Homelessness Prevention Officer

Homelessness Prevention Officer

Wokingham Borough Council, based in Wokingham Town Centre, are currently recruiting for a Homelessness Prevention Officer within our Housing Needs and Options Team. This is an 18 month fixed term contract.

The purpose of the role is to prevent and relieve homelessness in the borough and to hold a case load of households who require support to find suitable housing options . The successful candidate will have the ability to provide specialist and tailored advice on a range of options and opportunities including housing, employment, wellbeing, welfare benefits and debt. Knowledge and experience of working in homelessness is not essential as full training will be provided. This is an exciting opportunity to begin a career in this sector.

Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities: -

• Provide initial advice and assistance for applicants who are threatened with homelessness, exploring all possible housing options
• Liaise with families, landlords and other relevant agencies, to resolve issues which could result in homelessness
• Provide a high level of customer service for applicants who are threatened with homelessness or who are homeless, ensuring that homelessness is prevented wherever possible, exploring all possible prevention and relief options
• Consider and assess homelessness applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 Part 7 as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• Make homelessness decisions in accordance with legislation and relevant case law
• Create Personalised Housing Plans which support applicants in improving their housing options and link to education, employment, probation, health, substance misuse recovery and other support providers
• Work with other statutory and non-statutory services to find the best solution for meeting the housing needs of applicants
• Comply with statutory frameworks and act in accordance with legislation within appropriate timescales
• Provide tenancy, rights of occupation, welfare and benefits advice to applicants to enable them to either sustain their current accommodation or to sustain new accommodation
• Make placements into temporary accommodation and the private rented sector

Skills, Knowledge & Experience: -

• The successful candidate will need to have experience of working with vulnerable people
• Good IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join an excellent and dynamic team!

Closing date: Sunday 4th February 2024, 11pm

Interview date: 7th and 8th February 2024

If you would like to ask any questions about this role, please contact Kate Layzell, Deputy Manager - Housing Needs and Options on 07871 735958 or email kate.layzell@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, and other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

WBC is an equal opportunities employer.