Housing Interventions Worker

Overview

We are The Forward Trust (formerly RAPt and Blue Sky), the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

Camau has been commissioned by Her Majesties Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and is delivered across Gwent, South Wales and Dyfed Powys by Forward Trust. The Camau Service offers support to individuals who have been allocated a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement as part of their Community Supervision Licence or Post Sentence Supervision.

We believe and are committed to providing opportunities to all people including those with ‘Lived Experience’ we encourage applications from all background including those in recovery from addiction, co-dependency or gambling, have experience of previous offending or homelessness.

What you will be doing?

In this role you will be assisting the Camau Service Manager and Team Leaders to deliver a comprehensive, robust and meaningful range of housing focused interventions to improve housing options and prevent homelessness. You will be assisting the Camau Service Manager and Team Leaders to implement a robust contract delivery strategy in line with the Forward Trust Business Plan. Ensuring that a holistic service is delivered safely to our clients in line with individual and team targets outlined by the Service Manager. Working closely with your colleagues you will discuss and share best practice and fully engage with risk assessment processes to deliver a high-quality service safely. Main duties will include:

• Working directly with individuals referred to the service in Probation and Prison establishments to improve housing options and address any urgent housing priorities to prevent homelessness on release from custody or in the community.
• Work closely with Probation colleagues and prison resettlement teams to achieve improved housing options for people referred to the service.
• Delivering 1-2-1 and group housing interventions to people referred to the service including housing training sessions on finding accommodation, managing and sustaining accommodation, moving on, and being a good tenant.
• Actively engage with team objectives to implement and achieve strategic objectives and project specific target outcomes.
• Take an active role in the implementation and achievement of team objectives.
• Build strong relationships with Forward colleagues, and make full use of the support offered by, Line Management and Head Office functions.
• Liaising with landlords as appropriate during the process including arranging viewings and tenancy agreements, negotiating rent amounts and terms.
• Support individuals to identify suitable affordable properties in the private rented sector to meet the needs of the service users, including sourcing rooms in shared houses, House of Multiple Occupation, studios and 1 bedrooms.
• Keep regular contact with local authority housing support teams, housing portal website / on line resources, Registered Social Landlords, Local Authority Support Staff, landlords, agents and charitable organisations providing accommodation options within your region for delivery.
• Develop relationships and maintain relationships with new and existing accommodation providers, landlords and agents who accept people claiming Universal Credit and Housing benefit.
• Ensure properties provided meet health and safety and property standards and legal requirements through health and safety checks relating to the provision of energy performance certificate, smoking and carbon monoxide monitors fitted and tested and gas safety certificate.

What we are looking for?

• Good knowledge of the Housing and Welfare Benefits system.
• Experience of providing advice services to clients on welfare benefits and housing/re-housing etc.
• Experience of assessing adults in need of support around housing and social support and/or substance misuse.
• Experiencing of constructing support plans for clients in need of housing support to support them in maintaining their tenancy.
• A thorough knowledge of the needs of clients who are in abstinence based recovery or experiencing homelessness, or other complex needs of this client group.
• Experience of working effectively with adults experiencing multiple disadvantages; unemployment, homelessness, mental ill health, substance use.

What we offer

• Training opportunities and career development
• Flexible working
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 3 x wellbeing days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Person specification

Housing Interventions Worker