Job summary
The Housing Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the housing needs of patients within an acute mental health hospital, focusing on ensuring safe, stable accommodation for individuals during their recovery.
The primary purpose of this role is to provide specialist housing advice, support, and intervention, addressing housing needs, preventing homelessness, and facilitating timely discharge planning.
Working within a multidisciplinary team, the Housing Officer helps ensure that patients are supported in accessing appropriate accommodation and welfare benefits, contributing to improved patient outcomes and social inclusion. This role requires close collaboration with local authorities, housing providers, and various external agencies to support individuals in their transition from hospital back to the community.
Main duties of the job
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Conduct housing assessments and support discharge planning in collaboration with the MDT.
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Provide welfare benefits guidance and liaise with relevant agencies to ensure continuity of support.
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Prevent homelessness by advocating for patients at risk and assisting with housing applications.
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Maintain accurate documentation and case management in line with NHS policies.
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Build and maintain strong partnerships with external agencies and provide training to NHS colleagues.
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Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified and managed effectively.
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting andempowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
Assess the housing needs of patients admitted to the mental health acute hospital.
Work as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to contribute to discharge planning, ensuring appropriate and safe housing arrangements are identified and secured.
Liaise with local authorities, housing associations, supported accommodation providers, and private landlords to explore housing options.
Work proactively to prevent homelessness and advocate on behalf of patients who are at risk of losing their tenancy or who are homeless upon admission.
Attend housing forums, training, and inter-agency meetings as required.Contribute to risk assessments relating to housing and financial stability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
Assess the housing needs of patients admitted to the mental health acute hospital.
Work as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to contribute to discharge planning, ensuring appropriate and safe housing arrangements are identified and secured.
Liaise with local authorities, housing associations, supported accommodation providers, and private landlords to explore housing options.
Work proactively to prevent homelessness and advocate on behalf of patients who are at risk of losing their tenancy or who are homeless upon admission.
Attend housing forums, training, and inter-agency meetings as required.Contribute to risk assessments relating to housing and financial stability.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Good literacy and numeric skills
- Computer literacy
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Familiarity with electronic ordering systems
- Attending meetings and escalating concerns
Desirable
- Experience of working with vulnerable adults who are at risk of homelessness or in unstable housing situations
- Experience of liaising with local authorities, housing providers and voluntary sector agencies
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- General knowledge of the welfare benefits system, including Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, and their impact on patients' discharge planning
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality, data protection (e.g. GDPR), and accurate record keeping in a healthcare setting
Desirable
- Previous knowledge of mental health care provision
- Awareness of key housing legislation relevant to supporting vulnerable adults, such as the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to work without direct supervision
- Effective problem-solving skills
Desirable
- Ability to prioritise work
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Good literacy and numeric skills
- Computer literacy
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Familiarity with electronic ordering systems
- Attending meetings and escalating concerns
Desirable
- Experience of working with vulnerable adults who are at risk of homelessness or in unstable housing situations
- Experience of liaising with local authorities, housing providers and voluntary sector agencies
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- General knowledge of the welfare benefits system, including Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, and their impact on patients' discharge planning
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality, data protection (e.g. GDPR), and accurate record keeping in a healthcare setting
Desirable
- Previous knowledge of mental health care provision
- Awareness of key housing legislation relevant to supporting vulnerable adults, such as the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to work without direct supervision
- Effective problem-solving skills
Desirable
- Ability to prioritise work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
