Housing Options Officer

Job Description

4Recruitment Services are seeking  a Housing Options Officer to work for a client in Maidenhead.

Purpose of the role:

• To see customers in relation to Housing issues and understand their needs, provide advice and seek solutions. 
• To deliver an effective and efficient Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention and statutory Homelessness service in order to meet the Borough’s responsibility to deliver its statutory functions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• To deliver first class customer service which provides the customer with a suitable solution regarding their housing issues and satisfaction is high.
• To provide advice face to face, by phone and online regarding housing options and prevention enquiries to customers in buildings used by the Royal Borough to deliver customer services.
• To conduct outreach visits at customers home, prison, hostel, hospital or other locations in-line with documented procedures including arranging and attending surgeries where set out by the Senior Management
• Ensure that housing options, other than Part VII applications, are fully explored in all cases to maximise opportunities for preventing homelessness.
• Assess homelessness applications within Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 including cases for acceptance, refusal or referral to other Authorities. Make decisions on where homeless households will be placed into temporary accommodation and advise the Housing Assistant to make arrangements for sign up and housing benefit assistance if appropriate.
• To provide expert advice and assistance to stakeholders and customers with housing problems, particularly those living in the private rented sector, and take action to prevent homelessness. The post holder will also be responsible for promoting greater understanding of the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords in the private rented sector and for increasing the knowledge of housing options and resources in the community.
• Investigate and make every effort to resolve landlord/tenants disputes, seeking to conciliate wherever possible and ensuring that all relevant parties are aware of their rights, responsibilities and remedies. It involves the gathering of evidence and preparation of prosecution files to enable the Council to prosecute successfully where appropriate.
• Achieve individual performance objectives, targets and service standards and contribute to the achievement of team plan objectives and targets.
• Manage a personal caseload and maintain accurate and detailed casework records. In addition manage priorities and meet individual and service performance targets and deadlines.
• Interview and complete housing needs assessments by exploring all options to prevent homelessness. Where all options are exhausted complete applications under the homelessness legislation.
• Update and record information accurately and timely as required according to guidance and established procedures. Ensure customer and management information is accurate and up to date at all times
• Gather evidence, including taking statements from all relevant witnesses where     criminal offences of harassment and illegal eviction as defined within the Protection    from Eviction Act 1977 have been committed for which the Local Authority is empowered to prosecute. Interview offenders under caution as defined within the    Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and recommend suitable cases for   prosecution.  Ensure that all relevant documents, witness statements, exhibits and   disclosures are contained within the file
• Respond to member’s enquiries and draft responses to complaints/enquiries on individual cases or other areas of the post holder’s work, in-line with documented procedures.
• Deliver training and awareness to stakeholders and colleagues where required
• Take part in a pre-arranged call out rota for Homeless advice and placements
• To carry out any duties as directed in line with grade

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• HND/NVQ4 level or experience in relevant field.
• Housing Qualification attained or currently being studied
• A comprehensive understanding and awareness of housing issues, and of government policy relating to homelessness.
• Vast experience of interviewing people who are under stress, emotional and/or living in unsatisfactory housing conditions.
• Proven ability to manage difficult situations remaining calm, friendly and professional
• Experience of working in partnership with local authorities or other housing providers
• Extensive experience of working in confidential situations with an understanding of when and how to share sensitive information with customers and relevant agencies.
• A high level of experience of working in a Housing Needs, Local Authority Lettings or equivalent environment

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on 0800 988 6307 or email  gpadmin@4recruitmentservices.com.