Accommodation and Life Skills Practitioner

Lincolnshire County Council's Leaving Care Service is expanding its Accommodation and Life Skills Team to strengthen the support available to care experienced young people as they move towards greater independence and secure accommodation. Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements. Our Accommodation and Life Skills Team works with care experienced young people aged 16-25, providing practical support and guidance to help them develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to sustain independent living. This includes developing an understanding of tenancy responsibilities, housing rights, budgeting, managing household bills and maintaining a home. Working alongside young people and professionals, the team supports access to a range of accommodation options including supported accommodation, social housing and private rented tenancies. Where young people face housing instability or homelessness, the team provides timely intervention, advocacy and support, including liaison with local housing authorities and completion of Duty to Refer referrals. As a Senior Practitioner, you will provide leadership and oversight to a team of Accommodation Workers and Life Skills Workers, ensuring high-quality support is delivered to care experienced young people. You will take a lead role in homelessness prevention and housing stability, promoting positive outcomes and ensuring young people's voices, rights and aspirations remain at the centre of all practice. You will also contribute to the ongoing development of accommodation services across Lincolnshire, working collaboratively with district councils, housing providers and partner agencies to improve housing opportunities and experiences for care experienced young people.,

• Provide day-to-day leadership, oversight, advice and professional guidance to Accommodation and Life Skills Workers.
• Support, supervise and develop staff to ensure high-quality practice and positive outcomes for care experienced young people.
• Ensure young people's accommodation and independence needs are appropriately assessed, planned for and reviewed in line with Pathway Plans, legislation and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Lead on complex housing and homelessness prevention cases, providing consultation and support to practitioners.
• Act as the key point of escalation with district councils and partner agencies where accommodation issues require senior practitioner oversight.
• Promote and uphold the Housing Joint Protocol, ensuring care experienced young people's rights, views and entitlements are recognised and advocated for.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with district councils, housing providers, private landlords, health services, police, adult social care and other partner organisations.
• Support service development and contribute to the implementation of evidence-informed and strengths-based practice across the team.
• Ensure care experienced young people are actively involved in decisions which affect their lives and future accommodation arrangements., The postholder will be required to travel across Lincolnshire to attend meetings with district councils, partner agencies and young people in their homes or accommodation settings. A full driving licence and access to suitable transport is therefore essential.
  
  You will bring experience of leadership or management within services supporting vulnerable young people, alongside a strong understanding of housing, homelessness and safeguarding responsibilities.
You will be able to demonstrate:
• Experience of providing leadership, supervision and support to practitioners.
• Knowledge of homelessness legislation, housing pathways and accommodation options for young people.
• Experience of working with care experienced young people or other vulnerable groups.
• Strong partnership working skills and the ability to build effective relationships with a range of agencies.
• Confidence in representing and advocating for young people within multi-agency settings.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to promoting participation, rights-based practice and positive outcomes for care experienced young people., The role requires flexibility to meet service needs and may on occasion involve working outside of normal office hours, including evenings and weekends., In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
  
  At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work-life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth. Find out more about our offer to you here.