The vision of the Health and Housing Team is to 'create opportunities for disabled and vulnerable people to live in quality, affordable, safe and stable housing across all tenures’.
The Health and Housing Service aims to promote the capacity of vulnerable disabled people to live independently: either in their existing homes, through the provision of adaptations, or to facilitate a move to more suitable housing through a priority award for re-housing.
Health & Housing is a multi-disciplinary team of professional officers brought together to work using the full team’s skill sets to provide housing solutions for our client base.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Case Worker, you will bring to the role:
* Good customer service focus and improved outcomes for disabled persons.
* Work towards reducing numbers of properties adapted through rehousing.
* Effective management of own caseload.
* Able to develop excellent relationships with customers, multiple teams, and services.
About the role
The caseworker is a critical role which provides an essential service to our disabled households in Leeds, through the rehousing pathway that in turn will result in efficiency gains through better use of our current adapted housing stock and a move should promote their health and wellbeing. The service on offer is customer-centred and tailored to every individual customer based on their circumstances, ability, and rehousing support needs.
This is a challenging but rewarding role that requires a mixture of hands-on communication skills combined with a good general service knowledge and confidence in using different ICT software.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Phuong Luong, Independent Living Team Leader. Call 0113 3784538 or email Phuong.luong@leeds.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2024. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer, and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
Job Description
Job Purpose: The Health and Housing Service aims to promote the capacity of vulnerable disabled people to live independently: either in their existing homes, through the provision of adaptations, or to facilitate a move to more suitable housing through a priority award for rehousing. The service also leads on partnering work with the health authority to minimise delayed hospital discharges by helping people to secure suitable housing options.
The post holder will be expected to contribute to wider service priorities, as required, relating to facilitating moves to alternative housing options and minimising delayed hospital discharges.
The main responsibility will be to provide administrative support and assistance to the Occupational Therapist team and enable additional housing options work that in turn will result in efficiency gains through better use of our currently adapted stock. In addition, you will be expected to liaise with various agencies such as Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, and other partner agencies.
The post holder must at all times carry out responsibilities within the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety.
Responsibilities
* To carry an active caseload of customers who are tenants of LCC who have disabilities and need to be rehoused to more suitable accommodation.
* To support the OT team in assessing the needs of adults and older people with non-complex needs in their own homes and to recommend suitable adaptations and rehousing options.
* To check the potential adaptability of existing housing stock for disabled customers.
* To assess customers in their current properties that cannot be adapted and be the key contact whilst the customer is in the rehousing process.
* To maintain accurate information using the appropriate systems in place.
* To participate in training and development activities of other members of staff as necessary to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
* To undertake duties appropriate to the post as required by the Occupational Therapist.
* Be capable of effectively managing your own time and prioritising workload.
* To attend meetings when requested or in the absence of the Occupational Therapist.
* To provide written reports when requested or in the absence of the Occupational Therapist.
* Responsible for maintaining positive and effective working relationships with internal services, external agencies, and organisations.
* To actively support customers including children and vulnerable adults in identifying suitable properties and placing bids as appropriate.
* To manage the collection and use of data on adaptation work carried out in homes managed by the Council.
* Work to ensure that BME communities and the wider community needs and concerns are properly addressed as part of a longer-term regeneration approach to the area.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
* Ability to communicate, negotiate, and motivate effectively through all mediums - face to face, over the phone, and in writing.
* Ability to deal with people showing a variety of emotions.
* Ability to record, collate, and analyse information accurately using information technology and manual methods.
* Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise own workload, and meet targets.
* Ability to prepare and present reports to Area Managers and Board Members clearly both verbally and in writing.
* Demonstrate commitment to customer focus.
* Able to utilise Microsoft Office to gather, collate, and analyse statistical information and reports.
Knowledge Required
* Knowledge of the current Housing Act, Homeless Legislation, and the Children’s Act.
* Knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities law and policy.
* Aware of safeguarding policy and practice.
* Aware of other agencies to whom customers may be referred for more specialist advice.
* Knowledge of and commitment to excellent customer service and continuous improvement.
* Knowledge of LCC Financial Regulations Rules and Procedures.
* Knowledge of measurement of quality and monitoring of performance indicators.
* GCSE or Diploma level education or equivalent achieved through experience may also be considered.
* Understanding of delivering housing adaptations for disabled individuals.
Experience Required
* Experience of writing reports.
* Experience of working in a multi-agency partnership environment.
* Experience of working in a busy team environment.
* Experience of developing and delivering organisational change.
* Experience of achieving key target deadlines in a climate of conflicting priorities.
* Management of staff resources in a debt recovery environment.
* Experience of business acumen and commercial awareness.
* Committed to Community Cohesion.
* Can evidence strategic thinking.
* Experience with adaptations and dealing with associated housing options in social housing.
Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required
* Commitment to working with homeless and other people in housing need.
* Commitment to adhere to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
* Willingness to adhere to and take personal responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies.
* Willingness to engage in training.
* Able to focus on getting the job done and making things happen.
* Take responsibility for own continuous personal development.
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