Housing Management – Housing Needs Officer

Seven Resourcing are currently seeking a Housing Needs Officer to work within Birmingham City Council. This is a full time role, paying £12+ p/h. A DBS and Driving License is required for this role. 

JOB PURPOSE

1. Provide a responsive, customer and solution focused visiting service that assists with investigations of homeless applications.

2. Visit households where there is a threat of homelessness and through intervention and mediation, support the service to eradicate or reduce risks of homelessness.

3. Deliver expert advice and assistance on homelessness, carry out detailed inquiries and where required make referrals to support agencies.

4. Administer housing need assessments and conduct extensive investigations to fully understand and respond to customer’s housing and additional support needs.

5. Develop, update and review Personal Housing Plans (PHP) with customers. Set out and agree on realistic tasks with the customer and ensure the PHP remains relevant.

6. Make robust prevention, relief and main housing duty decisions that are compliant with legislation, service policies, procedures and relevant case law.

7. Using effective case management skills, timely prevent and relieve homelessness. Where homelessness cannot be prevented, support the arrangement of suitable Temporary Accommodation (TA) and First Night Placements.

8. Support the service to compile Part VII of the Housing Act review paperwork and case bundles for court proceedings.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties and responsibilities may include any of those detailed below and may be varied according to the needs of the designated service area(s). They may also include any other duties that are commensurate with the grade and nature of the post. There is an expectation that the post holder will develop the key competencies to ensure flexible and integrated working across the Directorate.

1. Assess homelessness applications within Part VII of the Housing Act. Determine what duty is owed and notify the customer in writing of this decision within statutory targets. Where appropriate issue discharge of duty notifications. 2. Deliver expert homelessness advice, information and assistance on a broad range of complex housing problems i.e. advice and information regarding security of tenure, legal rights of occupation and eligibility for benefits.

3. Have a strong focus on homeless prevention work. Understand the real reasons for homelessness/at risk of homelessness and use a range of prevention tools to maximise opportunities to prevent homelessness.

4. Support customers to live in their existing accommodation through negotiation/mediation with landlords, family members, statutory agencies and other housing providers or actively secure alternative suitable accommodation.

5. Manage customer expectations by having realistic conversations with customers regarding BCC’s housing stock availability. Support the service to successfully discharge its statutory duties into the Private Rented Sector.

Education/Qualifications

Professional CIH housing qualification (level 3) or equivalent experience.

Experience

Experience (Relevant work and other experience) Good experience of working in the housing profession.

Experience of working with homeless households and utilising a broad range of housing solutions to prevent and relieve homelessness.

Experience of working in a frontline service role, delivering services to customers with vulnerabilities and multiple complex needs.

Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment that is driven by strict timescales.

Experience of responding to complex and sensitive situations displaying empathy and diplomacy.

Experience of conducting assessments and investigations to make robust decisions. In-depth knowledge of homelessness legislation, including relevant housing, Private Rented Sector and benefit legislation.

Working at Seven Resourcing:

Established in 2011, Seven Social Care is a leading provider of social care professionals to county councils, charities, hospitals, care homes and private organisations across the UK.

After being shortlisted for multiple awards in 2018, we are proud of our nationwide reputation for providing a world-class recruitment service that is underpinned by honesty, integrity and attention to detail.

If you’re not the perfect match for this role, but you know a someone who is, help them find their dream job by referring them to Seven Resourcing. As a little ‘thank you’ from us, you will receive £250 for every referral that is successfully placed into a new role.