The Band 4 Trainee Housing Specialist will work under guidance from Housing Specialists to deliver housing advice, assistance, and interventions to people who use our services in relation to their housing needs which will prevent or relieve homelessness, secure good quality and longer term settled housing solutions, and reduce financial hardship.
Prepare information and support decision makers on formal applications for assistance, on behalf of the Local Housing Authority they are attached to, from persons who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, acting in accordance with the homelessness legislation, statutory Code of Guidance and the policies of the relevant Local Housing Authority.
To work between local mental health and housing systems to ensure people who use our services and staff receive high quality and timely specialist housing input and access to wider housing teams and referral pathways. Regular travel across a variety of locations within the local area/community and externally within the District will be required.
The Trainee Housing Specialist is a development opportunity role which would be supported by the Housing Manager to work towards a Band 5 role within the first 24 months of employment.
The Trainee Housing Specialist will be supported through a structured programme of training, professional supervision, and peer support from the Housing Team and our partner Local Authorities at the end of which the Trainee will progress to a Band 5 position
Main duties of the job
The Trainee Housing Specialist will provide housing related support to people with identified housing needs under the care of either community or inpatient mental health teams .
To provide effective housing advice and interventions that are responsive to the needs of people who have accommodation difficulties.
Support mental health team staff to identify housing needs, respond to enquiries, assessing applications, providing advice and guidance to people with a range of housing needs including: prevention of homelessness, relationship breakdown, domestic violence, housing options, mortgage repossession, debt advice, housing and welfare benefits and all landlord and tenant issues.
A key aspect of the role is to support the Trust to exercise it's Duty to Refer as a Public Body as defined under the Homelessness Reduction Act (2018), ensuring accurate and timely verification of applications for assistance from persons who have housing needs and may be homeless or threatened with homelessness or may be owed a duty under the Act.
The Trainee Housing Specialist will work closely with key personnel and departments who assess priority for social housing in accordance with the Allocation Policy of the Local Housing Authority they are attached to, with onward processing of nominations to Registered Providers, gathering, presenting, and communication of information on behalf of the people using our services.
About us
We recognise that working in mental health can be stressful at times so we prioritise staff welfare; providing regular supervision, mentoring, and any other support that our staff need to ensure their wellbeing. We also encourage flexible working.
Our vision is to provide outstanding care and treatment; the people that we employ are at the heart of making this vision a reality. If you've got the passion, the belief, the drive and the talent to help us achieve our vision then we would like to hear from you.
Job responsibilities
Following guidance from the Housing Manager, deliver case work directing time limited housing interventions to people open to adult mental health service teams with the aim of (a) prevention or alleviation of homelessness, and (b) resolution of inappropriate or poor-quality housing conditions.
Working under supervision from the Housing Manager to provide comprehensive housing advise and Personalised Housing Plans with people, completing identified ongoing housing related support tasks.
Support the wider adult mental health service to identify housing related issues as early as possible, record housing needs using patient record systems, and appropriately refer for statutory housing intervention where required
Develop and maintain a high level of housing specialist knowledge .
Deliver specialist housing advice, assistance, and interventions to people who use our services in relation to their housing needs which will prevent or relieve homelessness, secure good quality and longer term settled housing solutions, and reduce financial hardship.
Prepare information and support decision makers on formal applications for assistance, on behalf of the Local Housing Authority they are attached to, from persons who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, acting in accordance with the homelessness legislation, statutory Code of Guidance and the policies of the relevant Local Housing Authority.
To work between local mental health and housing systems to ensure people who use our services and staff receive high quality and timely specialist housing input and access to wider housing teams and referral pathways.
The position will be primarily based within the Hastings area and the applicant will be expected to travel across multiple sites across the district. On occasion this may involve travel outside the Hastings area in order to meet need.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care, or other related field and experience to diploma level
* Commitment and ability to work towards completing a Level 3 (or equivalent) housing related qualification and undertake a programme of housing professional development under supervision
* NVQ level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in housing
* Evidence of continuous professional development
* Undergraduate degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
* Experience of working in a professional housing support capacity with people who have mental health needs
* Some knowledge and understanding of relevant areas of housing policy and practice including the law relating to local housing authority homelessness duties and the allocation of social housing. Familiarity of working with a variety of non-routine work practices.
* Good understanding of the role and responsibilities in relation to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children.
* Experience of being able to offer awareness sessions, advice, and guidance about complicated topics to groups of colleagues
* Working knowledge of Mental Health Act (1983/2007) and the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
* Good local knowledge of relevant housing services and pathways in Sussex, their referral procedures and eligibility criteria.
* Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies
* Lived experience of mental health issues
Skills
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate at all levels.
* Ability to deal sensitively and positively with people who use our services during crisis situations.
* Ability to communicate and listen effectively in a one-to-one situation or within groups.
* Ability to use computerised record keeping, Windows software, data storage systems, and electronic notes. Able to produce written reports on cases as well as supporting patients to complete feedback surveys necessary for the role.
* Ability to interpret people's circumstances and issues accurately from written information, phone calls, or face to face meetings, either directly from people who use our services or from those involved in their care.
* An ability to apply the relevant Local Housing Authorities policies and statutory duties fairly and consistently in a variety of situations where some analysis or judgement may be required and assessment will be needed. Confident to suggest any changes to existing policies as deemed necessary to improve services.
* Effective non-verbal and verbal reasoning skills. ?
* Ability to manage a caseload, under initial supervision, and take responsibility for completing tasks. Able to independently offer advice and guidance to a range of people.
* Ability to plan and prioritise workload - initially with support for more complex tasks
* Ability to be able to deal with conflicting demands in an unpredictable work pattern
* Able to provide and receive confidential information of a sensitive and often complex or contentious nature
* Ability to work in a variety of settings dependent on individual need including the community and people using our services home which may include occasional unpleasant working conditions
* Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances due to complex nature of work with service users
* Awareness of policies relevant to workplace, ie lone working, travel
* Based in a locality and able to travel to other locations and across sites as a regular/daily part of the role
* Monitor and maintain the health and safety of self and others in the working area and whilst traveling
* Ability to understand and adhere to the the Housing Team policies, working practice, and protocols including contributing to a housing duty system
* Ability to support applications for financial assistance on behalf of patients, including making applications and liaising with suppliers to arrange purchases.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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