Full Job Title: Temporary Housing Options Officer – Housing Support

Reference no: C Bedfordshire RQ647928

Deliver effective advisory & assistance service as part of a comprehensive approach to Housing Options that meets statutory requirements.

Negotiate with landlords and other agencies or relevant parties (e.g. family and friends) to ensure that accommodation does not cease to be available to an applicant whenever possible.

Mediate to resolve potentially homeless cases, irrespective of tenure (excluding fear of violence).

Manage a caseload, and make decisions in regards to homelessness which include judgements related to duties owed by the local authority and determining the best course of action in emergency situations, which impact upon the health and safety of people in the community.

“Specific Role Requirements” – to give yourself the maximum chance of success please try and ensure your CV addresses the following essential criteria:

1. Minimum of 2 years' recent housing support experience in a similar role, or context and ideally within a public sector organisation
2. Experience:
   1. Providing housing advice and assessment within an advice service setting
   2. Achieving performance targets – Individual and Team
   3. Team work and dealing with the Public and commitment to working within a multi-disciplinary environment.
   4. Report writing, maintaining records and producing statistics
   5. Managing a personal caseload.
   6. Working in a housing environment - preferred.
3. Knowledge:
   1. Knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, Part VII as amended and of local authorities duties to homeless households.
   2. Knowledge of homeless prevention and housing options schemes.
   3. Knowledge of private sector housing legislation and best practice on tenancy matters, the issues affecting private sector residents and the policy framework within which the private sector operates.
   4. Good working knowledge of immigration and related social welfare legislation and benefit regulations.
   5. Knowledge of housing and other welfare benefit regulations.
   6. Good understanding of problems faced by people in housing need.
4. Skills & Abilities:
   1. Ability to interview the public in a housing or related field in a sensitive way.
   2. Ability to complete enquiries to determine whether a duty is owed under Part VII Housing Act 1996.
   3. Ability to negotiate with householders
   4. Ability to provide high quality services within a pressurised and high profile environment.
   5. Ability to work flexibly and as part of a team.
   6. Ability to understand and assimilate complex information and to apply it effectively to individual circumstances.
   7. Ability to prevent homelessness and to promote a housing options, homeless prevention and self help approach to customers and colleagues.
   8. Communicate effectively with a variety of people, both written and verbally, including customers who may have special needs and/or be distressed or aggressive, whilst remaining professional and non- judgemental.
   9. Maintain detailed case records, recognise service priorities, meet performance targets and deadlines.
   10. Demonstrate commitment to respond effectively to emergencies to achieve positive solutions.
5. ICT Skills: IT skills including Microsoft packages or equivalent (e.g. G Suite)

NB: Please feel free to apply to us direct via [email protected] by quoting the job reference and job title exactly. SEE DETAILS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS AD.

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