Housing Solutions Officers

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are looking for an Housing Solutions Officers to join ourto join our team in Housing Solutions. You will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities. You will join us on a full time, Fixed Term or Secondment Opportunity for 2 years(37 hours per week). The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £34,834 - £41,418 per annum (pro rata for part time)

About the Housing Solutions Officer role:

The council is focused on the prevention of homelessness, and Housing Solutions Officers play a key role in the delivery of our homelessness service, working to fulfil the statutory duties in respect of homelessness and access to housing, whilst working in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Working in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to provide innovative solutions for people who find themselves homeless or threatened with homelessness. Offering advice and assistance, negotiating with landlords and families, liaising with private and public sector landlords and landlords' representatives, and advising applicants of the housing options available to them.

Focusing on preventing homelessness by assisting applicants in sustaining their current accommodation or securing alternative options to meet clients housing and support needs by undertaking comprehensive assessments and carrying out enquiries into each case to establish the council's responsibilities under the homelessness legislation.

Working using your own initiative but also as part of a dedicated team committed to the prevention of homelessness.

About our Housing Solutions Officer:

Working within the Solutions Team and alongside the wider Housing Solutions Team, we are looking for someone who is an excellent communicator, motivated and passionate in their approach to assisting homeless households.

As our Houseing Solutions Officer, you will:

• be able to work creatively and collaboratively to prevent homelessness wherever possible and have the knowledge and ability to advise households and landlords to prevent homelessness occurring
• have experience of making decisions on homelessness applications and understand the legal tests that need to be applied when reaching a decision
• have comprehensive experience of Welfare Benefits, including Universal Credit
• possess an ability to understand and interpret legislation when applying this to individual cases.

About us

Working together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK.

Benefits you will receive as our Housing Solutions Officers:

• Great opportunities for learning and development.
• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years service, plus bank holidays).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support Program
• Employee Assist Program
• Health Care Options

Our ways of working

Work is what we do, not where we go! We are committed to working in a more Hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business needs permitting). This has worked well for us and is something we will be continuing with.

We are committed to supporting equality and diversity, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils provide opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible service for our residents.

Closing date:? 5pm, 28 February 2024.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Housing Solutions Officersrole, even if you don t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.