Housing Assessment Officer

Norwich Living Wage City Action Group; Norwich; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Norwich City Council is seeking a motivated assessment officer to join its Homelessness team. You will interview homeless applicants, carry out assessments and investigations, and make decisions under homelessness legislation.

The role focuses on relieving housing need, creating personalised housing plans, and working with partner agencies to secure suitable accommodation. Full training and development will be provided and interviews will be conducted in person at City Hall.

Qualifications

• You must have excellent negotiation skills and the ability to deal sensitively with clients in difficult and often pressurised circumstances.
• You should be able to produce written work to a consistently high standard and have the ability to understand and apply legislation accurately.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive housing assessment service for homeless clients under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Interviews applicants to determine actions to relieve housing need and social housing options.
• Carry out legal investigations and assess homelessness applications in line with the Housing Act.
• Create personalised housing plans and coordinate with third parties to relieve homelessness.
• Liaise with advice and support agencies for a coordinated approach to client support.
• Produce high quality written work that can stand up to scrutiny.
• Develop a strong understanding of housing legislation to advise clients.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree or CIH qualification

Equivalent housing experience

Job description

We are looking for a motivated individual to join our busy Homelessness team as an assessment officer.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in homelessness who is looking to build a career in this field. You will work with households who are homeless, carrying out homelessness assessments and investigations, making decisions in line with homelessness legislation, and supporting customers through the relief process to help secure suitable accommodation.

Full training, support and ongoing development will be provided.

Interviews will be held in person at City Hall.

As a vital part of our busy frontline Housing Options service you will interview applicants that approach the Council as homeless to determine what actions can be taken to relieve their housing need. This will involve carrying out legal investigations, analysing complex information and assessing homelessness applications in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act.

In accordance with our duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act, you also will offer comprehensive advice and provide the best possible housing solutions to homeless clients in order to relieve their situation.

• To provide a comprehensive and specialist housing assessment service for homeless clients in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Work closely with internal and external agencies to provide a professional and comprehensive assessment of the housing need.
• In accordance the Homelessness Reduction Act, create personalised housing plans and seek opportunities to work with third parties in the private sector to provide accommodation and relieve homelessness for clients in housing need.
• Carry out relevant investigations to assess statutory homelessness in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of legislation in order to advise clients about their housing rights and provide assistance as required.
• Produce high level and detailed written work, which if challenged can stand up to legal scrutiny.
• Liaise with advice and support agencies to ensure a co-ordinated approach and maximise the range of advice available to clients.

We would like to hear from you if you would enjoy working with people to help them resolve their housing problems. You must have excellent negotiation skills and the ability to deal sensitively with clients in difficult and often pressurised circumstances. You should be able to produce written work to a consistently high standard and have the ability to understand and apply legislation accurately.

You should be a confident, pro-active and capable individual with a positive attitude and the potential to quickly learn and develop your skills and knowledge in this key role.

Key to success in this role is being able to work constructively and creatively to help clients meet their housing needs. We will provide training as necessary for successful candidates on relevant areas of housing and related law.

• Degree or CIH qualificationor
• Equivalent housing experience or working within a field with identifiable transferable skills.