Accommodation Support Worker

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Work Pattern: 24/7, 14 week rolling rota compromising of shift working, including Days, Evenings, Waking Nights and including bank holidays  

Contract Type: Full-Time,  Permanent

Additional Payments: 20% Flexibility payment 

Closing Date: 28 July 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm 

Interview Method: Face to Face. As part of the interview process the first 10 minutes of the allotted  interview time a scenario exercise will be shared with the candidate and they must handwrite their answer. This will then be shared with the recruitment team , who will then score the answer provided to the scenario along with scoring all other interview questions. 

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action

This role is subject to -

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

The Longford Centre provides high quality temporary accommodation and support for homeless singles and couples and can accommodate up to 45 citizens at any time.  The team support this client group of medium risk and support needs to help them get back on track and into safe and affordable longer-term accommodation.  We have various move on options that we utilise such as PRS, Manchester Move (Social housing), Dispersed and commissioned services. We complete referrals and use a system called Mas Gateway to ensure timely effective move-on.

 As an accommodation support worker your role will include direct work with the residents, completing support plan reviews, risk and need assessment, and sign posting. We also complete a booking in process when a resident moves in and help to set up Housing benefit and Universal Credit claims where necessary.    All staff are responsible for Health and Safety in the building, so this includes building checks, welfare checks, cleaning rooms and the building, ensuring it is tidy maintained and prevention of infection control.

In the evenings after 4pm and at weekends we operate an Out of Hours service, which provides emergency accommodation for the homeless. This involves working with the contact centre via Teams, and checking on systems such as HPA2 to determine if the citizen is deemed a priority need to be eligible for this service, and if so we accommodate until the following day when the citizen can be fully assessed by the council’s assessment team at Housing Solutions Service. We have various recording measures to complete as part of providing this service.

We keep a factual record keeping using various systems to be able to complete this role, such as a daybook, handover, diary and use systems to check information and produce case notes on Liquid Logic and Hpa2. There are various spreadsheets where information must be inputted to gather and retain information relevant to the role.

This role is part of a 14-week rolling rota and is staffed 24/7 on site, 7 days a week.  The shifts consist of days, evenings and waking nights. There are 4 covers weeks on the rota, and you will be required to work whatever shift is prioritised at the time. Shift work is crucial to the role and are non-negotiable as they are part of your contract and is why you receive a 20% increment on top of your Grade 5 salary.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who understands the problems faced by homeless people and is committed to providing a high-quality support service. The service is always expanding and changing so you will become a member of the team who is highly motivated to learn, develop and grow with the service. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a service that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives, so a forward-thinking, problem-solving mindset are great assets to possess.

Key skills that are required for the right candidate is to be an excellent communicator with empathic awareness for others, non-judgemental approach, and organisational and prioritisation will help in response to the needs of the team and its provision.

Professing competency in administrative skills is needed as Manchester City Council has several IT systems and secure email accounts that you will need to use on a day to day basis. An awareness of Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams and outlook will be useful in relation to the role that you are undertaking.

An ability to be resilient and to effectively be able to de-escalate is vital, especially in times of crisis and challenges that may present from time to time.  A warm friendly approach, whilst maintaining professional boundaries is crucial and a positive demeanour with a can-do attitude with a focus on solutions, is what a candidate who will work at the centre should demonstrate.

Commitment, passion and to have heart to the plight of others that potentially can be at one of the lowest parts of their life is crucial for the ideal candidate for the role. We provide a homely environment and want everyone in the centre to feel included and a part of the Longford Centre.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. 

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. 

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. 

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. 

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected]. 

What we will need from you if you’re successful 

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.  

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance:  BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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