Job Description
* We are looking to recruit an officer responsible for the allocation of emergency temporary accommodation, setting up rent accounts and discharging interim and full housing duty.
* The successful candidate will work within a team of officers and participate in a duty rota to fulfil the needs of the service. A good understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 is required along with experience with delivering a front-line service to vulnerable clients. They will serve as a point of contact for clients placed in emergency accommodation ensuring that appropriate offers of accommodation are made and all queries are responded to on time.
Requirements
• Awareness of and a commitment to Equality of Access and Opportunity in a diverse community. • Understanding of how equality and diversity relates to this post. • Excellent knowledge and detailed understanding of Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and other relevant housing and homelessness legislation, case law and guidance. • Knowledge of Landlord and Tenant Legislation, the Housing Act 1985 and Protection from Eviction Act 1977. • Suitability and affordability assessments for accommodation provided under homelessness provisions. • Comprehensive understanding of the needs of vulnerable people and how their needs can be met, including their social, emotional and wellbeing needs. • Ability to maintain databases and work effectively with IT systems. • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and explain both local policies and statutory legislation. • Experience of working in a customer demand led business in the public or private sector. • Experience of dealing sensitively with distressed or challenging customers/service users. • Experience of working with landlords and managing agents to access void properties and to refer clients. • Experience of administrative systems and office work. • Experience of responding to correspondence and resolving complaints. • Effectively programming/prioritising/planning own workload. • Experience of achieving performance targets and meeting departmental performance objectives. • Self-motivated and able to work with a caseload to achieve targets and continuous improvement. • To think flexibly and broadly, approaching situations from many perspectives.