Making a difference to our Community

Housing Manager

Salary: £39,915 - £46,454

Grade: EVH Grade 8/9

Closing date: 10am on Monday 15th February 2021

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Housing Manager following the successful promotion of our previous Housing Manager to Director of our organisation.

This is a very exciting time for Easthall Park. We have always defined ourselves as being more than a landlord. We aim to continue making a difference every day within our community. If this interests you and you have the necessary skills, experience and knowledge we want to hear from you.

We are a community-controlled housing Co-operative based in Easterhouse, Glasgow and presently own and manage 748 homes.

The Co-operative has historically defined itself as more than a housing provider, delivering a wide range of social and welfare activities vital to our local community. Accordingly, our organisational purpose is “making a difference to our community”.

As Housing Manager, you will have a key role within the organisation and be an active member of the Senior Management Team. You will be the driving force for our values and objectives; delivering a first class housing management service that meets the needs and aspirations of our residents and customers.

We wish to recruit an enthusiastic and flexible Housing Manager that is willing to go the extra mile and will lead by example. You must be able to fulfill a demanding but highly rewarding role.

You will have significant knowledge of housing issues, legislation, regulation and financial operation. In addition you must be a strategic thinking with strong decision making skills.

In return, we believe you will find this role extremely rewarding and make a real difference to people’s lives.

Key facts:

Our 2019 resident’s survey indicated 90% of tenants were satisfied overall with services with 91% of people feeling we have achieved our mission statement of “making a difference to our community”, 94% satisfaction with the quality of customer care provided and 90% of tenants indicated satisfaction with the quality of their home.

We have received external accreditation for our work and over the last 6 years and have received the following recognition:

· Investors in People Platinum Awarded 2019 - 2022

· Not for Profit Employer of the Year 2017 – Business Insider Scotland’s Best Employer Awards

· Investors in People Platinum Awarded 2016 - 2019

· Scottish Home Award Finalist Housing Association of the Year - Under 2,000 Units 2016

· Housing Excellence Awards Social Landlord of the Year – Small 2015

· Finalist Chartered Institute of Housing and Inside Housing UK Outstanding Landlord of the Year 2015

· Investors in Young People Good Practice Award

· European Foundation of Quality Management, “Recognised for Excellence” 2014 - 3 Star Award

· TPAS Best Practice in Involving all Award – Young People 2014

· Finalist Sotland’s Best Employers 2014 Youth Investment Award – Highly Commended

· Chartered Institute of Housing and Inside Housing UK small landlord of the year 2013

· We have a partnership agreement with Easthall Residents Association to support the delivery of our community development objectives

Our organisational purpose is “making a difference to our community”.

As a business, we passionately believe excellent performance and the ability to achieve our purpose is predicated on staff growth and development. Accordingly, as an employer we place a high value on continuous professional development.

We feel this is an excellent opportunity to have a positive impact by “making a difference to our community” and working in an environment that is focused on fulfilling career aspirations.

The post holder will have responsibility for developing and supporting members of our community to enhance their skills and support them achieve their employability prospects.

We are looking for a candidate with relevant experience in the employability sector. You will have a positive and professional attitude and commitment to help deliver the service for our tenants and our community.

We feel this is a rewarding innovative post that offers an attractive and competitive employment package for the right candidate.

Completed application forms and accompanying information should be returned to recruitment@easthallpark.org.uk or by post to Easthall Park Housing Co-operative, The Glenburn Centre, 6 Glenburnie Place, Glasgow G34 9AN.

Please mark confidential, FAO the Director if returning by post. Applications should be returned no later by 10am Monday 15th February 2021.

Successful applicants will be notified b email or called to arrange an interview time slot.

All applicants are expected to complete the application form and CV’s will not be accepted.

Employers in Voluntary Housing conditions apply. Easthall Park is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

Our organisational values demonstrate what we stand for, what defines our business.

These are the actions and behaviours that underpin how we “make a difference to our community”.

People Focused

We passionately believe its people that define what we do, that ensure we make a difference - we are committed to supporting the continual growth and development of our people to deliver strong and effective governance and excellent services

Excellent Customer Services

We aim to connect with our customers, understanding customer need and deliver the quality and range of services that exceed expectations.

Equality & Fairness

We will be open and transparent in what we do, demonstrating fairness and integrity in decision making, being committed to supporting people achieve equality of opportunity regardless of background

Community Focused

We are an integral part of the community and we aim to meet the diverse needs of local people and develop and maintain a strong and vibrant neighbourhood

Summary of Main Conditions of Employment for

Housing Manager

Easthall Park Housing Co-operative is a member of Employers in Voluntary Housing (EVH) and the terms and conditions for this post follow the EVH terms. A summary of the principal areas are as follows:

Salary Scale

The salary scale for this post is currently £39,915 - £46,454. Salary is paid by direct credit transfer monthly normally on last Friday of each month.

Contract Type

Permanent post, 35 hours per week.

Hours of Work

Normal hours of work are 35 per week, worked over 5 days, exclusive of lunch break. From time to time you may be required to work occasional public holidays and/or work out with and in excess of normal working hours will be required. You will be compensated for working any such hours. Flexible working practices implemented throughout business.

Holiday Entitlement

Generous holiday entitlement. For full time members of staff - 25 working days Annual Leave plus 15 days general and public holidays.

Normal Place of Work

6 Glenburnie Place, G34 9AN

Pensions

The Co-operative is a member of The Scottish Housing Associations Pension Scheme administered by the Pensions Trust.

Other Information

The Co-operative has onsite car parking, and cars can be parked locally.

This summary is for the general guidance of applicants and will not form part of the contract of employment.

Guidance Notes for Applicants on Filling in the Application Form

Please read these notes carefully – they are to help you make the best of your application

1. The form should be completed in electronic format, black ink or black ballpoint pen for photocopying purposes.

2. Completion of the Equal Opportunities form is optional and should you wish to complete please return separately from the application.

3. Please do not send in your Curriculum Vitae.

4. One of your references should be your present or most recent employer. If you have not been employed or have been out of employment for a long time, you may wish to give the name of someone who knows you sufficiently well to confirm the information you have given and to comment on your ability to do the job. Please note that referees may be contacted prior to interview unless candidates indicate otherwise on the appropriate part of the Application Form.

5. The enclosed person specification lists the minimum, essential and desirable requirements for this post. When short listing for interview, the selection panel will only consider the information contained in your application form and assess this against the Person Specification.

6. It is not the responsibility of the Selection panel to make assumptions about the nature of the work you have done from a list of job titles. It is therefore important that you use the space provided to detail your experience and skills. Neither is it enough for you just to state that you meet the requirements, you must demonstrate this to the panel.

7. If you are short listed for interview, the Selection Panel will wish to discuss the areas covered in the returned application and how you meet the person specification in more detail

8. If you are related to any members of staff, management committee members, consultants, contractors or suppliers to the Co-operative – this should be clearly shown on the relevant part of the form. This will not necessarily be detrimental to your application.

9. Return completed forms to recruitment@easthallpark.org.uk or by post to Easthall Park Housing Co-operative Ltd, Glenburn Centre, 6 Glenburnie Place, Easthall, Glasgow G34 9AN no later than: 10am Monday 15th February 2021.

10. It is a criminal offence for Easthall Park or any company to knowingly employ a person who does not have the right to work in the UK. You will be asked to produce documentation which evidences your right at the interview stage. Offers of employment will not be made until this is established. For more details refer to the document Information for Applicants, Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

11. If you do not hear from us by 23rd February 2021 then your application has not been short listed for interview. Normally, we would endeavour to advise applicants directly even if they have not been invited for interview, however as we anticipate a high interest in this position it might not be practical to contact everyone directly.

12. If you are not invited for an interview and would appreciate feedback as to why this was the case you are welcome to contact us after the 8th March 2021. If not selected for interview can we thank you for your interest in the post and we wish you well in your future career prospects.

Information for Applicants

Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

From 29th February 2008, employers must ask prospective employees to provide specific documents to ensure that you are entitled to work in the UK. It is a criminal offence for employers to employ someone without this right. If you are short-listed for interview you will be asked to provide relevant documents from the following lists before any job offer can be made.

LIST A – Establishes an ongoing entitlement to work in the UK.

1. A passport showing that the holder, or a person named in the passport as the child of the holder, is a British citizen or a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies having the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

2. A passport or national identity card showing that the holder, or a person named in the passport as the child of the holder, is a national of the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

3. A residence permit, registration certificate or document certifying or indicating permanent residence issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.

4. A Permanent residence card issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to the family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.

5. A Biometric Immigration Document issued by the Border and Immigration Agency to the holder which indicates that the person named in it is allowed to stay indefinitely in the United Kingdom, or has no times limit on their stay in the United Kingdom.

6. A passport or other travel document endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the United Kingdom, has the right of abode in the United Kingdom, or has no time limit on their stay in the United Kingdom.

7. An Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the person named in it is allowed to stay indefinitely in the United Kingdom or has no time limit on their stay in the United Kingdom, when produced in the combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

8. A full birth certificate issued in the United Kingdom which includes the name(s) of at least one of the holders parents, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

9. A full adoption certificate issued in the United Kingdom which includes the name(s) of at least one of the holder’s adoptive parents, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

10. A birth certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

11. An adoption certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

12. A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British Citizen, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer

13. A letter issued by the Home Office or Border and Immigration Agency to the holder which indicates that the person named in it is allowed to stay indefinitely in the United Kingdom when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer

LIST B – indicates restrictions on the entitlement to work in the UK.

1. A passport or travel document endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom and is allowed to do the type of work in question, provided that it does not require the issue of a work permit.

2. A Biometric Immigration Document issued by the Border and Immigration Agency to the holder which indicates that the person named in it can stay in the United Kingdom and is allowed to do the work in the question.

3. A work permit or other approval to take employment issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency when produced in combination with either a passport or another travel document endorsed to show the holder is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom and is allowed to do the work in question, or a letter issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to the holder or the employer or prospective employer confirming the same.

4. A certificate of application issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to or for a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take employment which is less than 6 months old when produced in combination with evidence of verification by the Border and Immigration Agency Employer Checking Service.

5. A residence card or document issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.

6. An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency stating that the holder is permitted to take employment, when produced in combination with evidence of verification by the Border and Immigration Agency Employer Checking Service.

7. An Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the person named in it can stay in the United Kingdom, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

8. A letter issued by the Home Office or the Border and Immigration Agency to the holder or the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the person named in it can stay in the United Kingdom and is allowed to do the work in question when produced in combination with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance Number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

Job Title:Housing Manager

Grade: EVH 8-9 (PA28 – SM3)

Salary:PA28 £39,915 – SM3 £46,454 (20/21)

Accountable to:Director

Main Objectives of Post

To provide strong leadership and support the delivery of an engaged employee culture

Deputise for the Director in her absence

To lead the delivery of a responsive and continuously improving housing management service

To ensure that Easthall Park Co-operative meets the objectives set out within the strategic plan and directly accountable for the success of “excellent housing services” objective

To manage and co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of the housing management service

To ensure adherence to the requirements of the Scottish Social Housing Charter and achieve excellent outcomes and standards

To ensure effective administration and adherence of the Co-operative policies and practices – allocations, rent, asb, etc.

To lead policy making and establishment of the foundations that can improve performance

To be an active member of the Senior Management Team

To generate new ideas and ways of working

To maintain effective partnership working through internal and external communication

Accountability

Directly responsible to Director on a daily basis

Accountable to Management Committee through Director

Responsible for supervising and overseeing work of all Housing Management staff including Housing Officers, Housing Assistants, Welfare Rights Assistant and Receptionist/Clerical Assistants

Principal Duties

Committee reporting

Co-ordinate the preparation of all housing management reports to be presented to Management Committee

Provide support when appropriate to the audit and finance committee and any other relevant sub-committees.

Support the delivery of the annual committee training plan

Statutory, Regulation and Policy

To advise the Director of current statutory requirements, legal obligations and good practice in relation to all Housing Management functions and implement accordingly

Finance and Value for money

Responsible for control and monitoring of Housing Management budgets (including training budgets)

Support the review of the annual budgets, financial forecast and rent setting including factoring charges for owners

Rent management

Develop and deliver the outcomes of the welfare reform strategy

Ensure all staff trained on relevant policies and procedures and ensure successful implementation

Supervise all arrears cases with Housing Officers and Housing Assistants on a regular basis

Supervise and co-ordinate former tenant arrears practices

Develop productive relationships with external agencies such as DWP, GCC, Housing Benefit, Homeless etc

Lead review of rent and service charges including factoring charges annually

Estate management

Ensure effective implementation of Co-operative’s estate management policies and procedures

ASB and neighbour relations

Ensure implementation of policy and procedural timescales met

Lead policy and procedure reviews as and when required

Liaise with Police Scotland on disclosure and information sharing in accordance with relevant protocols

Allocations

Ensure effective implementation of policy and administration of Common Housing Register (or its successor)

Monitor annual review of application forms

Monitor Section 5 administration in accordance with relevant protocols

Undertake any other relevant allocation work as instructed by the Director

Void Management

Ensure effective liaison with Maintenance staff to ensure void properties re-let quickly and in accordance with standards

Ensure appropriate procedures – sign up procedure, new tenant visit etc. - to provide the right quality of advice, support and information to achieve sustainable tenancies

Resident Engagement and Equal Opportunities

Lead the implementation of the tenant participation and equal opportunities policy and strategy.

To ensure completion of resident satisfaction survey (normally every two years), communicate its findings internally and externally and develop an action plan

Implement and develop resident engagement strategy and action plan

Oversee residents’ panel and co-ordinate distribution of charter report and newsletter

Oversee the development and upgrade of website and monitor the impact of social media

Tenancy Administration

Ensure effective administration of legal responsibilities set out relevant legislation. For instance, this would include sub-letting, lodgers, assignations, successions, abandonments etc.

Complaint Management

Ensure adherence of the Scottish Public Sector complaints model and provide monitoring reports to the Senior Management Team and committee as relevant

Risk Management

Support the development of an effective risk register to control and manage risk and mitigate any adverse effects to the Co-operative

Quality Management

Assist the Director in the implementation and the further integration of the principles set out within Quality Management Frameworks and any other relevant management frameworks introduced

Assist the Director with achieving recognition from external organisations

General duties

Demonstrate and take account for the successful delivery of the strategic objectives

Identify and advise of changes to legislation, regulation that impact on housing management function

Ensure effective collaboration and co-operation between departments

Ensure collection of data to demonstrate compliance with Scottish Social Housing Charter

Lead review of SDM and any other IT systems to ensure systems developed to full potential

Lead any review of housing management services and policies

Represent Easthall Park at appropriate housing forums and ensure good productive relationships are formed

Identify housing management training and development requirements and co-ordinate learning plans

Carry out annual reviews with all housing management staff and other relevant staff as required

Requirement to work out with normal business hours as determined by the Director and the needs of the business

Support the development of the strategic relationship with Easthall Residents Association

To carry out any relevant duties at the request of the Director

Competencies

Organisational Awareness:

Understands the broader picture, aware of the direction the Co-operative wishes to take and supportive of our strategic priorities.

Communicating Effectively

Communicates appropriately, openly and effectively with colleagues and customers.

Effective Team Working

Works positively with all colleagues both inside and outside the team. Looks beyond the boundaries of own job to support others, sharing knowledge and contributing to a positive team spirit.

Developing Yourself

Demonstrates a positive attitude to change and contributes to new ideas and improved ways of working. Looks to continually improve self and service.

Delivering Customer Excellence

Maintains a professional approach and presents a positive image to internal and external people when representing self, service and the Co-operative. Makes every effort to ensure the experience customers have of the Co-operative is positive and productive.

Planning, Organising and Achieving Success

. Takes a logical approach to work, prioritising tasks effectively, and consistently meets deadlines in order to provide an excellent service.

Demonstrating Professional Values

Acts professionally at all times and demonstrates honesty, integrity and respect.