Review Officer

Job purpose:

• To carry out high quality, timely reviews of homelessness decisions.
• To manage cases that go to section 204 appeal in the County Court and to further appeal in the higher courts; judicial reviews and other housing court challenges.
• To reduce the need for provision of temporary accommodation and resulting expenditure by ensuring effective and timely reviews but also offering good quality options, prevention and relief advice as part of reviews casework.
• To take responsibility for the recording of high quality, key data on all types of reviews which support the submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government ensuring key trends on homelessness, the causes and solutions is available.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• To contribute as a member of the Reviews and Service Improvement team.
• To manage all aspects of own casework in association with all reviews carried out, keeping detailed case notes, liaising with the customer and their advocates, and responding to solicitors and other correspondence within target and to a very high standard.
• To provide any necessary input on cases that are appealed in the County Court and beyond, preparing witness statements and responses to appeal as required in conjunction other officers and managers, and the Council’s Legal Department.
• To take appropriate decisions on requests for interim accommodation pending review or county court appeal.
• Making recommendations for housing assistance through the bond and incentive scheme and prevention payments where expenditure on and discretionary assistance of this type is appropriate.
• Providing an effective, customer-focussed and efficient service to customers presenting with housing problems.
• Prioritising early intervention and creating an environment for responding to customers issues as soon as possible.
• Providing proactive and timely housing advice and options to customers that supports the achievement of positive outcomes for households wherever possible.
• Contributing to the achievement of Housing and Housing Needs service plan priorities and objectives and meet key targets.

Requirements:

• A specialist knowledge of the law relating to homelessness as covered by the 1996 Housing Act and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.  
• Excellent current knowledge of housing issues, legislation, case-law, policy and best practice in the delivery of services.
• A good knowledge and understanding of the government’s welfare reform programme and its implications for the private rented sector and homelessness.
• A thorough knowledge of the range of services provided by the Council for households who are in housing need.
• Extensive experience of working with people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, in housing need and/or living in unsatisfactory housing.
• Experience of working in a demanding front line customer service environment and of dealing effectively with confrontational and challenging situations  
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to gather information and interpret complex issues.
• Enhanced DBS dated within the last 12 months. On the update service? You could be fast tracked through our recruitment process today.‍

Working with Archer Resourcing

‍We have been helping 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.

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 to work in the U.K