Homelessness Officer (Prevention & Relief) Full Time NEW

We have an exciting opportunity for a Permanent, Full Time, Homelessness Officer to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Homelessness Service

About the team:

The post holder must share in the work of the Homelessness Unit, in the community, whose function includes prevention and relief of homelessness and the provision and management of accommodation for homeless households and the discharge of the duties of the City Council under the Housing Act 1996 / Homelessness Act 2002 Part 7 (Housing the Homeless) and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

About the role:

The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job description may vary over time. Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, scope and grading of the post.

• To interview and investigate all claims of homelessness under Part 7 Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982 from households applying for assistance to the City Council. To obtain detailed information on their housing, financial, social, health and other circumstances, both past and present. Ensuring authenticity, by making appropriate enquiries, visits to addresses and liaison with other agencies.
• To prevent and relieve homelessness, in accordance with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 for households becoming homeless. To mediate between customers and their housing providers when at risk of homelessness and to take appropriate arrangement to prevent loss or damage to clients’ personal possessions.
• To provide statutory advice and assistance to clients, and owner occupiers on matters relating to homelessness, housing advice, landlord/tenancy relations and mortgagee default. To issue customers with detailed, accurate written housing plans regarding their housing situation. To advise on available options including advice and assistance on legislation, financial inclusion and welfare reform, reviewing and evaluating as necessary.
• To record and maintain confidential case notes and client records on IT systems in accordance with professional and Council guidelines. To record accurate statistical information associated with homelessness to enable completion of statutory returns on homelessness required by government departments. To comply with all legal requirements set out under data protection legislation at all times.
• To write and or contribute to reports, referrals, letters, risk assessments on behalf of clients from meetings, conferences and court and to other departments where necessary to support their clients.
• To ensure that when referring vulnerable clients to move on accommodation, housing providers are fully briefed of those issues.
• Post holder to be fully aware of all safeguarding concerns and reporting any such concerns using the appropriate referral process.
• To work in partnership with multi-agency colleagues from statutory and voluntary agencies to meet the needs of clients.
• The post holder must be able to travel around the city to access all types of accommodation and ensure when carrying out visits that lone working procedures are fully adhered to.
• To participate in the Emergency Call-out Rota for Homeless cases, on a voluntary basis.
• To have a good standard of IT literacy that enables use of self-service, digital user platforms, applications and MS Office and Council data systems (Northgate, Home-connections)
• To undertake street outreach work, to make and maintain contact with people who are at risk of homelessness or sleeping on the street to ensure that they can access services and accommodation, appropriate to their needs. To actively seek accommodation options for those who are street homeless and help them enter and maintain their accommodation.
• To assess and identify the needs of the homeless person and assist those in acquiring the skills and support required to live in supported or independent accommodation. To continue this work should a threat of homelessness reoccur. To liaise closely with the homeless persons and the referring agencies to develop appropriate support plans and community links with the aim of preventing a return to a street lifestyle. (to include training and employment)
• To be part of a duty rota system for specific work within the team. This will include very early morning and occasional evening outreach work.
• To adhere to the Council’s lone working and health and safety policies, ensuring all lone working risk assessments are fully understood and all lone working safety systems are used correctly.

About you:

• Ability to use manual and electronic filing systems.
• Telephone skills.
• Communication skills both written and verbal.
• Appreciation of customer care.
• Team working.
• To demonstrate an understanding of equality issues and how they affect the workplace and individual behaviours.
• To have an excellent level of I.T. literacy to be able to use self-service, digital user platforms and applications including Microsoft office.
• To have the confidence to support and challenge behaviours to those families who have experienced the trauma of homelessness.
• Appreciate and understand tenant’s often complex needs and aspirations.
• To compose clear and concise letters, memos, reports and file notes.
• Competent lone worker.
• Be aware of and follow health and safety guidance.
• Knowledge of homelessness legislation and the benefits system.

If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.

What we can offer you:

Salary: The salary band for this role is £37,280 – £40,778 per annum. The starting salary is £37,280 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Please note: This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Contact details for informal discussion:

For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Chris Payne, Homelessness Service Manager by email [email protected]

Recruitment contact details:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 023 8083 4033

For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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