RIVERHAVEN Ltd.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: / Supported Housing Officer (Floating Support Elderly People)
DEPARTMENT: / Supported Housing
REPORTS TO: / Supported Housing - Team Leader
RESPONSIBLE FOR: / None
BASED AT:
LAST UPDATED: / April 2003

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PURPOSE OF POST

  • To provide an effective, efficient and intensive housing management and support service to Riverhaven’s elderly vulnerable tenants
  • To maintain regular contact with tenants, ensuring that the terms and conditions of the tenancy are met and that individual programmes for support are agreed and monitored on a monthly basis
  • To be responsible for the assessment of new referrals in accordance with Riverhaven’s policies and procedures
  • To be responsible for all tenancy management issues.
  • To closely liase with external agencies including statutory services who might provide support and assistance to enable Riverhaven’s tenants to sustain their tenancies.

MAIN DUTIES OF THE POST

Support

  • To provide both short and long term care and support to an agreed caseload of elderly, possibly vulnerable tenants, undertaking intensive support for as long as the support plan requires
  • Undertake an assessment of all new referrals to the service and develop an individual programme of support.
  • Regularly review the support plan, monitor outputs and work closely with statutory and voluntary colleagues to ensure all the needs of the tenant are meet, attending case conferences as required.
  • Establish a good network of contracts and good working relationships with colleagues working in key strategic authorities or agencies
  • Establish and regularly update an information resource on local support services available particularly to elderly tenants
  • Produce ‘essential information’ leaflets about local services or support agencies that can be made available to all Riverhaven’s elderly tenants
  • Liase with colleagues regarding the “handback” of tenants considered no longer to require support

Tenancy Management

  • Conduct regular visits to tenants to ensure that they are fully aware of their responsibilities under the tenancy agreement and that they have all the information they require.
  • Consult tenants/residents individually or collectively on matters affecting their tenancy.
  • Assist in the provision of regular information to tenants ensuring that they are consulted in any proposed changes to the housing management or support services
  • To swiftly deal with allegations of harassment, nuisance and complaints in a sensitive manner, in accordance with Riverhaven’s procedures, seeking help if appropriate, for colleagues in other teams
  • Ensure take up of Housing or other benefits, providing support and assistance to ensure income is maximised
  • Help tenants/residents maximise their independence, providing support to enable them to develop budgeting and domestic skills, encouraging and supporting access to local voluntary and statutory services, specialist agencies, training and employment opportunities, accompanying residents as appropriate
  • To investigate and deal with breaches in occupancy agreements, initiating internal procedures and reports for committee as necessary
  • Assist tenants report any maintenance repairs, working closely with colleagues to ensure that an efficient maintenance service is provided, having due regard to the age and vulnerability of the tenants, through internal staff or external contractors, including monitoring of standards.
  • To promote good practice and relationships with neighbours and within the local community
  • To undertake some evening work, and also provide on-call cover as required

Corporate

  • Participate in the departmental arrangements for answering telephones and providing cover as needed.
  • Attend Team meetings and other meetings as required.
  • Participate fully in Support and Review, Training and Riverhaven’s performance management systems as required.

Finance

  • Manage project or scheme budgets as directed
  • Authorise payments and invoices up to limits set by Financial Procedures and Standing Orders
Equal Opportunities
  • To work within the equal opportunities and diversity framework set by Riverhaven.
General
  • To observe the highest possible standards in relation to confidentiality and the provisions of Data Protection legislation.
  • To act as an ambassador for Riverhaven’s Services.
  • To work within the framework of Riverhaven’s Customer Care Policy.
  • To undertake any other duties as are reasonably requested from time to time.

This is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may be required of the postholder. Duties may be changed, after discussion, to suit the operational requirements of Riverhaven.

RIVERHAVEN Ltd.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

SUPPORTED HOUSING OFFICER – FLOATING ELDERLY

Please () tick the most appropriate
ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Education/Qualification
Good standard of numeracy and literacy / 
Experience
Prior experience of provision of advice and/or support to elderly or vulnerable people / 
Experience of developing and implementing support plans. / 
Knowledge
Understanding of the relevant legislation (including Housing Acts 1985, 1988 & 1996) and of tenancy enforcement procedures. / 
Good knowledge of welfare benefits system and accessing community support services / 
Understanding of the regulatory requirements that relate to lettings, tenancy management and Supporting People/Support Contracts. / 
Skills & Abilities
Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with tenants, staff and people outside Riverhaven. / 
Able to organise and prioritise his/her own workload / 
Able to maintain accurate records of visits, actions, agreements and contacts. / 
Able to use Microsoft Word and Excel packages as well as computerised rent accounting / 
Able to write accurate letters, & basic reports / 
Able to resolve conflict, possessing good negotiation and mediation skills / 
Ability to maintain written and computerised records and to produce statistical reports from records for management information. / 
Attitude
Able to form and maintain good working relationships at all levels both internally and externally. / 
Pragmatic and positive approach to problem solving and committed to taking practical, responsive initiatives. / 
Able to show an understanding of and commitment to tenant/resident participation / 
Able to show an understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities & diversity / 
Able to show an understanding of and commitment to customer care, & advocacy / 
Able to provide cover outside of core hours which may entail starting at 8 am or working until 6 pm. / 

Ability to undertake evening and to provide on-call cover

/ 

Self motivated, with high energy and enthusiasm

/ 

Car driver

/ 

Special Requirements

Working knowledge of a community language

/ 

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