Nicola F.
About me
| Nicola F. | |
| Social Policy and Social Work | |
| Social Policy | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Goodricke | |
| 2002 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Housing Needs Service Manager | |
| Local authority | |
| United Kingdom |
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A day in the life of a Housing Needs Service Manager in the United Kingdom
Don't be afraid to try new ways of working
My career goals when I graduated
To be a policy officer
My career history
I started as a Housing receptionist at the local Council and have often been achieving the level above my grade. this has helped with a quick progression. I am now managing the service and have expanded it across 2 areas.
What has helped my career to progress
Being ambitious and interested in the subject area. Embracing new initiatives and turning theory into practice locally.
Courses taken since graduation
Postgraduate Diploma in Housing
Management Training through Institute Leadership and Management
How my studies have helped my career
Helping to understand how my role fits into the wider strategic approach to housing and public services. This helps in aligning work with others to gain buy in for projects.
What surprised me about my career so far
Sometimes the strangest ideas really work - Don't be afraid to try different ways of working
Where I hope to be in 5 years
An Assistant Director at a local authority
My advice to students considering work
If you want to be a manager you will benefit in understanding and experience the work your staff do first. Maximise your opportunities to get experience in volunteering.
My advice about working in my industry
Housing is rarely about bricks and mortar and more about the people that live in the accommodation
Contacting me
Happy to give advice about joining the Housing Sector or to provide insight to what an employer is looking for when recruiting.
What I do
Manage a Housing Needs Service across 2 Local Authority areas - Exeter and Teignbridge
Skills I use and how I developed them
Negotiation, strategic thinking and empathy for the client group. I have found having front line experience has been invaluable in becoming a manager. Understanding the needs of your client group and staff is key. I have also found that there is always something to learn from others and to achieve real change you need to align goals with partners and not go it alone.
What I like most
Having the opportunity to develop and deliver services to help vulnerable people find a home
What I like least
That you can't help everyone
What surprised me most
How important it is to stay in touch with your customers viewpoint in delivering public services. The smallest action can make the biggest difference.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Nicola’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Nicola a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Nicola to be your mentor.