Tenancy Sustainment Officer

Job Description: Tenancy Sustainment Officer

Responsible To: Tenancy Sustainment Team Leader

Location: Cork

Contract: Full Time Fixed Term Maternity Cover (Hybrid)

Job summary

The Tenancy Sustainment Officer provides holistic, person centred support to tenants who are vulnerable, at risk of tenancy failure, or experiencing complex social and wellbeing challenges. Using trauma informed and strengths-based approaches, the role focuses on helping tenants maintain safe, secure, and sustainable homes while improving independence and overall quality of life.

The postholder will work closely with internal housing teams, statutory agencies, social care, mental health services, and community partners to address a broad range of support needs, including mental health, domestic abuse, financial hardship, and safeguarding concerns.

Key Responsibilities

Practical Tenancy Related Support

• Assist tenants with budgeting, benefit applications, income maximisation, managing rent arrears and accessing specialised support services as required.
• Work closely with Income Collection Team to minimise arrears particularly due to affordability and budgeting issues which can include no take up of benefits, overpayments and sanctions and focusing on priority debts.
• Help tenants access furniture, food support, grants, and essential household items when needed.
• Support new tenants during the settlingin period and those transitioning from homelessness or temporary accommodation.

Tenancy Support & Case Management

• Provide tailored onetoone support to tenants with complex needs to help them sustain their tenancy and reduce the risk of eviction.
• Carry out comprehensive support assessments covering social, emotional, financial, and environmental factors.
• Develop support plans and regularly review progress with tenants and partner agencies.
• Support tenants experiencing issues such as hoarding, rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, and difficulties managing daytoday tasks.

TraumaInformed & Social Care-Focused Practice

• Use a traumainformed approach to understand the impact of past trauma, abuse, or adverse life experiences on tenants' wellbeing and housing stability.
• Build relationships based on trust, respect, empowerment, and emotional safety.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

• Support tenants experiencing a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, selfneglect, and crisis situations.
• Liaise with mental health professionals, crisis teams, GPs, and community wellbeing services to ensure tenants receive timely and appropriate interventions.
• Recognise early warning signs and work proactively to prevent mentalhealthrelated tenancy breakdown.

Domestic Abuse & Safeguarding

• Identify and respond appropriately to concerns relating to domestic abuse, coercive control, child protection, and adult safeguarding.
• Complete risk assessments, raise safeguarding referrals where necessary, and contribute to multiagency meetings.

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with social workers, health professionals, community groups, support agencies, and voluntary organisations.
• Build strong networks to improve service pathways for tenants.

Recording, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate case notes, risk assessments, and support plans in line with organisational policies.
• Track outcomes and measure the impact of support interventions.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Background in housing, social care, support work, mental health services, or community support roles.
• Experience supporting people with complex needs such as trauma, domestic abuse, addictions, hoarding, or mental health conditions.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritise risk, and work calmly in crisis situations.
• Traumainformed, empathetic, and nonjudgemental approach to support.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of housing law, social welfare benefits, and tenancy management.
• Experience working with multiagency partnerships and statutory services.
• Training in mental health first aid, domestic abuse awareness, or traumainformed practice.

Health and Safety Responsibility

• To conduct all activities in a manner which is safe to yourself and others.
• To be aware and to act in accordance with the Association's Health and Safety Policy.
• Ensure all appropriate health and safety risk assessments are in place and making sure colleagues are aware of and adhere to any specific instructions and use personal protective equipment where required.
• Ensure that team members are aware of any risks associated with their role, adhere to any specific instructions, and use personal protective equipment where required.