Alternative Futures Group is the North West’s largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.
With a strong track record over 30 years, we work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.
We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.
As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.
At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!
In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.
Job Purpose
As the Housing Relationship Manager at Alternative Futures Group, you will be responsible for holding the key account relationships with external housing providers that we work in partnership with.
You will need to be a proactive and tenacious person with experience in the housing and social care sector and have a passion to make a difference in the lives of adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Mental Health needs.
Within the role you will ensure that any issues relating to property standards, repairs and cyclical works are escalated appropriately and a resolution is reached.
You will ensure that Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) are adhered to, and any concerns are escalated. You will also manage and monitor systems to ensure compliance of any actions in relation to properties. Understanding of issues arising
The role holder will be a visible presence in the properties as and when required, thus ensuring full understanding of issues arising.
Principal Accountabilities
- Design and Oversight:
- Accountable for the design and oversight of high-quality, evidence-based housing standard monitoring systems.
- Data Collection and Reporting:
- Develop data collection approaches and systems to gather, analyse, and interpret housing data.
- Report statistics and trends to the leadership teams for informed decision-making.
- Service Improvement:
- Through positive relationships and housing standard knowledge drive improvements in the standard and quality of properties within AFG.
- Staff Development:
- Coach staff teams on minimal housing standards expected, and how to appropriately challenge when the standard falls below this.
- Promotion of High Standard Culture:
- Work alongside operational team to promote a culture of expecting high standards of housing provision for the people we support in their homes.
- Relationships and Referral Processes:
- Develop and maintain strong effective relationships with Housing Associations and where required Social Services, Commissioners, and external professionals and organisations to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Risk Management and Quality Assurance:
- Ensure effective risk assessments and risk management plans are implemented, collaborating with operational teams to minimise potential risks.
- Raise serious risk management issues and participate in developing action plans.
- Quality of Experience and Citizenship:
- Improve the overall quality of experience for supported individuals, emphasising personalisation, citizenship, and maximum control over their lives.
- Engagement and Involvement:
- Foster a culture of meaningful engagement and involvement of supported individuals, families, and significant others.
- Regulatory Compliance and Feedback:
- Ensure compliance with external regulatory standards, gather feedback for service improvement, and determine priorities in line with expertise.
- Performance Reporting and Prioritization:
- Report on performance issues against key performance indicators, prioritising workload according to local demand.
- Management Information Systems:
- Maintain efficient management information systems, ensuring timely and accurate provision of information.
Person Specification – Essential Requirements:
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership role in the housing and/or health and social care sector.
- Experience and familiarity with housing laws, regulations, and Service Level Agreements
- Experience in monitoring, auditing, and reporting on housing related matters.
- Proven track record of resolving housing and property related queries.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Excellent IT skills and use of Microsoft applications
- Proven ability to enhance performance and generate solutions for improvement.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of delivering varied communications to diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with people supported, landlords, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to mediate disputes and find solutions that benefit all parties.
- Understanding and empathy towards tenants’ needs and challenges.
- Managing housing related matters, complaints, and administrative tasks efficiently.
- Negotiating rent levels and resolving conflicts
Qualifications & Training:
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant housing or health or social care discipline.
Other:
- Clean current driving license and access to own vehicle for occasional travel as part of the role.
This role is Band III as per our structure.
Writing reports and proposals Communication Negotiation Information technology (IT) Training Auditing monitoring Leadership Management