Resettlement And Homelessness Prevention Officer

The Role

Job Title: Resettlement and Homelessness Prevention Officer

Salary Range: £36,426 to £44,139 per annum

Permanent (Full-Time)

Location: Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham

Objective of Role

We have significantly invested in our homelessness teams, creating several positions to help us tackle, prevent and relieve homelessness more effectively.

We are seeking capable and ambitious individuals eager to assist families and individuals facing homelessness.

Who Are We Looking For?

We value your transferable skills, particularly your ability to assess information, understand and apply assessment criteria accurately, solve problems, and communicate effectively with applicants, colleagues, and agencies. While previous experience in homelessness or other busy front-line public-sector roles is advantageous, it is not essential. We are looking for individuals who are:

· Emotionally mature and confident in working with people facing homelessness for various reasons.

· Good listeners who can apply what they hear within the legal framework we operate in.

· Organised in their work and capable of managing changing priorities.

· Able to engage and work collaboratively with families and individuals needing housing assistance.

· Skilled in discussing, negotiating, and persuading families and landlords to prevent and relieve homelessness.

· Capable of writing reasoned decision letters, conducting interviews, and producing high-standard case notes and assessments.

· Motivated and engaged team players.

About the Role

You will work proactively and collaboratively with households that are homeless or threatened with homelessness, helping them sustain their current housing where possible or secure alternative, suitable, and affordable accommodation.

You will be responsible for managing a personal caseload of households, agreeing on practical and reasonable steps for the Council and the household to prevent or relieve homelessness. These households may include private or social tenants, homeowners, individuals evicted by family members, or those facing relationship breakdowns, and may be vulnerable or have complex needs.

You will provide a flexible and responsive service for applicants by delivering services from our offices, ensuring comprehensive housing advice is available to customers, staff, and partner agencies.

You will conduct home visits to assess homelessness and evaluate the sustainability of the applicant’s current housing.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

· Experience of working within a customer service, housing, or lettings service.

· Experience of carrying out interviews, investigations, negotiations

· Experience of effective record keeping, including electronically held information.

· Experience of working with people who are homeless or in other stressful situations.

· Experience of working successfully to performance targets and deadlines

· Excellent interpersonal skills including active listening and negotiating.

· Excellent communication skills including the ability to write detailed case notes and technical letters

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  Sunday 14^th July 2024

Shortlisting Date: W/C 15^th July 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Useful Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, if you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan. For more details, please click here

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils