Housing Options Officer

Our Mission
Apax's aspiration is tobecome a values-driven enterprise and our mission "We strive for excellence to improve ourselves, transform services, enhance lives and advance society" plays centre stage.We take a collaborative and consultative approach that values and appreciates the contribution and enthusiasm of our team to make a difference to our organisation and to the lives of disadvantaged people.
About the Team
With a thirst for knowledge and a drive to challenge the status quo, learning and innovation, have become part of our identity to advance the mental health services landscape. As part of our team, you will contribute to maintaining our ‘Level A’ accreditation in Quality Assessment Framework (QAF), which is denoted for “excellence and leaders in their field" in national performance standards. We are full of life and enthusiasm for care of our residentsand we drive this outlook throughout the whole company. It is important for us that any candidate joining our organisation fit the culture and respects the values already in place. VisitApax.org.ukto learn more about us.Role Overview
As a Housing Options Officer, your primary responsibility is to work closely with the Local Authority to allocate residents in finding suitable housing solutions at Apax. You will be working closely with residents who are in need of housing support, including those facing homelessness and mental health illnesses. Your role involves conducting thorough assessments of clients' circumstances, understanding their needs, and offering appropriate advice and options. You will provide information on available housing services private rentals, and potential financial support schemes. Additionally, you'll collaborate with other agencies and organisations to ensure a comprehensive approach to housing support, aiming to improve the quality of life and stability for those seeking assistance. Your communication, problem-solving, and empathy skills will be essential in guiding individuals through the housing process and helping them secure suitable and sustainable living arrangements.
Key Requirements
To be responsible for marketing vacancies, new provisions and develop positive and strong relationships with all referring agents. Arrange and carry out viewings of vacant rooms with prospective clients, their families, advocates and other professional Process referrals and conduct pre-placement eligibility assessments and complete the Admissions Assessment Report [AAR] and on admission complete the Placement Packs for each tenant.
Keep accurate records of processes, outcomes and action taken on the company’s enterprise management system and Lewisham (Locata) database. Accurately record all Apax residents Supported Housing Client Form on Locata.
To be responsible to fill all the occupancies, and in turn ensure minimal void loss. Where voids cannot be avoided that rooms are turned around swiftly. To submit void analysis, fair access and fair exit reports, update R&O Handbook and meet with the Support Services Leader for regular updates.
Attend regular meetings with care coordinators, team manager, and attend the fortnightly Pathway Meeting to discuss possible referrals.
To arrange and attend regular meetings with the accommodation managers of each home to ensure adherence to the independent move on of clients’ quota and planning.
Provide R&O related trainings to Recovery Coordinators where necessary.
To respond to all referral enquiries in writing within 24 hours (according to policy) and ensure all the necessary supporting documentation is received while maintaining a friendly and understanding approach.
To assess all completed applications within 48 hours of receipt and respond in writing. Where clients have passed the preliminary paper assessment, to ensure they are offered a prompt and timely face to face referral assessment.
To adopt a person-centred approach when completing assessments and maintain excellent hospitality etiquette. All assessments are to be completed with the accommodation manager of the home.
To redirect unsuitable referrals, via email, in a sensitive and respectful manner, ensuring to provide sufficient evidence and explanation. Where a referral is unsuccessful at Apax to ensure the client and referring agent are signposted.
To clearly assess and establish referred client’s symptoms, triggers, needs, any safety implications, financial capacity and decide in agreement with the accommodation manager whether Apax can sufficiently support the clients. To ensure this information is shared with the relevant accommodation and its support workers on the day a client is admitted by completing the AAR.
Upon departure of a client, to complete an Exit Interview with the client. On a 6 monthly basis to analyse all the exit interviews and inform the accommodation managers and senior managers of the feedback in report.
Seek appropriate housing options for outgoing tenant either via the Pathway, private rented sector or other supported accommodations.
Engage with the expansion aims of the organisation by taking on new projects when identified.
To engage with, where appropriate and required, additional duties and responsibilities allocated by the head of services or director
Employee Benefits
You will be joining a friendly, kind and joyful company culture whilst working as part of a next-generation digitalised company. Full details of the Employee Benefits will be provided during the interviewing process.
Healthcare & Wellness: Health cash plans, Employee Assistance Programme, wellness and discount perks.Financial & Retirement: Pension scheme, referral scheme, season ticket loans, Cycle Scheme and Tech Scheme.Holidays & Time Off: up to 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, buying leave, compassionate & bereavement leave, life events leave eg time off for birthday or moving home.Learning & Education: Learning & Development Framework, Learners Academy, Leadership Academy, education grant, study leave.Family & Parenting: Generous maternity and paternity leave, paid parental leave.Flexible Working: Flexi startWelfare & Wellbeing: Mental well-being days, sick pay scheme, team building activities.Other benefits: complimentary breakfast and refreshments, free parking, and well-being activities.
Our approach to recruitment is based on competency and values, whereby applicants should be able to demonstrate the job-realated skills and organisation's values and principles. We are a strong believer that an organisation is only as good as its people who are its greatest treasure. We are an equal opportunities employerand pay at least the London Living Wage.
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