Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer - London, United Kingdom - Omega Recruitment Group

Description

Job Description

Job Title: Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer x 3

Contract type: Temporary (3-6 months or longer) positions are often extended by clients on a longer-term or ongoing basis.

Sector: Local Government

Department : Housing

Location: Redbridge

Start Date: Immediate / Short Notice

Hours Per Week: Full-time position, 36 hrs pw

Start Time: 9:00 AM

End Time: 17:00 PM

BASIC PAYE Rate: £20.00 ph

Dear Applicant,

Please ensure that your CV aligns with the requirements specified in the Job Requirements section of the job posting and increase your chances of being considered for the position. Including any relevant local authority or public sector experience on your CV is recommended.

Note that the position is not permanent, but temporary.

Job Purpose

To conduct assessments of households' accommodation needs for mainstream temporary accommodation provision and private sector discharge, as well as to provide a comprehensive service that includes a full range of advice and interventions for customers in housing need, with the aim of preventing homelessness.

This position is crucial in providing housing advice and homelessness services to vulnerable individuals who may seek assistance from the council due to the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 duties, as well as other key housing legislation, the Children Act, and the Care Act. This specialized role will play a vital role in preventing homelessness and will be at the forefront following the implementation of the Homelessness Act 2017. Officers will focus on ensuring that accommodations provided for prevention and relief meet suitability requirements and minimize successful reviews and unsuitable offers of accommodation.

Key Accountabilities

The individual filling this position will need to possess extensive knowledge of housing advice, homelessness
legislation, and other general housing legislation, as well as welfare benefit expertise and familiarity with
the adult and children's social care environment.
This knowledge will be utilised to support customers and achieve positive outcomes.

The role of the employee is to provide a comprehensive housing service that includes offering advice on housing, assessing and preventing
homelessness, and evaluating the suitability of accommodations. The employee must collaborate with customers to determine suitable accommodation
options, make decisions regarding unsuitable accommodation, and fulfill homelessness duty requirements. The goal is to provide a customer-focused
service that educates customers on their rights and responsibilities regarding their current accommodation, and provides guidance on tenancy-related
issues. The employee should also advise customers on alternative housing options, such as private renting, supported housing, and moving out of
London. Additionally, the employee should refer customers to specialist information on landlord and tenant issues, mobility options, resettlement, and
rough sleeping. The goal is to deliver a professional housing options interview and homelessness investigation service to all clients, including those
without a clear priority need or who may be intentionally homeless. The employee must take full application from the client, develop a personalised
housing plan aimed at preventing or relieving homelessness, and assess the client's housing needs in accordance with the Homelessness Act of 2017.
The employee must also determine the client's potential vulnerability under the law on housing, the Care Act 2014, or the Children's Act 1989, and
complete the personalised housing plan as part of the first interview process. The plan is continually updated to ensure its accuracy.

Requirements

Knowledge

A deep comprehension of the challenges facing inner city housing, including access to social housing in the local area,
an awareness of the issues and initiatives faced by the local authority housing, a thorough understanding of the relevant
Lettings, Homelessness and Housing Act legislation, including security of tenure and private tenants' rights, and a good
knowledge of relevant case law and Codes of Guidance. Additionally, having a good knowledge of the services, benefits,
and support available to applicants experiencing housing problems.

Experience
Experience providing a public advice service, implementing an equality and diversity approach to service delivery,
working in a team, and in a high-pressure front-line customer service environment is desired. Additionally, experience
dealing with confrontational and challenging situations, supporting vulnerable customers, and working with homeless
customers in need of housing is valuable. Experience with conducting interviews, investigations, and negotiations, as
well as maintaining accurate records electronically, is also sought after. Demonstrating success in working towards
performance targets and meeting deadlines is essential.

Skills and Abilities

Excellent interpersonal skills are required, including active listening, advocacy, and negotiation. Strong communication skills, including the ability to write detailed technical letters and reports and conduct complex interviews while conveying simple and understandable advice to customers, are essential. The ability to gain and retain the confidence and respect of the staff, service users, and other contacts is crucial. It is necessary to have the ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and meet targets and deadlines. The ability to gather information and quickly interpret complex issues such as legislation and Case Law is important. The ability to think creatively about problems and to identify solutions is valuable. The ability to work effectively and impartially with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances is crucial. IT literacy and the ability to use computer software are necessary. A positive attitude towards customer service is essential. The ability to be self-motivated and to work under pressure is important. A flexible and innovative approach to problem solving is valuable. The ability to be proactive and creative in preventing homelessness and in resolving complex customer problems is crucial.

Requirements
Knowledge A deep comprehension of the challenges facing inner city housing, including access to social housing in the local area, an awareness of the issues and initiatives faced by the local authority housing, a thorough understanding of the relevant Lettings, Homelessness and Housing Act legislation, including security of tenure and private tenants' rights, and a good knowledge of relevant case law and Codes of Guidance. Additionally, having a good knowledge of the services, benefits, and support available to applicants experiencing housing problems. Experience Experience providing a public advice service, implementing an equality and diversity approach to service delivery, working in a team, and in a high-pressure front-line customer service environment is desired. Additionally, experience dealing with confrontational and challenging situations, supporting vulnerable customers, and working with homeless customers in need of housing is valuable. Experience with conducting interviews, investigations, and negotiations, as well as maintaining accurate records electronically, is also sought after. Demonstrating success in working towards performance targets and meeting deadlines is essential. Skills and Abilities Excellent interpersonal skills are required, including active listening, advocacy, and negotiation. Strong communication skills, including the ability to write detailed technical letters and reports and conduct complex interviews while conveying simple and understandable advice to customers, are essential. The ability to gain and retain the confidence and respect of the staff, service users, and other contacts is crucial. It is necessary to have the ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and meet targets and deadlines. The ability to gather information and quickly interpret complex issues such as legislation and Case Law is important. The ability to think creatively about problems and to identify solutions is valuable. The ability to work effectively and impartially with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances is crucial. IT literacy and the ability to use computer software are necessary. A positive attitude towards customer service is essential. The ability to be self-motivated and to work under pressure is important. A flexible and innovative approach to problem solving is valuable. The ability to be proactive and creative in preventing homelessness and in resolving complex customer problems is crucial.