The Tenancy Sustainment Officer will report to the Director of Service for the Social Development Unit or such officer of Galway City Council that the Chief Executive or Director of Service may designate for this purpose.

The holder of the post will perform duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Galway City Council Housing Policy. The post holder will join the Homeless Services Team in the Housing Department and, while the Tenancy Sustainment Officer will have specific duties, it is expected that, being part of a team, there will be a degree of sharing and overlap of responsibilities with other members of the team.
 

Duties shall include but are not limited to:

• Working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to enable and assist them to source private rented accommodation, if possible, or allocate emergency accommodation if necessary.
• Putting in place support plans to assist people in sustaining tenancies for the long term.

• 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.
• Receive and act on referrals submitted via the interdisciplinary referral protocol.
• Undertake a Risk Assessment for all new cases.
• Investigate cases thoroughly, maintaining links with other Authorities, Gardai, Community Welfare Officers etc.
• Refer for placement to emergency accommodation as appropriate. Assist applicants with making applications for social housing support.
• Consult and liaise with relevant parties to assess the client’s needs and the level of support needed.
• 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 HAP accommodation.
• 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 ensure that clients are fully briefed on services available to them from external agencies and provide support and advice on finances, benefit entitlements, health, education.
• Refer to Resettlement and other Tenancy Sustainment Services if necessary.
• 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 neighbour and self-care.
• Participate in the Homeless Action Team (H.A.Ts).
• Create and maintain files and records of clients.

• 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 centred 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.
• Keep factual, up to date records on all clients engaged with by recording on internal databases and on the PASS system (The Pathway Accommodation and Support System).
• Assemble and compile statistical data as requested by the Senior Executive Officer or their delegate.
• Work in collaboration with the Tenancy Sustainment Officer to carry out review of NTQ database and complete reports regarding Notice To Quits.
• Develop positive and good working relationships and liaise closely with other agencies for the benefit of the client.

• Work as part of a team.
• Attend regular supervision with your line manager.
• Undertake additional tasks as reasonably assigned.

• Follow all Galway City Council’s policies and procedures.
• Attend appropriate meetings as requested.
• Such other duties as maybe appropriate to the position.

Galway City Council