Housing Options Adviser
Do you want a role helping some of our most vulnerable residents in housing need and making a real difference to people’s lives?
Are you interested in joining our newly expanded Housing Options Team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council?
If you answered yes, the post we’re seeking to fill could be for you.
We’re looking to recruit:
- one full-time, permanent, Housing Options Advisor
- one part-time, Housing Options Advisor, on a 12-month fixed term contract (maternity leave cover)
to provide a professional customer orientated service to people experiencing housing difficulties, including offering a full range of advice on housing options and effective casework to prevent and relieve homelessness, in discharge of the Council’s statutory homelessness duties under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.
You will be working as part of a housing options casework team alongside other colleagues in the wider Housing Options Team responsible for housing allocations, management of temporary accommodation, our rough sleeper initiative programme and enabling affordable housing delivery.
This is a career graded post and candidates will be assessed against both the
essential criteria requirements for both Grade F and Grade G detailed in the
Person Specification.
Candidates will only be considered as appointable to the Grade G position if
they fulfil the essential criteria requirements, as detailed below, for both Grade
F and Grade G.
Candidates who are only able to demonstrate that they meet the Grade F
requirements, will have the opportunity to progress to a Grade G through
training and develop in post and upon being able to demonstrate they meet the
Grade G requirements.
Main Responsibilities:
Conduct interviews and assessments in line with the Councils’ statutory duties under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and write robust statutory S184 homelessness decision letters.
Carry a caseload of homelessness prevention and relief cases and create Personalised Housing Plans to take reasonable steps to prevent or relieve homelessness, or the threat of homelessness.
To advise clients on full range of housing options to solve their housing problem, including negotiating with private sector landlords; conciliating between family members and friends to prevent exclusions; identifying suitable move-on options.
Carry out income and expenditure assessments to access affordable housing options and identify areas where income can be maximised or expenditure reduced.
Develop effective working relationships with colleagues both within Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and external partners, service users, landlords as well as voluntary and other housing organisations.
Be the team lead in specific areas such as domestic abuse, ex-offender, care leavers, mental health or substance misuse.
Please note that this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS Check.
About you:
You should have experience of working in a front-line in a housing environment and able to provide a full range of advice on housing options to prevent and relieve homelessness, including being able to make legally robust statutory decisions.
Educated to A Level (or equivalent) at grades A to C, or equivalent grading, or demonstrable experience of working within housing options and homelessness.
Excellent understanding of Housing legislation including the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, and the Homelessness Reduction Act
A good understanding of the welfare benefit system and welfare reform changes.
Excellent influencing and negotiation skills - for example, when working with landlords to prevent evictions.
Ability to work in a team and develop effective and supportive relationships with colleagues.
In return we offer you:
Financial: An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure.
Holiday Entitlement: Grade F: 22 days annual leave (increasing to 27 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus an additional day in December and bank holidays. Grade G: 24 days annual leave (increasing to 27 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus an additional day in December and bank holidays.
Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirements of work and home.
Pensions: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme.
Flexibility: The Council operates a hybrid working model with opportunities to work from home and in an office environment, and a flexible working policy subject to the business needs being met.
Personal Development: Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
Take a look here at all the additional benefits that we offer.
To find out more take a look at the Job Description and Person Specification below. Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile.
For an informal discussion about this post, you can contact Vijay Sirohi, Housing Options Manager, on 01892 554618 or vijay.sirohi@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Our competency framework describes what's expected from our employees in terms of attitudes and behaviors. To view our core competencies, click here
To stay up to date with our latest vacancies and what it’s like to work here you can follow us on twitter @TWBC_Jobs and LinkedIn @TWellsCouncil
Interview Date: Thursday 30th March 2023