JOB TITLE Specialist Support Officer (Community Support)
POST NUMBER 009279
WEEKLY WORKING HOURS 24 hours per week - Flexible on days and hours however must include a Tuesday and Thursday to cover the service
SALARY RANGE £32,654 to £35,954 pa pro rata for the hours worked (24 hours)
TYPE OF CONTRACT Fixed Term until March 2026
LOCATION Stevenage
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a specialist Support Officer with ‘Tenancy Sustainment’ as your specialism you will be supporting service users living in our general needs accommodation in the community to sustain their tenancies through advice and support. Developing a high level of personal contact with tenants to maximise engagement.
You will be working with a diverse group of people which includes those with complex needs such as drugs, alcohol and mental health including hoarding.
You will assess applicants for moving on from supported accommodation and care leavers applying to move into our general needs accommodation. You will be assisting with benefit claims, accessing employment, working with other teams and agencies in supporting your clients to sustain their accommodation.
You need to be flexible as you will be required to support the wider Specialist Support Services Team responding to emergency calls to residents in our independent living/extra care schemes and on our careline service in the community.
It is essential that you have use of a vehicle which has business insurance cover to enable you to carry out your duties. A mileage allowance will be payable.
ABOUT YOU
The successful candidate will have:
• excellent communication skills at all levels
• a flexible outlook and attitude to working in a customer focussed team.
• good knowledge and understanding of services available to support a wide range of service user’s needs, demonstrating a high level of sensitivity and compassion.
• a dynamic, pro-active and creative approach
• good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• experience in managing complex cases and problem solving.
• be able to work on their own initiative and have excellent attention to detail.
• excellent record keeping and computer skills (competent in using Microsoft Office IT packages including Excel)
Uniform is provided.
This post will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check and a value based interview.
OUR BENEFITS
• Pension Scheme: We offer a career average pension scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• Flexible working: available upon request, subject to operational requirements.
• Part time and Job share opportunism - all our full-time vacancies are open to job share unless otherwise stated.
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave, maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave.
• 25 days holiday rising to 31 days (depending on Local Government service)
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues
• Season ticket loans and discounts for public transport
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Stevenage Credit Union: secure savings, free life insurance and access to cheap loans.
• Employee Discounts: via monthly paid membership of the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
• Discounted Health and Fitness membership
• Trade Unions: For a small fee, all employees have the opportunity to join a Trade Union.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be made on online - please visit https://jobs.stevenage.gov.uk/StevenageBorough/Home
For an informal discussion about this role please contact
Name Laura Beck
Job Title Senior Specialist Support Officer
Phone Number 01438 242666
Email laura.beck@stevenage.gov.uk
Closing date for receipt of applications: 25 February 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing: 3 March 2025
Please note that if we receive a large volume of applications for this role, we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the published closing date
Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, volunteers and recruitment candidates to share this commitment. SBC shall take all reasonable steps to employ staff who are safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. For posts identified with regular contact with these groups applicants will be required to undertake a Value Based Interview. The council supports the legislative requirements for employing and maintaining safer staff and the guidance specified by Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board
Stevenage Borough Council is committed to Equal Opportunities for All. For further information please click https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-the-council/jobs-and-careers/equal-opportunities
