Housing Support Assistant

Our Housing Workers wear many different hats, including administration, maintaining security, carrying out repairs and providing a little wisdom to the 30 young people who live in our supported accommodation project.  They are the steady, reliable presence from the first contact when a young person asks to move in with us, right through to the day they are ready to move into a place of their own.

The work is varied, interesting and sometimes challenging – we need people who are flexible and able to turn their hands to a range of different things during each shift. You will be overseeing the building and the behaviour of thirty young people, and no day is ever predictable (although, after a while, you’ll learn to feel it in your toes when something might be brewing).

You will be working alone, responsible for everything that happens on your watch.  You will be carrying out regular patrols to make sure all is well, and keeping clear, detailed records of everything that happens.  If something needs to be addressed, you will be dealing with it – that might include a cleaning task, dealing with anti-social behaviour or damage, investigating an incident or liasing with the emergency services.

At the start and end of your shift, there will be a short handover session with the next person – but most of your communication with the rest of the team will be in writing using our online and written systems. 

We offer genuinely meaningful work, a good rate of pay, a reliable income and a role that can be permanent if you want that - or a springboard to a career in housing or charity work, giving you a superb grounding in the whole range of frontline issues. 

If you’re ready for your next challenge, or your very last job, we would love to hear from you. 

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Job Purpose
To complete administration and assessment tasks, and to maintain the security of the Supported Accommodation premises, controlling access and providing a professional service to residents, staff and others.  

Main Responsibilities

• To attend shifts reliably and on time in order to ensure continuous cover.
• To carry out daily administrative tasks, including taking rent, answering telephone calls and providing appropriate information to callers in accordance with procedure.
• To be responsible for client interviews, move-ins and move-outs, including inductions, benefit applications and accompanying paperwork.
• To provide a visible security presence, patrolling premises as scheduled and dealing with issues arising.
• To ensure that buildings and entry points are secure.
• To clean communal areas, bathrooms, toilets and vacant bedrooms as needed.
• To act as the professional point of contact with the emergency and statutory services.
• To monitor CCTV screens and deal with issues arising, and to liaise with police where needed to prevent damage to the YMCA’s premises and / or property.
• To ensure that any incidents relating to security, safety, disorder, damage and similar are dealt with to the limits of the position’s authority, including informing the relevant manager where necessary.
• To maintain accurate shift logs of patrols, incidents, visitors and other security matters.
• To carry out maintenance tasks, and to oversee contractors as specified by the relevant manager.
• To conduct and record routine checks on hygiene, fire and other safety provisions.
• To supervise access to the laundry and the loan of equipment including the iron and hoover.
• To take appropriate steps to ensure engagement with YMCA Doncaster’s support and other programmes, and to take action where a client is unable or unwilling to engage.
• To develop and maintain professional relationships with members, users and with other staff, and to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• To work to the policies and procedures of YMCA Doncaster.
• To participate in a varied rota contributing to the provision of a 24 hour, year round service.

Person Specification

• Able to complete forms and paperwork accurately (please show this when completing your application).
• Able to understand and follow written instructions and standard procedures.  
• Able to communicate in writing, including recording shift logs and completing incident reports on paper and on computer.
• Able to carry out patrols, indoors and outdoors, including stairways.
• Able to carry out cleaning tasks.
• Able to carry out maintenance and repairs, including painting, repairing damage and household DIY.
• Able to attend shifts reliably and on time.
• Able to work alone safely, deal with whatever comes up and complete tasks without supervision.  
• Common sense in working with young people and encouraging them to be capable, responsible adults.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, recognising the difference between being friendly and being a friend.  
• Able to communicate well with everyone, including professionals in authority, people who speak English as an additional language and those who have communication differences.
• Sufficient presence and confidence to deal with difficult and demanding situations, including conflict and aggression.
• Flexibility to fill in / cover hours where possible as part of the team of Housing Workers.