Homeless Officer

London Borough of Hillingdon - Uxbridge

Contract: 3 months initially, with a strong likelihood of extension

Potential: Opportunity to secure a permanent position

Rate: £32 per hour Umbrella

Location: Hillingdon, London - hybrid working

Job Purpose

The London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking an experienced Homeless Officer to join its Housing Needs/Homelessness service on an initial 3-month contract, with a strong likelihood of extension and the potential for a permanent opportunity.

The successful candidate will manage a caseload of households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, providing high-quality housing advice, carrying out detailed assessments and taking appropriate action to prevent and relieve homelessness.

You will work proactively with applicants to identify housing solutions, complete statutory homelessness assessments and make appropriate decisions in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of homeless and potentially homeless households, ensuring cases are progressed effectively and within statutory timescales.
• Conduct comprehensive homelessness and housing needs assessments in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and relevant housing legislation.
• Determine whether applicants are eligible, threatened with homelessness or homeless and establish the duties owed by the Council.
• Develop and review personalised housing plans, identifying realistic options to prevent or relieve homelessness.
• Provide clear and accurate advice on housing options, homelessness rights, temporary accommodation and available housing solutions.
• Investigate applicants' circumstances, including their housing history, income, household composition, vulnerability and support needs.
• Liaise with landlords, letting agents, housing associations and private rented sector providers to identify suitable accommodation.
• Work closely with internal Council departments and external agencies to secure appropriate housing and support services.
• Assess and make appropriate decisions regarding intentional homelessness, priority need, local connection and eligibility.
• Arrange and manage temporary accommodation where required, ensuring placements are suitable and appropriate.
• Work proactively to prevent households from entering temporary accommodation wherever possible.
• Identify opportunities for households to access private rented accommodation, social housing or other appropriate settled housing solutions.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive case records and ensure all decisions are properly documented.
• Prepare statutory notifications and written decisions in accordance with legislation and Council procedures.
• Handle reviews, appeals and challenges relating to homelessness decisions and work with senior officers where necessary.
• Work collaboratively with safeguarding, social care, domestic abuse, welfare benefits, mental health and other specialist services where appropriate.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and make appropriate referrals in line with Council safeguarding procedures.
• Monitor case progression and take timely action to prevent delays and reduce the length of time households remain homeless or in temporary accommodation.
• Ensure all work is undertaken fairly, professionally and in accordance with equality, diversity and safeguarding requirements.

Essential Experience

• Previous experience working within a local authority homelessness or housing options service.
• Strong working knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience undertaking homelessness assessments and making statutory decisions.
• Experience managing a complex caseload within a homelessness or housing environment.
• Experience developing Personalised Housing Plans and delivering homelessness prevention and relief interventions.
• Knowledge of eligibility, priority need, intentional homelessness and local connection legislation.
• Experience working with vulnerable households and applicants with complex needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively to statutory deadlines.
• Strong IT, case management and administrative skills.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working within a London local authority homelessness service.
• Experience using local authority housing and homelessness case management systems.
• Experience dealing with homelessness reviews and statutory decision-making.
• Knowledge of temporary accommodation and private rented sector housing options.
• Experience working with households requiring safeguarding or specialist support interventions.

What the Role Offers

• £32 per hour Umbrella
• 3-month initial contract
• Strong likelihood of extension
• Potential opportunity to move into a permanent position
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Opportunity to work within an established London local authority housing service
• Immediate opportunity for an experienced homelessness professional to make a direct impact on residents facing housing insecurity

Homeless Officer - Public Sector and Government - Uxbridge

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.