Be Bold, Make a Difference, Show you Care JOB ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION Post Title and Number: Sustainable Housing Support officer (Private Rented Sector) Present Grade: Grade 6 Department: Housing Advisory Service Service/Section/Team: Sustainable Housing Service Reports to: Street Homelessness Team Manager Purpose of the Role: Enfield’s Street Homelessness Service was established to operationalise the Council’s strategic aim of ending rough sleeping. The Street Homelessness Accommodation Team will provide housing support services across supported housing projects including those that have been housed in the Private Rented Sector. PRS Access Officer Support Workers will: · deliver proactive support to applicants with multiple and complex support needs to help maintain accommodation · Provide and advice and support service to vulnerable clients, focussing tenancy sustainment. · Support the co-ordination of all activities in conjunction with all agencies that Support the client, while maintaining the Council’s standards in relation to customers/internal customers and other stakeholders alike. · To carry a caseload of customers and lead on on-going support and direction through the casework management approach. · Work with internal and external agencies to ensure clients have access to services which meet as many of their needs as possible. · Ensure client details are entered onto a case management system timely and accurately, providing information, reports and analysis to the Team Manager, as they may find necessary for the proper management of the service. · manage a caseload and ensure all aspects of support work is carried out in accordance with legislation, safeguarding, policies and procedures · contribute to efficient service delivery as an individual and as part of a team, in accordance with local policies procedures and legislation (including shift work where required) Dimensions including Structure Chart: 1. Annual budgetary amounts with which the role is either directly or indirectly concerned: N/A 2. Structure Chart (depending on funding): 3. Number of direct reports (depending on funding): N/A 4. Nature of reporting relationship between post holder and line manager: · Report to the Team Manager · Attend the relevant team meetings · Regular email correspondence and occasional telephone contact, dependent upon urgency with the Street Homelessness Service Manager, Sustainable Housing Service Manager, Head of Service and Director as required 5. Any other relevant statistics N/A Supervisory responsibility: No direct supervisory responsibility, but would be expected to assist with the induction of staff, including on the job training of colleagues and provide advice to Colleagues in other Services on immigration issues. Key Accountabilities: 1. Manage a flexible workload as designated by the line manager 2. Work with service users to assess, design, plan, implement Sustainable Housing Support Plans to increase their ability to maintain their tenancy and develop appropriate independent living skills. 3. Establish, develop and sustain effective working relationships with service users to encourage a process of change 4. Support customers to maximise income by reducing debt, obtaining paid work and entitlement to benefits. 5. Provide appropriate and practical assistance and support to meet the needs and requirements of service users, individually and as a team. 6. Deal with day-to-day enquiries and emergencies arising from contact with customers or other agencies. 7. Support peer involvement programme so peers are skilled and supported to lead on peer activities and be part of the delivery of project activities. 8. Actively support and promote the inclusion and participation of service users using a range of interventions e.g. group work, user participation. 9. Ensure all service users’ documentation is relevant and update and that data is accurately entered int the various IT systems 10. Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve outcomes for service users 11. Undertake relevant training and contribute to team workshops and other learning opportunities to promote good practice. 12. Be an active and constructive member of the team and assist in planning and implementation of events, groups and outcomes that achieve positive outcomes for the service and service users. 13. Comply with a range of statutory requirements and legislation as directed by the line manager. 14. Comply with the Council’s data management policies and maintain accurate and up to information using the electronic recording system. 15. Carry out all accountabilities in compliance with the Council’s Policies and Procedures. The range of outcomes we expect you to do are set out above, however this is not intended as a complete description of your job. We reserve the right to ask you to undertake any tasks that are consistent with the grade to ensure effective service delivery. This may include working in any other service areas, including the Customer Access Service, and /or vary hours of work, as may be reasonably required of you. Key Relationships (Internal and External): · Housing Advisory Service · Sustainable Housing Service · Business Intelligence Units for Strategy, Performance, data management & reporting · Procurement · Market Management - temporary accommodation issues – suitability, overcrowding, conditions and procurement · Private sector enforcement teams - conditions in private sector housing · Housing Benefit and Income Collection · Community Safety Unit - Anti social behaviour, gang issues · Children’s Services - safeguarding issues, no recourse to public funds referrals and assessments · Adult Social Care – learning difficulties, mental health, physical disabilities, older people · NHS / Community health professionals · Council Housing Services – transfers, · Hospitals · Police, Prisons & Probation - public safety and MAPPA · Registered Social Landlords · Legal Services & Solicitors– re: defending court action (judicial reviews and S204 appeals – witness statements – barrister’s opinion – budget constraints · Citizens Advice Bureau · Enfield Voluntary Action · Councillors / MPs · All other relevant partners Equality and Diversity: The Council has a strong commitment to achieving equality in its service to the community and the employment of people and expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work. Health and Safety: The post holder shall ensure that the duties of the post are undertaken with due regard to the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and to their personal responsibilities under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other relevant subordinate legislation. For a more detailed definition of these responsibilities, refer to the current versions of the Corporate Health & Safety Policy, Group Safety Policy and employee information leaflet entitled "Health & Safety Policy; Guidance on Staff Health & Safety Responsibilities". Corporate Health and Safety Responsibilities All employees have personal responsibilities to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others. This means: 1. Understanding the hazards in the work they undertake; 2. Following safety rules and procedures; 3. Using work equipment, personal protective equipment, substances, and safety devices correctly; and 4. Working in accordance with the training provided and only undertaking tasks where appropriate training has been received. Employees shall co-operate with the Council by allowing it to comply with its duties towards them. This requires employees to: · take part in safety training and risk assessments and suggest ways of reducing risks; and · take part in emergency evacuation exercises. Employees shall report all accidents, ‘near miss’ incidents and work-related ill health conditions to their manager/supervisor/team leader. Employees shall read the Corporate Health & Safety – Organisation Part B Policy to ascertain and understand their responsibilities as an employee, line manager, Assistant Director or Director of the Council. Information Security: To protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Council information, including information provided by customers, partner organisations, and other third parties, where applicable, employees will comply with the Council’s Information Security Policy. Statement of Commitment to Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults through safer employment practice: Enfield Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment of staff is central to this commitment, and the Council will ensure that its recruitment policies and practices are robust, and that selection procedures prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff employed to work with or on behalf of children and young people in the Council must be competent. All staff working with Children and Vulnerable Adults should be aware of, and share the commitment to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when applying for posts at Enfield Council. Page 1 of 6 Job Role Profile and Person Specification Published 18/10/2010 Last revised 24/9/20 PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Sustainable Housing Support Worker Grade: Grade 6 Department: Housing Advisory Service / Sustainable Housing Service Team: Street Homelessness Accommodation Team Job Specifics – Skills, Experience, Knowledge & Abilities HOW TESTED Application – A Test – T Interview – I Essential 1. Ability assess, design, plan, implement Sustainable Housing Support Plans 2. Ability to work independently using own initiative whilst remaining accountable to line management 3. Experience of providing housing support to people who have experienced homelessness across a range of projects, including Housing First, Dispersed, Shared Accommodation and Private Rented Sector. 4. Experience of providing housing support services to people who have experienced homelessness, including people with multiple and complex support needs, such as rough sleepers, people leaving prison/hospital, MAPPA 5. Ability to ensure all aspects of casework is carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, safeguarding policies and initiatives set 6. Ability to establish, develop and sustain effective working relationships with service users and partners. 7. Ability to ensure service users’ casefiles and documentation is relevant and update and that data is accurately entered int the various IT systems 8. Ability to constantly achieve performance targets and objectives 9. Experience of working collaboratively to develop and deliver Sustainable Housing Support Plans 10. Good knowledge of welfare, housing and homelessness policy, strategies, legislation, and case law, and its implementation within a statutory homelessness service, 11. Good knowledge of Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Social Care and Equality policy and strategies AI AI AI AI AI AI AIT AI AI AI Behaviours Appropriate behaviours are key to the delivery of our vision for Enfield. We want staff who will work collaboratively, flexibly and constructively, and exhibit this ethos in all their dealings with residents, colleagues and partners. Our leaders will be exemplars of the following behaviours and encourage them in staff at all levels; Take Responsibility We want staff who are willing to make decisions and be accountable for them. Staff should have a positive can-do attitude where they see problems as challenges which can be overcome. They should accept responsibility for service delivery, be clear about their service offer and deliver what they promise. Open, Honest and Respectful We want staff who are comfortable and confident to acknowledge the difficulties and the barriers they face. They should also be able to constructively challenge the way things are done where there is evidence that it impedes service delivery. Challenge should be conducted in a professional, courteous manner with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. Listen and Learn We want staff who are prepared to actively listen and reflect on customer concerns with a view to understanding the customer’s point of view. Staff should be able to receive constructive criticism and be prepared to adapt the way they operate and deliver services where appropriate. Work Together to find solutions We want staff who can work collaboratively with other departments and partners, freely sharing their knowledge and skills to identify solutions to address customer concerns. Candidates: Please ensure you address these behaviours in your responses to the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria above. Competencies: Candidates: Please ensure you address these competencies in your responses to the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria above. 1. Customer focus 2. Deliver service performance 3. Focus on continuous improvement 4. Political awareness and context Qualifications & Professional registration criteria Candidates: Please ensure you address these qualifications in your responses to the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria, you will be expected to meet these requirements of the role and they will be explored with you at interview. 1. High level of education or equivalent demonstratable experience 2. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development Special requirements Candidates: Please note you will be expected to meet these requirements of the role and they will be explored with you at interview. 1. Ability to positively contribute to the transformation of large organisations, services and teams Ending Homelessness in Enfield We are transforming our homelessness service to improve homelessness prevention, reduce temporary accommodation and end street homelessness. Our new Housing Advisory Service will deliver sustainable housing outcomes for Enfield residents through a range of new services, including data-driven early intervention, community outreach, specialist practice teams and a street homelessness service. We are seeking proactive, outcome focused people to join our Street Homelessness Service. The Street Homelessness Service has been set the ambitious target to end rough sleeping in Enfield PRS Access Officer We are recruiting PRS Access Support Worker, The Street Homelessness Accommodation Team will provide housing support services The ideal candidate will be ambitious, proactive, collaborative, highly motivated and ready for a new challenge. You must also have strong communication and creative problem-solving skills together with the drive and passion to help vulnerable people to live independent and fulfilling lives. You must also be willing to work outside of office hours on occasion, be able to work independently and have good knowledge of welfare, housing and homelessness practice. This is a fantastic opportunity to join and innovative and inspiring service aimed at ending rough sleeping in Enfield. Why it's great to work for Enfield Council An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Up to 31 days annual leave depending on grade and length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year and an extra day off at Christmas. Interest free season ticket loan repayable over three or ten months. Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods. Employee Assistance Programme to provide advice and counselling services. This is a free and confidential service available to staff and members of their family. Our culture We are passionate about our people and how we deliver services to our community in Enfield. That’s why we encourage a culture that puts our customers at the heart of everything we do - by empowering our people to work together to find solutions, be open, honest and respectful, take responsibility and listen and learn. If you value these behaviours too, we’d love to hear from you - and of course we are always Happy to Talk Flexible Working.