Housing Support Development Link Worker

This is a new part-time post in the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership, the drug and alcohol service run by Phoenix Futures. The work is about linking housing services with treatment and recovery teams so that housing problems stop people getting into, staying in or sustaining recovery. The post-holder works without a caseload, spotting housing issues early, building referral routes and improving systems with partners.

Travel across the county is central, so a driving licence and access to a vehicle are needed.

• Identify housing needs early where they affect treatment engagement and recovery
• Support people before treatment, during treatment and in recovery where housing problems create risk
• Build relationships with housing providers, homelessness services and accommodation support organisations
• Advise and navigate treatment teams on housing options and referral routes
• Run tenancy sustainment and housing-related support groups within recovery programmes
• Develop practical resources, contingency plans and housing guidance materials
• Attend quarterly Housing Support Worker meetings and Derbyshire County Council Public Health thematic meetings
• Gather feedback from people with lived experience to shape service improvements
• Develop referral pathways between substance use services and housing support
• Help develop and embed a housing link model across DRP teams, specialist housing support and accommodation providers
• Identify trends, service gaps and opportunities to improve outcomes
• Promote a trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approach

• Working with people who have complex needs
• Partnership and multi-agency working

• Knowledge of housing, homelessness, tenancy sustainment or accommodation support services
• Understanding of safeguarding and risk management
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Working independently and influencing across systems and services
• Commitment to reducing stigma and improving outcomes for vulnerable people
• Strong organisational and administrative skills

• Full UK driving licence
• Access to a vehicle

• Experience in substance use, homelessness, mental health, social care, housing support or a related sector

• Pension scheme and life assurance
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 30 (pro rata)
• Potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal
• Season ticket loan and travel expenses reimbursed
• Occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and wellbeing talks and activities
• Continuous training and career development through the PXL learning system
• 24/7 employee assistance programme
• Discounts such as Blue Light and some NHS-related training