Housing Options Officer

Description

Our local government clients in Summerset seek a Housing Options Officer with a wealth of experience in a housing options team environment. Your expertise in making legal decisions under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and knowledge of the Homeless Reduction Act, prevention, relief, and main duty components will be crucial. You will provide advice, information, and assistance to applicants who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, playing a vital role in our team.

Responsibility

The role of Housing Options Officer is not just about fulfilling responsibilities but also about personal growth. You can work and support specialist areas such as Refugees, P2i (young people), Domestic Violence, etc. You will also be instrumental in helping applicants explore their housing options and find suitable accommodation that meets their needs. The role will also involve working with various partners and agencies to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community, providing a platform for your professional development and growth.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE Grade (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics.
  
  
• HNC and/or HND level qualification or equivalent level of experience.
  
  
• Advanced – Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, social media, and CRM.
  
  Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience Requirements - Criteria-to be Tested at Shortlisting.
  
  
• A key requirement for this role is considerable knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation and of delivering housing access and homelessness services.
  
  
• Knowledge of Part 7 of the 1996 Housing Act and The Homelessness Act 2002.
  
  
• Extensive knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and demonstrable evidence of working within a housing options team under the homelessness statutory framework.
  
  
• Desirable qualifications and experience include a good understanding of Homelessness legislation (Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002, Suitability Order 2012, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017).
  
  
• Landlord and tenant law. Desirable
  
  
• Knowledge of the options available to homeless or at risk of homelessness.
  
  
• Knowledge of Data Protection.
  
  
• Equality and diversity issues and understanding the relevance of a housing advice service.
  
  
• Practical written and verbal communication Essential
  
  
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships. Essential
  
  
• Negotiating skills.
  
  
• Ability to deal inventively and sensitively with a wide range and spectrum of people in wildly varying circumstances. Essential.
  
  
• Ability to establish and manage realistic applicant expectations.
  
  
• Resourceful, solution-focused, persuasive and skilled in overcoming barriers.
  
  
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
  
  
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload effectively where detailed and complex investigations are required, working with precision and attention to detail.
  
  
• Maintaining accurate, detailed, and timely case notes and other evidence-based records.
  
  
• Ability to work as part of a team, be flexible, use initiative and work with limited supervision.
  
  
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
  
  
• Experience working within a Housing Options team.
  
  
• Experience working in a housing association, local authority housing department or similar organisation.
  
  
• Experience in dealing with the public, particularly vulnerable applicants.
  
  
• Experience working in effective partnerships, which has led to positive solutions.
  
  Essential Compliance Requirements
  
  
• Five Years of References.
  
  
• The role requires an Enhanced DBS.
  
  
• A pre-engagement screening is mandatory for this role. Please be prepared for this additional step in the application process.
  
  Diamond Blaque Group, a leading public sector provider, is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. Our organisation is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace