LB Redbridge Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer - Ilford
Job Description - Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer
Position Details
Role Title: Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer
Directorate: Communities
Department: Housing - Housing Needs
Team: Reviews and Service Improvement
Grade: LBR10
Location: Lynton House
Hours: 36 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Contract / Temporary
Rate: £28.31 per hour (Umbrella)
Reports To: Reviews and Service Improvement Manager
Overall Purpose of the Role
The Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer will undertake specialist assessments relating to temporary accommodation housing needs for households accommodated under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
The postholder will provide professional housing advice, homelessness prevention interventions, and accommodation suitability assessments to vulnerable households. The role focuses on ensuring that accommodation offers are suitable, legally compliant, and responsive to complex customer needs.
The successful candidate will work closely with internal and external stakeholders including Children's Services, Adult Social Care, legal representatives, landlords, health professionals, and homelessness services to prevent and relieve homelessness while reducing the Council's reliance on temporary accommodation.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Needs & Homelessness Prevention
* Conduct specialist accommodation suitability assessments for households placed in temporary accommodation.
* Manage complex homelessness and housing needs cases in line with the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
* Work proactively to prevent homelessness through early intervention and effective housing solutions.
* Develop, update, and implement Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) with customers.
* Assess support, medical, safeguarding, affordability, and social care needs when determining accommodation suitability.
* Make decisions regarding discharge of homelessness duties following suitable accommodation offers.
* Conduct joint assessments with Adult and Children's Social Care where statutory duties may apply.
* Provide housing advice covering:
o Housing rights and tenancy issues
o Temporary accommodation
o Private rented sector options
o Housing register and mobility schemes
o Welfare benefits and affordability
o Prevention and relief duties
Casework & Legal Responsibilities
* Carry out detailed investigations and enquiries on complex homelessness and suitability cases.
* Prepare legally compliant decision letters and case records.
* Liaise with Legal Services in response to reviews, appeals, judicial reviews, and legal challenges.
* Support court proceedings and prepare documentation where required.
* Ensure accurate case recording and maintenance of electronic records.
* Meet statutory and service deadlines relating to homelessness decisions and reviews.
Partnership Working
* Develop effective working relationships with:
o Housing Supply teams
o Social Care services
o Health professionals
o Solicitors and advocates
o Landlords and accommodation providers
o Voluntary and support agencies
* Coordinate accommodation placements requiring specialist or individualised approaches.
* Work collaboratively to ensure accommodation placements meet identified support and housing needs.
Performance & Service Delivery
* Maintain high standards of customer service and decision-making.
* Ensure homelessness prevention and relief targets are achieved.
* Contribute to reducing temporary accommodation usage and associated expenditure.
* Provide statistical and performance information as required.
* Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, codes of guidance, council policies, and information governance standards.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential Knowledge
* Strong knowledge of:
o Housing Act 1996 Part VI and VII
o Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
o Protection from Eviction Act 1977
o Welfare Reform legislation
o Housing allocations and homelessness law
o Adult and Children's Social Care legislation
o Relevant homelessness case law and Codes of Guidance
* Understanding of inner-city housing issues and homelessness prevention strategies.
* Knowledge of temporary accommodation suitability requirements.
Essential Experience
* Experience working within homelessness prevention, housing needs, or temporary accommodation services.
* Experience dealing with vulnerable customers and complex housing cases.
* Experience carrying out interviews, investigations, and assessments.
* Experience making legally robust housing or homelessness decisions.
* Experience working in a demanding frontline customer service environment.
* Experience achieving performance targets and statutory deadlines.
Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr