A week in the life of… a supported housing officer

Tuesday

I start even earlier today. I switch my phone on, as I’m expecting a call from a gas engineer who may have problems gaining access to the home of a resident living alone in a supported flat. The engineer needs to carry out a gas service.

With no care provider on site, access can be hit and miss. Within minutes of my phone ringing, I receive a call to attend. This resident is identified as vulnerable so I complete the school run and make my way to the property.

The resident is not home, but I know him very well so after a search I’m able to find him nearby. Once he is located, the gas engineer carries out his service while I chat to the resident.

We talk about the upcoming Easter holidays; he tells me he’s bought himself a couple of Easter eggs. Surprisingly, today he leads our conversation on to the clean-up operation his care co-ordinator has planned with us for after Easter. All this before 9am. As soon as the gas service is complete, I make my way to the office for duty cover.

After lunch I meet with our grounds supervisor to review some planned works and estate improvements. I’m hoping to receive some good news about funding, so we can undertake a project with our community engagement officer.

Wednesday

Wednesday is ‘corporate day’ in the office, so all Housing Solutions’ staff are in. I start off my day turning up at desks. My colleagues are always happy to see me!

I spend the first part of the morning catching up with colleagues on important projects and then logging communications and dealing with another vulnerable resident. I speak with several professionals to assess the resident’s situation and how best we can support him. It’s important that I read and log each contact.

After lunch I set off to do a site inspection. I meet with the supported manager on site, check their compliance paperwork, have a wander around and meet with a resident who is expecting me.

To ensure that the property is well maintained and cared for, I conduct a flat check using an app on my work phone. Once completed, I head over to the communal lounge for the resident meeting/drop-in session. Residents are encouraged to have a chat with me about anything. Some are housing related, but I am prepared for those that are not.

Thursday

This morning I have to carry out an assessment for housing with a potential resident for much-needed accommodation. Her parents and care co-ordinator will be present at the family home.

I have another read of her support plan. Some questions are sensitive, so before I attend, I share a copy of our assessment form with her care co-ordinator so I can complete some of the form before I set off.

I stop for lunch at the nearby KFC and eat it in my car before a quick stroll in the hope that I have burnt off some of those delicious calories.

I head off for another site inspection in the afternoon. I will have to find a quiet room on site at 4pm so I can join a Teams meeting with colleagues.

Friday

I usually leave Fridays free to do admin and check that I’ve responded to all emails and logged all resident communications. I start my day reviewing the site inspections I carried out throughout the week and check that all the appropriate pictures have been attached.

This afternoon I have another assessment meeting but this time it will be held at a local mental health facility. This is going to be a complex case who is in need of suitable supported accommodation.

I decide to bring in my manager for a second opinion. I previously checked with the psychiatric nurse that I can bring along my male manager to this assessment as this could be a trigger for the young person.

I found this an incredibly challenging meeting and quite emotional, as this person is the same age as my daughter, who is 19. I am part of a close-knit team, and we try to bolster and help each other.

Following the meeting I received a reassuring message from my manager commending me for how I managed the sensitivities of everyone in the meeting. I really appreciated his acknowledgement and support. 

As the week draws to a close, I like to take some time for self-reflection and review what I have learned as well as what I could do differently (and better) in the future. I look forward to spending a quiet evening at home.