Housing Manager

Reading Almshouse Charity
Housing Manager

Job Description

Job Title Housing Manager

Responsible to Operations Manager

Supervises Third party contractors

Purpose of role To provide a consistently high standard of service to all the residents at all times ensuring their welfare and the good management of the almshouses

Location Penton House, Kennet Island, Reading; Castle Street Almshouses, Reading; Liberty House, Earley, Reading; and any other place of business the Charity shall require. The post will be located mainly at Penton House.

Hours Part time (20 hours) with flexible timings to be agreed with the Operations Manager

Salary £20,000 - £30,000 Pro Rata

INTRODUCTION

The Charity’s main purpose is to provide accommodation to people in need, resident within 20 miles of Reading, under the provisions of its Constitution. Residents become beneficiaries of the Charity and pay a maintenance contribution, which is set at least 20% below market rent. There are 41 flats at Penton House, 27 flats at Castle Street and 36 flats at Liberty House. The Housing Manager’s normal administrative contact with the Trustees will be mainly through the Operations Manager but they will be requested to submit reports to Trustees’ meetings and, when appropriate, may be asked to attend for all or part of the time.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Providing a well-managed estate and grounds

· Maintain Health & Safety requirements in accordance with the Risk Assessment and the Health & Safety regulations and ensure that actions resulting from Risk Assessments are carried out. Identify, record and remedy, where practical, any potential hazards which might give rise to trips, slips and falls

· Understand the fire precautions operated in the buildings and instruct the action to take in case of fire

· Carry out weekly tests of the fire detection system and arrange an annual fire drill for residents if appropriate

· Ensure that Legionella requirements are adhered to

· Liaise with the Operations Manager on procedures for looking after and rehousing residents immediately following a fire, flood or similar emergency making their homes temporarily uninhabitable

· Ensure that repairs are carried out quickly and effectively. Note any defects or faults around the premises and arrange repairs. The Manager is authorised to contact one of the Charity’s approved plumbers, electricians, maintenance engineers directly as necessary subject to committing the Charity to expenditure within prescribed limits

· Carry out annual inspections of flats and record defects and observations. Ensure that necessary repairs are carried out subject to expenditure within prescribed limits

· Ensure planned maintenance is carried out in accordance with the planned maintenance schedule

· Ensure parking restrictions are adhered to

· Maintain security and reinforce security awareness amongst the residents

· Keep a register of

i) names, dates and duration of stay of all guests using the guest room

ii) accidents and incidents

iii) repairs required, contractors instructed and date works completed

· Ensure the communal areas of the almshouses are welcoming, clean and well cared for. All communal areas and cupboards must be free of combustible materials and obstructions

· Ensure the maintenance of the communal gardens in a tidy manner

· Arrange for the collection of rents from the letting of the guest room on a regular basis and account promptly to the Operations Manager and Accountant for receipts

· Ensure the communal washing machines and tumble driers are working satisfactorily, maintained in a clean condition and that filters are regularly cleaned

· Ensure that the guest rooms are prepared for the use of visitors and arrange for the laundering of bed linen and guest towels following the use of these facilities

· Be responsible for petty cash and account to the Operations Manager and Accountant for any receipts and expenditure

Providing support and information to the Operations Manager and Trustees

· Prepare written reports for Trustee meetings

· Liaise with prospective residents and arrange interviews for suitable candidates with the Operations Manager and Trustees

· Liaise with and prepare paperwork for new residents

· Deal with residents moving in and out

· Maintain a list of reportable incidents including potential breeches of the licence agreement

· Take ownership of arrears case management in accordance with the Maintenance Contribution Arrears policy to secure prompt payment.

Providing advice and support to residents

· Understand and help to operate any of the Charity’s rules and regulations applying to residents

· Issue advice to residents to supplement the Residents’ Handbook as required

· Be aware of and comply with trustees’ policies and procedures, particularly their medicines policy which is NOT to administer any medicine, prescribed, proprietary or generic, to a resident.

· Be vigilant with regard to the health of individual residents; recognise signs of ill-health or need and suggest they contact their medical practitioner or get appropriate help

· Deal with personal emergencies from residents by answering emergency calls from residents and, where appropriate, contacting medical help and relatives. Give general assistance until expert help arrives. Keep a register of such incidents including brief details.

· Have available names, addresses and telephone numbers of local doctors and other helpful agencies such as Social Services Departments, chiropodists, dentists and opticians

· Work collaboratively with Social Services and other agencies in the local area. Develop good relationships with agencies and help promote the almshouses

· Keep a confidential register of residents’ next of kin and other relatives and friends who should be notified in the case of sudden illness or who could be called upon to help, ensuring that the Trustees’ Data Protection Policy is adhered to

· Act as facilitator on behalf of residents to ensure that they receive any help needed from Social Services Departments or other agencies to include assistance with personal care or hygiene, meal preparation provision, domestic cleaning, and shopping. Under NO circumstance is the Manager permitted to offer any form of personal care or hygiene.

· Meet regularly with individual residents as necessary to identify and agree what support they need. Maintain a record of agreed actions and signpost to relevant agencies for support

· Assist residents in accessing appropriate state benefits. Signpost to any debt management organisations if you feel the resident requires additional support with finances

• Assist residents in resolving any complaints and/or disputes to prevent issues escalating and keep a record of such incidents
• Respond quickly and effectively to reports of anti-social behaviour. Ensure the charity’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and Procedure is followed when dealing with any incidences of anti-social behaviour, keep records up to date and alleged victims informed of case progress. Take ownership of cases and try to resolve situations at the earliest opportunity
• Recognise and raise any concerns for safeguarding with the Operations Manager and Social Services

· Recognise, respect and safeguard the individuality and rights of residents and respect confidences

Providing leisure and social activities

· Acquaint residents with social activities in the Charity and in the community and encourage participation. The Manager should promote the use of communal facilities and help to organise functions for the residents, without bringing undue pressure to join in

· Help new residents feel welcome

· Encourage the involvement of friends and relatives of residents

· Supervise the use of a guest room where available; priority being given to relatives or friends who have come to help a resident who is sick or in need of extra support

· Arrange occasional social events including a summer party and Christmas lunch in consultation with the Operations Manager

General Duties

· Attend career development training courses and meetings when requested by the Trustees or the Operations Manager

· Be aware of the work of The Almshouse Association and review information updates

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 20 per week

Salary: £20,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Reading, RG2 0GP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:

• Housing management: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 28/04/2023
Reference ID: HM01