Homeslessness Casework Officer

Our local authority client based in East London are urgently seeking an experienced Homelessness Casework Officer.

*£25.06 an hour Umbrella*

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

1. To provide a homelessness prevention, housing options and bespoke service to those single clients homeless or threatened with homelessness

2. To assist and guide single clients with support needs to make appropriate choices reading their housing pathways

3. To ensure that single clients receive, either directly or through relevant partners, appropriate advice on their housing options that offer alternatives to the making of a homeless application

4. To ensure that all enquiries and cases are progressed speedily and efficiently and that all set targets are achieved

5. To ensure excellent customer service standards are maintained and contribute to year on year improvement of those standards

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To use a dedicated assessment tool to determine the most appropriate form of supported accommodation for single clients

2. To contribute in the development and delivery of team plans and other relevant council plans and strategies so that targets and performance requirements are met

3. To effectively communicate the Council’s duties and policies to customers and partner organisations directly, in writing and through customer information

4. To provide detailed customer care letters to clients setting out advice given and the agreed housing pathway where homelessness cannot be prevented

5. To write s184 decision letters

6. To be the contact point for one or more local hostel providers and to develop excellent working practices between them and the council

7. To make recommendations on the use of temporary discretionary accommodation pending a supported hostel placement

8. To develop and share a comprehensive network of contacts across the public, private and voluntary sectors to improve partnership working

9. To work closely with adults social care, children’s services, mental health professionals, probation and health care professionals to expedite assessments to determine statutory homeless duties, specific housing needs and the most suitable housing options for single clients

10.To work with supported housing providers to determine suitable placements having regard to the needs and requests of the clients

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the duties owed to the homeless under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Act 2002

Experience

• The ability to deliver homelessness prevention and housing option solutions with these being tailored to diverse communities and differing customer needs
• The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a good standard, giving advice and information sensitively and persuasively
• The ability to negotiate both with homeless people and on their behalf to broker housing solutions

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.