Housing Adviser - Req24993

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Council's Housing Options Team who are responsible for delivering the statutory function of homelessness and housing advice. As a Housing Adviser you will be responsible for providing applicants who are homeless or threatened with tailored advice to help them resolve their housing situation and prevent them from becoming homeless through a variety of means such as negotiation, securing alternative accommodation or referrals to third party supporting services.

Housing Options is a fast paced environment with a number of teams and duties to deliver face to face or via the telephone with the ambition to provide excellent customer service and positive outcomes for all applicants who approach our service. 

As a Housing Adviser some of your responsibilities will be: 

• To effectively manage and be responsible for a caseload of applicants who are homeless or in housing need.
• Provide tailored advice to applicants approaching the service via telephone, email or in person.
• To conduct homeless and housing enquiries in accordance with Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended).
• To deliver a front facing and telephone service.
• Identifying support needs and appropriate referrals to assist applicants in obtaining or maintaining a tenancy.
• Identifying appropriate and sustainable accommodation opportunities. 
• Liaising with partners and organisations to support vulnerable applicants.
• To work flexibly in line with the service delivery.

For further information on this role please contact Maria Dove via: 01133781826

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description
Job Purpose

The post holder will contribute to delivering a housing options service framed around the three core service functions of housing advice provision, assessment of housing need and duty and securing suitable temporary and longer term housing options.  The post holder will also contribute to delivering key homeless preventions initiatives such as housing advice, helping people secure private rented housing options and making referrals to initiatives such as Sanctuary.    
Responsibilities

• Deliver a face to face housing options service, in accordance with Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended) to people who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or in some of housing need, at a variety of locations including the Leeds Housing Options Service at Merrion House.
• Deliver a telephone based, or using other mediums such as email, housing options service
• Take responsibility for caseload of homeless and housing need cases
• Carry out homeless and other additional need assessments in accordance with Part VI and Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended)
• Write homeless decision letters in accordance with the legal framework
• Liaise with supported housing and other temporary accommodation providers to secure suitable temporary accommodation for people owed such a housing duty
• Help people to secure private rented options through the Private Sector Lettings scheme and through other routes such as requesting a Homeless Prevention Fund payment
• Help people to access mediation services as required
• Help young people to access youth mediation services as required
• Help people to access Sanctuary scheme funding as required
• Help deliver a mortgage and tenancy advice service as required
• Prepare Homeless Prevention Fund applications as required
• Assist service managers in the quality assurance of service delivery by providing  case work information held in case files or IT systems, decision letters and financial payments
• Help develop partnering arrangements between the Leeds Housing Options Service and other public, private and third sector organisations
• Work flexibly to help deliver an effective Housing Options Service
• Attend meetings and forums as required relating to the delivery of the Housing Options Service
• Undertake any other duties as required commensurate with the responsibilities and grade of the post
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
  Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills required

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. 
• Demonstrate evidence of problem solving, analytical and social skills required to provide a housing options service to vulnerable people
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Ability to use a range of ICT applications including Word and email and to be able to word process reports
• Ability to extract and analyse information sourced from different ICT systems
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work in partnership with a range of public, private and third sector organisations
• Ability to identify support needs
• Ability to identify safeguarding concerns and escalate them appropriately
• Ability to deal with people who are displaying challenging behaviours

Knowledge required

• Awareness of housing options law and policy
• Awareness of the needs of homeless people and others in housing need
• Awareness of services in Leeds for homeless people and others in housing need
• Knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities law and policy
• Awareness of safeguarding policy and practice

Experience required

• Experience of working with homeless and other people in housing need
• Experience of working in a multi-agency partnership environment
• Experience of working in a busy team environment

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.

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