Job Description
3 months contract with local authority
Summary
The Temporary Accommodation Visiting Officer plays a crucial role in ensuring that households placed in temporary accommodation by Slough Borough Council reside in safe, suitable, and compliant environments. This position involves conducting regular visits and suitability assessments, preventing and detecting fraud, and collaborating with households and providers to enhance accommodation standards. The officer must be aware of the effects of temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfast arrangements, on individuals and families.
Responsibilities
* Conduct regular visits to temporary accommodations, including bed and breakfast and nightly paid facilities.
* Complete suitability assessments in accordance with legislation and council policy.
* Identify and escalate concerns related to health and safety risks, overcrowding, disrepair, or poor management.
* Ensure accommodations meet required standards and take corrective action when necessary.
* Engage sensitively with households in temporary accommodation.
* Understand the impact of temporary accommodation on wellbeing, mental health, family life, and children's education.
* Identify safeguarding concerns and make appropriate referrals.
* Verify occupancy and household composition during visits.
* Prevent, identify, and report potential housing-related fraud.
* Collaborate with internal teams to protect public funds.
* Maintain accurate records and reports.
* Work collaboratively with internal teams and accommodation providers.
* Contribute to service improvement and reduction of bed and breakfast use.
Requirements
Requirements:
Qualifications
* Essential: GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths, or relevant experience.
* Desirable: Housing-related qualification (e.g., CIH); training in safeguarding, fraud awareness, or health and safety.
Knowledge
* Essential: Knowledge of homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act; understanding of temporary accommodation suitability and welfare benefits.
* Desirable: Awareness of local authority housing functions.
Experience
* Essential: Experience in housing, homelessness, or a related field; experience visiting properties and service users; experience dealing with vulnerable people; good written and communication skills.
* Desirable: Local authority experience; experience in suitability assessments or fraud investigation.
Skills and Attributes
* Essential: Strong communication and assessment skills; ability to work independently and manage workload; high levels of professionalism, integrity, and empathy.
Additional Requirements
* Essential: Full, clean UK driving licence; access to a suitably insured vehicle for visits, including out-of-borough placements; ability to travel independently across Slough and surrounding areas.
Hybrid working arrangement: 3 days in the office and on-site, 2 days working from home. Must have a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle for borough-wide visits.
We operate on bi-weekly payment plan.
Requirements
Requirements: Full-time availability for a year Ability to work 36 hours per week Resilient and able to thrive in challenging situations Attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills Comfortable with confrontation and able to deal with difficult situations Availability for out-of-hours meetings and lone working Daily use of a car and a full driving license