Homelessness Assessment and Prevention Officer – Band G

Job Description

Job Category : Housing & Planning
Location : Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:01
Salary: £14.44

37 hours per week.
Hybrid working – the expectation is to be in the office at a minimum of three days per week.

Key Duties/Areas of Responsibility

1. Deliver on the statutory homelessness function including assessment of homelessness, statutory duties, temporary accommodation and decision making

2. Deliver a wide range of prevention tools, drug and alcohol liaison, home visits, community outreach

3. Respond to Councillor surgery and customer enquiries with set timescales

4. Liaise with a variety of internal and external support agencies to support information sharing and ensure referrals and made and received

5. Work closely with internal colleagues including relating to accessing loans and to ensure customers move to suitable and sustainable long term accommodation

6. Negotiate with various lenders including banks and building societies and also landlords in terms of mortgage rescue, arrears and rent reduction

7. Provide a front line service within Riverside House, offering advice and support to customers to prevent and relieve homelessness

8. Work closely with other organisations including Job Centre Plus and training providers, to increase and provide access to a range of employment options

9. Make decisions on homelessness cases within the legal framework

10. Maintain accurate and up to date records of caseloads and statistics

Knowledge of the issues relating to the delivery of homelessness prevention, housing options/allocations, housing advice

Experience of working with people within a customer focused, service delivery organisation including providing advice and support in relation to homelessness prevention

An understanding of the Welfare Benefits system
Legislative knowledge in relation to homelessness and housing (Housing Act 1996, part V11, Homelessness Act, 2002, Homelessness Code of Guidance)

Knowledge and experience of maintaining accurate records

Experience of working with a wide range of partner organisations to ensure consistency in procedures

Using a range of computer applications and ICT including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, internet and e-mail

Willing to undertake any training deemed necessary and appropriate for the post
2. Qualifications
Level 6 qualification e.g. Bachelor Degrees, Graduate Certificates and Diplomas, or Level 5 qualification e.g. Diplomas of HE and FE, foundation degrees and HNDs, plus experience in relevant areas of work over a period of years
Or
Evidence of the equivalent level of knowledge gained through work experience