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The Vacancy Closing Date: Friday 24th October 2025 @ 9am Interview Date: Thursday 6th November 2025 - in person Join Our Team as an Independent Living Officer Are you passionate about empowering and enabling diverse communities to live independently? We're excited to offer a rewarding opportunity to join our welcoming and dedicated Independent Living team here at bdht. This is a customer-facing role where your presence and support can make a real difference to the lives of our residents. About the Role As an Independent Living Officer, you'll be a visible and approachable presence within our Independent Living community. Face-to-face contact is at the heart of what we do, helping ensure our customers feel safe, supported and happy in their homes. Our residents come from a wide range of backgrounds, and many may be vulnerable, so we're looking for someone who is caring, flexible, understanding and positive in their approach. You'll be there to help with any concerns or issues that arise, offering reassurance and practical support. On a day to day basis, you will deal with queries, incidents and issues that may occur in and around the independent living schemes. You will support and encourage social interaction and be creative and imaginative to deliver events and activities. You'll also undertake regular Health and Safety inspections, to include fire alarm and water testing, ensuring that legislation is adhered to and report any communal repairs or defects, following through until completion. About You We're looking for someone who has experience working in a customer-focused environment, ideally with an understanding of the needs of vulnerable individuals. You'll be a great communicator, a team player, and someone who genuinely enjoys helping others. Good IT skills, in particular MS Office, and the ability to use IT based systems is also required. Having an understanding of welfare benefits, including Housing Benefit claims, would be preferable although this is not essential. The use of a current driving licence and access to an appropriately insured vehicle is a requirement for the post. Mileage expenses will be reimbursed. What we can offer in return: <ul> <li>32 days annual leave plus bank holidays</li></ul><ul> <li>Holiday purchase scheme -buy up to an additional 5 days holiday per year</li></ul><ul> <li>Holiday buy back scheme - bdht will buy up to 10 days holiday back from staff</li></ul><ul> <li>Team budget every year to enjoy an afternoon out as a team</li></ul><ul> <li>Electric vehicle leasing scheme through Octopus Energy</li></ul><ul> <li>Pension scheme - defined contributions pension administered by the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS)</li></ul><ul> <li>Life insurance is available to members of the pension scheme</li></ul><ul> <li>Employee Assistance Programme</li></ul><ul> <li>Mental Health First Aiders</li></ul><ul> <li>Healthcare Cash Back Scheme - Healthshield</li></ul><ul> <li>Retail discounts scheme</li></ul><ul> <li>Long Service Awards (given at 1 year, 5 years and in increments of 5 years following this)</li></ul><ul> <li>Reimbursement for professional subscription fees</li></ul><ul> <li>Corporate Sponsorship opportunities</li></ul><ul> <li>Reimbursement for HRT pre-paid certificates</li></ul><ul> <li>Reimbursement for annual flu jab</li></ul><ul> <li>Free parking and refreshments</li></ul><ul> <li>Monthly staff compliments raffle</li></ul><ul> <li>Wellbeing calendar of events throughout the year</li></ul>Bdht reserves the right to close vacancies before the stated closing date where the volume of applications is extremely high. The Company BDHT employs 170 people and is dedicated to providing excellent services to our customers by having excellent staff. We are very much a learning organisation. We have a major commitment to identifying transferable skills within our employees and creating opportunities for individuals to grow. BDHT is a people based organisation and our people are actively encouraged to 'bring their whole selves to work'. The things that are important to you become important to us too. We believe in our people, and actively support them based upon three core themes: 'Look after yourself', 'Look after your colleagues' and 'Look after the business'. We are a great employer who pays fairly and has excellent terms and conditions. But above all we absolutely recognise that good performance is linked to happy staff, so we actively encourage fun and expect that it is part of the normal working day. Our Values Listening Fair Honest Respect Integrity Transparent Inclusive Our Benefits

Independent Living Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION Title: Housing Support Officer Salary: £12.59 per hour Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Due to the nature of the post evenings and Bank Holidays work may be necessary. Responsible to: Housing Services Manager Location: YMCA Highland Road, Dudley, DY1 3BT Background: YMCA Black Country Group (YMCA BCG) is the branch of the YMCA global movement in the Black Country. YMCA BCG operates charitable companies &amp; associated trading subsidiaries in the Black Country boroughs and South Staffordshire area. The combined turnover of the group is in excess of £6M, delivering a wide range of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcare and family support, drug and alcohol counselling, skills and employment training, health and well-being services. YMCA BCG employs over 200 staff and also works with around 50 volunteers and voluntary trustees. Job role: To support the Housing Services Manager to ensure the provision of high-quality day-to-day housing management and tenancy sustainment functions of the YMCA's housing stock in Black Country. This includes, but not exclusively, the letting, management, maintenance, administration, rent collection and provision of housing services on all allocated Black Country housing properties. In addition, monitoring and reviewing the progress of residents within the schemes using various tenancy sustainment assessment tool, enabling them to Belong, Contribute and Thrive. Duties: Access to Housing &amp; Tenancy Sustainment 1. To be involved in interviewing applicants and carrying out the appropriate needs and risk assessments and reference checks before offering accommodation. 2. To carry out an appropriate induction to the allocated Black Country housing property once an offer has been made to an applicant. 3. To coordinate or signpost any additional support a resident may require during their time at the YMCA by liaising with internal and external agencies in relation to maintaining their accommodation. 4. To promote the services provided by YMCA Black Country Housing Services ensuring referral agencies and applicants have the appropriate information about the schemes. 5. To keep voids to a minimum on allocated properties by ensuring they are cleaned, prepared and ready to let in the quickest time possible. 6. To complete and record property checks at least monthly (more frequent if required) to ensure residents are adhering to the licence agreement and the property is being kept in a good condition, reporting any property defects in a timely manner. Financial Accountability 7. To be responsible for managing the rent arrears of allocated properties maximising all income, reducing arrears, and ensuring all records are accurate and up to date. Monitoring any rent agreements that may be agreed by the Housing Services Manager. 8. To ensure the Housing Services Manager is aware of any rent accounts that are risky and take proactive action to address in line with the rent arrears policy. 9. Ensure residents claim all entitled benefits including Housing Benefit and other applicable benefits / grants to ensure recovery of rent and service charges. 10. Liaise with Housing Benefit staff to ensure the residents account is active and the resident is aware of their responsibility of providing any information to ensure the housing benefit is paid and reduce all arrears. Housing Management Services 11. Liaise with Housing Benefit Office, Employment Services, Social Services, Probation Services and other authorities as necessary in relation to housing management. 12. Ensure that residents are compliant with and kept fully informed and consulted on matters affecting their Licence Agreement/Tenancy and they understand their rights and responsibilities. 13. Liaise with Housing Service Manager concerning breaches of the Licence Agreement/Tenancy at an early stage and help seek positive resolutions. 14. Make regular visits to the residents in their property to ensure safety and security of the accommodation and deliver and monitor management and support services. 15. Deliver housing services including arranging the servicing of appliances and advice on safe use of equipment and appliances where applicable. 16. Maintain information relevant to the client group including information on issues and organisations relevant to the welfare of vulnerable people. 17. Ensure incidents / issues arising are fully reported and investigated and take action to resolve problem or take holding action until a permanent solution is found. Tenancy Sustainment Support 18. Deliver person centred support to residents living in our supported housing units enabling them to sustain their tenancy whilst working in a Trauma Informed way and deliver services that are culturally sensitive, safe services that people trust and want to use. 19. Ensure that resident's needs are monitored appropriately, and that personal progression is recorded utilising the outcomes star, wellbeing assessment and other tools as required. 20. Proactively engage residents in a range of 1-1 and group interventions enabling them to address their needs and sustain their tenancy. 21. Ensure that all safeguarding concerns are recorded, and action taken where required. 22. To support residents to move on from our supported accommodation when we feel they have the skills to live independently. Enable them to bid on properties as required or consider other suitable housing options for resettlement. Maintenance Tasks 23. Undertake regular visits to the housing properties including communal areas to inspect the accommodation and get resident feedback to ensure that repairs and cleaning of the buildings are carried out promptly to a high standard and that safety and security is maintained. 24. Support residents to raise repairs and maintenance issues or do so on their behalf. 25. Carry out an end of licence visit with the resident to ensure the property is left in a good condition. 26. Complete a void report when the property becomes vacant and submit to the Housing Services Manager / or their representative to minimise void periods. 27. Work to ensure the general security of the buildings including the testing of the alarm systems, CCTV, door entry and communications systems where applicable. General 28. Prepare statistical and other reports as required by stakeholders or as requested by the Housing Services Manager ensuring all administrative functions (including updating rent accounts, the Client Record Management system, Outcome Star, Wellbeing Assessments etc) are carried out efficiency as necessary for the post. 29. Contribute to the review of paperwork, policies and procedures and systems used with the housing services to improve services and ensuring best practice. 30. Promote the aims and purposes of the YMCA. 31. Participate in Housing Staff meetings and other housing related meetings with residents and stakeholders as required. 32. To represent the association at agreed external meetings and report back to the Housing Services Manager. 33. Carry out work responsibilities in line with the Association's policies and procedures including safeguarding, equality and diversity, staff development and ensuring the health and safety of self and others at all times. 34. To carry out any other reasonable duty as requested by the Housing Services Manager or Head of Housing. Person Specification Job role: Housing Support Officer Experience / Qualifications Essential Desirable Current in-depth knowledge of housing issues and legislation, particularly pertaining to homelessness √ Knowledge of the benefits and welfare system √ Knowledge of external bodies associated with and or affiliated to supported housing √ Experience of working in a supported housing environment with young people or vulnerable adults √ Experience of completing reports, support plans, action plans, and tracking progression √ Experience of delivering Trauma Informed Care √ Excellent level of education (literacy, IT and numeracy) √ Training relevant to supported housing and the client group √ NVQ level 3 or equivalent in Housing or Support related field √ Skills / Abilities Essential Desirable Ability to demonstrate an empathetic and person-centred approach √ Ability to demonstrate and understand the importance of effective team working √ Ability to work with minimal or no supervision and to use initiative √ Ability to multitask and prioritise using effective organisation and planning skills √ Ability to solve problems √ Ability to understand and represent service users' rights and best interests whilst liaising with other professionals on the service user's behalf √ Ability to assess changes in service users' needs, health, mood etc and alert others to any potential risks or safeguarding issues √ Ability to build appropriate relationships with young people and vulnerable adults, listen actively and respond appropriately to service users' needs √ Ability to work with discretion, integrity and confidentially in a nonjudgmental way √ Personal Attributes Essential Desirable Can understand the needs of people from diverse cultural, social, and racial backgrounds. √ Can build relationships based on trust and respect and maintain them. √ Can work under pressure, be patient and remain calm in stressful situations. √ Can set boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour. √ Is caring, calm, compassionate and approachable. √ Can provide appropriate guidance, support, and advice. √ Is confident, assertive, enthusiastic, motivated, resilient, and committed. √ Can inspire and motivate young people and vulnerable adults. √ Is flexible and can adapt to change. √ Other Essential Desirable Ability to respect and communicate the YMCA's Christian ethos √ Willingness to undergo a satisfactory DBS check. √ Have a clean valid driving licence √ THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE A FULL CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECK. √

Housing Support Officer

We are The Housing Network (THN), a private Limited Company with a purpose. We exist to provide 'More than a Roof', because when life is at its toughest, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives. Homelessness is a vast and complex issue that does not have a single solution. In understanding that reality, we've learned the importance of perspective; appreciating that if we continue to innovate, collaborate, and give our best, we are playing our part in making a vital difference. We are a team that is absolutely committed to innovate, excel and be dependable in all that we do. Working hard together to achieve our mission of providing Better Accommodation, Better Support, Better Partnerships, and as a result Better Business. Role Overview - What is it? To lead one of our local teams in the delivery of various supported housing services, including our new Active Opportunity Pathway (AOP) for those experiencing multiple disadvantage / severe multiple disadvantage and/or temporary accommodation for individuals or families. You will be an experienced supported housing professional who is familiar with leading, supporting and managing teams (in a hands-on way) to help those experiencing multiple disadvantage or severe multiple disadvantage to overcome barriers to achieving greater independence. You will have an in-depth knowledge of best-practice and current thinking when working with vulnerable people or families facing homelessness, who require support with mental-health, substance misuse, a history of offending and other needs. Using your knowledge and skills to help us create one of the most effective outcomes-focused services in the sector, adhering to the Making Every Adult Matter principles (MEAM). You will be familiar with and have experience of effectively supporting teams to work in a strength-based and trauma informed way. Taking personal pride and ownership in supporting your team (and the wider department / organisation) develop those approaches in support of helping residents achieve outcomes far beyond their expectations. You will have worked in an accommodation-based setting, with significant experience of providing intensive housing management, and tenancy management tasks. Drawing on your knowledge of safeguarding, housing benefit, Universal Credit and mental health, drug and alcohol specialist interventions to support your team to perform at the highest level, meeting and exceeding the expectations of internal and external stakeholders. This is a new role in a specialist team and not one which will see you stepping too far back from those who we support. So you will not only be managing the team who are supporting those experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, but also supporting a small complex caseload yourself. You will be joining us at a very exciting time as we pursue significant growth across our services to develop accommodations options integrated with support, giving you a unique opportunity to use your knowledge and experience to help shape an amazing service for the future. To act as an ambassador for The Housing Network, to promote its mission and values. Being respectful and kind is at the heart of everything that we do. Main Duties - What needs to be done? Staff Management Elements: <ul><li>Actively support your team to deliver a high quality and the most effective and efficient service possible, ensuring they place our residents at the heart of all that they do as they help them achieve sector-leading outcomes.</li><li>Provide a positive role model to your team as you support and motivate them to develop and progress in their role.</li><li>Manage and administer an effective high-performance culture through regular 1:1s, objective setting and appraisals, providing additional support where necessary to overcome challenges and barriers.</li><li>Support your team to seek out opportunities for knowledge development and skill improvement, reviewing its relevance against organisational policies and budgets.</li><li>Participate in the 'Managers On Call' rota to ensure that a point of escalation is available to your team in the event of a serious incident, out of hours.</li><li>Lead on the accurate and effective management of relevant budgets and performance to ensure optimum performance against organisational objectives.</li><li>Fulfil all mandatory line management responsibilities (e.g. annual leave and sickness management), providing strong leadership throughout the entire employee life-cycle in accordance with the organisation's People policies.</li><li>Provide a safe space for reflective practice.</li><li>Create a positive culture of inclusion where your team feel able to engage and offer constructive challenge and feedback.</li><li>Lead on ensuring all aspects of service and property compliance and H&amp;S are maintained at appropriate levels at all times, escalating concerns without delay to senior management.</li><li>Lead on the monitoring and delivery of all relevant contract performance elements, supporting your team to proactively engage with the meeting (and exceeding) of those measures.</li><li>Maintain oversight across all safeguarding matters for the service, leading on engagement with external stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams, attending case review meetings where appropriate.</li></ul>Support Elements: <ul><li>Ensure you and your team employ a strength-based and trauma-informed approach to building trusting relationships with residents, using that to help create accurate, realistic and meaningful (outcome focused) support plans.</li><li>Use your knowledge and experience of working with people experiencing homelessness and multiple-disadvantage to support your team in identifying and capturing risks, to help design mitigation strategies and inform coping mechanisms.</li><li>Support and challenge your team to engage pro-actively and effectively with residents to help them identify barriers which are preventing them gaining greater levels of independence.</li><li>Uphold the highest levels of safeguarding awareness and protection for individuals, residents, colleagues and the wider community. Working within local frameworks to ensure policies and reporting mechanisms are applied correctly.</li><li>Ensure all team members are up to date with training in line with the organisation governance framework and related policies</li><li>Quality assure accurate records maintained by the team of all support engagements, support plans, risk assessments and other support pathway elements, using them to support appropriate partnership working with local partner agencies.</li><li>Champion the principles of trauma-informed engagement and support across the service and wider organisation, helping colleagues develop their skills and communication approaches to support the achievement of outcomes.</li><li>Encourage the team to take time to engage pro-actively with all residents in the scheme, using the less formal engagements to help deepen the understanding and effectiveness of support plans and achievement of outcomes.</li><li>Work with senior leaders to engage pro-actively with local multi-disciplinary health and housing teams and network groups, seeking to maximise outcomes for individuals and build added-value into the service as a whole.</li><li>Ensure all types of engagement with residents either individually or in group sessions, is recorded all in THN's digital support system.</li><li>Oversee all caseload held by the team (support plans / risk assessments) , ensuring that all residents receive and engage with appropriate amounts and types of support suitable for their needs.</li><li>Work in a non-risk averse and non-judgemental way, helping residents understand the negative impact of their behaviours, then providing harm reduction information and advice where necessary.</li><li>Act as a positive role model for residents and the team, using a strength-based approach to helping them set realistic (but aspirational) goals, prompting, encouraging and motivating them to make them a reality.</li></ul>Intensive Housing Management: <ul><li>Work with colleagues at service and organisational level to ensure maximum levels of service utilisation and efficiency, including the processing and review of referrals in a non-risk averse and balanced community way.</li><li>Lead on the process of referral management, support / needs / risk assessment, and recording of all relevant findings accurately in THN's digital support management system at the first point of resident contact.</li><li>Ensure that the team supports residents to understand and complete all necessary tenancy documentation and service entry requirements, recording them as required in THN's various housing management systems.</li><li>Support the team to take ownership of any rent management matters for residents, helping them to understand the importance of appropriate money management and to take necessary action to avoid arears, which will involve administration of housing benefit claims.</li><li>Support the team with welfare benefit queries and money management skills to maximise rental income,</li><li>Ensure regular accommodation inspections are completed, encouraging the team to use this opportunity to help residents develop further independent living skills (e.g. reporting of repairs) whilst ensuring all necessary compliance and Health and Safety requirements are met.</li></ul>General Elements: <ul><li>Proactively engage in the wider supported housing / homelessness pathway network within the service area, balancing workload / time to ensure engagement is manageable and effective.</li><li>Accurately prepare KPI / performance reports and data in line with commissioning agreements, using that data to inform contract monitoring processes.</li><li>Engage within all relevant organisational KPI / performance management processes, preparing and presenting data and reports as required.</li><li>Maintain all aspects of operational performance at the highest levels, working in a timely / innovative way to address any issues of underperformance.</li></ul>Relationships - Who will I be working / engaging with? <ul><li>Internal - Other AOP service colleagues (e.g., concierge, support workers) / Maintenance and Facilities Teams / Head of Service and Senior Leadership Team / Residents.</li><li>External - Local Authority Commissioners and Housing Officers / Third Sector Partners / Statutory Partners (e.g., Police and Probation) / Housing Benefit Officers / DWP and Employment Partners etc.</li></ul>Competencies - Who with and your skill level? <ul><li>Experience of leading a team in a supporting people setting</li><li>Extensive and demonstratable knowledge and experience of working with people (including families) experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage such as mental health, drug and alcohol</li><li>Extensive and demonstratable experience of working in an accommodation-based service, with specific reference to effective rent management, housing benefit and accessing positive move-on options.</li><li>Proven abilities to work in a strength-based and trauma-informed way for the benefit of individuals and families, helping them to achieve a level of positive housing, health and wellbeing outcomes beyond their expectations.</li><li>Experience of quality assurance in relation to completing and managing accurate support plans and risk assessments, which inform design and implementation of engaging and impactful support activities for Families and singe people.</li><li>Extensive and demonstratable knowledge and experience of maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding for vulnerable people.</li><li>Comfortable and familiar with working in a non-risk averse way.</li><li>Knowledge and experience of best-practise and current approaches (e.g. adverse childhood experiences) to deliver effective intervention and therapeutic engagements for people with mental health and drug and alcohol support needs.</li><li>Highly developed ICT skills and familiarity with digital support management systems, and personal abilities and focus on maintaining accuracy at all times.</li><li>Excellent written / verbal communications skills, with the confidence to engage with external partners and stakeholders for the benefit of residents, the service and organisation as a whole.</li></ul>General and Additional <ul><li>The responsibilities contained within this job description are indicative, but not exhaustive. As the role develops, the requirements of the post may change, and as such the post is subject to review in discussion with the post holder.</li><li>The post holder may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as the organisation may reasonably require which are commensurate with the grade of the post.</li><li>The post holder shall comply with the organisation's policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate actions and reporting protocols are followed at all times.</li><li>The post holder shall attend regular staff or other related meetings, contributing positively where appropriate and relevant.</li><li>Extensive travel across the UK will be required from time to time to support the delivery of role requirements, with you holding a full UK driving licence and access to private vehicle for business use when required.</li><li>An Enhanced Disclosure is required for this position.</li></ul>We believe our values should reflect in our behaviour towards our colleagues, partners and residents while we work to achieve our Strategy 2024&gt;29. These values are to be; Innovative, Dynamic, Dependable, Respectful, and Kind. The Housing Network is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. As an employer we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the value of "expertise by experience" and providing More than a Voice for our residents. All job offers are subject to a DBS check (level to be advised through the hiring process) and references.

3 Social care Jobs in West Bromwich, UK