Bridgend Housing Practitioner Full Time

Full Time, 22.5 hours per week

G4S in Wales are a key provider of criminal justice services- operating in both the custodial and community sectors. We pride ourselves on the quality of our provision and we consistently seek to work alongside and in partnership with a range of other providers in the voluntary (third), public and private sectors.

We have developed services which are focused on identifying ways to maximise positive impact and make the most effective use of available resources by working with other agencies on common objectives. In this way we are increasingly able to meet wide ranging and complex needs in the most appropriate way.

We have a commitment to research, evaluation and review of evidence based initiatives.

We value and, where possible, contribute to research into reducing re-offending and therefore we recognise the importance of understanding the wider environment in which individuals operate and this informs us about how best to engage, support and help people with change.

We seek to employ people with drive and energy and a real interest in innovation and teamwork – working beyond traditional organisational boundaries.

We now have an opportunity for a Housing Practitioner to join our team at Bridgend

The successful candidate will provide housing related support for people leaving prison and re-settling into the Bridgend area.

Key Responsibilities

• Support individuals currently in prisons or recently released into Bridgend County in securing or maintaining stable accommodation and preventing homelessness.
• Work with prison probation colleagues to identify people planning for release to Bridgend who have housing-related support needs or are at risk of being homeless on release.
• Attend prisons where people being released to Bridgend are housed, completing an initial overview of housing support needs and accommodation priorities.
• Liaise with individuals in prison, or those recently released to explore and identify secure accommodation options.
• Liaise with landlords and community services where it is identified a short sentence or recall may result in loss of accommodation for an individual to prevent loss of tenancy.
• Liaise with individuals in prison and their wider support networks to secure community accommodation if safe to do so.
• Support individuals in the community to secure temporary accommodation if this is their only option.
• Provide ongoing support in the community for individuals to maintain their accommodation.
• Complete all case administration, paperwork and required monitoring promptly.
• Assist in the promotion of creating a positive Health & Safety culture across the site leading by example, this includes reporting accidents and near misses promptly & following the applicable safe systems of work for the role.
• G4S is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of at-risk children and adults, and the post holder must support these goals.

The duties and responsibilities listed within this job description are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary occasionally.

Essential Skills

• Good communication
• Understanding of the needs of people leaving prison
• Understanding of housing-related support
• Understanding of the wider causal and contributory factors that may lead to an individual being released from prison at risk of homelessness
• Understanding of housing and homelessness system
• For this role, a driving licence and access to a car is a requirement.

Desirable Skills

• Previous experience working within prison and community settings
• Experience using case management systems

We encourage applications from Welsh speaking candidates.

Equality and Diversity is an important part of G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are a fully inclusive employer who aims to support all employees to be their true selves. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments for either the role or during the recruitment process.

G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and adults at risk and each employee is expected to support these goals.

Please note that these vacancies are subject to a 5 year checkable history and the strict vetting standards set by G4S and the Secretary of State for the Home Office.

You must be eligible to work in the UK and must have been resident in the UK for a minimum period of 3 years. You will also need to provide full details of your employment and education history for the last 5 years as part of the security screening process for this role.

Please note that applicants must complete a 200 – 400 word statement outlining their suitability for the role and clearly outlining how your skills, experience and knowledge would apply to this post.