Housing Options Officer

– To provide a comprehensive housing advice and assistance and casework service to all applicants threatened with homelessness due to changes in Housing Benefit regulations.
– To provide a comprehensive, customer focused housing options service to enable the Council to prevent homelessness in all cases.
– Where homelessness cannot be prevented, to assess applications for housing assistance in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Housing Act 1996 Part 6 and 7 and other relevant legislation, guidance, policy and directives.

Education and Qualifications:
A good standard of education

Experience:
– At least 2 years working within public sector housing.
– At least 1 years front line.

Skills:
– Ability to communicate effectively with council officers at all levels, and wide range of professionals both verbally and in writing.
– Ability to negotiate on behalf of clients with host landlords, solicitors and external agencies to achieve successful outcomes.
– Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
– Ability to maintain written notes, case summaries and briefing papers.
– Ability to meet performance targets and comply with casework standards.
– Ability to understand and assimilate complex information and apply it to individual circumstances. Impart complex information to clients in a manner which is easy to understand.
– Ability to work effectively with clients whose behaviour may sometimes be challenging.
– Ability to advise clients in a sympathetic objective manner, within the constraints of the legal policy framework and resources available.
– Ability to recognise the needs of vulnerable clients.
– Ability to respond quickly and effectively to resolve problems and ensure that tenancies are maintained whenever possible.
– Ability to carry out effective presentations to promote the service.

Knowledge:
– Basic numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
– Knowledge of issues affecting landlords and occupiers in the private sector.
– Knowledge of the Housing Act 1988 – the Housing Act 1996 Part VI, VII (as amended by 2002).
– Knowledge of recent government initiatives in relation to homeless and the allocation of social housing.
– Detailed knowledge of the 1977 Protection from Eviction Act, County Court – procedures and remedies for illegal eviction.
– Awareness of Housing Benefit Regulations.

Other job requirements:
Awareness of equal opportunity and diversity issues in service delivery for applicants in housing need

Adecco is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.