Customer Relations Associate

Job Description

I am currently recruiting for a Home Options Officer to work at a leading housing organisation based in Doncaster with Agile working available.Your role will be to deliver a comprehensive front line service focusing on preventing homelessness by providing advice and support through a range of Home Options.

• To provide front end advice to Customers with a focus on Homelessness Prevention, through retention of existing accommodation or obtaining alternative Accommodation prior to homelessness.
• To deliver specialist advice when required to Customers fleeing or experiencing Domestic Abuse.
• Working closely with Customers in Private Rented Accommodation that are at threat of Homelessness, in a bid to sustain their tenancies and prevent homelessness.
• To work with Prisons to ensure that a suitable housing option is arranged for a Prisoner prior to release.
• To work with Hospitals to plan hospital discharges that are timely and meet the needs of the customer.
• Work in conjunction with the customer and other relevant agencies to seek positive outcomes using existing policy, procedures and working standards as guidelines.
• Undertake assessment and issue decisions under the terms of the 1996 Housing Act as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Homeless Reduction Act 2017
• To give customers appropriate advice on their housing needs and make referrals to other Partner Agencies and signpost to Partner Agencies where appropriate.
• To request priority to applicants on the Housing waiting list in accordance with DMBC Housing Allocation Policy.
• Provide practical advice to referrals to the service to ensure wherever possible that homelessness is prevented, and alternative options are prioritised.
• To write to relevant bodies to obtain sufficient information to assess homeless applications including GP’s, Occupational Therapists, Consultants, Support Workers and all Partner Agencies, where appropriate.
• Assist in the operation of a prevention initiatives, for example, the Bond guarantee scheme/Rent in advance and prevention fund to secure
• accommodation or prevent homelessness
• To communicate decisions both verbally and written to Home Options customers on their case.
• To ensure calls into the service are covered within set parameters.
• Keep comprehensive, accurate and up to date records.
• To update computer records in relation to customers daily and ensure that the customer is given realistic time scales in terms of options given.
• Work in a way that demonstrates the organisationsValues and Behaviours in practice.
• To take part in the out of hours on-call rota

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Experience working with external agencies, such as elected members, Social Services, Police etc
• Experience of prioritising your workload
• Knowledge of Equality and Diversity requirements in respect of customers
• Any experience of social housing or working with vulnerable people
• Handling confidential and sensitive information in line with the Data Protection Act
• Delivering to set targets and deadlines
• Providing excellent customer service

You will be working on an alternate rota with one week on case work and one week on duty work.While on case work, home working is available.An attractive hourly rate of£15.26 is on offer and flexible working hours Monday to Friday.Please apply today to register your interest and for the next steps.