Support Worker / Housing Support Worker - Immediate

Housing Officer (Support) - LAASLO Team Salary: C3 £28,163 - £30,060 (subject to current pay award)
Contract: Permanent
We're looking for a compassionate and motivated Housing Officer (Support) to join the Local Authority Asylum Seeker Liaison Officer (LAASLO) Team within Leeds Housing Options.
This is a rewarding opportunity to support newly granted refugees and families arriving through Family Reunion programmes to access suitable accommodation and successfully settle into life in Leeds. You'll play a vital role in helping some of the city's most vulnerable residents navigate housing systems, secure accommodation, and access the support they need to thrive.
We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
Experience of working with vulnerable individuals and families, providing advice, support and advocacy.
Knowledge of housing, welfare benefits and the challenges faced by refugees and people newly arrived in the UK.
The ability to build positive relationships with customers, landlords, support agencies and stakeholders.
A commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Good IT skills, including experience of using Microsoft Office applications and maintaining accurate records.
As a Housing Officer (Support), you will provide housing advice, support and practical assistance to newly recognised refugees transitioning from asylum accommodation into settled housing. You will also support customers who are preparing to welcome family members through Family Reunion schemes.
Working closely with accommodation providers, landlords, voluntary sector organisations and internal services, you will help customers overcome barriers to housing and sustain successful tenancies. The role requires a flexible and person-centred approach, excellent partnership working skills and the ability to support customers through complex and often challenging circumstances.
Provide housing advice and ongoing support to refugees and their families throughout the housing process.
Assist customers to access social housing, including housing registrations and Choice Based Lettings.
Manage a caseload of customers, providing advice, signposting and support for up to six months.
Work closely with accommodation providers, landlords and partner agencies to secure suitable housing solutions.
Support customers transitioning from asylum accommodation within required timescales.
Develop effective working relationships with organisations including MEARS, RETAS, Red Cross, PAFRAS and other support services.
Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children and vulnerable adults.
Promote equality, inclusion and community cohesion while supporting successful integration into local communities.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .
We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. The LAASLO (Local Authority Asylum Seeker Liaison Officer) team provides advice and support for newly granted refugees who need to move on from their NASS accommodation, we also assist customers who are bringing their family over as part of Family Reunion to access suitable housing in preparation for the arrival of their family.
The role requires close working with the home office housing provider (MEARS) with the transition of asylum seekers with positive decisions to be rehoused within a 28 day timescale. The successful applicant must be able to work to tight deadlines and link closely with other 3rd sector organisations who support customers such as RETAS, Red Cross and PAFRAS. You will also be responsible for completing required information to the Refugee Integration Service on a monthly basis.
To provide ongoing housing support.
To provide housing advice for families wishing to apply for social housing, registering and advice on choice based letting.
To provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees, ensuring that standards are maintained, monitored and that the service meets all statutory and contractual requirements.
To link in effectively with wider support services also also supporting customer throughout the housing process and transition into secure accommodation.
To carry a caseload and provide signposting, advice and support in relation to all housing matters for upto 6 months.
To work in partnership with various organisations to enable the delivery of cross service projects to achieve positive outcomes
To be aware of, identify and act upon issues around safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Leeds City Council Safeguarding Policy.
To work with volunteers in a manner that effectively compliments the framework of integration support.
To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and service users.
To work within all relevant policies, procedures and systems established corporately or locally and to support the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policies.
Monitoring and reporting hate crime wherever it is found
Must have relevant experience in this area of work
Good command of spoken and written English and an ability to communicate in a professional manner.
Competent IT skills including excel, word and email.
Ability to take a flexible and creative approach to the demands of the post, working on own initiative as well as within a team.
Able to work effectively with communities in groups and secure their commitment to achieving learning outcomes
Able to lead on responding to immediate safeguarding/health & safety issues
A good knowledge of welfare benefits, housing, immigration systems and an understanding of how these affect refugees.
Knowledge and understanding of the difficulties faced by newly arrived refugees, including language, mental health and the ability to adapt service delivery to address this need.
Understanding the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
A working knowledge of national policies relating to refugees
An understanding of community cohesion issues.
Effectively record and evaluate community sessions, produce reports within specific timescales
Willing to have a flexible approach to meet the changing demands
Able to undertake a flexible and varied working pattern i.e. late evenings & weekends
Prepared to be DBS Checked
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.