Housing Officer, Social Work

Housing Support Officer

Annual salary up to £29,856.80 (per annum) with company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 car allowance.

Location:

Newcastle / Gateshead.

Contract:

Full time – Permanent, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. OOH duties expected for 1 week out of 12, paid at £30 per weekday and £50 weekend day.

Organisation:
Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers in Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. We work in partnership with local authorities, registered providers, tenants, landlords and investors to find solutions to homelessness and to provide specialist housing for those with care needs.

The Housing Support Officer delivers a high‑quality housing management and support service to asylum seekers, supporting them through the Home Office right‑to‑work application process. The role combines property management with person‑centred support, safeguarding welfare and wellbeing, and ensuring compliance with statutory and organisational standards.

• Support asylum seekers throughout their application process, ensuring welfare and safeguarding needs are met.
• Provide both practical and emotional support to individuals and families.
• Identify needs and put in place support packages to promote independence.
• Work with vulnerable and diverse client groups, including those with mental health needs or challenging behaviours.
• Carry out risk assessments and maintain accurate records for audits and compliance.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, service users, local authorities and partner organisations.
• Maintain professional boundaries while being approachable, empathetic and supportive.
• Work independently, showing resilience and initiative.
• Be flexible and willing to travel between sites and handle ad‑hoc projects as required.
• Manage a portfolio of homes in an assigned region, ensuring properties are maintained to contractual standards.
• Coordinate move‑ins, move‑outs, voids and inspections, monitoring key performance indicators.
• Identify and manage risks, liaising with internal teams, external agencies, care providers and community organisations.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

• Cultural awareness and respect for diverse communities.
• Professional boundaries, resilience and empathy.
• Strong record‑keeping and performance reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work independently and maintain initiative.
• Full UK driving licence and entitlement to work in the UK.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Mears Fun Day (annual celebration).
• Volunteering leave to support community work.
• Staff perks through Mears Rewards: discounts on groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, share‑save scheme, and more.
• Company vehicle and fuel card.
• Access to EAP counselling sessions.

Mears Group is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion focused employer. We are a Disability Confident employer and we support diversity and equal opportunity. All applicants must have entitlement to work in the UK; we do not offer visa sponsorship. The position is subject to background, identity and security checks before commencement.