Overview

Debbie Burbage Recruitment is proud to be working in partnership with UnityMK, a respected local charity committed to supporting people experiencing homelessness in Milton Keynes, to recruit a Housing Caseworker / Support Worker. This is a pivotal role within an organisation driven by compassion, dignity and belief in every individual’s potential. The successful candidate will feel proud to work alongside UnityMK’s guests, helping them move towards safe, stable accommodation while becoming a valued and trusted member of a dedicated team.

UnityMK’s mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing pathways of support that empower people to feel valued and connected, to find a home and to thrive. Their work is rooted in compassion, dignity and belief in each person’s potential. They are now seeking someone who will feel genuinely proud to work alongside their guests, advocate for them and become a strong, trusted member of a dedicated and caring team.

Key Purpose

You will take the lead in developing and strengthening accommodation pathways as part of UnityMK’s wider support model. This includes:

• Sourcing safe and stable accommodation by building strong relationships with supported housing providers and the private rental sector
• Developing UnityMK’s accommodation service and expanding available options
• Supporting guests with the skills, knowledge and connections required to sustain their homes

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Working alongside the welfare team and guests to identify appropriate housing solutions and clear move on plans
• Sourcing a wide range of accommodation options, from supported housing to single occupancy rentals
• Visiting potential accommodation to assess suitability as a move on option
• Building strong, lasting relationships with accommodation providers to increase opportunities for guests
• Working with Trustees, the CEO and the Leadership Team to develop UnityMK’s own accommodation provision
• Acting as the first point of contact for guests who are ready to explore move on options
• Creating personalised move on plans, identifying barriers and proactively working to reduce them
• Supporting guests with property searches and liaising with landlords
• Assisting guests with referral applications to supported accommodation providers
• Providing signposting, support and advocacy to ensure guests access the most suitable accommodation
• Supporting guests as they move into their new homes to give them the best possible start
• Working collaboratively with the welfare team to ensure ongoing support through Guest Support Plans
• Compiling a comprehensive move on pack with key information and practical guidance to equip guests with the skills and knowledge to flourish in their accommodation

The Candidate

You will have experience within the homelessness or housing sector, with a solid understanding of tenancy and licence agreements and the practicalities of tenancy support, including budgeting, housing benefits and resolving tenancy issues. Confident working alongside statutory and non statutory agencies, you will be an effective communicator who is comfortable supporting individuals with complex needs. Organised and self motivated, you are able to manage competing priorities in a busy environment while taking ownership of challenges and driving them through to positive

You are people centred, solutions focused and calm under pressure, building strong and respectful relationships with guests, colleagues and external partners. Passionate about helping individuals rebuild their lives, you treat everyone with dignity and value and enjoy working collaboratively as part of a committed team. Knowledge of Housing Law, local accommodation providers and experience of developing housing pathways or measuring impact would be advantageous.

Remuneration 

• Salary: £27,000 – £29,000 per annum
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, which includes some evenings during the Winter Night Shelter season. Also, “open to part-time hours”, minimum 30 hours per week.
• Flexibility: Blended working – UnityMK sites, Winter Night Shelter venues, and working from home
• Holidays: 25 days’ holiday plus statutory days.
• Additional: Pension, On-site parking, Employee Discount Scheme
• Funding for this post is secured until April 2029; however, they are hoping to continue with the position thereafter.

Please note: All direct applications or speculative CVs to UnityMK will be forwarded to Debbie Burbage Recruitment as part of our exclusive partnership.

 Debbie Burbage Recruitment is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.  Candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. We are a member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and are acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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