Application Deadline: 25 April 2025
Department: Adults & Community Services
Location: Torbay Council
Compensation: £30,559 - £33,366 / year
Description
We are dedicated to helping people who are facing homelessness. The demand for our Housing Options Service is increasing. We want to be more proactive in our homelessness prevention activity. We want our approach to empower and enable our clients and the people working with them to find resolutions to the situations they face.
We are investing in additional resources to make sure we deliver our aims, and we have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Housing Officer working specifically with families receiving early help from Children's services.
We are seeking an individual who has a proven track record of working within a challenging frontline housing service, or has transferable skills, particularly in customer service settings.
You will be based in our Housing Options Team and will be part of a small specialist team working with families to prevent and relieve homelessness by advising clients of their tenancy rights, assist in negotiations with landlords and agents, as well as brokering alternative arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
* Communicate excellently and give clear and concise advice to customers and landlords.
* Listen and display empathy when helping customers facing challenging personal circumstances.
* Work closely with relevant departments and providers to ensure properties are well maintained and cleaned appropriately.
* Exhibit our core values and behaviours.
* Display great case management skill, has an eye for detail and can prioritise their work in a demanding environment.
* Be a natural problem solver who can think creatively to offer resolutions.
When filling out your application please refer to the person specification and give examples of how you meet the essential criteria.
If you would like to be a part of our journey to develop how we deliver our service and provide better outcomes for those facing homelessness, then we want to hear from you.
This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/jobs/job-descriptions/housing-options-officer/
For an informal chat please contact Nick Holland on 01803 208719 or nick.holland@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 5th May 2025.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
* Ability to interpret and apply relevant Homeless, Housing and Health legislation to ensure that statutory duties are maintained.
* Ability to deal with difficult situations in a calm and sympathetic manner, especially in dealing with vulnerable individuals in complex situations.
* Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records to provide accountability, deliverability and to be used as evidence if required.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
* Current and in-depth knowledge of homelessness legislation, case law, codes of practice.
* Detailed knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies to ensure safeguarding and data breaches do not occur.
* Knowledge of the local housing environment and housing letting schemes including Devon Home Choice.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
* Conducting interviews and assessments of applicants under the Housing Act 1996, Part VII Significant experience in homelessness advice or related work.
* Educated to at least HND level or equivalent.
* ECDL or equivalent IT experience.
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