Community Connections Officer

*This vacancy is only available for those currently employed at Plymouth City Council in the Adults, Health & Communities, Housing Solutions Team.If you are not employed in this service area, please do not apply, as your application will not be considered*

Expression of Interest

Are you passionate about helping people facing homelessness?
Can you work in a fast-paced environment?

The demand for the Housing Options Service is increasing and we think it will continue to do so for some time to come. An increasing number of people are finding themselves at risk of homelessness, often through no fault of their own.

We recognise the need to develop our service in response to increased demand and are committed to developing creative and innovative ways to prevent and relieve homelessness. We aim to help when people are in crisis to proactively engage clients in prevention activity that empowers and enables them and the people working with them to find resolutions to the situations they face.

We are investing in additional resources to ensure deliverability of our aims and we have two exciting opportunities to join our team as a Community Connections Officer.

We are seeking people who have a proven track record of working within a challenging frontline housing service. Based in the Housing Options Team they will provide focused casework to try and prevent homelessness and where not possible, issue complex decisions under the homeless legislation.

What we are looking for:

• Excellent communicators who will give clear and concise advice to customers and landlords
• Excellent knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation
• Experience in working for the Housing Solutions Team preferred
• Good listeners who will be empathetic when helping customers facing challenging personal circumstances
• Team players with good attitude
• People with great case management skills who have an eye for detail and who can prioritise their work in a demanding environment
• Natural problem solvers who can think creatively to offer resolutions.

• This role also requires working with vulnerable people so an awareness of
  safeguarding is necessary

• They must be able to work with a range of different
  communities, and some clients who may display challenging behaviours.
• This is an office based role, but there will be opportunity to work from home. It may be required, on occasion when needed, to work in the community.

One role will be providing housing services to the general public.

The other role will involve working closely with colleagues in Children’s Social care to support children and young people facing housing or homelessness issues. This role will involve some co-location.

In your response you must refer to the person specification and give examples of how you meet the essential criteria, you will be shortlisted according to this criteria.

The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is:BasicCheck

For more information or an informal discussion please contact Felicity Concannon - felicity.concannon@plymouth.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 7 October