Advocacy and Tribunal Officer

I’M IN! Advocacy & Tribunal Officer

Ayr Housing Aid Centre are a registered Charity established in 1986 (now SCIO) accredited to provide Type III Free, Independent Housing Information, Advice, Advocacy plus Care Inspectorate regulated Tenure Sustainment Services. We work with vulnerable service users with our main aim to alleviate poverty and delay/prevent homeless where possible while encouraging and empowering rights and responsibilities. This particular post covers Private Rented Tenants facing homelessness across East and South Ayrshire areas.

The I’M IN! SeAscape and AHAC collaboration was established in 2021 promoting effective referral partnerships identifying risk of homelessness to promote early intervention. 2024-25 provides exciting partnership of funders (Scottish Government with East and South Ayrshire Councils) enabling I’M IN! to develop through providing Tribunal Advice, Representation and negotiation along with dedicated Housing Support to empower private rented tenants faced with eviction through the complete process to delay and where possible prevent ejections while longer term housing solutions are secured to meet their needs, aspirations and expectations, see additional info provided in pack.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with a passion for social justice, keen to improve mental health through reduce homelessness and alleviating poverty. Reporting to the Advice & Advocacy Team Leader you will work with the other Tribunal Officer and Centre staff to provide a Type III Advocacy and Tribunal Advice and Representation service to private rented tenants at risk of homelessness within East and South Ayrshire areas. Detailed legislative and housing knowledge is required to advocate with Landlords and third parties to facilitate homeless prevention or delays in ejection to allow suitable alternatives to be secured. Compliance with the Scottish National Standards on Housing Information and Advice and confidence in representing at Tribunal Hearings is essential for this post. Due to the nature of this post homeworking is available although flexibility is required to attend meetings with tenants, Tribunal management discussions, evidential hearings, I’M IN! partners and other parties. People accessing this service will be offered SeAscape I’M IN! Housing Support to provide a holistic wraparound service to support them through the process.

Applications are welcomed from those with experience of working in a Housing Advice or appropriate Private Rented Sector although full training will be given if required. This post is funded through the Scottish Government so is a fixed contract to 31.3.25. I’M IN! funding has previously been awarded since 2021 and will continue to seek funding thereafter.

Benefits:

• Extremely rewarding job being part of a small friendly team helping those in housing need
• Well established and respected, accredited Charity
• Part of a existing collaboration of agencies and funders
• 10% employer contribution to Nest Pension Scheme
• 30 days holiday per year pro-rata based on a 5-day week
• Real Living Wage Scotland, Disability Confident, Care Inspectorate and National Standards Accredited Employer

How to apply:- Please provide your CV along with a supporting statement outlining why you feel your are the best candidate for this specific post along with information about how your key knowledge and skills match with the job spec. Full information can be found within our application Pack on the website: www.ayrhousingaidcentre.com/vacancies/

CV along with a supporting statement should be e-mailed to recruitment@ayrhousingaidcentre.com before closing date: Thursday 16.5.24 at 12 noon.

We will notify successful candidates no later than 4pm on Monday 20.5.24 for interview on Friday 24.5.24.

If you do not hear from us by 21.5.24 you have not been selected for interview