Homelessness Prevention & Assessment Officer

Our local authority client based in South London are urgently seeking an experienced Homelessness Prevention & Assessment Officer.

*£27.15 an hour Umbrella*

*Minimum 2 days a week on site*

Main Purpose of the job:

• To provide a comprehensive high quality homeless prevention, support and advice service to all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
• To provide an assessment service to customers presenting to the Council to ascertain what duties are owed to them by the authority and what alternative housing options are available to them.
• To demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Homelessness legislation and case law coupled with hands-on experience of preventing homelessness and making statutory decisions.
• To develop specialist knowledge and skills in relation to customers required to enable the delivery of a flexible and responsive housing needs service that can effectively meet changing demands and customer pressures.
• To keep up to date, clear, accessible and accurate casework and data records and report on performance as required.

Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:

1. To prevent and resolve homelessness within the borough through the provision of confidential and impartial advice and information to customers approaching the Housing Needs Service about their housing rights and obligations under legislation and Council policy either in Council offices or other locations as required.
2. To actively and positively promote and deliver the Council's homeless prevention agenda identifying appropriate housing options and utilizing the prevention tools available, such as DHP for customers that will resolve their accommodation problems and reduce the need for the provision of temporary accommodation within agreed timeframes.
3. To provide advice to customers in respect of the Council's obligations under PtVI and PtVII of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011.
4. To fully investigate the circumstances of customers presenting to the Council as homeless and to determine in accordance with current legislation, case law and the Code of Guidance 2006 what duty the authority owes to them and to issue legally robust S184 decision letters accordingly.
5. To maintain detailed, accurate case notes and reports, update computerised records, conduct correspondence and respond to enquiries as required to efficiently progress cases to resolution.

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the legislation and duties owed to homeless persons by the Council under Part V1 and Part V11 of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 & Localism Act 2011
• Knowledge of the duties owed to young people under the Childrens Act 1989
• Detailed and extensive knowledge of the Code of Guidance issued by the Dept for Communities & Local Government for local authorities 2006
• Detailed and up to date knowledge of all relevant case law pertaining to homelessness and its application
• Knowledge of Landlord & Tenant Legislation, the Housing Act 1985 and Protection from Eviction Act 1977
• Detailed working knowledge of homeless prevention initiatives and their application and effectiveness
• Detailed working knowledge of the welfare benefit system and its application

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.