Homelessness Prevention Outreach Specialist

Cornwall Council Jobs and Careers; Phillack; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Defined benefit pension

Annual leave entitlement

Wellbeing programme

Employee discounts

Job summary

Cornwall Council is seeking a Homeless Prevention Outreach Caseworker to manage a complex caseload and determine statutory duties under homelessness legislation. The postholder will develop Personalised Housing Plans, undertake assessments and produce legally robust decision letters, ensuring timely responses and high-quality outcomes for households at risk of homelessness.

Based primarily in West Cornwall, the role involves outreach, collaboration with landlords and support services, and the

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, ensuring statutory duties are fulfilled in accordance with homelessness legislation, statutory guidance, council policy and service standards.
• Conduct detailed assessments and investigations to establish eligibility, homelessness, priority need, local connection, intentional homelessness and any statutory duties owed.
• Gather, verify and evaluate information from applicants, landlords, support agencies, health professionals and other stakeholders to inform decision-making and ensure robust case management.
• Prepare clear, accurate and legally compliant decision letters, notifications, reviews, correspondence and case records that demonstrate compliance with legislative requirements and withstand scrutiny, challenge and audit.
• Develop, implement and review Personalised Housing Plans, identifying practical actions and housing solutions to prevent or relieve homelessness and achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Participate in the service duty rota, undertaking homelessness assessments, responding to households presenting as homeless or threatened with homelessness, and taking appropriate action to manage the Council's statutory obligations, including the provision of interim or emergency accommodation where required.
• Undertake outreach activity to identify, engage and assess individuals and households experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping or housing crisis, facilitating access to accommodation, statutory assistance and support services.
• Work proactively with landlords, accommodation providers, support services, health partners, criminal justice agencies, community organisations and other stakeholders to secure housing solutions and improve outcomes for customers.
• Negotiate with landlords, family members, accommodation providers and other relevant parties to relieve homelessness, resolve housing crises and sustain accommodation wherever possible.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action to protect children, young people and adults at risk, working in partnership with relevant agencies.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous case records, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, information governance standards and service procedures.
• Monitor and manage case progression to ensure statutory timescales, service standards and performance targets are consistently achieved.
• Exercise professional judgement in complex and sensitive cases, balancing legislative requirements, risk, customer need and available housing options to reach sound and defensible decisions.
• Contribute to service development, quality assurance activities, audits, complaints investigations, reviews and legal challenges, ensuring continuous improvement and the delivery of a high-quality homelessness service.

Job description

Cornwall Council is seeking a Homeless Prevention Outreach Caseworker to manage a complex caseload and determine statutory duties under homelessness legislation. The postholder will develop Personalised Housing Plans, undertake assessments and produce legally robust decision letters, ensuring timely responses and high-quality outcomes for households at risk of homelessness.

Based primarily in West Cornwall, the role involves outreach, collaboration with landlords and support services, and the