Housing Management Officer

Seven Social Care are looking for a Housing Management Officer to work with Southampton Council based at Civic Centre, SO14 7LY. This position is paying up to £22.32 per hour (Ltd).

The Role:

You must share in the work of the Homelessness Unit, in the community, whose function includes prevention and relief of homelessness and the provision and management of accommodation for homeless households and the discharge of the duties of the City Council under the Housing Act 1996 / Homelessness Act 2002 Part 7 (Housing the Homeless) and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Responsible for ensuring that all work undertaken in accordance with the City Council’s Equal Opportunity policy.

Key Responsibilities:

• To interview and investigate all claims of homelessness under Part 7 Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Miscellaneous Provisions Act  1982 from households applying for assistance to the City Council. To obtain detailed information on their housing, financial, social, health and other circumstances, both past and present. Ensuring authenticity, by making appropriate enquiries, visits to addresses and liaison with other agencies.  
• To prevent and relieve homelessness, in accordance with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 for households becoming homeless. To mediate between customers and their housing providers when at risk of homelessness and to take appropriate arrangement to prevent loss or damage to clients’ personal possessions.
• To provide statutory advice and assistance to clients, and owner occupiers on matters relating to homelessness, housing advice, landlord/tenancy relations and mortgagee default. To issue customers with detailed, accurate written housing plans regarding their housing situation. To advise on available options including advice and assistance on legislation, financial inclusion and welfare reform, reviewing and evaluating as necessary.
• To record and maintain confidential case notes and client records on IT systems in accordance with professional and Council guidelines.  To record accurate statistical information associated with homelessness to enable completion of statutory returns on homelessness required by government departments.  To comply with all legal requirements set out under data protection legislation at all times.    
• The post holder will be required to assist with Homeseeker Lettings enquiries when needed and to liaise with other sections of the division and outside agencies when required. To assist, with all Homelessness Unit enquiries and associated functions and developing best practice.         
• To write and or contribute to reports, referrals, letters, risk assessments on behalf of clients from meetings, conferences and court and to other departments where necessary to support their clients.    
• To ensure that when referring vulnerable clients to move on accommodation, housing providers are fully briefed of those issues. Post holder to be fully aware of all safeguarding concerns and reporting any such concerns using the appropriate referral process..    
• To work in partnership with multi-agency colleagues from statutory and voluntary agencies to meet the needs of clients.    
• The post holder must be able to travel around the city to access all types of accommodation and ensure when carrying out visits that lone working procedures are fully adhered to. To participate in the Emergency Call-out Rota for Homeless people.    
• To have a good standard of IT literacy that enables use of self-service, digital user platforms, applications and MS Office and Council data systems (Northgate, Home-connections

Applicant Requirements:

• Experience: 2+ years working in a similar role. 
• Compliance: Up to date DBS.
• Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.
• Hours: 37 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.