Housing Solutions Officer

4Recruitment Services are seeking a Housing Solutions Officer - Advice & Assessment Team.

As Housing Solutions Officer, you will work directly with customers face to face and over the phone to identify and assess their housing needs, provide information, advice, and support, and develop a range of solutions to help customers resolve their housing needs and problems. This will require working closely in partnership with a range of internal and external agencies

Within the Housing Solutions Service the Advice and Assessment Team primary purpose is to prevent homelessness and provide Housing Solutions to families, couples, and single people over 22. The team are responsible for assessing the housing needs of customers and identifying support needs, working closely with other parts of the service and partner agencies to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for customers.

Where Homelessness cannot be prevented the team will ensure the councils statutory duties are effectively and efficiently carried out.

The post holder will Candidate will work Monday- Friday,  in Huddersfield and Dewsbury Library Hubs carrying out face-to-face housing needs assessment in line with the Housing Act 1996 and the council procedures.

This is a "casework" holding role. Knowledge of the Civica Abritas Housing system would be advantageous but not essential as necessary training will be given.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Working directly with customers to provide creative and innovative housing solutions.
• Taking a proactive approach that builds on what the customer can do for themselves, that is asset based rather than a deficit approach.
• Using knowledge of a range of housing related legislation and/or issues relating to providing support, in order to access or maintain a tenancy.
• Your primary aim is to prevent homelessness wherever possible, ideally through early intervention; where homelessness cannot be prevented you will determine if the Council has a statutory duty towards a customer.
• You will have an understanding of housing and homeless legislation and be able to carry out homeless assessments, ensuring appropriate decisions are determined.
• You assist in the provision of frontline service delivery and be part of a team duty rota providing advice and assistance to customers who are either facing the threat of homelessness or homeless on the day.
• You will need tenacity and perseverance required for working with and supporting people who have complex needs, vulnerabilities and can present with challenging behaviours
• You will complete the assessment of housing needs with regard to the council Allocations Policy

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Knowledge of relevant housing legislation
• Awareness and understanding of housing related benefits.
• Literacy and numeracy skills to ensure the production of accurate case notes and clear and accurate letters and emails to customers and internal/external partners.
• Experience of working flexibly and dealing with varying and demanding workloads.
• Possession of a full and valid driving licence and a car available for work.

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

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on (phone number removed) or email  (url removed).