Brent (Hybrid)
Permanent, Full time
£33,912 - £35,982 p.a. inc. London weighting
36 hours
An excellent opportunity
Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.
The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
The Post
The post holder will be part of the busy Housing Options Service, providing a proactive service and giving advice to families and pregnant people with housing related problems in accordance with current legislation and code of guidance, identifying those who are already homeless or at risk of homelessness within 56 days.
We are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated individual who can adapt to the changing needs of the service. As an Initial Assessment Officer, you will have a keen eye for detail and will take every opportunity to prevent homelessness.
Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities:
1. To be the first point of contact for all new enquiries into the service and to conduct an initial assessment of the approaching household.
2. To ascertain a household’s risk of homelessness at first point of contact.
3. To provide early intervention assistance to those at risk of homelessness but not within 56 days.
4. To undertake case work as necessary to complete triage assessment of cases.
5. Seek information from landlords/lenders/relatives and other agencies to assist the Housing Options Officers in preventing or relieving homelessness.
6. Support the Housing Options Officers in monitoring Personal Housing Plans, including contacting customers for updates.
7. To co-ordinate and provide responses to all general housing queries including emails
8. To provide general advice and assistance in the following areas: homelessness, security of tenure, harassment and illegal eviction, disrepair, money management, benefits, relationship breakdown
9. Empowering individuals to find their own solution to their housing crisis, drawing on the assistance provided by the Housing Options Team
10. Helping people to understand the rented housing market, keeping up-to-date with Local Housing Allowance, benefit changes, and opportunities
11. Conducting home visits to appropriate locations both inside and outside of the borough, as and when is necessary, to assist in the investigation of households circumstances.
12. Having good understanding of the issues affecting affordability of housing including accurate understanding of benefits, benefit tapers, welfare reforms (current and proposed) and geography
13. Maintaining up to date knowledge of the different housing options available to service users seeking accommodation and systems of access to housing of all types including; the private rented sector and intermediate housing schemes.
14. Maintaining accurate written and computer records, reports, & other monitoring information as required in connection with the various duties undertaken, and keep other records necessary to provide an adequate management information database.
15.Organising and administering a case load, identifying priorities and deadlines and ensuring systematic progress is made on each case.
16. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults.
17. Carry out duties with due regard to the Council’s Customer Care, Equal Opportunities, Information
Our Offer to You
In addition to your salary, you will also get to enjoy the following benefits:
• 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing to 31 days plus 8 bank holidays after 5 years continuous service
• Very generous employer pension contribution
• Flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home 2 days per week (laptop provided)
• A wide range of family friendly policies such as parental leave
• Access to affordable parking nearby
• Access to our Zipcar scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance programme for free confidential counselling
• Season ticket loan for public transport
• Cycle to work scheme and good onsite facilities
• Access to My Brent Rewards for big brand discounts, local offers and money off for travel, cinema and shopping vouchers.
Closing date: Tue 17/06/2025 at 23:59
Job reference: BC/25/315702