Homelessness & Assessment Officer - Catford

Homelessness Prevention & Assessment Officer – Catford (Temp Vacancy)

Umbrella Rate: £21.00ph

Full-Time (37 hours)

Job Purpose:

• 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.

Accountabilities:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• To provide information about debt counseling and money advice services to customers in rent or mortgage arrears including advice on the availability of welfare benefits and prioritizing debts, referring people to the DWP, Housing Benefit Service or CAB as appropriate.
• To negotiate with landlords, Banks, Building Societies and other lenders, estate agents and solicitors on behalf of customers in rent or mortgage arrears.
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of vulnerable customers in respect of their support and housing related needs including the risk to themselves and others.
• To develop and maintain a sound knowledge of the support needs of vulnerable single customers presenting to the Council for assistance including physical and mental health, substance misuse, offending, learning disabilities, independent living skills, education, training and employment needs.
• To make appropriate referrals to supported accommodation services for vulnerable clients and ensure that a move on pathway is developed for each household as required.
• To liaise with other statutory services as appropriate who may owe a duty to vulnerable customers under legislation other than the homelessness acts.

We offer:

• 24 hour one on one specialist consultant based within your geographical area
• 4Recruitment Services Employee Benefits Programme
• Our own dedicated payroll support ensuring you get the full benefits of your payment

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy or other vacancies in your area please contact Parbej Miah 07435336299.