Tenancy Sustainment & Community Progression Coordinator

Catching Lives is recruiting a Tenancy Sustainment & Community Progression Coordinator to join the team at our homelessness day centre in Canterbury.

We’re in the process of expanding with current recruitment, so that we can introduce community based support alongside strengthening our core day centre offer.

Catching Lives supports people who are homeless or insecurely housed in Canterbury and East Kent. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a safe place to live and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life. We operate from our day centre, a minute’s walk from Canterbury East station, opening every day of the week to provide basic facilities (food, showers, laundry) alongside one-to-one support to help people improve housing, health and social connection.

We also deliver regular activities and host specialist services from partner agencies.

The Tenancy Sustainment & Community Progression Coordinator supports people as they make the transition from homelessness into accommodation. They provide practical guidance and motivational support to help people manage their tenancies and settle into a new community. The Coordinator supports housed clients to resolve problems so that repeat homelessness is prevented. They also connect people using Catching Lives’ services to community activities or groups, and enable access to employment, training, education and volunteering opportunities so that people improve their skills, confidence, social connection and well‑being.

• In conjunction with the Manager and Senior Project Worker, assess and prioritise the need for tenancy support on a case-by-case basis.
• Meet people in the day centre before they move into a tenancy.
• Visit clients in their homes and in community locations to provide practical and motivational support to sustain tenancies and prevent repeat homelessness.
• Share practical skills and guidance to support tenants e.g. paying bills, reporting disrepair, choosing furniture etc.
• Help people get to know their neighbourhood e.g. visiting a local café, GP etc.
• Problem-solve with individuals to overcome challenges or concerns.
• Liaise with other agencies e.g. councils, landlords, social services, housing associations, maintenance contractors to help people sustain their tenancies.
• Apply for individual grants or provide direct support through Catching Lives’ tenancy sustainment budget for specific items e.g. household starter packs.
• Keep accurate records of tenancy sustainment actions and outcomes.
• Make appropriate use of technology provided by Catching Lives e.g. alert systems for checking in and out when lone working.
• In conjunction with colleagues, identify people who want to access community activities, education, training, employment or volunteering.
• Make plans on a case-by-case basis, led by the client.
• Develop external relationships and establish referral pathways/signposting to local partners e.g. employment, education, training, volunteering.
• Identify community groups/activities and share relevant information with clients.
• Accompany clients e.g. to open days, taster sessions, course registration.
• Keep accurate records of community progression actions and outcomes.

Download the Job Pack

We welcome applicants with different forms of experience including voluntary and community roles and/or lived experience, alongside paid work relevant to the requirements of this post.

• Experience of providing one-to-one support or advice to individuals e.g. in relation to housing, benefits, healthcare.
• Good practical knowledge and skills around household/tenancy management.
• Proven ability to work independently and proactively, and to use initiative.
• Experience of managing a workload with varied time-sensitive tasks.
• Experience of coordinating work with colleagues and/or external stakeholders.
• Able to communicate clearly and to remain calm under pressure.
• Able to offer a friendly, non-judgemental service to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health, and other challenges.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries.
• Able to handle challenging behaviour with confidence.
• Able to write…