Temporary Home Improvement Officers

Job Description

Seven Resourcing is working with Coventry City Council to recruit 2 Temporary Home Improvement Officers for their E & TS Disabled Facility Grant team based at the Opal Centre.Initial 3 month contract with the possibility of extension. They may have temp - perm opportunities which means you will need to re-apply via the council. However if you are already working there you will have a much better chance as you know the workingof the systems etc.Job Purpose:Business Case for 2 x temporary Home Improvement Officers (HIO) The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a mandatory grant awarded by the government. Its purpose is to enable Local Authorities to fund major adaptations (e.g., ramps, level-access showers) tothe homes of disabled people to enable them to live more safely and independently in their chosen home. There is significant demand for this Service, averaging at 40 referrals per month into the Adaptations team. Unfortunately, there is currently a waitinglist. People in this queue have been assessed by a Local Authority Occupational Therapist / Therapy Assistant, and they have been deemed eligible for provision of a major adaptation. The referral has been passed to the Adaptations team, who currently are unableto keep up with the demand. At present, the waiting list currently stands at 230 cases, which equates to a six-month wait (the team are working on referrals received in August 2022). Between April 2022 and January 2023.Duties:Provide advice to enquirers concerning the availability or otherwise of Disabled Facilities Grants and the works required to adapt dwellings to meet clients needs in the most economical way in accordance with relevant legislation.Carry out property inspections in line with current legislation and advise clients on availability or otherwise of assistance with funding repairsVisit disabled persons in their own homes to complete application forms and carry out means tests and surveys.Prepare plans and schedules of work for approval by occupational therapists and service users (and planning and building control, where applicable).Liaise on operational and technical issues with other Council departments and outside bodies.Cost estimates, including setting fixed prices on smaller jobs. Negotiate with contractors where necessaryMeet with contractors and service users to discuss plans for adaptations, and site visits to discuss start dates and works to be carried out.Prepare grant approvals, agree alterations, additional and unforeseen works and inspect work for payment requests.Monitor the progress of each case, ensuring that clients are kept involved throughout the process and resolve problems that may arise to ensure a quality service is provided.Ensure the maintenance of building standards and compliance with established procedures.Organise a balanced programme of work and prioritise workload to ensure the teams objectives and targets are met, including effective service delivery.Provide support and advice to other officers in the team including updates on technical matters.The post holder must comply with Coventry City Councils health and safety policy and in particular is required:To take reasonable care for their own health and safety at work and of those who may be affected by their actions or by their omissionsTo cooperate with their line manager and senior management, to work safely, to comply with health and safety instructions and information and undertake appropriate health and safety training as requiredNot to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfareTo report to their manager any health and safety concerns, hazardous condition or defect in the health and safety arrangements.Any further Health and Safety responsibilities relevant to this post will be set out in the offer letter and Written Statement of ParticularsThe post holder must comply with the Interagency procedures of the Safeguarding Boards and Coventry City Councils policies for safeguarding children and safeguarding adults and in particular is required:-To ensure they are aware of the signs that may suggest a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglectedTo report to their manager, or other appropriate manager, any concerns they may have that suggest that a child or vulnerable adult may be being abused or neglected immediatelyAny further Safeguarding Board responsibilities relevant to this post will be set out in the offer letter and Written Statement of ParticularsPost holders will be accountable for carrying out all duties and responsibilities with due regard to the City Councils Equal Opportunities Policy.Duties which include processing of any personal data must be undertaken within the corporate data protection guidelines.Responsible to: Paul Turner, Principal Home Improvement OfficerApplicant Requirements:Qualifications:Knowledge:Working knowledge of building construction, with an understanding of housing issues and legislation relating to common types of domestic dwellings, their defects, and remedial worksKnowledge of windows-based softwareSkills and Abilities:Verbal communication skills to be able to converse with a range of individuals including colleagues, contractors, and service usersWritten skills to be able to record information accurately and be able to write reports, lettersand prepare schedules Numeracy skills to be able to cost estimates, carry out means tests and approve grants. Interpersonal and conflict resolution skills Analytical skills to make decisions based on complex or conflicting information Able to draw plans (by hand or AutoCAD)Experience: Any relevant experience regarding cons