Housing Options Officer

at  Colbern Limited

457252-5504-2486 NCD

Housing Options Officer
Oxford
Contract
£16.92 per hour PAYE or £22 per hour paid via Umbrella Company inside IR35
Our client is looking for an experienced Housing Options Officer.
Candidate is expected to come into the office for initial induction training and to collect equipment. Oxford Westgate Library.
Duration of assignment: 12 weeks – possible extension
Working hours: 37 hours Monday to Friday
 To deliver a first-class customer orientated service to prevent homelessness which provides the customer with a suitable solution regarding their homelessness and housing issues.
 Acting as a first point of contact for asylum seekers, refugees or migrants who living or recently moved from asylum dispersal accommodation, you will be aware of the barriers and challenges and have a positive attitude to problem solve and overcome them to support customers.
 To take ownership in ensuring all housing options and upstream housing advice are explored in all cases to establish and maximise opportunities for preventing homelessness.
 To carry out the Council’s statutory duties under homelessness legislations. Ensuring
applications are taken and investigated appropriately under the terms of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996 part 7 as amended, Localism Act 2011,Code of Guidance, case law and the Council’s own policies.
 To be an effective member of the Housing Options Team, part of the wider Homelessness Prevention Team, as well as working collaboratively with colleagues across the department to support the objectives of the Housing Needs team; homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and excellent customer outcomes.
Provide a range of advice and assistance to customers, undertaking visits to take homeless applications and offer early intervention housing advice including translation services where appropriate, working closely with voluntary and community organisations to offer a joined up service to customers.
 To pro-actively provide to customers in housing need, a range of advice and assistance on housing and related areas, working with or signposting them to other service areas or agencies where appropriate, demonstrating strong empathy and listening skills in a calm manner to help to resolve their housing issues.
 Understanding of the specific challenges affecting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants and how to overcome to these to deliver a holistic services focused on homeless prevention including utilising a trauma informed approach.
 Awareness that you will be working with customers is different legal situations and therefore the advice will need to be tailored to their specific situation.
 Lead and manage a personal caseload which would include a number of homelessness and prevention applications and maintain an accurate and detailed casework records in line with Council policies, procedures, code of guidance and homelessness legislation.
 Assess all applications and determine the extent of the council statutory duties to homeless household and decide on the appropriate action to take in line with Housing Act 1996 part 7 (as amended), Homelessness Act 2002, Localism Act 2011, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (and any other relevant legislations) , Council Policies and Procedures.
 Take the lead and overall responsibility for; case management, investigative interviewing, enquiries with internal and external agencies and third party agencies to ensure correct legal decision is issued and achievement of individual and team performance objectives, targets and service standards.
 Ensure that written notification of the council’s decision is given to all homeless applicants in accordance with statutory requirements. All notifications must inform applicants of their right to request a review of the housing authority’s decision and the time within which such a request must be made.
 Develop and maintain relationships with key voluntary and community organisations, being the key liaison person working with a range of key agencies in identifying clients at high risk of homelessness to ensure early intervention and improve the likelihood of successful homeless prevention.
 Work proactively with clients to prevent homelessness wherever possible, through effective verbal and written communication skills, providing an advisory and advocacy role in areas such as: security of tenure, right of occupation, Immigration, Welfare Benefits, negotiating with families, landlords or agents and referring for debt advice. CAB,
PLEASE ONLY apply if you have the necessary skills, experience and expertise.
The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV. Should you be short listed Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or we may contact you about other job opportunities. Colbern Limited along with our clients
are an equal opportunities employer.

Please refer the Job description for details