Description The Service & Team: The Housing Options Service has recently been through a service redesign and are now on a transformation journey. We are now looking to recruit a Prevention and Casework Officer where you would be able to make a real difference to the residents of Cornwall The Role: To ensure that the Council professionally and compassionately carries out its statutory duties to the homeless and that, wherever possible, no vulnerable customers or children suffer harm or loss of life through sleeping on the streets in Cornwall. To ensure an effective Housing Options Service is provided to Cornwall’s clients in housing need, including assessment and advice on Housing and related support. To identify people who may be at risk of homelessness at the earliest possible opportunity and work proactively with those identified to prevent and relieve their homelessness. To provide comprehensive housing related advice and information service in accordance with the Homelessness Reductions Act 2017 and ensure decisions made in line with legislation, case law and local policies. To build on strong partnerships, with a view to maximise opportunities to prevent homelessness in the first instance or if not possible, relieve homelessness as quickly as possible. To be responsible for the effective Provide an effective, professional homelessness service on behalf of the Council including assessment, investigation and decisions making in line with the Councils’ statutory duties under Housing Act Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended), code of guidance, best practise and relevant case law drive the Council’s homelessness agenda. To develop, update and review Personalised Housing Plans for customers in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. These plans will ensure that homelessness is prevented or relieved thought active engagement with relevant services” To contribute to the reduction in the use of temporary accommodation by ensuring that all other appropriate avenues are thoroughly explored to prevent or relieve homelessness as an alternative to needing to provide emergency accommodation. To deputise for the Housing Options Team Manager as needed. This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies. This position will be subject to a enhanced criminal record disclosure check. Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm What you’ll need to succeed: A high standard of accuracy, literacy, and numeracy and high level of IT literacy especially on Microsoft Office products - Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Understanding of benefits, housing and homelessness legislation, in particular Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017) and housing options High level administrative and self-organisational skills Application/Interview Can easily adapt to changing processes and unforeseen challenges Demonstrates attention to detail and analytical skills with the ability to interpret information, solve problems logically and effectively maintain statistical data in relation to target work areas that is accurate, immediately available and appropriate Excellent communication skills with good interpersonal skills, and the ability to act with tact and diplomacy, as well as deal with challenging behaviour and complex needs – proven record of calm and measured responses and able to manage in a crisis Customer focussed and displayed empathy and patience when dealing with customers and deals appropriately with challenging behaviours. The ability to work flexibly, creatively and in a solution focussed way. Interview Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to positively manage conflict resolution Experience of and a commitment to, building relationships with and working collaboratively with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies in order to deliver excellent outcomes for clients Application Form, Interview Ability to plan and organise own workload, work effectively under pressure and to meet deadlines Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert What you’ll get in return: Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met. Our core employee rewards and benefits include: · a competitive salary. · a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions · a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave. · A national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme · Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services. Additional Information: Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role The full role profile is attached here We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview. For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Nicky Robins - nicky.robins@cornwall.gov.uk Application Process Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process. Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.