Housing Options Officer

Seven Resourcing are looking for a Housing Options Officer to work in Bournemouth. This position is initially for a period of 6 months and is paying £15.63 (PAYE) or £16.46 (umbrella) per hour. The Hours are Monday to Friday 9am -5pm. You must be able to work in the community for at least 2 days a week and is not restricted to working from home. 
The role:
The role requires community-based assessments.  There is also a need for the officer to be able to work in a strength-based manner with clients rough sleeping or with a history of rough sleeping and with multiple vulnerabilities.  Some experience working with this client group would be beneficial. Assessed homeless applications and made decisions would be ideal.
**Part 7 Housing Options experience and assessing homeless applications under homelessness reduction act essential. ** If this is not met, applications will not be considered.
Key Responsibilities:

• To provide specialist advice on a range of complex Housing Options and homeless prevention initiatives
• To hold a caseload & carry out detailed legal assessments of applications for housing, making decisions on all aspects of housing or homelessness applications including verification, eligibility, housing need and support.
• Determine the support needs of households in housing need and refer to specialist providers where appropriate.
• To participate in Housing Options Duty Rota, providing excellent customer service in respect of a range of complex and contentious housing enquiries, through a range of communication channels, online, face to face & in the community.
• To lead multi-agency case meetings for households with complex problems
• To act as housing lead in response to serious domestic abuse, child protection, adult safeguarding etc. where clients have identified housing needs.
• To develop strong relationships with all housing providers and promote multi-agency initiatives in the prevention of homelessness.
• To maintain continuous professional development and up to date knowledge of related legislation, such as landlord and tenant, family, welfare benefits, child and adult safeguarding
• To prevent homelessness wherever possible by negotiation and collaboration with a range of stakeholders
• To effectively manage a caseload through personal housing plans, communication strategies and effective record keeping.
• To provide affidavit evidence in cases where legal review is triggered.
• To apply client confidentiality procedures to investigations undertaken and to follow guidance in relation to lone working where there are potential risks to personal safety.
• To constructively participate in one-to-one supervision, case reviews and case conferences, employee appraisals and training sessions. To assist in providing induction and/or training programs to other officers as required.
• To respond to and initiate routine and non-routine correspondence with a wide range of agencies including Councillors and Members of Parliament.
• To produce and analyse statistical reports as appropriate.
• To respond to emergency situations where appropriate, attending cover at externally located rest centre(s).
• During your employment, you will be required to maintain a record of all training and development undertaken.
• To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time commensurate with the level of the post.
• To comply with all decisions, policies and standing orders of the Council and any relevant statutory requirements, including Equality and Diversity legislation, the Health and Safety at Work Act and Data Protection Act.

 
Applicant Requirements:

• Experience: 2+ years working within a similar role. 
• Compliance: Proof of right to work in the UK, 2 x references, and DBS dated within last 12 months or on update service.
• Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.
• Hours: 37 hours p/w.

Working with Seven Social Care:
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