Housing Advisor

One of our local authority clients are currently recruiting for a Housing Advisor. This is a temporary contract for 3 months with possible further extension based on budget and performance.

Main Purpose of Post/Job Summary

The post holder will support a customer through the homelessness application process, whilst recruiting colleagues and other professionals to offer support to find accommodation and address the problems that are the root cause of the homelessness or threat of homelessness.

In addition to these objectives, the role will play a key part in the delivery of an enhanced housing options service by advising on and signposting customers to other related advice services such as debt and employment advice, with a view to assisting them to sustain future accommodation. The post holder will be offering housing advice pertaining to landlord tenant law and assessing housing need with reference to the Lettings policy and sub-regional CBL system.

The role will bring the post holder into contact with customers with a range of needs; some customers’ needs are complex and will include those with mental health problems, substance misuse issues or a history of being the victim of domestic abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

* Housing options and advice, homelessness prevention and signposting: To provide a detailed housing options and advice casework service (including face-to-face work, telephone advice and written communication) to members of the public.

* Choice Based Lettings service: To maintain customer records on the CBL system and offer a range of services to CBL customers.

* Internal and external liaison and customer engagement:

* To liaise with other individuals, teams and sections within the Council to discuss Housing Advice customers, where appropriate, and to share and receive information of a mutually beneficial nature (e.g. to support each other’s objectives by promoting a particular service).

* To represent the section at case conferences, informal panels and meetings with external partners or residents in relation to specifically assigned small projects (e.g. the decanting of a sheltered scheme).

* To keep partners on the CBL sub-regional scheme updated on changes that affect them as appropriate.

* To analyse and interpret complex information and develop a working knowledge of legislation and policies.

* Information technology: To use all IT systems within the Housing Advice Service as required for both reference and updating records and to ensure that systems for recording performance information data are regularly maintained and kept up-to-date

* Performance: To be aware of and strive to comply with the performance indicators set for this role by the management team.

* Carry out any other duties as required by your line manager from time to time in accordance with the grading of the post – to include covering some of the duties of a Senior Housing Advisor when absent.

The above is a brief overview of the role, details and specification will be provided should you be successful. If interested in this position, please send your CV to Jahker Miah at Coyle Personnel Ltd