Post                  Housing and Progression Officer (maternity cover)

Location              Sheffield

Term                 12 months (with the possibility of a permanent contract)

Salary               £25,875.00 pro rata (plus 6% pension contribution)

Other                Death in service insurance

Hours                8:30-4:00pm

Reporting to    Head of Services

Do you want to make a real difference to those facing homelessness in our city? To support vulnerable adults and give them the opportunities, support and motivation to achieve their goals and empower them to live their lives as they choose? Then join our team and help Nomad end homelessness in Sheffield. This is a one-year vacancy with the potential for a permanent contract.

Nomad is a charity that provides housing and support to homeless and vulnerably housed people in Sheffield. Nomad believes everyone has the right to live independently in safe, secure accommodation and to achieve their full potential. We provide high quality housing and holistic support services, which are open to all sections of the community and which respect people as individuals. We want you to help us support this vulnerable community.

Purpose of post: 

The post holder will provide all aspects of housing and tenancy support to clients/tenants housed through our SmartSteps Project which is a supported housing project. The aim of the project is to equip our tenants with the skills they need to move on to independent accommodation.

 The post holder will also assist with Housing Officer duties to our clients who are living in shared accommodation within our sister project, Four Trees Lettings.

 Duties and responsibilities:

• Housing
• Carry out needs assessments with potential clients/tenants
• Complete risk assessments and risk management plans for potential and existing clients/tenants
• Carry out reference checks with external agencies
• Make recommendations to the Head of Services regarding the accommodation route most appropriate for an individual service user
• Ensure that the full assessment and matching process is undertaken for each new service user to place them in the right property, with the right landlord, and with appropriate support to sustain their tenure
• Undertake inventories, property inspections and monthly health and safety monitoring, including fire safety
• Work with the Head of Services to deal with any anti-social behaviour, rent and service charge arrears and other breaches of the tenancy agreement in accordance with organisational policy/procedure as specified
• Ensure all properties let through Nomad/Four Trees Lettings have all relevant licenses, safety checks are in place and copies held on file
• Ensure that all new tenants are given copies of safety certificates, right to rent document etc.
• Contact tenants regarding any rent arrears and negotiate repayment schedules
• Update tenant and landlord details via our recording systems
• Apply for direct payments from universal credit where applicable
• Complete housing benefit applications and any follow up work that may be needed

Support

• Visits tenants in their homes and provide housing advice and assistance to support service users to become established in their new home and explain their rights and responsibilities under the tenancy agreement
• To offer advice and information relevant to the client group including debt advice, benefits advice, including help with applications, mental health, drug/alcohol issues, and issues relating to developing self-esteem and independence and refer for specialist support as required
• Develop and implement action plans with service users and assist them to achieve their goals
• Take a person centred approach to each client’s physical and mental wellbeing by considering all their needs – physical, social, psychological and environmental
• Ensure delivery of a strength-based service in line with Nomad policies and procedures
• Meet with clients to develop and arrange activities and other related sessions
• Work closely with the dedicated Housing and Progression Team to ensure that clients are offered support, therapeutic interventions, workshops and the like to promote their personal growth
• Carry out day to day office functions to ensure that all records and files are maintained, and confidentiality of information is upheld
• Maintain accurate case records; monitor, review and evaluate the progress of tenants within the scheme; and record all tenancies on the relevant database.
• Assist clients to apply for the housing element of universal credit

 Resettlement:

•  Develop and maintain frequent and constructive professional communication with PRS landlords to ensure that any issues are swiftly identified and tackled
• Support service users to view properties, arrange and complete tenancy sign-ups, handing over keys/sign up pack and Right to Rent checks are carried out
• Advise and assist tenants to claim housing benefit/housing element of universal credit and other welfare benefits as applicable and to monitor the status of these claims to ensure recovery of rent

 Project development:

•  Recruit and support new landlords, expanding our property portfolio
• Participate in team meetings and work alongside colleagues to promote effective teamwork
• Offer support and guidance to volunteers
• Actively work with key agencies both in the voluntary and statutory sector to promote Nomad’s/Four Trees services and improve inter-agency working, including attending and participating in information sharing events, training and workshops.

 Other

•  Work in line with Nomad’s policies and procedures
• Undertake any other duties relevant and appropriate to the post