Job Title: Senior Housing Officer
Location: Dorchester
Contract Type: Temporary
Salary: £19-£25 per hour DOE
About Us
Connect2Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council. We provide temporary, contract, and interim opportunities, with profits returned to our Local Authority shareholders. We value ethics, trust, and care in our work.
About the Role
The Senior Housing Officer will ensure the delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused service, working with various council departments and external partners. You will oversee complex housing cases, support the team, and deputise for the Housing Team Leader.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
- Manage and guide team members, including coaching, mentoring, allocating work, and ensuring effective case management.
- Handle sensitive and challenging cases involving vulnerable individuals, including those affected by domestic violence, homelessness, substance misuse, and mental health issues.
- Work closely with external agencies, attending meetings such as Multi-Agency Risk Meetings (MARMs) and High-Risk Domestic Abuse (HRDA) meetings to provide input and representation for the housing service.
- Collaborate with Team Leaders to create and refine housing pathways, addressing barriers to achieving positive outcomes for customers.
- Liaise with internal Housing Teams to meet the accommodation needs of homeless households and work towards reducing temporary accommodation usage.
- Approve rent deposits, temporary accommodation funding, and other payments, ensuring they align with council policies and budgets.
- Complete statutory reports and government returns accurately and on time, adhering to council procedures.
- Contribute to developing new practices and policies aimed at improving service efficiency and reducing costs.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- A-level education or equivalent relevant experience
- Strong knowledge of Housing Act 1996 and homelessness legislation
- Experience supervising staff and managing housing budgets
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- IT proficiency, particularly with Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Ability to manage crisis situations and make informed decisions under pressure
- Problem-solving skills with the ability to innovate and develop solutions
- Experience in multi-agency collaboration
- High-level customer service skills
Join us in delivering impactful housing services to Dorset's community!
Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.