Accommodation Officer

Seven Social Care are looking for an Accommodation Officer to work in Dorchester, Dorset. To efficiently manage all aspects of the council’s supply of temporary accommodation across Dorset Council.

To ensure rent is paid on each placement, following the Housing Debt management process to reduce liability to the Council, this position is paying £19.46 per hour.

The role:

• To efficiently manage all aspects of the council’s supply of temporary accommodation across Dorset Council.
• To ensure rent is paid on each placement, following the Housing Debt Management Process to reduce liability to the Council.

Key Responsibilities:

• To manage the physical condition of the directly managed temporary accommodation

  so that it is in a permanent lettable state, conduct inspections, book repairs,

  maintenance, organise redecoration, and ensure any communal areas are clean and

  safe.

• To control the council’s financial liability through the local housing debt management

  process, pursue accommodation charges, monitor HB payments and work closely with

  housing finance team.

• To maintain and update comprehensive records in connection with the management,

  maintenance and costs associated with the council’s temporary accommodation and

  occupants as required.

• To obtain and monitor all mandatory safety certificates from those landlords, including

  Dorset Council, who provide emergency accommodation for homeless households.

  To undertake regular visits checking on standards and services provided.

• Undertake joint visits with contractors, Property and Assets services where necessary,

  to reduce void costs and enable quick turnaround. Also access arrangements to the

  properties when occupied.

• To work with and support leaseholder landlords who provide accommodation for

  homeless households to ensure the fabric of the building meets with the lease

  agreements.

• To work with and support B&B proprietors who provide our emergency homeless

  accommodation, to ensure successful client placements whilst in B&B.

• To arrange placement of clients into temporary accommodation, including sourcing

  and arranging B&B placements, continue to work with households until placements

  ended.

• Visit clients during their placements, to obtain all signed paperwork, and submit to

  relevant teams to fulfil income maximisation and the households are adhering to their

  placement agreements.

• To administer the movement of occupiers in and out of all forms of temporary

  accommodation and keep accurate records of all occupier’s movement and inform

  relevant teams.

• Any breaches in the occupier’s agreement serve warnings, issue notice to quit or last

  night in emergency accommodation. Investigate suspected abandonment, eviction

  process, providing supporting evidence for legal services and representing in court.

• Organise storage and disposal of former occupiers’ possessions.
• To signpost to relevant agencies, partners and support services including

  Resettlement, Tenancy sustainment and Housing Officers.

• To act as a point of liaison, attend meetings and undertake joint visits, between the

  council and stakeholders, to include temporary accommodation landlords, the police

  and social services, and Housing Officers.

• Provide references for prospective landlords for those households leaving temporary

  accommodation around their conduct, arrears, and any Anti-Social Behaviour issues.

• To provide timely, accurate statistics for government returns and other in-house

  statistics on a monthly, or otherwise agreed basis.

• To develop and maintain an in-depth knowledge of relevant Housing legislation.

Applicant Requirements:

• Qualifications: N/A.
• Experience: 2+ years working in a housing role.
• 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:

We have been helping social care professionals find exciting new roles for almost a decade, so we know exactly where to look when it comes to sourcing the best opportunities. We operate across the UK, and, with over 300 five-star reviews, multiple awards and amazing relationships with the biggest employers in UK social care, we give you the best chance of landing your next role.

We have a reputation for recruiting at lightning speed, however, we can only respond to candidates who meet the exact requirements of the position. If you have any queries about a role or application, please visit our website where our amazing candidate support team will be more than happy to help.