Housing Caseworker

South West Recruitment; Southmoor; Remote; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

Dorset Council's Housing Service is seeking an experienced Housing Caseworker for a remote, 12-week temporary contract. You will provide tailored housing advice, homelessness prevention, and manage a caseload of customers at risk of homelessness, targeting 37 hours per week.

Your role includes investigations, statutory decisions, arranging temporary accommodation, developing Personal Housing Plans, liaising with landlords and partner agencies, and signposting to welfare benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in local authority housing or registered housing provider.
• Strong knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation (Housing Act 1996; Homelessness Reduction Act 2018).
• Ability to prevent homelessness using practical tools and techniques.
• Experience managing a complex caseload independently in a confidential, fast-paced environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing options.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; negotiation and collaboration.
• Enhanced DBS check is required.
• CIH Level 4 qualification is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Engage with customers to assess housing needs and homelessness risk.
• Develop and update Personal Housing Plans for individuals.
• Conduct thorough investigations and make informed statutory decisions.
• Liaise with landlords, attend court hearings, and source housing solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to provide holistic support.
• Maintain detailed case records and ensure compliance with housing legislation.

Skills

Caseload management

Homelessness legislation

Housing options

Welfare benefits advice

Communication skills

IT skills

Education

CIH Level 4

Tools

Case management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Housing Caseworker to join Dorset Council's Housing Service on a temporary 12-week contract. This is a remote role, offering an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing comprehensive housing advice and homelessness prevention services. If you have a strong understanding of housing legislation and a passion for supporting vulnerable individuals, we encourage you to apply.

• Contract Type: Temporary (12 weeks)
• Location: Remote
• Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Responsibilities

As a Housing Caseworker, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality housing services. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing tailored housing advice and homelessness prevention services in line with current housing legislation.
• Managing a caseload of customers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, ensuring accurate and up-to-date case records.
• Conducting homelessness investigations, making statutory decisions, and arranging temporary accommodation when necessary.
• Developing and maintaining Personal Housing Plans to prevent or relieve homelessness.
• Collaborating with landlords, attending court, sourcing alternative housing options, and working with partner agencies to prevent homelessness.
• Offering advice on welfare benefits, debt management, income maximisation, and employment, while signposting to specialist agencies as needed.
• Building strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, including Adult and Children's Services, health services, probation, police, and housing providers.
• Supporting vulnerable individuals, including 16-17-year-olds, care leavers, and clients with complex needs, in line with established protocols.

Qualifications

To excel in this role, you should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Previous experience working within a local authority housing service or registered housing provider.
• Strong knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2018.
• Proven ability to prevent homelessness using a variety of practical tools and techniques.
• Experience managing a complex caseload independently in a confidential and fast-paced environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing options.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and collaborate effectively.
• Strong problem-solving, organisational, and IT skills, with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
• An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
• A CIH Level 4 qualification is desirable but not essential.

Day-to-Day

Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Engaging with customers to assess their housing needs and risks of homelessness.
• Developing and updating Personal Housing Plans tailored to individual circumstances.
• Conducting thorough investigations and making informed statutory decisions.
• Liaising with landlords, attending court hearings, and sourcing alternative housing solutions.Collaborating with internal teams and external agencies to provide holistic support.
• Maintaining detailed case records and ensuring compliance with housing legislation.
• Competitive hourly rate of £25-£30.
• Flexible remote working arrangement.
• Opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals.
• Gain valuable experience working within a dynamic and supportive housing service team.
• Enhance your knowledge and skills in housing legislation and homelessness prevention.

If you are a proactive and compassionate professional with a strong background in housing services, we would love to hear from you. Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Job Title: Housing Caseworker Job Reference: 48348 Salary: £25 - 30 per hour Sector: Location: