Housing Needs Team Leader Housing Advice - Abingdon, United Kingdom - South Oxfordshire District Council

South Oxfordshire District Council

Verified Company

Abingdon, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Salary and grade:
£48,117 per year, Grade 8

Duration of role:
Fixed term contract for one year

Hours per week: 37

Location:
Abbey House, Abingdon, Oxfordshire and home working.

Closing Date: 01/02/2023

About the role and what we're looking for

The Housing Needs team provide high quality advice and support to persons in housing need - with the aim of securing sustainable housing solutions.

You will be responsible for leading and motivating your team to deliver a continuously improving service that best meets the needs of our customers.

Main duties and responsibilities:

- management responsibilities for part of the housing advice team, including recruitment & appraisals.
- to participate in countywide (Oxfordshire) initiatives to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. including attending countywide homelessness groups and helping to deliver the countywide Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
- to monitor the performance of housing organisations contracted to provide accommodation and support services for homeless households in Oxfordshire, and where necessary support improvements to these services.
- to support the Lettings team leader to provide lettings services that will impact positively upon homelessness prevention and relief.
- to help formulate, review and implement policies and procedures to support a high performing team.
- ensure your team act in accordance with homelessness, allocations and temporary accommodation legislation.
- to act as a Review Officer in matters relating to homelessness and allocations.
- to liaise with Registered Providers, Adult and Children's Social Care, and other partner agencies to ensure the best support for our customers.
- to manage our two-person private lettings team working with private landlords to secure affordable tenancies for households at risk of homelessness.
- respond to complaints, enquiries and FOI requests from the public, councillors and MP's.
- to assist the Housing Need Manager in budget management.

To deputise for the Housing Needs Manager when required.

- to provide out-of-hours support to the homelessness duty officer.

The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

Your essential skills, knowledge and experience
- at least 2 years' experience of working in a housing environment
- an in-depth knowledge of homelessness legislation, tenancy law and housing allocations legislation.
- the ability to problem solve through creative thinking
- excellent oral and written communication skills
- excellent time management and prioritisation skills
- confident and outgoing, able to liaise effectively with people at all levels including senior level in organisations
- ability to lead a team by providing direction, energy and vision
- experience of dealing with vulnerable people and people who are distressed.

Your essential qualifications
- a degree or equivalent professional housing qualification, or at least 5 years' experience of working in a housing environment
- full and current driving licence and use of car for business purposes

If you have the following experience or qualifications - it's a bonus
- experience of being a manager or team leader in a housing environment
- membership of CIH
- familiarity with the district
- knowledge of Abritas, the housing management software
- local government experience

Your style and behaviours
- energetic, determined and a positive attitude
- the ability to motivate team members to perform at the highest level
- display accountability and responsibility
- to communicate in a clear manner, seeking the views and opinions of others.
- able to identify and provide solutions to service delivery issues
- visible, approachable and accessible, with high standards of personal and professional ethics
- political awareness

About us

Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.

Our vision
We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high-quality cost-effective services.

Our values:

We act with integrity and show respect
We are all accountable
We are passionate about our business
We strive for simplicity
We love success

The benefits we offer:

A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years.
Flexible working and annualised hours a flexible approach to work that our employees love
Salary pay awards
Payment of annual professional membership
A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme
A salary sacrifice car lease scheme a fully inclusive driving package for a fixed monthly cost
Various schemes to keep you healthy
We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community

You may have experience of the following: Housing Needs Manager, Regeneration, Housing Officer, Planning, Town Planner, Housing Association, Development Manager etc.

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