Job Details
Job title: Housing Resettlement Officer
Job Category: Housing
Location: Trinity House, 20 Church St, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LY, Swale and Maidstone Borough Council
Hours per week: 37.00
Pay: £19.01 per hour
1 day at Home – Wednesdays. 4 Days in Trinity. Full Time 5 days a week – 4 of these at Trinity, and Weds Working from Home.
Purpose of the Job
To act as a caseworker for housing applicants owed the main housing duty, providing advice guidance and assistance on the range of options available to resolve their housing problems and enable move on from temporary accommodation into settled accommodation.
To assess suitability on homeless applications carrying out investigations into areas of suitability and reach decisions within the framework of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII (Homelessness). Providing accurate and appropriate advice by assessing the support needs of clients and updating personalised housing plans. Refer cases to other sources of assistance where appropriate e.g. social care and health lettings agencies community and voluntary advice organisations.
Assist in the council’s reduction of temporary accommodation expenditure by ensuring that all avenues for temporary accommodation arrangements are explored.
To work from our Community Hub in Central Maidstone, Trinity.
Main Accountabilities
- To provide a dedicated and empathetic service to clients owed the main housing duty; assessing their housing and support needs; and to explore the appropriate interventions to remove the barriers to enable access suitable alternative accommodation.
- To have a comprehensive knowledge of all homelessness legislation, in particular Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and the Homelessness Code of Guidance; as well as welfare benefits and social care knowledge.
- To assess and interview clients, including conducting home visits, in line with the Councils’ statutory duties and relevant case law.
- To carry a caseload of homelessness main housing duty cases and develop, update and review Personalised Housing Plans for customers. This Plan will ensure that homelessness is relieved through active engagement with council and private sector services.
- To advise clients on full range of options to solve their housing problem, including registering on the Council’s Housing Register, private renting, mortgage advice, supported accommodation options and shared ownership.
- To liaise with landlords to remove the barriers of move on including helping to resolve rent arrears, agreeing repayment plans, and offering incentives such as rent in advance and 6 months tenancy sustainment to secure private rented accommodation.
- To carry out income and expenditure assessments in order to access affordable housing option and affordability for move on accommodation.
- To advise clients of available tenancy support services including income maximisation, Discretionary Housing Payments, mutual exchange, debt and rent arrears advice and HB support.
- To have a full clean UK driving licence in order to conduct home visits at the client’s home, prison, hostels, hospital or other locations as may be necessary.
- To write and issue statutory S184 decision letters, letters of referral to other authorities where an applicant’s local connection lies elsewhere.
- To ensure full and accurate records of all clients, all advice and support provided. To maintain accurate written and computer records, reports, & other monitoring information as required in connection with the various duties undertaken.
- To develop effective working relationships with colleagues within Maidstone Borough Council, external bodies, service users, landlords as well as voluntary and other housing organisations.
- To deal with enquiries and correspondence from clients and their advocates, including solicitors, councillors, MPs, and other housing providers, in line with the Council’s corporate response times.
- To assist with identifying households for nomination into direct lets, assessing suitability and recording this on their case.
- To complete administrative tasks related to the post as required.
- The post holder is required to take reasonable care for the safety and health of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts; and comply with service procedures and the Council’s Health and Safety at Work Policy.
- Commitment to the Council’s Child and Adult Safeguarding responsibilities.
- Commitment to the Council’s Strategic Plan and to support the Council’s strategic objectives.
- To comply fully with the Council’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
Qualifications
Relevant qualifications and experience include comprehensive knowledge of homelessness legislation (Part 7 Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Code of Guidance), welfare benefits and social care. A full clean UK driving licence is required for home visits.
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