From the frontline - Jo Ellis

Tell us about your job.

I manage a team of supported housing officers and floating support workers. We provide housing-related support to customers who have mental illnesses, learning disabilities or physical disabilities. We work with more than 100 people at any given time, making sure they are able to
live safely and sustain their tenancies.

What would you change about the sector?

I wish housing providers had greater funding security. I feel this could be achievable if there was a more strategic national approach to developing and funding supported housing.

Has our approach to dealing with mental illness changed?

Some of our schemes were developed following the closure of mental health institutions and the service we offer now is unrecognisable from that system. We work within the recovery model and support people to identify and achieve their own goals. Our customers can now hold their own tenancies, live as a part of their local community and feel empowered to make real choices about their lives.

What is the best thing about your job?

I collect lots of feedback from customers and I love it when they tell me what a positive difference our support has made. Sometimes this could be with something seemingly mundane, but the impact it has on that person’s life can be huge.

And the most challenging?

There are never enough hours in the day!

What does a good day look like?

I regularly try to shadow members of my team as it reminds me of the challenges frontline workers face and the things they achieve despite this.

How about a bad one?

Inevitably there are times when, despite our best efforts, we are unable to support an individual to maintain their tenancy and we have to go through the eviction process. This doesn’t ever get easier.

What’s the first thing you would do if you became prime minister?

I would prioritise tackling the housing shortage by increasing the supply of social rented housing, while compelling the private rented sector to house people in decent and affordable homes.

What would be your superpower and why? 

Superhuman speed so I can improve my Parkrun personal best.