Accommodation warden

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course before applying for a job. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services
• Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice
• Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can train for this job through:

• an intermediate housing and property management assistant apprenticeship
• an advanced apprenticeship in housing and property management

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could work as a warden's assistant and become qualified through on-the-job training. You could also work your way up by doing customer service courses.

Volunteering

You could start as a volunteer warden, for example, if you want to work with the Youth Hostel Association .

DirectApplication

To apply directly, you'll usually need some GCSEs or equivalent, including English and maths.

You'll also find it helpful to have paid or unpaid experience of working with vulnerable groups and experience of working in a care setting.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• business management skills
• administration skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others

What you'll do:

Accommodation wardens manage the day-to-day running of services like sheltered housing, youth hostels and student flats.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• allocate and manage accommodation
• control rent arrears
• inspect property and arrange for repairs to be carried out
• supervise catering, cleaning and maintenance staff
• look after the welfare of residents
• check on health and safety, and do risk assessments
• work with outside agencies, carers and parents
• deal with emergencies

Location : You could work in the community or at an adult care home.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends at short notice

Career Path:

With experience, you could become an accommodation manager with responsibility for several centres and wardens. You could also work in housing or block management.

With further study, you could work in a related area like social work or counselling.