Visiting Officer

Housing Options Visiting Officer
Barnet/Edgware & surrounding areas
3 Months Temporary ongoing
Up to 14.40 per hour

UK Driving Licence & own vehicle required

Tate are working with a client to recruit for a dedicated Housing Options Visiting Officer to assist in managing and retaining good quality, cost-effective accommodation from the private rented sector and reducing the number of households living in temporary accommodation. The role involves carrying out visits to ensure customers are living at the accommodation provided by Housing Options, undertaking unannounced and planned visits to all forms of Temporary Accommodation to ensure occupancy, detect fraud, verify information, and pass information to relevant teams.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Customer Interaction: Deal directly with customers of the Housing Options service, including homeless applicants and tenants in their temporary accommodation homes.

• Emergency Accommodation: Assist the Emergency Accommodation Team in providing suitable temporary accommodation to homeless customers.

• Reporting: Report any disrepair issues reported by tenants to the Contracts and Compliance team.

• Occupancy Checks: Carry out occupancy checks in temporary accommodation and provide detailed, accurate, and prompt information regarding findings.

• Service Standards: Ensure the service provided to emergency accommodation clients is excellent and conforms to statutory requirements and best practices.

• Service Improvement: Identify opportunities for service improvement and make recommendations to the Project and Contract Management Officer.

• Customer-Focused Service: Provide a comprehensive, tailored customer-focused service to customers and accommodation providers.

• Referrals: Identify the needs of clients who are most in need and make appropriate referrals.

• Case Notes: Maintain accurate case notes, including property inspection and occupancy check sheets, and accurate information on databases.

• Fraud Detection: Detect and report any incidents of suspected fraud to the relevant senior officer and liaise with other departments.

• Safeguarding: Follow safeguarding procedures and policies to ensure vulnerable children and adults with housing difficulties receive the right services at the right time.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal and external colleagues, including social services, contractors, occupational therapists, education services, support workers, hospitals, and other medical professionals.

Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of housing legislation and guidance including homelessness legislation.
• IT literate with the ability to work with databases and MS Office applications.
• Understanding of excellent customer care and commitment to delivering it.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to liaise effectively with other agencies and voluntary groups.
• Ability to manage and resolve difficult and confrontational situations.
• Ability to maintain accurate case notes and information on databases.

Please apply today if you have the suitable skills and experience!

Please be aware this advert will remain open until the vacancy has been filled. Interviews will take place throughout this period, therefore we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Tate is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Tate is committed to promoting equal opportunities. To ensure that every candidate has the best experience with us, we encourage you to let us know if there are any adjustments we can make during the application or interview process. Your comfort and accessibility are our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Additionally, we value and respect your individuality, and we invite you to share your preferred pronouns in your application.