Homelessness Prevention & Assessment Officer

Main Purpose of the job:
 To provide a comprehensive high quality homeless prevention, support and advice service to
all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
 To provide an assessment service to customers presenting to the Council to ascertain what
duties are owed to them by the authority and what alternative housing options are available to
them.
 To demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Homelessness legislation
and case law coupled with hands-on experience of preventing homelessness and making
statutory decisions.
 To develop specialist knowledge and skills in relation to customers required to enable the
delivery of a flexible and responsive housing needs service that can effectively meet changing
demands and customer pressures.
 To keep up to date, clear, accessible and accurate casework and data records and report on
performance as required.
_______________________________________________________________
Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:
1. To prevent and resolve homelessness within the borough through the provision of
confidential and impartial advice and information to customers approaching the Housing
Needs Service about their housing rights and obligations under legislation and Council policy
either in Council offices or other locations as required.
2. To actively and positively promote and deliver the Council’s homeless prevention agenda
identifying appropriate housing options and utilizing the prevention tools available, such as
DHP for customers that will resolve their accommodation problems and reduce the need for
the provision of temporary accommodation within agreed timeframes.
3. To provide advice to customers in respect of the Council’s obligations under PtVI and PtVII
of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011.
4. To fully investigate the circumstances of customers presenting to the Council as homeless
and to determine in accordance with current legislation, case law and the Code of Guidance
2006 what duty the authority owes to them and to issue legally robust S184 decision letters
accordingly.
5. To maintain detailed, accurate case notes and reports, update computerised records,
conduct correspondence and respond to enquiries as required to efficiently progress cases
to resolution.
6. To provide advice and practical assistance when required to customers in respect of security
of tenure across all types of tenure, including matrimonial rights and attending court as
needed in order to prevent homelessness.
7. To investigate landlord and tenant disputes including allegations of harassment and illegal
eviction within the meaning of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and Protection from
Harassment Act 1997, intervening and negotiating with all parties as required to prevent
homelessness.
8. To provide information about debt counseling and money advice services to customers in
rent or mortgage arrears including advice on the availability of welfare benefits and
prioritizing debts, referring people to the DWP, Housing Benefit Service or CAB as
appropriate.
9. To negotiate with landlords, Banks, Building Societies and other lenders, estate agents and
solicitors on behalf of customers in rent or mortgage arrears.
10. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of vulnerable customers in respect of their
support and housing related needs including the risk to themselves and others.
11. To develop and maintain a sound knowledge of the support needs of vulnerable single
customers presenting to the Council for assistance including physical and mental health,
substance misuse, offending, learning disabilities, independent living skills, education,
training and employment needs.
12. To make appropriate referrals to supported accommodation services for vulnerable clients
and ensure that a move on pathway is developed for each household as required.
13. To liaise with other statutory services as appropriate who may owe a duty to vulnerable
customers under legislation other than the homelessness acts.
Personal Duties
1. To attend and represent the service at relevant stakeholder forums, case conferences and
working groups as required or directed by a Line Manager.
2. To keep abreast of national and local legislative and policy developments, new initiatives and
best practice in respect of housing, homelessness and homeless prevention and share with
colleagues across the Housing Needs Service.
3. To answer members enquiries and draft responses to complaints / enquiries on individual
cases as required.
4. To provide statistical information on performance as requested.
5. To positively participate in personal supervision sessions, team meetings and contribute to
service development and planning.
6. To attend training either internally or externally provided as directed.
7. To be self servicing in respect of administrative tasks related to this role, including
contemporaneous and accurate record keeping, file maintenance and responding to all
enquiries by customers and other agencies.
8. To carry out all tasks in line with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy, Health & Safety
Policy and Environmental Policy.
9. To carry out any other duties as required by the Director of Customer Services.