Floating Support Officer

Job Description

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 respect of securing long‑term suitable accommodation which meets their needs, and to assist clients in sustaining 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, telephone consultations, and by other means as agreed with clients.
• Take part in administration: case management administrative processes in respect of needs assessment, support planning, risk assessment and others where required; maintain accurate records; prepare reports for Team Leaders and Homeless Services Manager; plan and manage workload; ensure adherence to all policies and procedural guidance; comply with legislative requirements (Data Protection, Confidentiality, Child Protection, Safeguarding, Equality, Human Rights, Health and Safety).
• Represent Ark Housing at meetings, interviews, seminars, conferences, training events in a positive and effective way.
• Participate in any internal and external personal development training / learning being provided or recommended by the Team Leader or Homeless Services Manager.
• Contribute to the development of service improvement initiatives through the promotion of best practices, innovations, and ideas; ensure appropriate arrangements exist for service user involvement; achieve highest customer satisfaction standards.
• Assist in the effective management and administration of the Floating Support Service; attend team meetings, client consultations, case management reviews and supervision and performance coaching meetings.
• Be available on occasion to work outside normal office hours, support out‑of‑hours emergency cover on a rota system, and work from home or other locations as required.

• Relevant qualification (QCF / NVQ Level 2 or equivalent e.g. 5 GCSEs).
• Minimum 1 year experience in providing support services to individuals or families, or 3 years experience in the same field.
• Minimum 1 year experience in: developing person‑centred needs / risk assessments and support plans; managing a caseload; advocating on a person’s behalf; working in partnership with external agencies.
• Working knowledge of Data Protection legislation, policy & best practice as it applies to Northern Ireland and corporate bodies.
• Working knowledge of Equality legislation, policy & best practice as it applies to Northern Ireland and corporate bodies.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of housing‑related support, the benefit system.
• Excellent level of IT literacy with experience in the use of a wide range of…