Homelessness & Housing Solutions Officer

Opus People Solutions Limited; Bromsgrove; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working 2 days in the office

Job summary

Opus People Solutions Limited is seeking a Homelessness Prevention Officer to manage a varied caseload, provide housing advice, and prevent homelessness. You will assess duties under legislation, craft compliant decisions, and collaborate with applicants, landlords, and agencies to secure suitable accommodation and support.

The role emphasizes thorough investigations, accurate records, and personalised housing plans within a hybrid working setup. Immediate start available for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Experience in handling homelessness and housing solutions caseloads.
• Proven ability to assess applications and make statutory decisions.
• Strong report writing and decision-letter drafting skills.
• Knowledge of housing legislation and relevant case law.

Responsibilities

• Deliver homelessness and housing solutions services with a focus on inclusion.
• Assess applications and determine statutory duties under current law.
• Manage a caseload, conduct investigations, assessments and decisions.
• Prepare detailed, legally compliant decision letters and PHPs.
• Negotiate with landlords and agencies to prevent homelessness.

Skills

Case management

Communication

Negotiation

Report writing

Customer service

Job description

About the Role

As a Homelessness Prevention Officer, you will manage a varied caseload, providing comprehensive housing advice and homelessness prevention services. You will assess statutory duties, make legally robust decisions, and work proactively with applicants, landlords, support agencies, and accommodation providers to prevent and relieve homelessness.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, customer-focused Homelessness and Housing Solutions services with a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Assess homelessness applications and determine statutory duties in accordance with current legislation and case law.
• Manage a designated caseload, conducting thorough investigations, assessments, and decision-making.
• Produce detailed, accurate, and legally compliant decision letters and reports, ensuring decisions are "right first time."
• Develop and implement Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) tailored to individual circumstances.
• Work proactively to prevent homelessness through negotiation, mediation, and practical housing solutions.
• Provide expert housing advice covering all tenures, including private rented, social housing, and temporary accommodation.
• Secure suitable temporary accommodation where the Council has a statutory duty to do so.
• Liaise with landlords, support services, external agencies, and internal departments to achieve positive outcomes for customers.
• Ensure all case records are maintained accurately and in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.
• Monitor expenditure relating to temporary accommodation and support prudent use of budgets and grant funding.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 3 years' experience within Homelessness & Housing Solutions.
• Extensive working knowledge and practical experience of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Strong experience applying Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Experience assessing homelessness applications and making statutory decisions.
• Proven ability to manage complex homelessness casework independently.
• Experience developing and managing Personalised Housing Plans.
• Strong knowledge of housing legislation, statutory guidance, and relevant case law.
• Excellent report writing and decision-letter drafting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced local authority environment.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and customer service skills.

Desirable

• Previous local authority experience.
• Experience working with temporary accommodation placements.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits and wider housing support services.

Why Apply?

• Hybrid working arrangement with only 2 days per week in the office.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the community.
• Join a supportive and experienced Housing Solutions team.
• Immediate start available.

Please note: Applicants must have proven experience working under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. Applications without this experience will not be considered.

All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references. In addition, due to the nature of the role the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure will be undertaken.