Housing Support Officer

Annual salary: up to £29,856.80

There is an expectation that any candidates will need to undertake OOH duties.

This will be for 1 week out of 12. This includes being on ‘standby’. This is paid

at £30 per weekday and £50 weekend day. There may be a requirement to attend

properties or/and service users during OOH. This is paid at x 1.5

Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers whilst their claim is being assessed in three regions:
Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Mears work in partnership with central and local Government, registered providers, tenants, landlords and investors to find solutions to homelessness, provide more social and affordable housing and create specialist housing for people with care needs.

We are looking for a Housing Support Officer to join our expanding team. This rewarding role focuses on supporting asylum seekers through their right-to-work application process with the Home Office. You will provide both practical and emotional support, address safeguarding and welfare needs, monitor wellbeing, and keep accurate records for compliance. Every day is different, and while the role can be challenging, it is also highly rewarding for someone who is resilient, empathetic, and people focused

This role is responsible for delivering a high-quality housing management and support service to service users, combining property management with person-centred support. The post holder will manage a portfolio of homes within an assigned region, ensuring properties are maintained to contractual standards while safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of all service users. The role involves coordinating move-ins, move-outs, voids and inspections, monitoring compliance with key performance indicators, and identifying and managing risks.

Through regular assessments and engagement, the post holder will identify service users’ support needs, provide advice and assistance, and work collaboratively with internal teams, external agencies, care providers and community organisations to ensure appropriate support is in place. The role requires cultural awareness, professional boundaries, resilience, accurate record keeping, performance reporting, and a flexible approach, including supporting colleagues and undertaking ad hoc projects as required.

• A genuine passion for supporting people from diverse backgrounds and helping them build independence and confidence
• Strong empathy, compassion and the ability to provide practical and emotional support to individuals and families
• The resilience and emotional intelligence to work with people who may be facing complex challenges, including mental health concerns or difficult circumstances
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with service users, colleagues and partner agencies
• Sound judgement and the ability to identify risks, maintain professional boundaries and act with integrity
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to keep accurate records and work in line with safeguarding and compliance requirements
• The confidence to work independently, take initiative and adapt to changing situations
• A flexible approach and willingness to travel between sites when required
• A full UK driving licence
• Experience of working with vulnerable people, asylum seekers, housing support services or safeguarding would be advantageous, but we are primarily looking for individuals with the right personal attributes, values and commitment to supporting others. Full training will be provided.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day
  - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
• Volunteering Leave
  - Mears supports employees to undertake paid volunteering in the community, in support of our social value…