The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Tenancy Sustainment Officer
(Grade V, analogous).

It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which vacancies both permanent and temporary will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

The Tenancy Sustainment Officer is based within the Housing Section of Donegal County Council and is responsible in providing support to individuals and families to sustain their tenancies and develop independent living and tenancy skills. 

The Tenancy Sustainment Officer will work with a focus on homeless prevention and will have intensive and direct interaction with people providing clear advice and support to enable them to sustain their tenancies.  
 

Roles Duties & Responsibilities
A non-exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the Tenancy Sustainment Officer are set out below:

• Identify and respond to early warning signs of tenancy risk when identified by Area Housing staff, including neighbour complaints, rent arrears, or property condition concerns, by proactively engaging with tenants to provide support and prevent escalation;
• Provide practical support and advocacy during tenancy related disputes or crises, including liaison with local Area Housing staff and external agencies;
• Have demonstratable experience of working with social housing applicants and/or the provision of tenant focused services including dispute resolution.
• Promote tenant participation by providing information and practical services to the tenants, including welfare, benefits and housing advice, budget and debt management and general life skills to enable individuals to participate fully in their daily decision making;
• Assist tenants in gaining access to a range of community resources, specialist services where issues relate to disability, mental health, substance misuse, and primary health care are evident in response to tenants needs and wishes to maximise their tenancy sustainment skills through specialist programmes.
• Work closely with the HAP Placefinder Service achieving exit goals for homeless clients in emergency accommodation;
• Provide support to persons moving out of emergency accommodation to enable them to sustain their tenancies;
• Maintain a caseload of clients and develop, implement and regularly review individual housing care/support plans in conjunction with other voluntary and statutory service;
• Work as part of the Homeless Action Team (HAT) to meet the needs of the homeless clients, or those at risk of homelessness; attend monthly meetings and provide information as required;
• To be responsible for keeping up to date casework records and written assessments, and ensure all necessary information is recorded on the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), iHouse and other systems as required;
• Provide progress report and presentations as required in relation to caseload;
• Liaise with other agencies, voluntary and statutory as appropriate, making referrals and attend inter-agency meetings and reviews of clients as and when required;
• Designated responsibility for Child Protection/Safeguarding Council in accordance with the Children First National Guidelines 2011; aware of child protection issues and reporting procedures
• Designated Sex Offenders Liaison Officer (SOLO), as required;
• Travel to homes of tenants, families and individuals where necessary;
• To approach tenants at all times with dignity and respect and ensure they are provided with choices around the services they receive;
• Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your supervisor;
• To adhere to all policies and procedures, particularly in relation to child protection, confidentiality, finance, personal safety and customer care;
• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.

Donegal County Council