Overall Role Purpose:
To undertake a training programme and become responsible for the effective delivery of the Councils statutory investigation and assessment process for households who approach the Council in housing need. This will involve a statutory assessment of their circumstances, as well as ensuring that, wherever possible households are prevented from becoming homeless, by securing their residence in their current accommodation. When this is not possible, or appropriate, to present a range of housing options to resolve their housing needs. The postholder will engage in a two year programme to develop the ability for dealing with a range of cases, including complex cases which may be subject to judicial review and ombudsman enquiries. The postholder will be required to develop a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policy and procedures on homelessness and to provide innovative advice and solutions when dealing with complex and difficult cases.

Role Context:
This position is fundamental to the provision of housing advice and homelessness services to vulnerable customers who may approach the council for assistance as a result of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reductions Act 2017 duties, and other key housing legislation, alongside the Children Act and the Care Act.
This is a specialist role that will be at the forefront of the prevention of homelessness, and at the cutting edge following the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2017. Officers will work with a full range of customers and scenarios but may specialise in teams focussed on prevention for single people, prevention for families or homeless assessment decision-making

Key Accountabilities and Result Areas
1. Strategy and Planning
The post holder will be required to develop a comprehensive knowledge of all housing advice and homelessness legislation, other general housing legislation, welfare benefit expertise and knowledge of the adult & children social care environment and impact and to use this knowledge to support customers and achieve positive outcomes
The post holder will be required to develop a specialist knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Children Act, and the Care Act. Combined with specialist knowledge of the Welfare Reform Act.
The post holder needs to use this knowledge to work collaboratively with customers to identify the most appropriate and effective solutions to their housing problems and to do so proactively at the most appropriate time ensuring the maximum opportunities for early intervention
The post holder will be required to be innovative, dynamic and solutions focussed and consider and pursue all available housing options to prevent the customers from becoming homeless.
The post holder will be required to use their experience to contribute to the ongoing development and design of the service and solutions for customers.


2.Operations and Support To provide an effective, customer-focussed and efficient service to customers presenting with housing problems to support them in keeping their current home or in accessing a new home in the public or private sector.
To prioritise early intervention and create an environment for responding to customers issues as soon as possible
To provide proactive and timely housing advice to customers so they understand their current housing position, their rights and responsibilities in their current accommodation including in respect of security of tenure, protection from eviction, accommodation condition and repair, rent and mortgage debt and tenancy deposit protection, matrimonial rights and referrals are made to the landlord and tenant specialist as appropriate
To develop the ability to advise customers on full range of options to solve their housing problem, including
- how the council can intervene if they are threatened with homelessness
- joining and priority on the housing register and housing mobility options
- options for private renting, supported housing, moving out of London, shared ownership and obtaining a mortgage
To refer customers for specialist information as necessary on landlord and tenant issues, mobility options, resettlement and rough sleeping
To develop the ability to provide a professional and effective housing options interview and homelessness investigation service to all customers, including those with no clear priority need or who may be intentionally homeless taking a full application from the customer, developing and issuing a personalised housing plan aimed at preventing or relieving
To develop the ability to assess the customers housing needs in accordance with the Homelessness Act 2017 and to do so in the context of the potential for customers vulnerability under either the law on housing, the Care Act 2014, or the Childrens Act 1989

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.

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