Location: Midlands primarily Offaly/Westmeath/Longford
Responsible/Reporting to: Project Lead, NHSDP, HAIL
Job purpose: To provide tenancy sustainment services to clients experiencing mental health issues in Local Authority and AHB housing
Salary Scale: €34,671 - €43,299
Job Information: 1 Year Contract, Maternity cover
This is a full-time post, 35 hours per week over five days, Monday to Friday. Some evening/out of hours work may be required on an occasional basis.
About HAIL
HAIL is an Approved Housing Body specialising in the delivery of homes and floating support to individuals with mental health difficulties.
HAIL’s mission is to provide housing and individually tailored support services to support tenants and clients, primarily those with mental health difficulties, to integrate and live independent lives in the community.
HAIL’s vision is to be the provider of choice for housing and support for people with mental health difficulties, enabling them to achieve and sustain independent living in the community by having secure, quality, affordable accommodation with appropriate support services tailored to their needs.
Role Description
The Tenancy Sustainment Officer will work with individuals with psychosocial and mental health difficulties and support them to maintain a tenancy. The role will require close collaboration with local authorities, other Approved Housing Bodies and HSE Mental Health Services. Engagement with a wide range of local voluntary and statutory agencies will also be necessary to ensure tenants have access to appropriate Community Supports to facilitate independent living.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
1. To support clients to establish and/or maintain their tenancy where a past history of homelessness, institutionalisation or insecure tenancies have been a factor in their life
2. In conjunction with the referring agent, and the client himself/ herself, to develop a comprehensive support plan that assists the client in sustaining their tenancy
3. To support the client to develop a fuller awareness of his/her potential, skills, interests and talents
4. To support the client to integrate into the wider community as appropriate with the aim of reducing isolation
5. To support the client to access training, education and employment opportunities as appropriate
6. To provide advice and assistance to clients in matters relating to their tenancies such as budgeting, social welfare benefits, managing utilities, practical household skills, etc.
7. To support the client in meeting their responsibilities in regard to payment of rent and other bills
8. To link with Community Mental Health Team in order to contribute to an integrated case management approach
9. To support the client to maintain their home to a reasonable standard, including reporting repairs/ faults in a timely manner.
10. To support the client to understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants, as outlined in their tenancy agreement which is registered with the Residential Tenancy Board (RTB).
11. To attend meetings and case reviews as appropriate
Stakeholder Engagement and Management
12. To work closely with clients, their families, Mental Health Teams and other statutory and voluntary agencies in a respectful, professional and integrated way
Administrative and other duties
13. To ensure each client has a completed Needs Assessment, Risk Assessment, Support Plan and that documentation is reviewed as appropriate
14. To keep and maintain recorded daily interventions and outcomes notes
15. To assist the Services manager in the collation of monthly statistics
16. To attend and actively participate in internal/external meetings, training events, conferences and other functions as directed by the Services Manager
17. To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help in Identifying your own job-related development and training needs
18. To ensure that all HAIL policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Complaints, Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
Person Specification :
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a recognized and relevant 3rd level qualification, and/or FETAC Level 7/8 Qualification in Social Care.
Experience
The Applicant must have proficient experience, knowledge and skills in the following areas to be deemed suitable for this position.
19. Experience ( 2 years +) of working with people with mental health and/ or psychosocial needs
20. Experience of promoting Independent Living Skills for vulnerable clients
21. Experience of case management and confidential record keeping practices, including risk assessments
22. Experience of working in an interagency/ multi-disciplinary environment
Knowledge
23. Understanding of the issues and challenges facing vulnerable individuals in the areas of homelessness, housing and mental health
24. Understanding and/ or experience in the areas of addiction, independent living, social inclusion etc
Skills
25. Excellent interpersonal skills
26. Good written and report writing skills
27. Proficient IT / database skills
28. Ability to take initiative and responsibility
29. Be highly motivated
30. Analytical and problem-solving skills
Conditions
31. Use of a car and a clean driving licence is essential.
32. The Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the individual appointed and in line with the funding outlined by the terms and conditions of the funding body
33. Salary Scale: €34,671 - €43,299
Appointment
34. Posts will be filled immediately
35. All contracts are subject to successful completion of six-month probationary period
The Conditions
The salary will be commensurate with the experience of the individual appointed and in line with the Organisations salary scale.
HAIL offers:
36. Flexible working hours – our core hours are 10am-4pm.
37. 24 annual leave days plus up to 3 Company days
38. Company Pension Scheme with current contributions rates of 6% employer contribution and 6% employee contribution
39. Death in Service Benefit
40. Health insurance for serious illness
41. Training and development
42. Paid expenses.