Housing & Welfare Advisor – 3 to 4 Month Contract
Location: Walsall
Rate: £30.00 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract Duration: 3 to 4 Months
Hours: Full Time
Working Pattern: 3 Days in Office / 2 Days Remote
Enhanced DBS Required
Essential: Experience with Section 184 Decision-Making
Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly
Summary
We are seeking a seasoned Housing & Welfare Advisor to join our dynamic Housing and Welfare team on a temporary basis. This pivotal role involves offering expert guidance on housing rights, homelessness, welfare benefits, and financial wellbeing. You will engage directly with residents, aiding them in accessing necessary support and fostering independence and housing stability. A critical aspect of this position is possessing extensive experience in making homelessness decisions under Section 184 of the Housing Act 1996, which includes conducting thorough investigations and issuing legally sound decision letters. Collaboration with internal teams and external partners is essential, as is representing clients in Tribunals and Court Hearings when necessary.
Responsibilities
- Deliver expert advice on housing rights, homelessness legislation, welfare benefits, and income maximisation.
- Manage a diverse caseload of housing and welfare-related issues.
- Evaluate homelessness applications and make determinations under Section 184 of the Housing Act 1996.
- Conduct investigations and compile evidence to support statutory decisions on homelessness.
- Draft and issue comprehensive Section 184 decision letters.
- Assist residents in maximising their income and accessing available benefits.
- Support vulnerable households facing housing, financial, or welfare challenges.
- Represent clients in Tribunals and Court Hearings as needed.
- Collaborate with partner agencies and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
- Support joint initiatives and externally funded projects.
- Promote financial inclusion, wellbeing, and tenancy sustainment.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and case notes.
- Ensure service delivery aligns with legislation, policies, and procedures.
- Provide a responsive, customer-focused service to residents and stakeholders.
Essential
Requirements
Requirements:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Extensive experience in making Section 184 homelessness decisions
- Experience in providing housing advice, welfare rights, benefits advice, or homelessness prevention services
- Strong knowledge of:
- Housing Act 1996
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
- Homelessness Legislation
- Welfare Benefits
- Welfare Reform
- Income Maximisation
- Housing Act 1996
- Experience managing complex customer cases
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals and households
- Excellent communication, advocacy, and negotiation skills
- Experience working with multiple agencies and stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload
- Strong report writing and case recording skills
Desirable
- Previous experience in a Local Authority setting
- Experience representing customers in Tribunals or Court Hearings
- Knowledge of debt advice, tenancy sustainment, or financial inclusion services
- Experience delivering partnership projects or externally funded programmes
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional customer service and communication skills
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Ability to interpret and clearly explain legislation
- Organised and capable of managing competing priorities
- Empathetic and person-centred approach
- Ability to build effective relationships with customers and partners
- Resilient and professional when managing complex cases
What's on Offer?
- £30.00 per hour (Umbrella)
- 3 to 4 Month Contract
- Location: Walsall
- Hybrid Working – 3 Days Office-Based / 2 Days Remote
- Enhanced DBS Required
- Section 184 Experience Essential
- Bi-weekly Pay
- Opportunity to work within a specialist Housing & Welfare service
- Varied role covering housing advice, homelessness, welfare rights, income maximisation, and advocacy
We encourage applications from individuals with experience as a Housing Advisor, Housing Options Officer, Homelessness Officer, Homelessness Prevention Officer, Section 184 Officer, Welfare Rights Officer, Housing Needs Officer, Welfare Benefits Advisor, Financial Inclusion Officer, Housing Support Officer, or Income Maximisation Advisor.
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