As our new Accommodation Procurement and Development Officer, you will leverage your extensive housing knowledge and negotiation expertise to secure and expand access to private rented sector accommodation for care leavers.
This pivotal role is perfect for a housing professional who is driven by innovation and committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of care-experienced young people.
The core functions of the role, which is based in Kingston and Richmond, include:
* Procurement and Support: Supporting young people transitioning from care to settled, safe, and stable private accommodation in adherence to statutory guidelines, thereby preventing homelessness. This includes directly supporting care leavers in settling into tenancies and utilizing tools like the Corporate Rent Guarantor Scheme.
* Partnership and Development: Working in partnership with Leaving Care Personal Advisers and the Housing & Benefits Officer to expand care leavers' understanding of and access to the private rented sector.
* Landlord Engagement: Building and maintaining local and regional links with private sector landlords and letting agents, and developing and maintaining comprehensive databases for them. The role also supports young people with securing tenancies, negotiations, and resolving tenancy issues.
* Ambassador and Trainer: Acting as an ambassador to promote young people and the service, and providing training on private sector renting to staff, young people, and their networks.
About the role
This is a new and exciting opportunity to utilise your housing knowledge, experience, and strong negotiation skills to establish and develop access to private rented sector accommodation for care leavers in Kingston and Richmond. You will support young people transitioning from care to settled accommodation in adherence to statutory guidelines.
The key responsibilities include:
* Building and maintaining links with private sector landlords and letting agents, locally and regionally, and developing and maintaining comprehensive databases for them.
* Working in partnership with Leaving Care Personal Advisers and the Housing & Benefits Officer to expand care leavers' access to, and understanding of, the private rented sector, preventing homelessness and securing safe, stable accommodation.
* Directly supporting care leavers with activities such as securing tenants, negotiations, and resolving tenancy issues, including utilising tools like the Corporate Rent Guarantor Scheme.
* Acting as an ambassador to promote our young people and service, and providing training on private sector renting to staff, young people, and their networks.
* Working closely with the Local Authority Housing Procurement Teams to ensure work with landlords is coordinated with wider efforts.
If you wish to have a informal discussion about the role please contact Caroline Lisa on caroline.lisa@achievingforchildren.org.uk
About you
We are looking for a dedicated housing professional who can utilise their knowledge and experience to influence and facilitate change across the private housing sector, ensuring excellent outcomes for care leavers.
* Working knowledge of Private Sector Housing legislation and local authority Housing Policy, with knowledge of statutory legislation and safeguarding duties; explicitly the Children Act 1989 and the Leaving Care Act 2000.
* Experience of working within the Private housing sector, voluntary sector housing, or a local authority Housing Department.
* Strong negotiation skills alongside experience in marketing and networking.
* Experience of building partnerships and co-producing solutions across a diverse set of stakeholders, including senior managers and external clients.
* Experience in delivering skills workshops and producing materials to support young people in identifying and maintaining accommodation.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
* 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
* Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
* Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
* Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
* A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* A range of staff benefits and discounts
* An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
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