Housing Choices Officer

Job Title: Housing Choices Officer Type: Temp 3 months on going Hours: 36 Location: Newham, E15 1LX DBS: BasicPurpose of the Role I am representing a client based in Newham, who are looking for someone to prevent homelessness in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice.

You will be expected 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.Main Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Write and issue statutory S184 decision letters, letters of referral to other authorities where an applicant’s local connection lies elsewhere, and outcome letters, to advise the applicant of the outcome of their initial interview.

Requirements

A working knowledge of the relevant legislation relating to housing and homelessness, Codes of Guidance, and case law – Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996, the Care Act 2014, Children’s Act 1989, Welfare Befit Reform Act.
Broad knowledge and understanding of the housing and support needs of homeless and housing applicants and tenants.
Experience of dealing with a diverse and vulnerable clientele.
Experience of working in a service within a pressurised and high-profile environment within a multi-disciplinary team, providing a quality service.
Experience of providing quality advice and information to members of the public and of handling complaints and enquiries.
To comply with the Council's Health & Safety Policies.

If you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please send your CV now for consideration.If you require any additional information regarding the position, please call Joel at Service Care Solutions on 01772 208 966 or send an E-Mail to joel.hopwood@servicecare.org.uk