Your New OrganisationSouthend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the localmunity. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and localmunities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in localernment within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance. As a Unitary Authority, we are responsible for all localernment functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards,munity safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy andmunities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.
Your new roleSouthend-on-Sea City Council is seeking a senior reviews and monitoring officer to join the housing solution team on a full-time and fixed-term contract basis (6 months).As a senior reviews and monitoring officer, you will be responsible for carrying out reviews and investigations on homelessness and general needs housing decisions and dealing with all customerplaints and queries. You will carry out detailed, objective and factual reviews and investigations of all appeals on homeless and housing decisions in line with legislation under Housing Act 1996, parts 6 and 7 as amended and extended by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. You must be able to interpretplex legislation, not only restricted to the Housing Act, but including the Asylum and Immigration Act and welfare rights law in the investigation and application of appeals and reviews.You will liaise with Solicitors and other legal experts where necessary in the preparation and presentation of witness statements in the case of a judicial review. You will advise and support the Housing Solutions Team Manager and other staff on case law changes affecting housing functions and highlight good and bad practice within the department to ensure a continuousmitment to service improvement.Although this role is hybrid, it will be predominantly remote working (max 1 day in the office).Post is 6 months, so salary will be pro rata
What you'll need to succeedTo be successful in this role, you must have working knowledge of parts 6 & 7 of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. You must have strong knowledge of caselaws, Acts, statutory amendments and guidance relating to homelessness and private sector amodation. Knowledge of Landlord and Tenant legislation and private sector housing issues is also essential for this role.To be considered for this role, you must be educated to certificate Level with the Chartered Institute of Housing or other appropriate management qualification
and hold a legal certificate/qualification.Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing is highly desirable but not essential.
What you'll get in returnWhen joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They aremitted to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.