Specialist Refugee Integration Officer in Aldgate

We are Hestia. We make a difference. 

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. We provide a range of services, including Domestic Abuse support, Modern Slavery assistance, Mental Health & Complex Needs care, and Criminal Justice. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence.

The service you will work in….

Our Rough Sleeping Refugee Service is at the forefront of supporting refugees who are transitioning from temporary hotel accommodations to permanent housing. This service is crucial in addressing the increasing number of rough sleepers among individuals granted asylum status. Working in close collaboration with west london local authorities, we aim to provide holistic, person-centered solutions that ensure successful integration, employment, and long-term housing stability.

This service operates through a structured, results-oriented approach, with four key steps: personalised face-to-face engagement to create housing and integration plans, support in accessing appropriate accommodation, integration assistance through employment and community connections, and ongoing tenancy sustainment support. This approach ensures that refugees receive comprehensive support as they navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives.

If you thrive in a dynamic, target-driven environment where achieving meaningful outcomes is at the heart of what you do, this service will provide an exciting and rewarding challenge. We are committed to fostering independence through skill-building and knowledge-sharing, empowering individuals to secure long-term stability. You'll be part of a team dedicated to making a lasting impact while working within a supportive and collaborative culture that values innovation and results.

A day in this role looks like….

As a Specialist Refugee Integration Officer at Hestia, you will play a crucial role in our Homelessness Prevention Service. Your contributions will directly influence the lives of our service users, guiding them towards a path of empowerment and independence.

A day will never look the same and some of the things you can expect to do/be responsible for are:

• Coordinate a frontline service for refugees at risk of homelessness or already homeless in conjunction with 7 West London boroughs.
• Apply specialist knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, including private rented housing, the Homelessness Reduction Act, and Housing Act, to relieve homelessness and sustain tenancy.
• You are required to be target-led, negotiating with local lettings agents, private landlords, and other agencies to find optimal solutions to clients' housing needs.
• To deliver against all sets of individual financial outcome targets and service standards on a weekly basis.
• To manage own caseload effectively and drive engagement with clients in line with service standards and Hestia Values.
• Travel may be required for property viewings with individuals and building relationships with local organisations to ensure the successful integration of individuals into their new communities and tenancy sustainability.
• To undertake comprehensive assessments and ongoing reviews of client needs, creating co-produced Integration Plans and implementing actions to improve housing options and community integration. Including the wider support planning, linking with education, employment, health and other support providers and agencies.
• To actively work with clients to relieve their homelessness by assisting them to secure accommodation in private sector or other housing pathways.
• Develop and maintain effective working partnerships with statutory, voluntary, and commercial organisations to address the holistic needs of customers.
• To ensure all necessary steps and actions are taken in a timely manner to relieve homelessness, encourage self-resolution, and support service users in resolving their housing issues.
• To Keep accurate and up-to-date records of all interactions and correspondence.
• To ensure all financial processes in relation to funding the tenancy are completed in a timely manner and recorded.
• To provide advice to clients to ensure that they have the best possible opportunities to sustain their new accommodation.

Why Hestia?

Joining Hestia means more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We offer a supportive, inclusive and resolution driven work environment where your contributions are recognised and valued. As a member of our team, you will have the chance to grow both personally and professionally while making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

We are looking for candidates who bring a combination of passion, expertise, and dedication to the table. To excel in this role, you should possess:

• Demonstrate knowledge, experience or relevant qualifications in housing and homelessness legislation, in relation to private rented housing, rough sleeping, the Homelessness Reduction Act and Housing Act.
• Demonstrate knowledge in welfare benefits legislation (including welfare reform) to support service users effectively.
• You are Solution focused and pro-active in achieving high quality client work and results in a fast paced and outcome focused environment.
• You have previously worked in a target led environment.
• Previous experience in sourcing, negotiating, and maintaining relationships with agents and landlords in the private rented sector.
• You thrive in negotiating and accomplishing daily outcomes.
• You have strong work ethics with excellent customer service focus.
• You have impeccable organisational skills.
• Ability to positively manage a busy client caseload and own workload in line with service standards and Hestia values, working towards client progression and meeting service targets and deadlines, reviewing work and priorities.
• Proficient in using computer systems and databases as part of your daily tasks.
• Strong communication skills and ability to record good quality data, case notes, plans and outcomes accurately and timely.
• Excellent at building relationships with team members, statutory and non-statutory organisations.
• Socially conscious and want to make a difference.
• Flexible and adaptable team player with a can-do attitude.
• Able to undertake a variety of activities with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.