Must have 3 year statutory homeless experience
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.
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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.
6. To provide advice and practical assistance when required to customers in respect of security of tenure across all types of tenure, including matrimonial rights and attending court as needed in order to prevent homelessness.
7. To investigate landlord and tenant disputes including allegations of harassment and illegal eviction within the meaning of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and Protection from Harassment Act 1997, intervening and negotiating with all parties as required to prevent homelessness.
Experience
Experience of composing and issuing detailed and legally robust S184 decision letters in line with the duties owed to customers under the homelessness legislation
Experience of producing detailed and accurate reports and letters to the public and other professionals
Experience of working in a demanding front line service in a housing environment
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
RQ1328197