Homelessness Prevention Officers

Job Description

We have a fantastic opportunity for four Homelessness Prevention Officers at Salford City Council. This is a Full-time Temporary role for the next 3 months with the possibility of extension.What is the roleSalford City Council are looking for four Homelessness Prevention Officers to contribute towards the delivery of an effective and efficient Housing Options Service by providing a face to face and telephone service to customers. The role of a HomelessnessPrevention Officer involves providing customers with housing advice with a strong focus on preventing homelessness, and where homelessness cannot be prevented to assist with finding alternative accommodation and making decisions in line with homelessness legislationwhen required.What are your responsibilities

• Assist in managing demand for housing by managing customer expectations while offering advice and assistance and housing options, acting as a caseworker to customers who approach the council with a housing need and directing them to a solution. Where appropriate,this includes assisting clients to retain their existing accommodation or giving the full range of alternative housing options.
• The role is looking at supporting the team with clearing the backlog, you will need to be proficient in using the Locator application to be able to support with the specific tasks.
• Conduct full enquiries and make decisions under the homelessness legislation on the council’s duty where the client is homeless or threatened with homelessness, ensuring the council meets its statutory duties with reference to the Housing Act 1996 parts6 and 7, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, taking into account the relevant Codes of Guidance and case law.
• To liaise with other organisations, agencies and service providers as appropriate including Childrens’ Services, Adult Social Care, police, Welfare Rights and Debt Advice, Housing Benefit Service, and landlords in order to prevent homelessness or sustainfuture accommodation.
• Liaise with accommodation providers across a range of tenures to secure suitable offers of accommodation for customers, ensuring that the appropriate paperwork is issued.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all customers’ applications including both applications to the housing register and applications made under the homelessness legislation, ensuring that records are kept up to date and the necessary correspondencesent.
• Undertake home visits and visits to other locations such as hospitals and prisons as required; to attend at different locations across the city to provide advice surgeries as required.

What skills do you Need

• Must have previous Homelessness Prevention Officer experience.
• Excellent people skills, as you will be speaking to service users, clients, and other members of staff including managers.
• Strong IT skills, as you will be updating internal systems with important information using word and excel.
• Full knowledge of Housing and homelessness legislations
• Full UK Driving Licence, and access to a vehicle
• Valid Enhanced DBS on the update Service

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