Independent Living Officer

Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) is looking for an experienced housing worker to join our dynamic and effective Independent Living team.

You will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive, customer-focused housing service to FHDC tenants living in independent living (sheltered housing) schemes.

The Independent Living Team delivers intensive housing management to older and vulnerable tenants so that they can sustain their tenancies and live in a safe environment. Key duties include signing up new tenants into their homes, dealing with reports of anti-social behaviour, tenancy management, dealing with residents’ queries, carrying out scheme surgeries and meetings, carrying out an annual wellbeing plan with all tenants, assessing the suitability of applicants for sheltered housing and ensuring the safety of the schemes you manage is maintained through weekly scheme inspections with fire safety of the utmost priority.

The post involves working closely with other Neighbourhoods staff, internal and external partners including the council’s Community Safety Unit, social services, Kent Police and Police Community Support Officers plus Kent County Council Wardens. 

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate they are committed to excellent customer service and who understands the complex issues that can arise in social housing. The ability to be flexible, adapt to change, and work under pressure in managing your own caseload is also essential for this post. Some knowledge of safeguarding would be preferred.

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrable housing management or relevant customer contact experience. Ideally 2 to 3 years’ experience and this should be recent and relevant.
• A good working knowledge and understanding of health and safety from a building perspective.
• Sound knowledge of relevant housing legislation and current issues in social housing.
• Excellent problem solving skills, a ‘can do’ attitude and a commitment to getting the job done.
• Robust approach to the effective management of an anti-social behaviour caseload.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
• Good literacy skills.
• Confidence, enthusiasm and a flexible approach.

A full driving licence and access to your own car is required for this post in order to undertake the duties of the role effectively. This post will work mainly in the Folkestone area.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 21^st June 2023.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12.00pm on Monday 12th June 2023. 

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Jan Hatcher, Independent Living Team Leader at jan.hatcher@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or 07808 647648.