Blog by Supported Housing Officer Louise

“When I first started working in health and social care, I was involved in transitioning people into the community from a long-term hospital in Buckinghamshire which was closing. I was only 18 years old - it was my first job with a great deal of responsibility. I worked alongside my mum who had been a nurse at the hospital. I’d had some experience volunteering with children with special needs when I was younger, too. I brought all this experience and knowledge to my role with RWP.

A key part of my job as a housing officer is signing up new tenancies. It varies day to day depending on the individual tenant, for example I’ve experienced quite swift sign-ups due to emergency placements. My more recent tenant sign-ups have been fantastic! I’ve seen young adults transition from children’s services into adult social care, so that they have their own tenancies and their first homes. It’s been so uplifting to give young adults new housing opportunities.

There was one 18-year-old tenant who I won’t forget in Essex; he was so appreciative and kept thanking me for his first home. The property had previously been a long-term void (empty), so when we opened it back up again to tenants, it was allocated to rehouse younger people. We had two sign-ups in the space of a month and then another lady joined. It is just wonderful to have a proper setting for young people who are all of a similar age and interests.

Like all my housing officer colleagues, I have a large patch to cover which is Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Sutton, Milton Keynes, Slough and Hampshire. I look after six large flat schemes, as well as about 80 properties. It takes around an hour and a half to inspect a property when I carry out our annual visits. I’m inspecting repairs and any damage externally and internally, carrying out compliance checks, as well as making sure the white goods are fit for purpose. I also check any specialist equipment and update our systems if necessary.

I also meet with the support staff and discuss void rooms, if there are any, and how they are going to be filled. I make sure I check in with tenants, too, so they know who I am. It’s important to maintain good relationships with support providers - you need really good communication, as well as a good understanding of the tenants’ needs.

I don't think people realise that tenants who are sharing a property have that one bedroom that they regard as their home. Often it’s the only thing they have control over in their lives and that one room is their sacred space. Sometimes when I go on site visits, tenants want to show me their bedrooms because they are so chuffed with them!

I try to give every tenant a personalised approach from the initial sign-up to how I continue to manage that property. For this job, you need a lot of compassion and empathy.”