Housing Solutions Assistant

London Borough of Redbridge - Ilford

ROLE DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Role Title: Housing Solutions Assistant

Department: Housing Hours/weeks: 36 hours/52.14 weeks

Reports to: Housing Solutions Team Leader or Housing Customer Contact Team Leader

Are you a Housing Solutions Assistant looking for your next assignment? Redbridge Council - Ilford are looking to recruit a Housing Solutions Assistant ot join their team on a contract basis, please see below details.

This position is fundamental to the provision of housing advice and homelessness services to vulnerable customers who may approach the council for assistance as a result of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reductions Act 2017 duties, and other key housing legislation, alongside the Children Act and the Care Act.

This is a specialist role that will be at the forefront of the prevention of homelessness, and at the cutting edge following the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2017. Officers will work with a full range of customers and scenario's but may specialise in teams focused on prevention for single people, prevention for families or homeless assessment decision-making

Key Accountability's and Result Areas

1. Strategy and Planning

The post holder will be required to develop a comprehensive knowledge of all housing advice and homelessness legislation, other general housing legislation, welfare benefit expertise and knowledge of the adult & children social care environment and impact and to use this knowledge to support customers and achieve positive outcomes

The post holder will be required to develop a specialist knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Children Act, and the Care Act. Combined with specialist knowledge of the Welfare Reform Act.

The post holder needs to use this knowledge to work collaboratively with customers to identify the most appropriate and effective solutions to their housing problems and to do so proactively at the most appropriate time ensuring the maximum opportunities for early intervention

The post holder will be required to be innovative, dynamic and solutions focused and consider and pursue all available housing options to prevent the customers from becoming homeless.

The post holder will be required to use their experience to contribute to the ongoing development and design of the service and solutions for customers.

2. Operations and Support - To provide an effective, customer-focused and efficient service to customers presenting with housing problems; to support them in keeping their current home or in accessing a new home in the public or private sector.

To prioritise early intervention and create an environment for responding to customers issues as soon as possible

To develop the ability to advise customers on full range of options to solve their housing problem, including

- how the council can intervene if they are threatened with homelessness

- joining and priority on the housing register and housing mobility options

- options for private renting, supported housing, moving out of London, shared ownership and obtaining a mortgage

To complete the Personalised Housing Plan following a detailed assessment with all customers as part of the first interview process and to ensure this Personalised Housing Plan is kept up to date.

To ensure support needs are identified recorded and acted upon and to refer for resettlement support as required

To request the provision of temporary accommodation where necessary

To carry out detailed enquiries on cases subject to statutory review proceedings as directed by the Housing Reviews Manager.

To learn and comply with all relevant statutory requirements, Government Guidance and Codes, Redbridge policies and procedures, professional and performance standards and best housing and homelessness prevention practice.

To advise clients of available tenancy support services including floating support, income maximisation, debt and rent arrears advice, Discretionary Housing Payments, Housing Benefit support, mobility mutual exchange and under-occupation schemes

Any other duties appropriate to the post and grade.

3. Systems and Process Development and Improvement

To utilise the homelessness system to produce personal housing plan for each customer and to provide key monitoring information for submission to the HClic system created by DCLG and for local information reporting and management

To maintain customers electronic files on info@work providing a thorough audit trail of activity and key documents in line with agreed process

4. Communication Partnership To develop effective working relationships with colleagues within Redbridge, other council and statutory services, external bodies, service users, landlords as well as voluntary and other housing organisations and ensure effective referrals.

To assist in developing full range of information and publicity for all clients as well as supporting the development of internal procedures.

To provide advice services to clients through personal or telephone interviews, correspondence, advocacy, reception, home visiting, outreach work and surgeries, workshops and talks to customer groups.

To deal with enquiries, complaints and correspondence from clients and their advocates, including solicitors, councillors, MPs, the ombudsman and other housing providers, in line with the Council's complaints and enquiries procedure.

Prepare information as required to support court cases for which the post-holder is responsible (reviews and appeals, judicial reviews etc.).

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