Overview
Our local authority client based in Essex are urgently seeking an experienced Housing Options.
Rate: £31 per hour (Umbrella)
The Role
The purpose of this role is to provide a front-line, customer-focused service to individuals and families experiencing housing difficulties. To assess housing needs and provide specialist advice in respect of all housing options in order to prevent and relieve homelessness. When prevention opportunities have been exhausted, to undertake investigations to determine the Council's duties under PtV11 Housing Act 1996, as amended, and ensure that statutory obligations are carried out. This role will be based on site 2-3 days per week, with on-site full-time presence required during the initial training period.
Responsibilities
* To provide a comprehensive frontline service to customers seeking advice and assistance with regards to their housing needs, irrespective of tenure, either in person or by telephone
* To participate in the Housing Options duty rota (including Triage) and respond to emergencies as required
* To take action to prevent and relieve homelessness, including visits to applicants' parents, negotiation with landlords and mortgage companies, referral to other agencies and use of the Council's Homelessness Prevention Fund
* To provide customers with expert, professional, comprehensive advice and information on all aspects of housing options work specific to their assessed needs, including undertaking basic financial and benefits assessments
Experience and Qualifications
* Good interviewing and interpersonal skills, excellent organisational and communication skills coupled with an empathetic style. Strong IT skills and letter writing skills are also important
* Experience of providing housing advice to the public and of liaising with other statutory, voluntary or private sector organisations
* Previous experience of working in a housing service or a similar area of work
* Experience of issuing Personalised Housing Plan (PHP)
* Experience of writing s184 decisions
* Willingness to carry out face-to-face housing options interviews with homeless applicants
* Ability to manage own workload, be proactive while working within a team to achieve team objectives
* Experience of using Civica (Abritas)
Application
Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.
At this point, we thank you for your interest in this role. Due to a high volume of applications, we may not respond to everyone. Unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
#J-18808-Ljbffr