information, advice, and guidance (IAG) to men within the criminal justice system, ensuring successful resettlement into accommodation. Managing a high caseload, the role operates within tight key performance indicators (KPIs), supporting individuals both in the community and at HMP Hewell.

Location: Primary HMP Hewell but flexibility required to support other areas as needed

Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent (subject to continuation of contract funding)
Salary: £24,108 starting (£24,831 after probation)
Reports To: Service Manager / Senior Accommodation Advisor 

Key Responsibilities 

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Housing Support

• Provide tailored housing advice to men transitioning from prison or serving a community sentence.
• Assess accommodation needs, risks, and preferences,
• Develop SMART personalised action plans to address barriers to accommodation using the seven reducing reoffending pathways.
•  Liaise with local authorities, housing providers, and relevant agencies.
• Help clients understand their housing rights and responsibilities.

Case Management

• Manage a high caseload efficiently, meeting set performance targets.
• Maintain accurate case records and documentation on relevant systems.
• Attend regular supervision and team meetings to review progress and challenges.

KPIs & Targets

• Meet or exceed KPIs related to housing outcomes, client engagement, and resettlement success.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of casework and outcomes.

Collaboration & Partnership

• Work closely with prison staff, probation officers, housing providers, and other agencies.
• Build strong relationships with external housing providers to explore accommodation options.

Administration & Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate client records, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and data protection regulations.
• Submit reports and documentation in a timely and accurate manner.

Community & Prison Support

• Develop clear resettlement plans for clients, ensuring follow-up care post-release.
• Advise clients on maintaining tenancy, managing landlord relationships, and addressing tenancy issues.

Safeguarding

• Understand and adhere to safeguarding processes, demonstrating professional curiosity about risks.
• Confidently manage safeguarding concerns and risk factors.

 Key Skills & Attributes 

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience supporting individuals in prison, on a custodial license, or a community order.
• Knowledge of accommodation services and housing-related support.
• Competency in IT applications, case management systems, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage high caseloads with complex support needs.

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to engage with diverse clients and liaise effectively with stakeholders.
• Experience in building professional relationships and networks.
• Awareness of risk management principles.

Leadership & Adaptability

• Ability to self-manage and support individuals through change.
• Strong problem-solving skills to address housing-related challenges.
• High standards of professional behaviour and accountability.

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively to achieve service quality standards.
• Supports colleagues and external agencies in joint solutions.
• Flexible in supporting colleagues across different geographical areas.

Diversity & Inclusion

• Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practice.
• Respectful of cultural differences and inclusive in approach.
• Willingness to reflect on and challenge personal biases.

Customer Focus

• Ability to work with partner agencies to tailor bespoke housing solutions.
• Understanding of factors contributing to social and economic exclusion. 

Notes 

• YSS operates in a fast-moving environment and may from time to time vary the content of this job description after consultation to reflect changes to the job, without altering the general character of the post or level of responsibility.
• The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all employees, volunteers and service users and is consistent with YSS policies.
• Occasional weekend and/or evening work may be a feature of the role. This will be discussed at interview.
• YSS values people as individuals with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances. We are committed to building a culturally diverse team and therefore encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, to help us reflect our world and the communities we work alongside.
• Our organisation follows Safer Recruitment principles and guidelines for all posts where contact with children and/or adults at risk is possible – this includes a full application process, interviewing candidates, taking up and verifying two satisfactory references (one of which must be from your last employer), verifying qualifications, identity checks, an enhanced (Disclosure and Barring Service) DBS check and HMPPS prison vetting.
• You must have the right to live and work in the UK to be considered for this role. 

Why work for YSS? 

• Annual leave of 35 days (including Bank Holidays).
• Additional company holidays.
• Pension Scheme.
• Employee Health & Wellbeing plan.
• Occupational sick pay.
• Flexible working / hybrid working.
• Monthly supervision for support / personal development.
• Robust induction and training programme with an organisational commitment to ongoing training and personal development.