Job Introduction
In Sheltered Housing we promote independent living for residents but with the knowledge that someone is always on hand to give support and to be available to help in an emergency. Residents have their own tenancy agreement with Portsmouth City Council; therefore residents are able to live independently in their own accommodation but with some support available as needed.
Your new role
This role involves working as a mobile Sheltered Housing Support Officer (Scheme Manager) providing advice, guidance and practical support to residents across Category 1 sheltered housing schemes in Portsmouth. The focus is on helping residents maintain their independence while ensuring their safety and wellbeing. You will build relationships with tenants, welcome new residents, and act as a key point of contact—liaising with external partners such as health, social care and support agencies to ensure individuals receive the help they need.
You will be responsible for monitoring residents’ wellbeing, responding to incidents, maintaining accurate records, and updating support plans and risk assessments. The role also includes safeguarding responsibilities, promoting social activities, and ensuring schemes remain safe and secure.
You will need to be flexible and adaptable as you may be required to cover at other schemes at very short notice. You will be expected to become aware of the differences in schemes that you may cover and local practices in place. You will also need to be competent in handing over accurate information to the managers you have covered for.
Who is the person summary:
You will be a confident and compassionate individual with experience of working directly with people. You will have an understanding of the needs of older persons and the concerns they might have. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to build trust with residents, families and colleagues while working collaboratively with a range of partner agencies. Strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise workloads, and confidence in lone working are essential, alongside good IT and written skills to maintain accurate records and reports.
It is crucial that you are flexible, adaptable and able to use your own initiative to respond to a wide range of situations, including safeguarding concerns and resident wellbeing. As this is a mobile role supporting multiple schemes across the city, you must hold a valid driving licence and have access to a car, enabling travel between sites at short notice to deliver consistent, responsive support.
For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile attached below.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Additional Information
Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post.
We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be shortlisted.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your personal statement on the application.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board safer recruitment procedures.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
