Our local authority client based in Essex are urgently seeking an experienced Housing Options. *£31 an hour Umbrella The Role: The purpose of this role is to provide a front-line, customer-focussed 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. Please note you will be required to work on site a minimum of 2 days per week. Please note that this role will be based on site 2-3 days per week and will require you to be on site full time during the initial training period. Accountabilities: The main accountabilities will include, but not be limited to: * 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. The Experience You Will Bring: To be successful in this post you will need: * 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 interview with homeless applicants. * Ability to manage own workload, be proactive while working within a team to achieve team objectives. * Experience of using Civica (Abritas) Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained. At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful