Job Introduction
The pay range for this role will be £31,537– £36,363 (pro rata for part time colleagues)
We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward-thinking team.
You can also find out more about the new terms and conditions that we are introducing on our careers site on, 'More than just a job' brochure ]
Support & Inclusion Officer – Rough Sleeping Prevention Team
We have two exciting roles with the Rough Sleeping Prevention Team, including
- Support & inclusion Officer Reconnection Specialist -12-month FTC
- Support & Inclusion Officer General - Permanent
Key Responsibilities
Relief of Homelessness
- To be responsible for the effective delivery of a high-quality resettlement support and resettlement service for homeless people.
- To support households in emergency and temporary accommodation in finding alternative settled accommodation including the Private Rented Sector, supported housing and Social Housing.
- To ensure a swift response to Housing Benefit queries from both landlords and applicants.
- To closely monitor households placed in temporary accommodation and move-on as soon as possible.
- To assist Housing Options Officers to review Personal Housing Support Plans including identifying suitable exit accommodation.
- To assist and review the support a client requires to maintain accommodation and carry out appropriate referrals (e.g. Drug and Alcohol support services and Mental Health services).
- To work with relevant partner agencies to provide support to clients whilst in temporary accommodation and aid the transition to settled accommodation.
- To ensure the client is assisted to meet their health needs by providing a link into primary health services
- To support the client to maximise their income and ensure they have appropriate documents to enable access to settled accommodation (e.g. ID and bank account)
- To assist client to assess affordability of next steps accommodation, i.e. completion and review of income / expenditure.
- To assist client to secure essential items required for resettlement into their next steps accommodation
- To provide robust housing advice and assistance in line with current legislation and council policies to anyone with a housing related need.
- Construct accurate case notes and record all activity on relevant case management systems.
- Maximise the use of the private sector by liaising with landlords and other providers to ensure a ready supply of accommodation is available for homeless households’ occupation.
- To assist clients to secure private sector accommodation that is suitable for them and support their move.
- To attend case conferences and represent the service as requested.
Prevention of Homelessness
- Assist households to maintain the current accommodation in all sectors to prevent homelessness by regular consistent contact.
- To assist clients in the private sector to prevent eviction by supporting to rectify tenancy issues.
- Ensure that households at risk or threatened with homelessness are assisted to maximise their income and rectify benefit issues to prevent eviction and sustain tenancies.
- Provide specialist advice on matters relating directly to tenancy advice.
- Work in partnership with landlords, clients and relevant agencies to support the prevention of homelessness.
- To work with clients and family members to prevent eviction
- Where remaining in current accommodation is not possible, supporting client to move to alternative suitable accommodation to prevent homelessness
Specific Qualifications and Experience (Essential / Desirable)
- English and Maths GCSE (E)
- Experience providing excellent customer service and dealing with members of the public both face to face and over the phone (E)
- Experience of providing housing support and advice (D)
- Experience of data entry (E)
- Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office systems (E)
- Ability to motivate people and explain complex legislation so it can be clearly understood (E)
- Working to policies and procedures (E)
- An awareness of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) part VII & Homelessness Reduction Act (E - Working knowledge D)
- Understanding of the causes of homelessness and rough sleeping (E)
- Excellent communication skills in all forms across all sectors of professional and commercial stakeholders and members of the public (E)
- Very strong negotiation skills (E)
- Excellent interpersonal skills (E)
Personal Qualities & Attributes (Essential / Desirable)
- Ability to deal effectively with caseloads and competing demands (E)
- Creative and able to work on own initiative (E)
- Excellent skills in motivating and listening to people (E)
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal (E)
- Excellent organisational, time management skills and attention to detail (E)
- Able to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines and remain calm in challenging situations (E)
- Excellent ability to work in partnership with a team and partner agencies to find positive solutions (E)
- Ability to reflect on your own practice and adapt to change (E)
- Ability to work independently and in various community sites across BCP (E)
- Ability to visit clients in their own homes and lone work where appropriate.
- A strong commitment and understanding of diversity and cultural differences (E)
- Calm under pressure (E)
Are you passionate about supporting people who have experienced rough sleeping to find and maintain accommodation?
We are looking for motivated, solution focussed Support & Inclusion Officers to join our innovative team. Your role will support people who experience rough sleeping or are recovering from homelessness. You will be supporting people to secure accommodation in the long and shorter term. You will help people to identify and access relevant support services. You will be working within BCP’s Strategic Housing team but also in partnership with a wide range of teams and partner agencies.
You will have a good understanding of supporting vulnerable people with an understanding of homelessness and it’s causes, as well as an ability to put people at ease and work with empathy and in a trauma informed manner, displaying emotional intelligence.
You will be working in a busy and fast-moving environment and so will need to be flexible and resilient. The role will be based across BCP in various community sites, temporary accommodation and in client homes.. You will have the ability to work independently and remotely when required whilst ensuring excellent team working and communication, with attention to detail. You will understand your limitations and be willing to reflect on your practice.
Experience in supporting people is essential along with the ability to deliver excellent customer service. You will need to be able to travel throughout the BCP area and be able to work in the community.
You can apply for both roles in one application, it would be helpful if you specify which is your preferred role.
A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is preferred.
You must be able to evidence your right to work and commit to the duration of the contract.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Person Specification for more details.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for the role
For an informal discussion about this post please contact Becki Parsons 01202 123365 or becki.parsons@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council
At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.
Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page)
Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you
More About us | Working for BCP
DBS
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.
