Job Description
About The RoleIn this important role, you will provide a comprehensive homelessness advice and prevention service, helping vulnerable households understand their housing options and access suitable accommodation.You will assess housing applications, determine statutory homelessness duties and work closely with partners to help households secure sustainable housing solutions. The role will also involve visiting applicants in their homes or temporary accommodation and supporting them to access private rented housing where possible.Key responsibilities include:• Assessing applications from refugees seeking advice about their housing situation• Determining homelessness duties for households presenting as homeless under refugee schemes• Supporting households to secure private rented accommodation, including accessing appropriate funding• Helping applicants register for housing through HomeseekerPlus and validating documentation• Creating and managing personalised housing plans to prevent or relieve homelessness• Working closely with partner agencies, refugee support organisations and the County Council• Sourcing suitable temporary and longer-term accommodation to meet the council’s housing duties• Maintaining accurate case records and monitoring information• Managing a caseload within prevention and relief duties during busy periods across the wider homelessness serviceAbout YouYou will have experience working within a housing or homelessness service and a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable people through challenging situations.You will be confident managing complex cases, working with partner agencies and providing clear advice and support to individuals with a range of needs.You will also bring:• Experience working in housing, homelessness or a related support service• Experience supporting vulnerable people or those with complex needs• Strong communication and interpersonal skills• The ability to manage your own caseload and prioritise effectively• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office• Experience of working collaboratively with partner organisations• The ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations Knowledge or experience of issues affecting refugees or asylum seekers would be beneficial, and Ukrainian language skills would be an advantage but are not essential.You will need resilience and adaptability, as you will often work with people experiencing stress, crisis or confrontation. It is important that you can manage these situations calmly and confidently. You should also be emotionally resilient and able to support others while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.Teamwork is essential in this role, and you will need to work effectively with colleagues and external partners.Please note that you will be based in our offices five days a week and will need the ability to travel as required. This is a 12months fixed term contract. Special Conditions• The role may require travel to other Publica or client locations• DBS check required • You may occasionally be required to work additional hours in line with service needs• The role involves visiting applicants in their homes or temporary accommodationWhat we can do for you
* Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
* Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
* 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
* Renewed again for another year there is a health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
* Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of up to 7% of your earnings
* Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
* Cycle to work scheme
* Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
* Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
* Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
* Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary
Watch our new 'What is Publica' video to see why its great to join us!About The OrganisationYou will be employed by Publica Group Ltd which was created by four partner Councils (West Oxfordshire District Council, Cotswold District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council and Forest of Dean District Council) to deliver more efficient and improved services. Publica is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.Publica is a unique place to work, established to transform the way local services are delivered, fundamentally rethinking the way our services are designed and delivered in a digital era, making us a customer-focused organisation driven by real user needs.