Homelessness Relief Officer

Homelessness Relief Officer/Housing Options Officer
Reigate
Temporary, 3 month contract (Possibility of Extension)
Full Time, 40 hours - WFH 1 day a Week, Mileage policy…
Start Date: 10/06

We are recruiting a Homeless Relief Officer to deal with homeless applications coming from Home Office accommodation.

You will be responsible for assessing clients under the Housing Act 1996 and carrying out enquiries and conducting Housing assessments.

Ideally experience of using Locata is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice by telephone or face-to-face on housing and tenancy rights, financial advice (welfare benefits, income maximisation, debt management), housing options (private rental, housing register, supported housing, hostels, refuges, home ownership schemes), and the council's role in homelessness assistance.


• Serve as the department's Housing duty officer on a rota basis, providing technical advice and assessing client eligibility for council duties, including interim accommodation.


• Represent the Council at internal and external meetings, such as MARAC, MAPPA, and Team around the Person/family meetings, and be part of a duty rota at the Town Hall.


• Develop expertise in specific areas like care leavers, army discharge, and substance misuse.


• Manage a caseload of households threatened with or experiencing homelessness, conducting Housing Needs assessments, providing personal housing plans, issuing statutory decision letters, negotiating with landlords, assisting with benefit claims, and liaising with internal and external partners.
  
  Keep accurate case notes on our internal systems (Locata) and work closely with homelessness prevention officers.


• Make referrals to accommodation providers or support services where relevant.


• Contribute to improving our housing service by developing customer information, identifying new service providers, training team members, staying current with housing legislation and case law, and managing specific service areas or projects.


• Undertake other duties as allocated, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• GCSE level or equivalent


• HNC in Housing Studies or equivalent


• Experience delivering housing advice or tenancy support


• Knowledge of housing legislation, tenancy rights, and the benefits system


• Experience in a local authority housing department, registered social landlord, or third sector organisation providing housing advice


• Experience liaising with statutory, non-statutory, and voluntary agencies


• Experience dealing with vulnerable or demanding clients


• Excellent communication and negotiation skills


• Ability to work effectively with challenging clients


• Commitment to high standards of customer care


• Resilient under pressure


• Good IT skills

If you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please send your CV now for consideration.

If you require any additional information regarding the position, please call Alex at Service Care Solutions on 01772 208 966 or send an E-Mail to alex.yates@servicecare.org.uk