Housing Advisor

Essential skills experreince:

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Ability to undertake assessments and investigations of homeless applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, including accepting any HRA duties that may be owed and making s193 main duty decisions upon their expiry.

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Experience in assisting those who are rough sleeping and to be able to provide innovative and tailored options to relieve homelessness.

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Experience in working closely with outreach teams and partner organisations to identify rough sleepers in need of a housing needs assessments in a variety of locations such as day centres, supported housing schemes or short-term emergency hotel accommodation.

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Job Purpose

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The postholder will work closely with the Supported Housing Commissioning Team, especially the Rough Sleeping co-ordinator, to identify rough sleepers in need of a housing needs assessment.

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To work closely with the Rough Sleeping co-ordinator, in identifying rough sleepers in need of a housing needs assessments in a variety of locations such as day centres, supported housing schemes or short term emergency hotel accommodation.

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To prevention of homelessness in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice.

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To assist those who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness with fully understanding the situation and to be able to provide innovative and tailored options to prevent and relieve homelessness.

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To undertake a housing needs assessments for people seeking housing assistance and create housing plans tailored to the individual?s needs and circumstances.

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To manage a complex and demanding caseload in a busy and often challenging environment and prevent or relieve homelessness through the provision of advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation.

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To ensure that all housing options have been thoroughly explored to ensure best efforts to prevent homelessness.

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To undertake the assessment and investigation of homeless applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 where prevention/relief is not possible and inform clients of their assessment outcome.

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Responsibilities

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To provide a front of house service for customers who are rough sleeping who are seeking housing advice and assistance, ensuring that both priority and non-priority customers are directed to the appropriate part of the service.

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To help households to remain in their current accommodation, where this is not possible in the long-term to agree an extension of their stay while they source alternative accommodation, supporting them to access private rented accommodation and to make applications for social housing.

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To deliver a customer-facing service via drop in and appointments and work occasional evening meetings where required to accommodate the demand and flow of customers.

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To deliver a customer-facing service via a telephone advice-line providing a full casework service for callers, as required.

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Assess the temporary accommodation needs of customers as required and follow established placement and sign-up processes in order to provide a seamless service.

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Educated to degree levelstandard or equivalent or demonstrable suitable experience

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Key Knowledge

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Awareness of legislation relating to housing advice, homelessness, housing management and the allocation of housing, with a good practical understanding of the rangeof housing problems people may experience

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Broad knowledge and understanding of the housing and support needs of homeless and housing applicants and tenants.

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Excellent knowledge of negotiation and mediation techniques andtheir practical application

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Relevant Experience

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Experience of dealing witha diverse and vulnerable clientele in housing/homeless related environment.

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Experience of working in a service within a pressurised and high-profile environment within a multi-disciplinary team, providing a quality service.

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Experience of achieving performance targets and meeting departmental objectives

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Experience of providing quality advice and information to membersof the publicand of handling complaints and enquiries

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Experience of producing highquality written communications to a corporate standard

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Experience of using different IT systems in order to manage caseloads, monitor delivery of targets and drive improved service.

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Educated to degreelevel standard or equivalent or demonstrable suitable experience