Due to retirement, the Home Improvement Team has a permanent position available for a part time Case Worker supporting Disabled Facilities Grants and the Sanctuary Scheme for victim/survivors of domestic abuse. Working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week.
This role involves working directly with clients, often during challenging periods in their lives. You will be a consistent point of contact, building trusting and respectful relationships while taking a trauma¿informed approach to communication and decision¿making.
You will need strong organisational skills, as no two days are the same, and the ability to adapt your approach for a diverse range of clients and needs.
A full driving licence is required, as visits take place in clients’ homes.
You will work within a supportive, multi¿disciplinary team including Occupational Therapists, Assistant Practitioners and Surveyors, with access to guidance and regular supervision.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Julie Zipfel on 01603 989643.
Location
Norwich City Hall / Hybrid
Salary band
£36,363 - £39,152 (pro-rata, per annum)
DBS requirement
Enhanced with Adult's and Children's Barred List
Effectively manage housing adaptation, improvement and repair cases ensuring:
Compliance with relevant legislation
Successful identification and delivery of the client’s needs
Timely delivery of each case, minimising unnecessary delays and taking appropriate action to ensure that targets are met.
Ensuring value for money and delivery within the agreed project budget and financial assistance policy limits.
Key corporate accountabilities
To be the main point of contact between clients, contractors and professionals for each case
To carry out home visits to clients to identify their housing needs, to maintain regular and appropriate contact with clients during the delivery of a case and to record the case outcomes and client’s satisfaction on conclusion
In consultation with the occupational therapist and the home improvement technical officer, identify the most effective specification for each project having regard to the clients’ needs and cost
To effectively present option appraisals to colleagues and senior officers both verbally and in writing making clear recommendations for the most appropriate course of action
To support the home improvement team leader with the marketing and promotion of the home improvement team services
To work with and build close working relationships with all relevant local statutory and voluntary agencies
To assist clients to claim additional welfare benefits and allowances to improve income and to identify appropriate sources of charitable funding for goods and services that are not funded under the council’s financial assistance policy
To act as the main point of contact for tenants and landlords living in homes subject to works in default enforcement action, in particular:
Providing information to tenants and landlords about the process
Explaining the legal process
Liaising with tenants to arrange access for officers and contractors
Key service-related accountabilities
Liaising with the housing advice team in cases of harassment or illegal eviction arising from the enforcement action
Ensuring that the works are fully documented in case of legal challenge and to ensure that costs can be recovered
To take an active role in the improvement of performance and quality of services provided by the home improvement team
To take an active role in the development and delivery of home improvement services that generate an income for the council
To maintain accurate records and progress notes on the appropriate systems
General requirements
All employees will be expected to be flexible in their duties and carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the general scope of the job, as requested.
Duties and responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with relevant Council policies and procedures, within legislation and any code of professional ethics of relevant professional body.
All employees are expected to maintain a high standard of customer care in the context of the council’s core values, to uphold the Equality and Diversity Policy and health and safety standards and to participate in personal learning and development necessary to the post.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
Experience of working with disabled and/or older people or of providing care and support services to vulnerable people including victims of domestic abuse
A good understanding of the principles of customer care
A good understanding of the types, causes and impacts of disability
A good understanding of disabled adaptations and the requirements of disabled people in relation to access to and around the home
An understanding of hazards to health arising from poor housing conditions
A good understanding of the legislation underpinning the delivery of disabled adaptations and home improvements
An excellent understanding of the support services provided to disabled and older people by other statutory bodies and voluntary agencies
A good understanding of the welfare benefits system
A good understanding of domestic abuse and the impact this can have on a victim
The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with clients who may experience difficulty in communication as a consequence of age, disability, mental health or due to the impact of trauma
Excellent communication skills, verbally, writing and listening.
The ability to assess problems, identify solutions and to sensitively communicate options to colleagues, contractors and vulnerable clients
The ability to prioritise and manage your own caseload and to manage the day-to-day activities
The ability to use Microsoft Office software including Microsoft Word and Outlook and other office software appropriate to the role (e.g. Uniform and Civica)
The ability to travel to sites within the Norwich area
The ability to understand and communicate council policies and relevant housing legislation in relation to domestic abuse, disabled adaptions and poor housing conditions
Other requirements
Essential
Ability to work in clients’ homes
Full UK driving licence
Education
- A minimum of 5 GCSEs, grade A-C or equivalent or significant relevant work experience
Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.
To find out more about working and living in Norwich Home | Work in Norwich.
The council has a long and proud history of being a council that is keen to push the boundaries of what a district can achieve, to find out more about what it is like to work in local government visit Working in local government - #LocalGov Careers - Youth Employment UK
We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.
Norwich City Council offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about promoting Norwich and the services the council provides. We also offer good career prospects with competitive rates of pay, generous holidays and working arrangements to suit all lifestyles.
The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.
Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore it is important to give as much detail as possible including information about experience gained outside employment.
We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package and are proud to have the Living Wage accreditation. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.
- All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum. This is pro rata for part-time employees
- In addition to the statutory public holidays, we grant an additional statutory day leave at Christmas
- Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support
