Job info	Job info details
Job title	Tenancy Sustainment Worker
Strategic team/Directorate	Adult & Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	ASB & Vulnerability Team
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Senior Tenancy Sustainment Worker
Accountable to (line manager)	ASB and Vulnerability Lead Officer
Salary grade	F
JE ref	ADC028

1. Key purpose of job

• To improve outcomes, including general wellbeing, for people who have experienced multiple instances of homelessness.
• To assist some of our most complex and vulnerable clients who have lost or are at risk of losing their accommodation to help them move into suitable housing and sustain it.
• To provide a link between the individual and wider support network of statutory and voluntary sector organisations, as well as playing an important part in Torbay’s system response to homelessness.
• To ensure that no clients within service experience or return to rough sleeping.
• To provide a strengths-based service that supports individuals to meet their own priorities and aspirations.
• To ensure the safeguarding of adults who use the service.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Sustainment of accommodation for people with repeat experiences of homelessness.
• Delivery of a coordinated system response to homelessness across Torbay.
• Improved safety, wellbeing, quality of life and engagement with services. Reduced social isolation, vulnerability and risk of harm.
• Maintenance of accurate and up to date information of client group and bespoke plans of working with them to enable the best response to identified need.
• Stronger partnership working by the implementation of effective working arrangements and information sharing across relevant teams.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• To work with the Resettlement Team, Housing Options Service, Leonard Stocks Centre Hostel and various other parts of Torbay Council’s ASB and Vulnerability Team to identify persons that require support to sustain accommodation.
• To manage a case load of people with medium to high levels of intensity of support requirements, responsive to their specific circumstances.
• To work with the principles of Housing First, trauma informed and strengths-based approaches at all times.
• To provide a wide range of supportive assistance to clients that helps develop capacity for independence and connection to wider support where necessary.
• Work with clients seeking support, by developing a holistic approach to care planning and risk management, working in collaboration with other services to ensure an integrated approach towards support and risk management.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients to enable person-centered support, promoting personal choice and wellbeing. This will be done through regular contact, including visits to residents’ homes and appropriate community settings.
• Be adaptive and flexible, resilient to challenges and rejections, to support the stability and progression of clients to achieve personalised outcomes.
• Identify barriers to acquiring and maintaining accommodation and provide support, including practical help with furniture, benefits advice, budgeting, neighbour relations and liaising with landlords.
• Attend and contribute to Torbay’s Homelessness and Vulnerability Forum and specific Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings where necessary.
• To complete housing benefit applications with all those accessing temporary accommodation and support those who have been assisted into move-on accommodation.
• To carry out comprehensive assessment of clients, developing engagement plans for those with complex needs. This duty will include conducting client risk assessments from the start and ensuring such plans are regularly reviewed.
• Promote harm reduction in relation to substance use and engagement with treatment provision.
• Work in such a way that considers and promotes the safety and wellbeing of the wider community.
• Ensure effective and confidential communication between local authority, statutory agencies such as the Police and health care agencies.
• Maintain accurate and timely records and assist with the monitoring of outcomes.
• Conducting all external relations in such a way as to enhance the Council’s good standing and reputation.
• Proactively work with landlords, provide advice re anti-social behaviour, tenancies, obligations etc to facilitate sustainable tenancies.
• To ensure appropriate safeguarding takes place at all times in line with established policy and procedure times in relation to adults and children identified in the course of duties.
• To be flexible and carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the head of service commensurate with the grade of this post. 

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• There will be normal working environment although will be expected to attend home visits and undertake assessments in properties or engage with individuals on the streets on a regular basis.
• Client group are likely to present with complex needs, with the majority of engagement being outside of the office environment.  There is a need to be risk aware to the dynamic needs of clients.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• PC, mobile phone etc.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, GP’s, temporary accommodation providers, supporting people providers, letting agents, landlords, other support providers, registered landlords, advocacy agencies, social services, Probation, Police, IOM, housing needs services across Devon, and any other voluntary and statutory agencies.

Internal

• Other service areas within Torbay Council including other Housing related sections and Senior Managers.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• This post is office based at Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Tenancy Sustainment Worker
Strategic team/Directorate	Adult & Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	ASB & Vulnerability Team

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• To be able to use effectively a range of modes of communication including verbal, email, telephone, formal and informal reports and in presentations taking into account issues of confidentiality.
• To work using trauma informed and strength-based approaches.
• To be able to communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations.
• Good organisational ability, particularly self-organisation, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with partners, generating confidence and respect.
• Ability to contribute towards change.
• Able to elicit information from service users, carers and professional staff surrounding a wide range of topics.
• A democratic and inclusive style.
• Ability and willingness to make appropriate evidence-based recommendations in complex cases ability to work independently.
• Ability to form appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Confidence in using one’s own authority effectively and appropriately.
• Pro-activity in seeking opportunities for development of skills and knowledge.
• Confidence to suggest practice change where need is identified.
• Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
• Ability to contribute to the evaluation of work undertaken and the outcomes.
• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post. 

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• High standard of report writing.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Understanding of trauma informed and trauma responsive approaches.
• Working knowledge of risk assessments, safeguarding, MAPPA, etc.
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Statutory and voluntary agencies and experience of liaising with them.
• Knowledge of PC based computer systems, including Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of legal and professional matters in relation to this area of work (in particular housing, tenancies, benefits, etc).
• Knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies.
• Knowledge of involving a client in their own care, taking a person-centred approach.
• Understanding of the causes of homelessness and the pathways out of homelessness.
• A sound understanding of mental ill health, domestic abuse, sexual violence and substance misuse.

Desirable knowledge

• Awareness of welfare rights and benefits and the potential impacts of changes/proposed changes.
• Current homelessness legislation, case law, codes of practices.
• Knowledge of current legislation aimed at dealing with ASB.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and subsequent legislation as it affects the client group.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals who have complex needs.
• Experience of attending complex meetings.
• Experience of working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies.
• Ability to be holistic and assess the needs of individuals taking into account developmental, behavioural and environmental factors.
• Demonstrates experience of working in or with the health, social care or criminal justice setting.
• Experience of working with homeless people or rough sleepers, including key working and care planning.
• Demonstrate experience of successful partnership working leading to positive outcomes.
• Experience of supporting people to address their needs by the use of comprehensive assessment and case management.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience of working in the substance misuse field.
• Conflict management and problem solving.
• Experience of outreach/community based working.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE O Level standard or equivalent. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Professional qualification in housing or related area of work.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
• Ability to accommodate shift patterns.
• Ability to accommodate on-call working.
• Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.