Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a real difference, every day, to people from all walks of life? This is an exciting opportunity for someone already working in an advice role and looking to take the next step in their career to join the Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) as Housing Adviser.
BIAS s housing advice service supports members of the local Irish community with a range of complex housing issues, including homelessness, rehousing, tenancy sustainment and disrepair. We are looking to appoint a dynamic, enthusiastic person to join our friendly advice team. Your role will involve contributing to the day-to-day running of BIAS s advice service, providing specialist advice on housing via one-to-one client appointments, completing casework and advocating for positive outcomes for your clients.
You will need to have strong people skills and the ability to build good working relationships with colleagues and clients, excellent organisational skills and the ability to digest complex briefs. You will be required to manage an active caseload, ensuring that cases are appropriately actioned and recorded and that deadlines are met.
If you are an experienced advice specialist and are looking to move into the housing area but don t have all the knowledge required, please consider applying as we are willing to consider appointing the right candidate as a training and development role.
KEY WORK AREAS AND MAIN DUTIES
* Providing appropriate advice, information and practical help to clients, via in-person appointments, outreach visits, telephone, letter or email. Where necessary, advocating on behalf of clients in the appropriate forums.
* Ensuring that all casework records are kept up to date and completed clearly and effectively.
* Contributing to monitoring service delivery and recording client outcomes.
* Maintaining a good knowledge of other available services, and signposting or referring clients as needed.
* Participating in regular team file reviews and supervision sessions, and contributing to maintaining BIAS s high-quality service in line with Advice Quality Standard (AQS) requirements.
* Engaging positively and constructively with other service providers, including local authorities and housing providers, to maintain partnerships.
* Identifying opportunities to effect positive change to housing policy, together with the Advice Manager.
These are the basic duties required of the Housing Adviser. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible and you may be required from time to time to perform other reasonable duties which are required for the efficient running of the organisation. We will also offer training opportunities to support your career development.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. This role will be based primarily in our advice offices in Willesden (Brent), with some outreach work in Haringey borough. There may be some options for flexible working (one day per week).
WHAT DOES BIAS DO?
BIAS is a local charity which has supported England s largest Irish community in Brent for over forty-five years. We deliver our support through our welfare advice drop-in service, our Active Ageing Clubs and our Be-a-friend volunteer scheme. We raise over £1.5 million in extra income for the most vulnerable every year and have over 3000 attendances at our club services. BIAS has exciting plans for expansion into Haringey in 2025 and has a range of medium- to long-term grant funding, including from Ireland s Emigrant Support Programme.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter.
Your cover letter should demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this role, as set out in the person specification.
The deadline for applications is Friday 28th February 2025.