Housing Choices Officer

Purpose of Job

To prevent homelessness in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice.

To assess people’s housing need, reflecting their specific circumstances, creating tailored Personal Housing Plans to either prevent or relieve homelessness and with a full understanding of the vulnerabilities and complexities presented by individuals

To manage a complex and demanding case load in a busy and often challenging environment, ensuring all options are thoroughly explored.

To undertake the assessment and investigation of homeless applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) where prevention/relief is not possible, and inform clients of their assessment outcome.

To maintain high levels of good customer care and empathy throughout. We may not always be able to give people what they want, but we should always be honest and treat them with respect, in consideration of their situation.

Main Tasks

1. To provide an effective, customer-friendly and efficient service to clients who are often vulnerable and with complex needs who are presenting with housing problems; to support them in keeping their current home, (carrying out home visits where appropriate), or in accessing a new home in the public or

private housing sector.

2. To advise clients, either face-to-face, via videolink or over the phone, on full range of housing options, in the context of a high demand London local authority. This includes appropriate intervention if threatened with homelessness, assistance to secure private rented accommodation, hostels, supported housing, refuges, etc, and any actions to make accommodation more affordable and accessible. To assist people to move out of London, if desired.

3. To provide a professional and effective housing options interview and homelessness investigation service; taking a full application from the service user and issuing Personalised Housing Plans in preventing or relieving homelessness irrespective of the person’s priority need or intentionality status.

4. To assess clients’ housing requirements in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. A high percentage of people presenting will be vulnerable and it is essential to assess needs accurately and in accordance with all relevant legislation, including Housing Act 1996 (as amended), the Care Act 2014 and the Children’s Act 1989 and all relevant housing legislation.

5. To complete the Personalised Housing Plan in conjunction with the client, agreeing all reasonable steps which will be taken by the Council and the person to prevent or relieve their homelessness. To produce this in a timely manner and to keep under review throughout the duration of the Prevention and/or Relief Duty.

6. To collate and analyse initial information and documentation relating to a client’s circumstances using available prevention tools and deciding in line with new legislation when to move an application from a prevention or relief stage to the final duty the council may owe the applicant.

7. To assess and administer Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) applications, ensuring that necessary actions are captured as reasonable steps within Personalised Housing Plans, to either sustain an existing tenancy, or secure alternative affordable accommodation. Extension of DHPs incumbent upon engagement with these reasonable steps.

8. To work closely with other professionals, such as Social Workers, Probation Officers and Welfare Benefit Advisers, creating a strong and effective relationship, whilst maintaining the provisions of the full range of housing duties placed on the local authority and as set out in statute and caselaw.

9. To maintain a regular and constructive relationship with the individual or family throughout their homeless application, ensuring that they are engaged in the reasonable steps agreed, and that the postholder completes the reasonable steps agreed on the part of the local authority, all within the designated timescales.

10. To use relevant identity/credit software that enables the service to check and verify the accuracy of a homeless approach or application, and the circumstances affecting the client.

Working with Archer Resourcing Ltd:

We have been helping all health care professionals find exciting new roles for a number of years, so we know exactly where to look when it comes to sourcing the best opportunities. We operate across the UK, and, with amazing relationships with the biggest employers in UK social care, we give you the best chance of landing your next role.

We have a reputation for recruiting efficiently, however, we can only respond to candidates who meet the exact requirements of the position. If you have any queries about a role or application, then please call Archer direct on the provided contact details.

Due the high demand of CV's received we are unable to respond to all applications. However, we may hold your CV on file and contact you for future suitable roles.

We also offer a £250 referral bonus should you know of anyone who may be interested.

Must be eligible be work in the U.K.