PRS Caseworker

Central Recruitment is working with a London-based charity dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting individuals to rebuild their lives.

Our client is currently recruiting for a PRS Caseworker to work across London. The role provides support to people with lived experience of homelessness to resettle into and sustain independent Private Rented Sector (PRS) housing.

* 37.5 hours per week

* Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM

* Temporary cover is required for approximately 1 month

* Temporary: 1-2 months

* £17.14 per hour (£15.29 per hour, with £1.85 holiday pay)

Please note: This is a hybrid working role which involves working from the office in King Cross, supporting clients across the community and occasionally working from home. Work related travel expenses will be reimbursed. This role involves lone working.

Key requirements:

* Manage a caseload of 10–15 key clients and provide regular, purposeful one-to-one support, reviewing plans and interventions in response to changing needs

* Complete strengths-based assessments, identifying clients’ needs, strengths, goals and priorities

* Co-produce personalised support, safety and move-on plans that promote choice, independence and progression

* Proactively source suitable and affordable private rented accommodation across London in line with client needs and available resources

* Liaise and negotiate with landlords and letting agents to support clients to secure appropriate accommodation and understand tenancy requirements

* Explore alternative housing pathways and move-on options where PRS accommodation is no longer suitable or sustainable

* Support clients to understand and manage tenancy responsibilities, including rent, household bills, arrears, property standards and neighbour relations

* Identify issues that may place tenancies at risk and develop clear actions to address them

* Build effective relationships with statutory, voluntary and community services to ensure clients can access coordinated support

* Liaise with housing, benefits, health, substance use and other specialist services according to individual client needs

* Support clients to access education, training, employment, community activities and other opportunities that promote social inclusion and independence

What we’re looking for:

* Experience delivering strengths-based, person-centred support to people experiencing homelessness, housing instability or multiple disadvantage

* Experience or a strong understanding of supporting people to move into and sustain private rented accommodation

* Knowledge of the private rented sector and factors affecting access to affordable PRS accommodation; experience working with landlords or letting agents is desirable

* Understanding of welfare benefits, financial inclusion and tenancy-related issues, including supporting people to manage bills, debts and arrears

* Knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and safety planning within community-based support

* Understanding of common physical and mental health needs experienced by people affected by homelessness, including barriers to accessing healthcare and support

* Ability to complete effective assessments and translate identified strengths and needs into clear, outcome-focused support and safety plans

* Ability to build purposeful relationships that enable clients to lead their own goals, make informed choices and develop greater independence and resilience

* Ability to deliver effective resettlement and tenancy sustainment support, including responding constructively where a tenancy may be at risk

* Strong communication, negotiation and partnership-working skills, with the ability to engage landlords, agencies and other professionals and advocate effectively for clients

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

* Current valid right to work in the UK

* Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)

* A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)

* Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed