The Tenancy Sustainability Officer is a key role within the Housing Department. It provides vital support to clients by working to assist people to maintain their tenancies and, as a prevention service, supports people at risk of losing their home and would aim to prevent clients having to access homeless services. It is a proactive role, where problems are addressed early with a view to maintaining tenancies.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will join the Homeless Team in Kildare County Council, which is dedicated to working with people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness in County Kildare.
The duties of a Tenancy Sustainability Officer will include but are not limited to the following:
Interview and assess clients seeking a homeless service by appointment or unscheduled presentations at public counter;
Provide assessment and advice to people who are homeless;
Undertake a Risk Assessment for all new cases;
Provide information and assistance to the client in preparing and submitting an application for social housing.
Work with clients placed in emergency facilities with a view to securing long-term accommodation and, where possible, avoid continued placement in emergency facilities;
Enable and assist clients to source suitable private rented accommodation and develop a support plan in conjunction with the client which will enable them to sustain their tenancies for the long term in an appropriate home;
Assist clients in settling into accommodation, arrange home visits, and provide ongoing post-settlement support, and ensure that clients are fully briefed on services available to them from external agencies and provide support and advice on finances, benefit entitlements, health and education.
Assist clients to access community supports and social activity;
Ensure all clients are supported to develop skills such as budgeting, housekeeping, home maintenance, bill paying, being a good tenant, being a good neighbor and self-care;
Consult and liaise with relevant parties to assess the client’s needs and the level of support needed;
Maintain and review needs assessments, action plans and support plans with the client and other agencies as needed or agreed or as requested by the line manager;
Promote positive, person centered responses for persons who are homeless and at risk of homelessness, in partnership with existing service providers.
Communicate clearly, report any concerns and deliver hand-over reports as appropriate to colleagues and line management;
Education, Training and Experience etc.:
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
Possess a Social Care Practitioner third level qualification
OR
Have a FETAC level 8 Qualification, AND
Have experience of working with homelessness services or relevant equivalent;
A comprehensive understanding of housing, social and welfare rights and entitlements.
Applicants should at the date of application hold a full valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles.