Anyone working in social housing give me some advice please??

katehesk

Hi,

Bit of background info first. Graduated in 2005 with a degree in sociology.

Started a masters in social work in 2008 but quit after 4 months because it wasn't for me and various other reasons.

I am interested in working in social housing and eventually becoming a housing officer, but at present I'm working in restaurants as a waitress (been pushed for management, but I don't want to do it as been stuck in a loop for years in this industry and did hospitality management for 3 years after graduation)

What should my first move be?

I have ordered myself a text to get some real knowledge of the social housing sector and policy, and I've looked at some unrelated courses at the local college which I think might be transferrable (basic counselling skills and a course in MS excel).

I just don't know where to start because I feel that as I've been working as a waitress for an extended period recruiters are just not going to beinterested in me, and I am rubbish at bigging myself up.

I didn't really know where to start, but I use this forum for money saving so I thought here might be a starting point for advice.

Thank you in advance.

Kate.

eamon

Found this for you
http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-profile/social-work-jobs/housing-officer-job-description

sweetdaisy

katehesk wrote: »

I just don't know where to start because I feel that as I've been working as a waitress for an extended period recruiters are just not going to beinterested in me, and I am rubbish at bigging myself up.

Hi Kate

A good place to start is to do some voluntary work. You will find that the majority of people who work in housing, youth work, mental health, Social Care etc have all started out as volunteers somewhere down the line. I work in Social Housing and have done a range of voluntary work including: being a 'befriender' with people who have learning disabilities, worked as a volunteer with Victim Support, supported individuals with mental health/challenging behaviour etc.

I believe that it is my experience as a volunteer which has got me to where I am now, more than my degree in Sociology, as it has enabled me to gain experience and skills of working with a range of client groups. In my current role I am involved in recruiting new members of staff and interview them. Applicants who have voluntary/work experience are always looked upon more favourably than those who just have qualifications and no work experience as you need to have experience to work within this sector as you need to demonstrate good communication and people skills and be able to deal with challenging situations.

There are many voluntary organisations out there who you could apply to as a volunteer. Also, why not volunteer in a homeless hostel if you can, as this will give you a good insight into Social Housing and the different jobs/roles within housing.

Hope this helps

katehesk

sweetdaisy wrote: »

Hi Kate

A good place to start is to do some voluntary work. You will find that the majority of people who work in housing, youth work, mental health, Social Care etc have all started out as volunteers somewhere down the line. I work in Social Housing and have done a range of voluntary work including: being a 'befriender' with people who have learning disabilities, worked as a volunteer with Victim Support, supported individuals with mental health/challenging behaviour etc.

I believe that it is my experience as a volunteer which has got me to where I am now, more than my degree in Sociology, as it has enabled me to gain experience and skills of working with a range of client groups. In my current role I am involved in recruiting new members of staff and interview them. Applicants who have voluntary/work experience are always looked upon more favourably than those who just have qualifications and no work experience as you need to have experience to work within this sector as you need to demonstrate good communication and people skills and be able to deal with challenging situations.

There are many voluntary organisations out there who you could apply to as a volunteer. Also, why not volunteer in a homeless hostel if you can, as this will give you a good insight into Social Housing and the different jobs/roles within housing.

Hope this helps

It does help thank you!

I've worked as a befriender on a voluntary basis before, with older adults living in supported accom, with LD. And I also spent a month on social work placement in a similar setting.

I was looking at shelter for some voluntary work today actually, but I do have some contacts I could ask. A regular customer in work is the director of a women's homelessness charity and she has offered me paid work in the past, so I might be cheeky and ask her again about it, but on a voluntary basis.

Thanks for the advice. Most of it i already knew I suppose. It's just finding the time to do all of this (I'm 29, with a full time job with unsociable hours, and a mortgage - must pay bills too).

katehesk

eamon wrote: »

Found this for you
http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-profile/social-work-jobs/housing-officer-job-description

Brill, thank you!