Role:
Accommodation Support Officer
Salary: £13.96
Location: Doncaster
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5pm
Contract: Temporary
Job Purpose:
To find suitable interim accommodation for customers in relief duty to meet the needs of the household. To place the customer into interim accommodation and to provide support to the customer/household to move them into independent living.
As part of your day-to-day duties and responsibilities you will:
1. Ensure all Temporary Accommodation is fully equipped with core items, that it is clean and that it is in good repair.
2. Find suitable alternative Temporary Accommodation for Customers/Households, where their needs cannot be met with current void stock.
3. Conduct a sign up to the Temporary Accommodation, under a licence agreement and apply for Housing Benefit (where applicable) with the Customer during that signup.
4. Ensure customers are aware of their responsibilities and rights under the occupancy agreement, resolve tenancy issues and to enforce the occupancy agreement where appropriate.
5. Liaise with Legal Services and provide clear instructions on legal enforcement action, prepare a case for court, when necessary, in liaison with Legal Services, which includes providing written statements for court, obtaining statements from witnesses/complainants and where necessary attending court to ensure all relevant information and evidence is presented at court with the aim of achieving a successful outcome
6. Update internal systems of the Temporary Accommodation placement and any subsequent moves.
7. Support customers in Temporary Accommodation with moving on in a timely manner to settled accommodation to include private, supported, and social housing.
8. Maximise rental income through the recovery of rent arrears in line with company policy and procedure. This will include telephone contact, writing to tenants and home visits.
9. Operate relevant procedures including, but not limited to, occupancy, arrears, and eviction procedures.
10. When Private Rented Accommodation is identified for a customer, complete HHSRS Inspection to ensure compliance prior to agreeing and transferring of funds.
11. Manage temporary accommodation through homelessness legislation making decisions within legal and policy frameworks.
12. To work with Rough Sleepers, in conjunction with partner agencies to support them back into independent living and break the cycle of homelessness.
13. To deliver specialist advice when required to Customers fleeing or experiencing Domestic Abuse.
14. Managing customers’ expectations to provide realistic outcomes in terms of sustainable accommodation.
15. Identify vulnerable persons and issues around safeguarding children and adults as part of daily business and signpost/refer to other agencies as appropriate.
16. Interpret and support clients of the Local Authority through the Council’s Lettings Policy, including assistance with the bidding process.
17. Ensure that all inventories are updated on customer arrival and departure and appropriate action is taken when items are missing or damaged.
18. Assist in reaching all targets across the Home Options Service.
19. Feedback progress and outcomes to complainants and other associated parties in respect of anti-social behaviour cases and/or tenancy breach cases through personal contact and/or multi-agency meetings to ensure optimum customer satisfaction.
20. Work in a way that demonstrates the client’s Values and Behaviours in practice.
21. Work flexibly in the interests of the service – this may include undertaking other duties provided that these are appropriate to the duties and responsibilities of the post.
22. The Safeguarding of children and adults is paramount to everything the client delivers. All staff are expected to undergo training and then to identify and report all safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels
23. Undertake all mandatory training required within the timescales outlined
24. To take part in the out of hours on-call rota (details to be agreed subject to ongoing consultation)
Person Specification:
Essential:
25. Knowledge of Part 6 and 7 of the Housing act and practical experience of using homeless legislation including knowledge of housing law, policies and practices including legislation in relation to AST’s.
26. Knowledge of Equality and Diversity, health and safety and value for money.
27. Understanding of the legislative requirements affecting private sector housing and the local and national agenda influencing local government and housing.
28. Experience of working with internal and external agencies such as elected members, Social Services, Police and partners.
29. Understanding of current housing issues.
30. Experience of working in a busy and demanding environment including visiting customers in their own home.
31. Experience of applying policies and procedures relating to the enforcement of tenancy conditions and the principles of income management.
32. Hold a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business usage.
33. There may be a requirement for the post holder to work out of office hours where needed and from other offices.