Sheltered Housing and Communities Officer
| Posting date: | 05 August 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,873 to £28,282 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 August 2024 |
| Location: | Thundersley, Essex, SS7 1TF |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Essex County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | req17640_1722857418 |
Summary
Sheltered Housing and Communities Officer
Castle Point Borough Council
Permanent, Full Time
From £26,873 - £28,282 per annum, subject to job evaluation
Location: Castlepoint
Closing Date: 18th August 2024
Why Castle Point? Castle Point Borough Council is a statutory body responsible for employing nearly 350 staff, and delivering over 150 council services, both statutory and for the community's well-being and benefit. Castle Point Borough Council aims to provide high-quality and financially sustainable services while prioritising outstanding customer service, transparency in decision-making, and promoting local democracy. Additionally, the council seeks to transform, modernize, and improve its performance, as well as support and enable the communities within its jurisdiction to be strong, healthy, and thriving.
Our Values: Trust, Respect, Improving and Learning, and Customer Focus
The Opportunity
This is a permanent opportunity for the role of a Sheltered Housing & Communities Officer. This role involves management of a sheltered housing scheme, ensuring resident wellbeing through daily contact, support plans, advocacy, and emergency response, while promoting healthy lifestyles and social participation. They also assist with housing services, collaborate with external agencies, conduct property viewings, and manage Health & Safety issues.
Please note this is an office-based position.
Accountabilities
1. Undertake general housing management duties to ensure the effective operation of the sheltered housing service, including:
* Undertake accompanied viewings of empty properties, induction of new tenants and ongoing advice and assistance
* Daily checks and ensuring up to date support plans are in place for all tenants
* Dealing with any anti-social behaviour in liaison with housing services as appropriate
* Enabling and managing social events for tenants
* Ensure the operation of effective emergency communication links including careline and respond to emergency calls from tenants when on duty
* Ensuring the standards of communal maintenance are met and that repairs are undertaken in a timely way
2. Liaise with external agencies such as Essex County Council Adult Social Care, Careline and other Council departments to ensure tenant support packages are effectively in place and the needs of any vulnerable tenants such as those at risk of social isolation are effectively identified and met on a continuous basis with appropriate and accurate records.
3. In liaison with the Housing Maintenance Team to ensure the delivery of compliance with Health and Safety standards within the sheltered housing scheme including:
* Undertaking regular and appropriate risk assessments in compliance with the Council's procedures.
* Document the regular checks and testing on the operation of essential hazard controls including fire safety, legionella and electrical safety undertaken by Council contractors.
* Ensure all necessary documentation is kept up to date and available for inspection.
* Ensure all tenants are made aware of appropriate procedures through regular briefings
4. To assist in the development, maintenance and ensuring compliance with all working procedures in relation to the operation of the sheltered housing service.
5. To undertake continuous professional development to ensure the current and future objectives and requirements of the service are met.
6. To provide excellent customer care as representatives of the Housing Service including responding to any queries or complaints from tenants professionally and courteously and in accordance with Council procedures.
7. To undertake duties at more than one sheltered housing scheme as required and to meet representatives of other agencies or residents as reasonable and in agreement with Housing Management staff.
8. To undertake any duties outside normal office hours if deemed as an urgent need and to provide an emergency out of hours service as a Sheltered Housing and Community Officer within a rota system on a regular basis.
The Experience You Will Bring
· Ability to manage a supported housing scheme as a lone worker
· Specialised qualifications, knowledge or training in Housing fields
· Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) with those who have widely varying communication skills
· Ability to maintain accurate records (Support Plans, Risk Assessments etc) and deal with written correspondence
· Ability to be flexible and to prioritise and manage a varied workload
· Ability to work as part of a team and with staff at all levels including members
· IT skills and knowledge (Windows and MS Office)
· Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight timescales and standards
· Full driving licence and access to a vehicle
· Provision of out of hours service on a rota basis with the Sheltered Housing Team
To undertake an enhanced DBS check before commencing employment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974)
Castle Point Borough Council is proud to be a disability confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
Castle Point Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email sadie.orwell@essex.gov.uk