As the charitable subsidiary of West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA), Willowacre Trust’s overarching aim is to tackle social and economic disadvantage and impact on tenancy sustainment within the communities served by WSHA. We want a staff team and Board that shares our values and puts customers at the centre of service delivery

Willowacre Trust are looking for new Advice Officer – Energy who share our values and will use them to guide the way they work on a daily basis.

At WSHA, we pride ourselves on being more than just a landlord. With over 60 years of history and more than 4,500 homes across the West of Scotland, our mission is to listen, adapt, and improve the lives of our customers.

Our values - respect, inclusive, integrity, improvement and support - guide everything we do.

We’re also proud of our people:

• 84% of staff say WSHA is a great place to work
• 40 days annual leave, plus hybrid flexibility
• Investors in People Gold accreditation, reflecting our dedication to wellbeing
• Free access to a comprehensive Employee Support Service
• Healthcare plan for you and your family
• Cycle to work scheme and secure bike storage
• Free flu jags and annual health checks

About the Role

The Advice Officer – Energy will offer support to people in need of energy advice who are residing in the communities served by WSHA. The Advice Worker – Energy plays an integral role in our offer of support and will be expected to embrace a holistic approach to supporting customers. This support aims to positively impact the capacity of individuals and households by assisting them to sustain their home through the provision of practical, accessible and person-centred energy advice services.

This approach focuses on prevention and early intervention by helping customers to reduce fuel poverty, understand and manage household energy use, access appropriate tariffs and payment options, improve confidence in dealing with suppliers, and connect to wider support including income maximisation, debt advice and hardship funding where appropriate

You will play a key role in:

• Providing energy advice services to people individually and in group settings through home visits, accessible community settings, digital platforms, information events, office appointments and telephone enquiries
• Supporting customers to understand energy bills, compare tariffs, consider switching suppliers where appropriate, and make informed choices about safe and affordable energy options.
• Support vulnerable households to better understand and manage household energy systems and appliances, including heating controls, thermostats, boiler programming, meter issues and condensation, helping them to maintain a safe, warm and energy-efficient home
• Maximising customer income and household resilience by identifying and applying for grant funding to provide energy vouchers, funds towards energy bills and funds to help clear energy debt.

About You

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly, accurately and sensitively
• Good IT skills including Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, Teams and case recording or database systems such as Advice Pro
• Experience of delivering energy advice, information, guidance and support directly to customers individually and in group settings
• Experience of working with individuals to develop outcomes-based support plans which promote household resilience, reduce fuel poverty and support wellbeing
• Knowledge and understanding of energy bills, metering, tariffs, supplier switching and available grants, rebates and wider assistance schemes

Inclusive Employer

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and particularly encourage candidates from disabled, Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident organisation and guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

To share the Board’s collective responsibility for the effective governance of St Joseph’s Homes, setting its strategic direction and major policies in accordance with the charities objects, vision, mission and Vincentian Values. To be fully engaged with the ethos of St Joseph’s Homes and support the development and future growth and sustainability of the organisation.

Specific Duties:

Leadership and Strategic Direction

• To ensure St Joseph’s Homes strategic direction, policies and objectives are clearly established and kept under review, maintaining effective communication with the Chief Executive.
• To discuss and approve the charity’s annual plan and budget, ensuring that these are formulated within a sound and viable financial framework.
• To establish a property portfolio that meets the needs of the people who live in the houses and remains sustainable financially viable.
• To consider the views of and listen to the people St Joseph’s Services supports when planning and setting strategic direction and activity.
• To bring fresh thinking and ideas to the Trustees discussion, enhancing the boards effectiveness and St Joseph’s ability to deliver its charitable Homes.

Ensuring Policies and Procedures are in keeping with St Joseph’s aims and objectives

• To ensure robust and comprehensive policies and procedures are in place which meet the charity objectives and safeguard the people living in the accommodation, staff and the organisation.

Safeguarding Ethos and Values

• Safeguarding and promotion of the Vincentian Ethos and the particular Vincentian Values of the organisation.

Ensuring Best Practice

• To fulfil the Trustee’s legal and financial responsibilities – ensuring risk and compliance is appropriately managed.
• To purchase suitable properties – based upon the needs of the people requiring accommodation.
• At all times to ensure the financial viability of any potential purchase.
• To ensure that any property is affordable for the tenants.
• To maintain partnership and good relations with the Chief Executive, staff members and the people we accommodate.
• To be an active member of the Board and as appropriate, any of its Sub-Committees and Working Groups
• To ensure St Joseph’s Homes complies with all appropriate regulatory and statutory bodies: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and Companies House.
• To monitor Health and Safety compliance, ensuring the properties are well maintained and meet all relevant statutory requirements ensuring staff members, volunteers and People we support live and work in a safe and healthy environment.

Commitment:

Four Trustee meetings are held annually. Trustees may also be asked to chair / sit on organisational sub-committees.

Meetings are held in St Joseph’s Homes Head Office, in Rosewell, Midlothian. These meetings are conducted in hybrid fashion: you may choose to join either in person or by video call.

Person Specification:

• A commitment providing homes to Adults with a Learning Disability
• A knowledge or understanding of property
• A commitment to improving the lives of people with a Learning Disability.
• A strong commitment to the vision and mission of St Joseph’s Homes
• Support the upholding of St Joseph’s Homes Christian Principles and Vincentian Philosophy and Values.
• Ability to think and act strategically, using your expertise, skills and knowledge to help our own team deliver this growth.
• Good independent judgement and the ability to communicate effectively with others
• Ability to forge effective relationships with stakeholders internally and externally to further the organisations strategy.
• Knowledge / Experience of the Third Sector
• Ability to devote sufficient time to St Joseph’s Homes
• Willingness to attend events in support of St Joseph’s Homes
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trusteeship.

About us

Established in 2020 St Joseph’s Homes exists to purchase suitable homes for Adults with a Learning Disability. St Joseph’s Homes is a charity registered in Scotland, private limited company and is a subsidiary of St Joseph’s Services. St Joseph’s Services have supported people in Midlothian and Edinburgh since 1924, over recent years they have struggled to access suitable properties for the people that they support as there is a shortage of accessible accommodation. St Joseph’s Homes exists to ensure that adults with a Learning Disability are able to live in a property that meets their needs, we believe everyone should have a home.

Are you passionate about providing great customer service for our tenants, helping our tenants to maximise their income and sustain their home?

Waverley Housing is a leading provider of quality, affordable homes and services in the Scottish Borders and our vision is to create great communities to live in.

We are looking for a professional, enthusiastic, motivated and customer focussed Tenant Income Maximisation Adviser to join our Housing and Customer Services Team.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with tenants, colleagues, and the partners we work with. While making a tangible difference to helping to maximise the income of tenants, ensuring they can afford to heat their home efficiently and to work together within our communities to tackle both in work and out of work poverty.

At Waverley Housing, we believe in flexible, modern ways of working and we offer hybrid working arrangements. Although this role will require travel to and from our communities, you will have the ability to do this from the office base, at a minimum of two days per week, or remotely.

Current use of a pool car and occasional requirement for own vehicle.