[ref. h45326617] Housing and Energy Support Team Leader - Reading
Our Housing and Communities Team are passionate about the people who live in our town; our vision is for everyone to have the opportunity to live in a good quality sustainable home within in a lively and thriving neighbourhood. We have bags of energy and enthusiasm and channel this by seeking to innovate and create opportunities that have a lasting effect on the communities in Reading and keeps them at the heart of all we do.
The Community Partnerships Service, which sits within Housing & Communities, delivers a range of services to support residents to feel safe and inclusive and is seeking an experienced Team Leader to manage our Housing and Energy Support Team.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as a diverse and inclusive team will be key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.
About the role
This is an exciting role that will require you to manage the Housing and Energy Team and ensure efficient and effective delivery of the Housing Support Framework and Energy Support Framework which sets out the commitment to:
Provide flexible, person centered support to tenants with multiple needs who are at risk of homelessness due to significant tenancy breaches and/or at risk of social exclusion, to empower them to live independently and access dedicated services to improve well-being.
Provide energy advice to a range of households to help them heat their homes in an affordable and efficient way to use less energy with the aim to minimise energy bills.Carry out inspections of Reading Borough Council Housing stock where a damp and mould concern is raised & provide advice and guidance to households to minimise the impact of damp and mould issues.
Reduce excess winter deaths by providing energy advice and support to vulnerable residents
Main Duties and responsibilities include:
Lead, manage, motivate and develop the Housing and Energy Support Team, and ensure officers are professional in their approach in order to meet the service objectives and achieve required standards and targets.Manage the workload within the team and allocate cases within the team equitably during periods of absence by team members.
Lead on research and development and keep up to date with changes in legislation, regulations and policy issues within the area of Housing and Energy Support
Ensure the provision of a person centred, trauma informed Housing and Energy Support Service.
Oversee all casework and carry out quality checks on case files to ensure officers are working in accordance with the Team frameworks.
Monitor performance indicators and identify trends, ensuring that information is available for monitoring and information purposes, through reports to the Community Partnerships Service Management Team and Housing & Communities Management Team about the team’s overall performance and value for money.
Promote the service to other Council departments providing briefings and training sessions when required.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
About you
We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven Team Leader with experience of working in a housing environment. You will have experience of developing and implementing policies and procedures and performance management and monitoring. Building partnerships will be key, both internally and externally, therefore demonstrating experience of this is essential.You will also have experience of working with elected members and have the ability to communicate with a wide cross section of stakeholders and with wider community. You will be able to produce reports, both statistically and textually with excellent IT skills, including the ability to use Microsoft programmes to support this.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 24 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 32 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leaveA wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Joanne Middlemass, Community Partnerships Service Manager at joanne.middlemass@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: 5th March 2025Interview Date: Between 10th and 21st March 2025
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.