Housing Solutions Officer

BBS Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Housing Solutions Officer (SO1) in a temp position for our client in Islington. The successful candidate should be a proactive and hardworking individual with prior experience within a role.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To deal with and difficult housing enquiries to ensure all customers have a positive experience and receive the right answer first time with consistent high quality.
To provide clients with a written record of the advice and guidance provided, along with actions agreed, so serving to pilot the Personalise Housing Plans.
To provide appropriate basic advice and assistance on all matters of housing entitlement, eligibility and priority need for social housing.
To ensure customers receive correspondence written in plain English which takes account of any special requirements and conforms to Islington ‘s write first time and customer service standards.
To ensure wherever possible by intervention, referral, advice, advocacy, and joint working that homelessness is prevented by ensuring the broadest range of housing options is available to customers.
To follow the departments procedures and protocols for the effective liaison and discharging statutory joint obligations.
To enable mediation between landlords and tenants, parents’ relatives, and family relationship breakdowns in order to prevent homelessness.
To interview and carry out an initial assessment of all customers visiting the Housing Aid Centre.
To give guidance regarding welfare benefits and income maximisation.
To acquire and maintain up to date detailed knowledge of relevant housing legislation including current case law.
To keep clear up to date accurate and written and computerised records. Maintaining confidentiality and security of information.
To interview and visit applicants carry out inquiries within target timescales at alternative locations where necessary. Ensuring that supporting information and evidence is available to substantiate the decision in each case.
To take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons/ vulnerable adults who you meet.
To provide information on, promote and refer customers to all available housing options, including special schemes, voluntary sector housing, private sector housing, shared ownership, and other initiatives.
To liaise closely and effectively with both internal and external colleagues. To refer clients where appropriate to other professionals and agencies. for advice on housing matters, welfare rights, social services, immigration, and other issues using referral procedures.
To advice and assess customers suitability for Home Shelter Scheme and make appropriate referrals to relevant agencies including MARAC, Police, Social Services and Area Housing Office
To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.
Other Requirements

5 Years References

Must have an existent DBS.

•            Extensive experience with housing options and advice – specifically with homelessness and           welfare reforms.

•            Have dealt with landlords – under the Protection of Eviction Act

·       Computer literate (Very good with excel and familiar with database)