Specialist Housing Support Worker
£14.90 PH | Full Time | Temp-Perm | Southend | Car Owner Required
We are seeking an experienced Specialist Housing Support Worker to support adults with complex needs, focusing on tenancy sustainment, homelessness prevention, wellbeing and independence through person-centred, strengths-based support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload of customers with complex and multiple support needs.
- Complete strengths-based assessments, risk assessments and personalised support plans, reviewing progress and outcomes regularly.
- Provide intensive tenancy sustainment, homelessness prevention, outreach and community-based support.
- Engage and support customers who may be reluctant to access services.
- Help customers establish and maintain successful tenancies.
- Provide practical support with budgeting, household management, utilities, benefits, debt and income maximisation.
- Build customers’ confidence, resilience, independence and life skills.
- Support access to health, mental health, substance misuse, social care, employment, education and training services.
- Advocate for customers while promoting self-advocacy and independence.
- Work collaboratively with housing, healthcare, statutory and voluntary-sector partners, including multi-agency meetings.
- Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Maintain accurate case records, assessments, support plans and risk documentation.
- Use case management and IT systems effectively and contribute to performance targets and service improvement.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
- Undertake home visits, outreach and flexible working, including evening/weekend rotas where required.
- Comply with relevant policies, safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory requirements.
- Attend training, support colleagues and undertake other duties appropriate to the role.
Ideal Candidate:
- Experience supporting vulnerable adults with complex needs, including those who may be difficult to engage.
- Experience in case management, support planning and risk assessment.
- Good understanding of homelessness, tenancy sustainment, safeguarding and support services.
- Experience working with statutory and voluntary-sector agencies.
- Strong verbal and written communication, advocacy, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build positive, professional relationships with vulnerable customers.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and a varied caseload.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.
- Strong risk-management skills and a solution-focused, outcome-focused and customer-centred approach.
- Resilient, empathetic, non-judgemental and professional, with the ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
- GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
Desirable Experience:
- Knowledge of welfare benefits and financial inclusion.
- Experience in outreach, floating support or specialist housing services.
- Experience supporting people affected by homelessness, rough sleeping, substance misuse or mental health challenges.
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use.
Additional Requirements:
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends on a rota.
- Ability to travel across the local and neighbouring areas.
- Ability to undertake home visits, outreach and supported accommodation work.
- Ability to access high-rise buildings and climb stairs where required.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
Personal Attributes:
- Empathetic, non-judgemental and resilient.
- Professional, customer-focused and self-motivated.
- Proactive and collaborative, with strong partnership-building skills.
- Confident managing complex and challenging situations.
- Committed to promoting customer independence and positive outcomes.
- Calm and effective under pressure.
Working pattern: Full-time, with evening and weekend rota requirements
If you are passionate about supporting vulnerable adults, promoting independence and making a positive difference, we’d love to hear from you—apply today! Please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
