Housing Support Officer

Seven Social Care are looking for a Housing support Officer to work in Chy Trevail, Cornwall. This is working for one of the Country’s leading providers of affordable housing, care and support and neighbourhood regeneration, this position is paying £17.23 per hour.

The role:

– To ensure that the Council professionally and compassionately carries out its statutory duties to the homeless and that, wherever possible, no vulnerable customers or children suffer harm or loss of life through sleeping on the streets in Cornwall.
– To ensure an effective Housing Options Service is provided to Cornwall’s clients in housing need, including assessment and advice on Housing and related support.
– To identify people who may be at risk of homelessness at the earliest possible opportunity and work proactively with those identified to prevent and relieve their homelessness.
– To provide comprehensive housing related advice and information service in accordance with the Homelessness Reductions Act 2017 and ensure decisions made in line with legislation, case law and local policies.
– To build on strong partnerships, with a view to maximise opportunities to prevent homelessness in the first instance or if not possible, relieve homelessness as quickly as possible.
– To be responsible for the effective Provide an effective, professional homelessness service on behalf of the Council including assessment, investigation and decisions making in line with the Councils’ statutory duties under Housing Act Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended), code of guidance, best practise and relevant case law drive the Council’s homelessness agenda.
– To develop, update and review Personalised Housing Plans for customers in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. These plans will ensure that homelessness is prevented or relieved thought active engagement with relevant services”
– To contribute to the reduction in the use of temporary accommodation by ensuring that all other appropriate avenues are thoroughly explored to prevent or relieve homelessness as an alternative to needing to provide emergency accommodation
– To deputise for the Housing Options Team Manager as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

– To provide a highly professional, empathic and client-centred response for clients approaching with a range of housing and homelessness problems, treating the applicants with respect and sensitivity at all times.
– To provide a professional and effective housing options interview and homelessness investigation service; taking a full application from the client and issuing personalised housing plans in preventing or relieving homelessness irrespective of the customer’s priority need or intentionality status
–  To interview all applicants who approach the Council in housing need, to determine what actions can be taken to resolve the issues that are threatening nthem with homelessness and agreeing a personal housing plan aimed at securing their occupation of their current accommodation. If this is not possible, or appropriate, help them to secure alternative accommodation before the eviction takes place.
– To conduct home visits to appropriate locations both inside and outside of the county, as and when is necessary, to assist in the investigation of homelessness applications.
– To deliver an excellent customer service to all our customers by providing expert information and advice ensuring that knowledge of relevant housing law, policies, pathways and local options is maintained and up to date, including a good understanding of the functions and duties of other key agencies and welfare rights
– To be able to give advice regarding security of tenure, rights to matrimonial homes, injunctions and transfers, illegal evictions and landlord and tenant disputes.
– To be able to give advice on prospects for rehousing via the Council’s Choice Based Lettings Scheme and to advise of more realistic alternative options if necessary
– To keep abreast of developments in all aspects of private sector housing law, including the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 as amended and tenancy rights under the Housing Act 1988 1996 and 2004 Act.
– Assess and determine to what extent legal action should be initiated or defended and the tactics as appropriate, in the exercise of our powers and duties under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Housing Act 1996 and other relevant legislation in all cases.
– To investigate allegations of Harassment, unlawful eviction, in the private rented sector, and other non-public sector cases, and take action, as appropriate, to remedy the situation.
– To provide the Housing Options Service from different locations throughout the ncounty, including working on a rota basis at the regular housing advice surgery where the need is identified.
– Ensure that all customers are fully aware of the local housing supply and conditions, the full range of housing options open to them and that they are kept informed of the progress in their case meeting all statutory, corporate and local deadlines and targets
– To proactively identify support needs and refer applicants to support services such as floating support, specialist agencies, debt advice to ensure longer term sustainment of accommodation and minimise the risk of repeat homelessness
– To maintain accurate written and computer records, reports, & other monitoring information as required in connection with the various duties undertaken, and keep other records necessary to provide an adequate management information data base
– To organise and administer a case load, identifying priorities and deadlines and ensuring systematic progress is made on each case.
– To write and issue statutory, and outcome of interview letters, including statutory S184 decision letters, letters of referral to other authorities where an applicant’s local connection lies elsewhere, and outcome letters, to advise the applicant of the outcome of their initial interview.
– To deal with enquiries, complaints and correspondence from clients and their advocates, including solicitors, councillors, MPs, the ombudsman and other housing providers, in line with the Council’s complaints and enquiries procedure. This may include preparing information to support court cases for which the postholder is responsible.
– Attend and represent the Housing Options service in cross-service and multiagency meetings relating to housing advice
– Participate in talks and presentations to agencies working with people with housing problems, whether in the statutory or voluntary sectors, on how the Council and others can assist with housing problems
– Establish and maintain close links with other boroughs and agencies so as to gather, learn from and disseminate best practice
– To identify and suggest any improvements to current ways of working in order to deliver a more efficient and effective service for customers.
– Build Effective working relationships both inside and outside the organisation. Council wide where appropriate in particular to engage with Adult Social Care and Children’s Services to deliver a seamless service where appropriate. External – Including but not limited to: DWP; Rent Officers; Solicitors; Estate Agents; Accommodation Agencies; Housing Associations & RPs; Probation Services; Voluntary Agencies; CABs; Health Care providers & ICBs.
– Complete other reasonable tasks in order to fulfil role purpose or as instructed by management.
– To carry out all necessary tasks in order to conclude casework promptly in keeping with the council’s processes, current legislation and relevant case law.

Applicant Requirements:

– Qualifications: N/A.

– Experience: 2+ years working in a housing role with homeless clients.

– Compliance: Up to date DBS.

– Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.

– Hours: 37.5 hours p/w.

Working with Seven Social Care:

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