Job Purpose:
Deliver a range of case management, support and person centred interventions for people and households in housing need and at risk of homelessness, or homeless. Cases are managed in compliance with Housing (Wales) Act 2014 legislation and within the clear guidance of the Supporting People initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities – Job Specific
1. Ensuring that the Council accepts, manages and discharges its responsibilities towards homeless people and households in accordance with Housing Wales Act 2014 and supporting “codes of guidance”.
2. Contribute to the awareness of housing and homelessness issues within the County of Conwy and respond to local, national and legislative change.
3. Preventing homelessness through a range of “reasonable steps” which are designed to prevent homelessness; and manage it when it is unavoidable. Examples of Reasonable Steps can include but are not limited to: mediation within families, effective negotiation, housing advice, advocacy and support; referrals to support services, partnership working with other agencies.
4. Providing advice and information on housing options to the public and ensuring appropriate signposting of services based on service users specific needs.
5. To carry out assessment of housing need and work with people and households who are at risk of homelessness to devise personal housing plans which have a clear focus on the reasonable steps required to prevent or relieve homelessness.
6. Produce and maintain detailed records as part of the routine case management process and ensure service users are informed of their rights and responsibilities at all times.
7. Liaise with a range of partner agencies (including but not limited to Health Authority, Social Care, Probation, Police), to investigate applicant’s circumstances, to identify support needs, to inform the decision making process and ensure appropriate housing options are explored and all appropriate duties extended to qualifying people and households.
8. To foster positive working relationships with Private Sector Landlords and Lettings Agencies to assist homeless households into accommodation, by matching them to potential properties and overcoming barriers to the Private Rented Sector.
9. To prepare and submit all relevant documentation relevant to a range of housing and homelessness functions including but not limited to; Case Reviews for the Regional Reviewing Officer, applications for funding or grants from the Council or other agencies, Benefit Claims, Occupation Agreements, representations for Court and recovery/repayment of funds to the Council.
10. To ensure that all case records are up to date and that data and documentation within case files are accurate, handled sensitively and stored securely enabling effective data collection for service development and performance management purposes.
11. To take services into the community through activities such as outreach, surgeries, co-location with other services and where required by undertaking home visits or other tasks within the community that will support our service users in order to give support and guidance, provide practical help and inspect living conditions.
12. To attend, participate and where appropriate lead multi agencies meetings enabling shared approaches to problems to be developed. To be a positive partner and champion of the Housing Solutions service and the needs of our service users through collaboration and team work.
13. Assist service users in a sensitive way with a clear focus on excellent customer service, respect, equality and diversity. Ensure personal data and information is dealt with in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
14. Any other reasonable tasks as may be determined by the Senior Caseworker, Team Leader, Housing Solutions Manager or Head of Service.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Desirable
* Knowledge & Skills HND qualification or equivalent or significant experience in delivering person centred support.
* Possession of or be working towards the CIH qualification.
* Detailed knowledge and experience of one or more of Welfare Rights, debt, mediation, negotiation and supporting Vulnerable Adults.
* Experience in Report writing.
* Experience of multi-agency working.
* Experience of working with homeless people and/or people who have been at risk of homelessness.
* An understanding of the homelessness Legislation and Housing Issues.
* Knowledge of social policy and poverty issues underpinning the social security system.
* An understanding of child protection issues and Vulnerable Adults knowledge and ability to work within agreed frameworks.
* The ability to communicate in English is essential.
* The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.
* IT skills, including management of databases and standard packages such as Word, Outlook, Excel.
* The ability to work under pressure and to work with a broad client groups.
#J-18808-Ljbffr