Housing Solutions Officer - Basildon Borough Council
Basildon Borough Council
Temporary, Full Time
£30.00 ph (umbrella)
Location: Basildon
Closing Date: 30th March 2025
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon Council to recruit two Housing Solutions Officer roles.
Work location: Remote working with the requirement to attend the office two days a week and you must be available to work on a Friday. This role can also be considered on a 4 days a week basis.
The Opportunity
Basildon Borough Council are keen to appoint two experienced Housing Solutions Officers to join their team on an initial 3-month agency basis.
You will be responsible for assessing customers’ housing needs and wishes in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, producing and agreeing a personalised housing plan which you will keep under regular review until a long-term, sustainable housing solution is secured.
You will work holistically with customers on both their short-term housing needs as well as their longer-term aspirations. You will manage a caseload, drawing in support and assistance from other statutory and voluntary organisations as appropriate to help customers achieve their housing goals and increase their life opportunities moving forward.
Main Accountabilities
1. Regularly undertake comprehensive assessment of customers’ housing needs and wishes in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
2. Provide specialist advice across a whole range of issues such as housing, welfare benefits, financial well-being and employment, referring customers to specialist agencies and departments for additional assistance where appropriate.
3. Manage a caseload of customers, working with each to offer an individual and empowering service to customers in housing need, producing a personalised housing plan for each customer and ensuring it is kept under regular review.
4. Deliver innovative, tailored solutions to meet housing need using a variety of means including close liaison with the Private Rented Sector Team to secure good quality, affordable private rented accommodation through one of the Council’s private sector access schemes.
5. Negotiate with hosts, landlords and lenders, taking any other action as appropriate to prevent or relieve homelessness until an alternative long-term, sustainable housing solution can be secured.
6. Gain and maintain comprehensive knowledge of other statutory and third sector organisations in the local area as well as those that operate nationally with a view to drawing on appropriate practical help and support for customers in housing need.
7. Contribute to the development of working relationships and protocols with internal Council departments as well as external agencies such as Social Services, Probation, Police and local housing providers.
8. Work across the Housing Solutions Service and with colleagues in the Temporary Accommodation and Private Rented Sector Teams to ensure the timely provision of interim accommodation and expediency of affordable private rented sector accommodation as a long-term prevention or relief of homelessness.
9. Interpret and apply complex legislation and, where required, conduct interviews with applicants under Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act as amended in accordance with statutory legislation, guidance and good practice.
The Experience You Will Bring
1. Must have experience of Jigsaw software.
2. Proven experience of working in a frontline customer focused environment.
3. Knowledge of Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Localism Act 2011, Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 included related Codes of Guidance and case law.
Basildon Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and expects all employees, contractors and volunteers to share its commitment to prevent abuse, harm or exploitation.
What you should do next
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk
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