Floating Support Officer

Floating Support Officer

Join to apply for the Floating Support Officer role at Ark Housing.

As Floating Support Officer, you will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive support service for families experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness or in housing stress, and will provide high-quality customer services to those families in accordance with the strategic and business objectives of Ark Housing.

Our homeless services have been developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) through the Supporting People Programme.

• Delivery of a client‑led multi‑needs assessment and floating support service to homeless families within the Greater Belfast area.
• Establish and develop a professional working relationship with homeless services clients in accordance with the Associations Professional Boundaries Policy and to undertake client risk assessments where required.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies and to sign‑post clients to those agencies in accordance with identified need.
• Assist clients in securing long‑term suitable accommodation which meets their needs, and to help clients sustain existing tenancies where required through the provision of professional advice and support.
• Assist, advise, advocate on behalf of, and sign‑post clients where required in a range of support areas, including, but not limited to education, employment, health, social security/benefits, financial management, and life skills.
• Ensure the safeguarding of clients through the adherence and application of the Associations safeguarding policies.
• Liaise with agencies, statutory authorities, emergency services, voluntary community groups as required.
• Communicate regularly with clients on all matters pertaining to their support, including the undertaking of home visits and telephone consultations, and by other means as agreed with clients.

• A relevant qualification (QCF/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent e.g. five GCSEs).
• 1 year experience in providing support services to individuals or families OR 3 years experience in providing support services to individuals or families.
• 1 year experience in: developing person‑centred needs/risk assessments and support plans; managing caseloads; advocating on a person’s behalf; working in partnership with external agencies.

• Permanent (subject to 6 month probationary period); hours: 37 per week.
• Due to the nature of the role, you may be required to work outside normal office hours on occasion.
• Remuneration: £24,752 – £27,227 (subject to review April 2026).
• Pension:
  Nilgosc contributory pension scheme. Employer contribution is currently 19%.
• Remuneration to include employer pension contributions is equivalent to £29,454.80 – £32,399.57.
• Annual leave: 22 days annual leave moving to 27 days after 5 years service and 32 days after 10 years service.
• Statutory leave: 13 customary holidays per annum.
• Occupational sick pay: maximum of 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay (depending on length of service).
• Other benefits: a range of excellent work and family‑friendly policies, including hybrid working.
• Access to Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
• EV charging facilities at head office with on‑site car parking.
• Essential car user allowance of £1,239 paid in monthly instalments and business mileage reimbursement of £0.45 p per mile.

Job Title: Floating Support Officer

Location: Greater Belfast Area – based at Unit 1, Hawthorn Office Park, 43 Stockmans Way, Belfast

Reporting to: Team Leaders / Homeless Services Manager

Job Purpose: To ensure the delivery of a comprehensive floating support service for homeless families and to provide high‑quality customer services to our clients in accordance with the strategic objectives of Ark Housing.

To be responsible for delivering a client‑led multi‑needs assessment and floating support service to homeless families within the Greater Belfast area; to establish and develop a…