Job Title: Support Officer
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £26,397 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Sunday, 8am-4pm or 1pm-9pm
Location: Clarence House, Bedford
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
The difference you will make as a Support Officer
You will be key in the day-to-day running of one of our supported housing services. The priority in your role includes the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our accommodation, including our customers.
Some of your responsibilities will include:
1. Engaging with customers daily to build their trust and encourage them to take part in various activities within the service and wider community.
2. Working with customers to raise their awareness of local services and facilities to ensure they have access to training, education, and work.
3. Carry out support planning and risk assessments for high need customers with the support of a Support Officer.
4. Working with the Specialist Support Officer to arrange and facilitate group sessions or activities.
5. Collaborating with relevant community agencies to ensure customers receive appropriate advice and support.
6. Ensuring that key performance targets are met and that all customer records are up to date.
About you
We are looking for someone who believes in working together as part of a team, who shares our values and who is friendly, engaged and committed to achieving great outcomes for our customers.
We are looking for someone with:
7. Experience of working with vulnerable people with a range of needs in a support capacity
8. A genuine passion for working with people and be able to travel
9. Good communication skills and the ability to engage with and respect the needs of vulnerable people
10. Excellent team working skills with a creative flair and ability to think outside of the box
11. Housing sector knowledge including housing benefit applications
12. Strong IT and social media skills to manage and maintain administration and recording systems
Why Riverside?
One Housing Group is now part of Riverside. At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
13. Competitive pay & generous pension
14. 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
15. Flexible working options available
16. Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
17. A wide range of benefits
Our Homelessness and Prevention team is friendly, and we love what we do. We are passionate about the high-quality support we provide. Working in care can be demanding, but our colleagues are always kind and compassionate no matter what challenges they encounter. As part of our team you will be doing work you can be proud of, ensuring the safety and happiness of our customers in their home
Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Role Profile
18. Work on a rota basis, including out of office hours where necessary
19. Comply with all relevant policies & procedures, including but not limited to: Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Customer Care, Equality & Diversity, the Code of Conduct etc.
20. Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs
21. Use SMART goal planning to provide needs led holistic support
22. Develop and maintain positive links with key stakeholders
23. Create an environment that promotes opportunities for customers to develop, learn and enable skills towards independence
24. Where required, administer medication & ensure appropriate records are maintained
25. Ensure that the service complies with our standing orders & financial regulations
26. Adhere to confidentiality policies
27. Provide a comprehensive support planning service to customers in line with the department’s policies, procedures and approach
28. Ensure customers are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities regarding the service, and are enabled and empowered to get involved in the running of the service through consultation and participation
29. Set up and maintain customer files and ensure that accurate and up to date records are kept of support provided to customers in accordance with HCS policies including on the MPS IT system
30. Make full use of IT & other technologies for appropriate tasks, including the use of word processing, spreadsheets, email etc.
31. Where appropriate, complete all tasks to meet targets towards minimising voids
32. In accommodation based services, liaise closely with the Housing Management Team to identify problems with Housing Benefit payments, review rent collection and address other tenancy-related matter
33. Support customers to develop the necessary skills to live independently, and to access training, education and work
Person Specification
Essential
34. Good interpersonal skills
35. Good level of IT skills and literacy
36. Knowledge of the Housing Sector
37. Experience of providing support to others in a work, voluntary or personal capacity
38. A practical solution focussed approach to problem solving
39. Ability to work flexibly and in a busy environment
40. Knowledge and understanding of up to date legislation, government frameworks relevant to the customer group
41. Understanding of safeguarding children and adults
Desirable
42. Demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable adults
43. Experience of undertaking customer assessments, support planning and key-working with a clear outcome focus
44. Experience of promoting Equality & Diversity
45. Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise workload
46. Ability to communicate effectively in writing including the preparation of letters reports & file notes
47. Ability to contribute to effective team working
48. IT skills including use of Microsoft packages such as Word