Housing Options Officer – Social Care Non-Qualified

Job Category: Social Care Non-Qualified

Job location: Catmose, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HP, Rutland County Council

Hours per week: 37

Start date: Immediate start

Salary: £14.44 per hour

Purpose of the Job:To support in delivering an efficient and effective Housing Options, Homelessness andPrevention service in line with the Council’s statutory duty.The post holder will work alongside colleagues within the Housing Options and Homesfor Ukraine Team and the wider Council Directorates to ensure the successful deliveryof all relevant Strategies in particular the early Intervention, prevention andsafeguarding teams across Adult and Children’s Social Care.Main Responsibilities:

1. Ensure a high quality housing options and advice service is given to Customers byresponding effectively and efficiently to all enquiries. All workers will provide a triagingservice for enquiries dealing with families and children and vulnerable adults at risk ofbeing homeless.

2. Maintain ongoing knowledge and understanding of relevant housing legislation andthe Councils statutory duties and commitments in providing housing services to thosewho are, have been or are likely to become homeless. This will ensure accurate andup to date information and advice is given to customers.

3. To investigate cases where there is a threat of homelessness in accordance withstatutory obligations and assess applicant’s cases for housing when all other housingoptions or solutions are exhausted, ensuring that deadlines set by legislation, ortargeted by the local authority are met. This is in line with current legislative framework.

4. Create and maintain accurate and up to date records of client’s details through bothmanual and IT recording systems in order to produce accurate statistical reports andreturns. Monitor own performance targets and evidence thorough casework.

5. Regularly liaise with all Register Providers, private landlords and other agenciesand develop links to support the housing options service. Attend appropriateprofessional meetings, including team meetings where relevant.

6. Arrange and support systems to provide home visits, appointments and duty basedcontact to people in need of advice in respect of homelessness and applications forhousing. Ensure that customers are supported to complete appropriate housingapplications and any other relevant paperwork to support their needs.

7. Support and ensure the effective management of the housing register, assist inallocating vacancies in accordance with the Allocations Policy to relevant RP’s(Registered Providers) ensuring the Council’s nomination agreements are maintained.

8. Assist and support customers to retain their existing accommodation, ensureappropriate signposting to partner agencies and be mindful of the Council’sSafeguarding policies and practices. The work also includes supporting the Homes forUkraine Scheme for Guests to secure more permanent housing should they wish toremain living in the County.

9. Support the arrangements the Council has in place for the use of temporaryaccommodation, including the use of Bed and Breakfast.

10. Notify and keep the Senior Housing Options Officer and Team Manager aware ofany budget spend in relation to temporary accommodation and seek approval for theuse of any prevention fund monies that could assist a customers in maintaining theiraccommodation.

11. Attend any Court hearing on any appropriate homelessness matters when requiredand work in collaboration with Citizens Advice Rutland to ensure the customer isalways supported. To signpost where appropriate to relevant support agenciesincluding contracted services by RCC.

12. Provide performance information and collate statistical data as required. Reportany concerns to the Senior Housing Options Officer in relation to trends that areappearing.

13. To act in accordance with the principles set out in the Employee Code of Conductand the Council’s Values, recognising the duty of all public sector employees todischarge public functions reasonably and according to the law.

14. Take reasonable care for your health and safety and that of other persons whomay be affected by the performance of your duties. Where appropriate you willsafeguard the health and safety of all persons and premises under your control andguidance in accordance with the provisions of Health and Safety legislation andRutland County Council’s and Directorate codes of practice and procedures. You willexercise proper care in handling, operating and safeguarding any equipment, vehicleor appliance provided, used or issued by the Council or provided or issued by a thirdparty for individual or collective use in the performance of your duties.Behaviours and outcomes:To be a role model for the One Council ethos and values.Respond to pressure and change – flexible and adaptable to sustain performance.Build and manage relationships, share knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.Actively support new initiatives and try different ways of doing things.Dimensions:No line management or budget management