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JOB DESCRIPTION
SERVICE AREA:
Urban Environment
SECTION:
Strategic Housing Services
DESIGNATION:
Senior Housing Needs & Advice Officer
POST NO: New
GRADE: 7
JOB EVALUATION REFERENCE NUMBER:
n/a – fixed term 2 year post
POST RESPONSIBLE TO:
Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader
POST(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR:
DUTIES/FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The postholder will support the Housing Needs and Advice Teamleader to oversee the delivery of a range of services to those who are threatened with or actually homeless, including providing comprehensive homeless prevention advice, undertaking homelessness assessments and reviews when necessary and dealing with complex cases involving a range of partners. The postholder will also work with the Private Sector and Accommodation Team to ensure that homeless households are accommodated in suitable temporary and permanent accommodation in a cost effective way.
(a) SPECIFIC:
1. To support the Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader to provide operational advice, support and guidance to the Homelessness Team in carrying out their responsibilities and to provide professional advice and guidance on homelessness law where appropriate and in the absence of the Teamleader.
2. To ensure the effective use of housing advice surgeries throughout Worcester.
3. To take homeless applications as and when necessary, make appropriate investigations and enquiries and reach decisions in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 part (VII (as amended).
4. To deal with the complex cases and attend relevant partnership meetings eg. MAPPA, MARAC joint working arrangements.
5. To undertake homeless reviews as required by the Teamleader and assist when necessary with the appeal process or work with the consultant commissioned to undertake this role
6. To support the Housing Needs & Advice Officers to determine where homelessness cannot be prevented and whether an interim duty to accommodate exists, ensure suitable emergency accommodation is provided.
7. To work with the Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader and the Private Sector and Accommodation Teamleader to monitor the provision and use of temporary accommodation in a cost effective and efficient way.
8. To assist the Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader to prepare reports and briefing notes on a range of housing issues, as requested including preparing reports for members on homelessness and housing advice-related issues.
9. To work in conjunction with the Private Sector and Accommodation Team to ensure a joined up approach is achieved in the collection of rent/service charge and enforce the Council’s policy and procedure in respect of rent/service charge arrears or spend to save arrears.
10. To undertake Homechoice Plus banding appeals and consider the suspension of housing register applicants, and issue decision letters following a refusal of a final offer of accommodation in conjunction with the Principal Strategic Housing Officer.
11. To ensure the Council’s Rent Bond Scheme is maximised and that the procedure is used effectively by all staff in the Housing Advice Team and assist in making benefit calculations to take full advantage of income and ensure affordability of accommodation;
12. To carry out and promote the number of home visits undertaken by staff in the Housing Advice Team in order to prevent homelessness as a result of parent/relative/friend exclusion and landlord eviction;
13. Liaising and referring to other relevant agencies (Social Services, health, probation, landlords etc) to prevent homelessness and ensure that support is in place;
14. Managing expectations by providing realistic advice relating to the supply of and demand for social housing, waiting times and the operation of the housing register.
15. To support the Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader in ensuring comprehensive housing advice information is produced and made widely available to the public and clients.
16. Liaise with other agencies to raise the profile of housing advice surgeries and undertake advertising and promotion of the service on an ongoing basis.
17. To give talks/presentations to relevant agencies to raise the profile of the service across sectors when required.
18. To give workshops/presentations in schools to raise awareness of homelessness amongst young people.
19. To ensure accurate and detailed records are maintained on each client and contribute to the Council’s target for reducing homelessness and ensure confidentiality of information is maintained at all times.
20. To support the Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader to promote and develop initiatives for the prevention of homelessness in accordance with legislation, government guidance and good practice.
(b) GENERAL:
To attend meetings and represent the Council on internal and external liaison groups as directed and also to attend seminars and training courses as required.
To undertake the compilation of statistical returns and written monitoring reports for the Service as required by the Principal Strategic Housing Officer.
To provide support and assistance to the Housing Needs & Advice Teamleader or other senior officers as required.
To support the Principal Strategic Housing Officer in the delivery of the Worcestershire Homeless Strategy and other related strategies and the monitoring and operation of the Councils choice based letting scheme.
To carry out such other duties commensurate with the grading of the post as may reasonably be required.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
Supervisory Posts
‘To be responsible for the safety, health and welfare of all the workforce supervised in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, related legislation, the Council’s Safety Policy, the Service Area’s Safety Policy and operating guidance notes produced by the Council.’
The above is a description of the job as it is at present constituted and is therefore subject to review and updating from time to time. It is the Council's policy to consult the employee and to aim to reach agreement on amendments but nevertheless the right to make any reasonable changes is reserved.
Child Protection
• The post requires regular contact with under 18’s in a supervisory role and requires an enhanced CRB and a minimum of Level 1 Safe Guarding Children Training.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST Senior Housing Needs & Advice Officer
SERVICE AREA Strategic Housing Services
ATTRIBUTES
Education and Qualifications
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must have a good standard of literacy and numeracy to a minimum standard of GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths
DESIRABLE
Relevant Housing Qualification or equivalent
HOW IDENTIFIED
Application Form
Certificates
References
ATTRIBUTES
Work or Other Relevant Experience and Associated Vocational Training
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
At least 2 years experience of providing advice and information on housing and homelessness prevention related issues.
Must be enthusiastic and receptive to news ways of working
Previous experience of working with vulnerable people.
Experience of working in a busy front line customer focused environment.
HOW IDENTIFIED
Application Form
Interview
Test
ATTRIBUTES
Specialist Knowledge
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Working knowledge of the Housing Act Part VII (Homelessness) as amended, the code of guidance, other legislation affecting tenant/landlord relationships.
Knowledge of current housing and related environment and there legislative framework.
DESIRABLE
Knowledge of relevant social care legislation eg Childrens Act, Safeguarding Adults and Children.
Knowledge of related government policies e.g. Community Safety, Supporting People.
Knowledge of computerised homelessness/waiting list packages would be advantageous.
Knowledge of research techniques
HOW IDENTIFIED
Application Form
Interview
Test
ATTRIBUTES
Job Related Skills and Abilities
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Proven ability to supervise, train, motivate and direct staff, setting and monitoring targets to be achieved.
High level of communication skills.
Ability to understand complex documents and translate for a diverse audience using a variety of methods.
Report writing skills.
Ability to cope under pressure and manage a number of projects simultaneously and complete within timescales.
Ability to prioritise work loads and meet deadlines and targets.
Ability to respond accurately to a range of enquiries.
Ability to exercise a high degree of personal initiative and independent action in managing the delivery and development of the services.
Ability to work in partnership with a range of organisations.
Computer literate
HOW IDENTIFIED
Application Form
Interview
Test
ATTRIBUTES
Other – eg Availability for Unsocial Hours
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
To be part of a rota of staff operating the homelessness out of hours service
HOW IDENTIFIED
Interview
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Further details and application form can be obtained via our website: www.worcester.gov.uk If you are unable to access this site please contact Worcester City Council on 01905 722233 or e mail us on personnel@worcester.gov.uk stating job title and job reference number. Please do not e mail CV’s as these are not accepted. Applicants are required to complete our standard application form.
Please note that we do not send letters to those applicants who aren’t selected for interview. If, after 4 weeks from the closing date, you haven’t been invited for interview please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
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