Homesearch Adviser

Jobtrain; Clays End; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking an experienced Homesearch Adviser to join the Homesearch Team. You will assess new housing applications to identify housing need in line with the Council's Homesearch Allocation Scheme, consider social and medical priority, and manage a high volume of applicant communications.

The team has been homeworking but staff will return to Council Offices in Keynsham and work flexibly for part of the week, with a hybrid working pattern.

Qualifications

• Experience using Civica Abritas or similar housing databases is advantageous.
• Excellent record keeping and IT skills.
• Good communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess new housing applications to identify housing need in line with allocation scheme.
• Consider social and medical priority, including overcrowding cases.
• Handle a high volume of telephone contacts with applicants in distressed housing situations.
• Process and respond to client messages and information requests.
• Update the public website with new housing information.
• Collaborate with Social Landlords.
• Work with other Housing Organisations.

Skills

Driving license

Good communications

IT skills

Tools

Civica Abritas

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

About the Team

Housing Services are looking for an experienced Housing Officer to join the busy Homesearch Team. The team manage the social housing register and allocate social housing through choice-based lettings.

About the Role

As a Homesearch Adviser, you will:

• Assess new housing applications to identify housing need in line with the Council's Homesearch Allocation Scheme.
• Consider social and medical priority, as well as overcrowding cases.
• Have considerable telephone contact with applicants who may be experiencing stressful housing situations.
• Process and respond to a significant number of client messages and requests for information.
• Update the public website with new housing and other information.
• Work closely with Social Landlords.
• Work with other Housing Organisations.

Currently, the team are homeworking, but it is planned that staff will return to Council Offices in Keynsham to work flexibly for part of the week.

About You

The role also requires:

• Excellent record keeping and IT skills.
• Experience of Civica Abritas or similar housing databases would be an advantage.
• You will need to have good communications skills.
• Experience of generating reports and managing website information would also be an advantage.

A driving license is required to fulfil the needs of the role.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Laurence Lindsay, Senior Housing Practitioner, [e-mail] or call [phone].

Interview date: TBC

Please note: that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Basic DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.