Housing Adviser (SO2)

Job Purpose

The postholder will work closely with the Supported Housing Commissioning Team, especially the Rough Sleeping co-ordinator, to identify rough sleepers in need of a housing needs assessment. To work closely with the Rough Sleeping co-ordinator, in identifying rough sleepers in need of a housing needs assessments in a variety of locations such as day centres, supported housing schemes or short term emergency hotel accommodation. To prevention of homelessness in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice. To assist those who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness with fully understanding the situation and to be able to provide innovative and tailored options to prevent and relieve homelessness. To undertake a housing needs assessments for people seeking housing assistance and create housing plans tailored to the individual’s needs and circumstances. To manage a complex and demanding caseload in a busy and often challenging environment and prevent or relieve homelessness through the provision of advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation. To ensure that all housing options have been thoroughly explored to ensure best efforts to prevent homelessness. To undertake the assessment and investigation of homeless applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 where prevention/relief is not possible and inform clients of their assessment outcome.

Responsibilities

To provide a front of house service for customers who are rough sleeping who are seeking housing advice and assistance, ensuring that both priority and non-priority customers are directed to the appropriate part of the service.

To help households to remain in their current accommodation, where this is not possible in the long-term to agree an extension of their stay while they source alternative accommodation, supporting them to access private rented accommodation and to make applications for social housing.

To deliver a customer-facing service via drop in and appointments and work occasional evening meetings where required to accommodate the demand and flow of customers.

To deliver a customer-facing service via a telephone advice-line providing a full casework service for callers, as required.

Assess the temporary accommodation needs of customers as required and follow established placement and sign-up processes in order to provide a seamless service.

Manage a caseload of priority and non-priority need customers in housing need and maintain accurate and detailed casework records identifying priorities and meeting individual and service performance targets.

Manage conflicting priorities between case work, face to face interviews and operate an effective telephone service to ensure all customers can speak to housing advisers on the day of enquiry.

To use a range of housing options to sustain the current accommodation and to provide alternatives to avoid the need for temporary accommodation, including private renting, working closely with the Lettings service.

For households that are currently, or have recently, been living with friends and family, to work with friends or family that the applicant is currently, or was recently, living with to identify solutions that will enable them to stay living there whether in the short term while they find alternative accommodation. This could include budgeting and contributing to household costs, better use of the space in the accommodation, setting up lodging agreements.

To gather, record and verify information in relation to housing and homeless applications and assist those customers or who need support to bid for permanent council or registered provider properties.

To provide advice and support to tenants affected by welfare reform. Working with households’ members to increase incomes, supporting them in to work and engaging with other support services.

To respond effectively to prevent homelessness through advice, negotiation, mediation or conciliation, or by securing immediate access to alternative accommodation and generally promoting a housing options approach to service delivery to a full range of customers, including people who are challenging and demanding

To assess the housing-related support needs of single people and arrange access to appropriate housing related support services (Pathways services) via agreed referral procedures.

To assess clients under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and recommend outcome for approval by the Homeless Assessment Manager

To maintain and develop an excellent knowledge of housing options, homelessness law and practice and related fields including housing benefit and welfare rights

Generic Responsibilities

Be a champion for excellent customer service delivery and customer care and contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated service.

Be self-serving with respect to administration, case record keeping and other related duties and utilise IT systems to update and record information required according to guidance and established procedures.

Participate in appraisals, one to ones, objective settings, personal development plans and working group meetings and take a full and active role in service development, including service reviews.

To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

To carry out the duties of this post with due regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to actively promote and uphold the Council’s FRESH values.

Take responsibility, appropriate to the post, for ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures aimed at promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and adults.

Take responsibility, appropriate to the post for promoting diversity including tackling racism and good race, ethnic & community relations.

To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, that may be required. These may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the service.