Involvement Officer – Plymouth, Shelter

Do you have experience of working with people with social welfare issues and an understanding of social exclusion and the issues faced by people affected by homelessness? Then join Shelter as Involvement Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role at the heart of our Involvement team.

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

Our Involvement Team’s aim is to ensure that the views of those affected by the housing emergency shape and influence all of Shelter’s work. Clients, and people with lived experience are involved in a range of different ways, through forums and events in local communities, sharing their story as part of campaigns, and speaking out about the issues that affect them. This helps ensure that our services and campaigns are developed alongside local communities and help to effect local and national change.

Developing an involvement programme for the Plymouth Hub that’s aligned to local community priorities and supports systems change will be just one of your challenges. We’ll also rely on you to plan and deliver regular involvement activities, contribute to planning activities and meet agreed KPIs. Supporting culture change around involvement, promoting opportunities to involve people with lived experience across Shelter’s work, sharing best practice and developing associated involvement resources are all important aspects of the role too. And, when it comes to providing ongoing support, guidance coaching and development to the people involved, ensuring opportunities for regular feedback and that any wellbeing or safeguarding concerns are managed in line with organisational processes, again, we’ll count on you.

Used to working with people with lived experience to help them share their experiences and stories, you have a proven ability to plan and co-ordinate involvement activities that support and encourage them to get involved in Shelter’s Work. What’s more, you’re great at developing successful relationships within a large organisation, as well as with external agencies and professionals. Presenting information and writing reports comes naturally to you too, plus you’re adept at using a range of IT tools to carry out your work, including case management systems, Microsoft Office applications, internet, email and online meetings. An inclusive and open mindset is also required, together with a collaborative approach, openness to risk and a willingness to be reflective and give and receive feedback and learn from successes and failures alike.

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.