Homeless Prevention and Relief Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Reigate; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave

LGPS pension with 22.10% employer

Training and career development

Discounts at local/high street stores

Salary sacrifice - cycle scheme

Leisure centre membership

Hybrid working availability

Job summary

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is seeking a frontline housing officer within the homelessness team. You will manage your own caseload, conduct detailed casework, and issue statutory decision letters under homelessness legislation. The role involves visiting residents across the borough, collaborating with partners, and providing housing advice to households at risk of homelessness.

The role supports hybrid working and offers training and development to progress in housing services.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy frontline housing service.
• Detailed knowledge of Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended).
• Able to work to deadlines across a varied workload.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Positive, supportive, flexible and innovative with households in housing need.

Responsibilities

• Manage own caseload of households facing homelessness or at risk.
• Carry out detailed casework investigations.
• Issue statutory decision letters under homelessness legislation.
• Interview clients, assess circumstances and identify housing options.
• Provide comprehensive housing advice to households in crisis.
• Support vulnerable residents to resolve homelessness threats.
• Work with partners including housing associations, police, social services.
• Visit residents across the borough and provide high customer service.
• Cover daily Town Hall operational duties and staff the homeless duty rota.
• Assist with housing advice emails and the Housing Advice phone line.

Skills

Front-line housing experience

Excellent verbal and written comms

Knowledge of Part VII Housing Act 1996

Deadlines across varied workload

Team player with initiative

Flexible and innovative approach to at

Job description

This is a frontline post in the housing team at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, working to prevent homelessness and to relieve it where it has already happened. The officer manages their own caseload, investigates cases in detail and issues statutory decision letters under homelessness legislation. The role is largely Town Hall based with visits to residents across the borough, alongside rota duties. Part VII Housing Act 1996 knowledge and front-line housing experience decide fit.

What the job involves

• Manage own caseload of households facing homelessness or at risk of it
• Carry out detailed casework investigations
• Issue statutory decision letters under homelessness legislation
• Interview clients, assess their circumstances, decide what statutory duties may be owed and identify housing options
• Provide comprehensive housing advice to households with a range of circumstances
• Support vulnerable residents in crisis to resolve their threat of homelessness
• Work with partners including housing associations, domestic abuse services, private landlords, police, social services and substance treatment agencies
• Visit residents across the borough
• Provide high standards of customer service
• Cover daily Town Hall operational duties
• Staff the homeless duty officer rota and assist with housing advice emails and the Housing Advice phone line
• Undertake other duties on a rota basis

Experience

• Experience of working in a busy front-line housing service

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Detailed knowledge of Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended)
• Working to deadlines across a varied workload
• Working well as a team player and on own initiative
• Positive, supportive, flexible and innovative approach with households in housing need

Nice to have

• Familiarity with relevant housing legislation
• Knowledge of the benefits system
• Experience of providing housing advice and/or tenancy support

What’s offered

• Competitive annual leave
• LGPS pension with employer contribution of 22.10%
• Training and career development support
• Discounts at local and high street stores
• Salary sacrifice schemes including a cycle lease scheme
• Better leisure centre membership
• Some hybrid working, if agreed with the Homeless Relief Team Leader