Job Introduction
We’re seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated person to join our Housing Solutions Team, supporting those facing homelessness in Milton Keynes.
This role will support people into suitable and appropriate accommodation where the person is homeless or facing homelessness.
You’ll play an integral role in facilitating effective and efficient preventative work, providing and coordinating support to assist those at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping to maintain their current tenancy and preventing homelessness.
You’ll ideally have experience and a good track record in a similar housing, homelessness, or support worker role with relevant experience of working with vulnerable groups.
The core skills needed are the ability to identify problems and develop solutions; and to negotiate confidently whilst building strong working relationships. We’re looking for someone who is supportive, patient, determined and wants to prevent homelessness to those facing homelessness.
Main Responsibility
- Multiagency working with stakeholders including Mental Health Services, Housing, Social care and other community programmes to deliver client-centred support and reduce delays in discharges where patients are clinically ready.
- Detailed record keeping and data entry on Northgate Housing Systems.
- Supporting residents to understand their rights and legal obligations in temporary accommodation.
- Supporting Housing Solutions Officers with case management and support need assessments.
- Providing specialist tenancy related support for residents in both the private and social housing sector to promote the wellbeing of tenants by applying for relevant grants, increasing income and encouraging engagement with services within the city.
- Ensuring robust risk assessments are completed where required working as part a multi-disciplinary team to determine and manage risks with the customer and colleagues in adult and children’s services as well as partner agencies. Understand when and how to escalate risks.
The Ideal Candidate
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work closely with colleagues, other departments, and statutory and voluntary agencies to provide an effective service to those at risk of homelessness, many of whom have multiple vulnerabilities and support needs.
- Organised, flexible and able to manage a caseload. You must be committed to and have a clear understanding of the need for prompt intervention in a range of household problems that have the potential to cause a housing crisis.
- This is a very demanding role; the successful candidate will need to be resilient and self-motivated.
- Experience of working with people with multiple needs who have difficulty in engaging with services.
- You will ideally have experience in Housing/Social Work/Welfare and Benefits.
- Able to demonstrate expert knowledge of relevant housing legislation, with a good understanding and knowledge of policies and systems within the Adult Social Care Service.
- Able to work out and about in the community. For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of your vehicle insurance with business cover and use of a vehicle. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role.
- Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
