Housing Options & Assessment Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Walthamstow; Presencial; GBP 30.000 - 42.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Retention bonus £2k p.a.

Career development salary range

Flexible working where possible

Mayor of London Good Work Standard

Descripción de la vacante

London Borough of Waltham Forest is seeking a frontline Housing Options and Assessment officer to manage a varied caseload of residents who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. The role focuses on assessing housing need, applying duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018, and preventing homelessness through interviews, decision letters and Personal Housing Plans.

The post is full-time (36 hours per week) with a retention bonus and requires existing UK work authorisation without

Formación

• Two years' experience in a fast-paced environment managing a varied caseload.
• Two years' experience in a Housing Options or prevention and assessment service.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload independently.

Responsabilidades

• Manage a varied caseload of residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Assess housing needs and determine statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018.
• Conduct face-to-face and telephone interviews with residents in housing need.
• Produce statutory decision letters and Personal Housing Plans.
• Take proactive steps to prevent homelessness, including engaging with landlords and agents.
• Promote a full range of housing options, including private rented solutions.
• Work with colleagues and partners to progress cases and remove barriers.
• Maintain accurate records, manage data and contribute to service performance.

Conocimientos

Homelessness knowledge

IT literacy

Literacy & Numeracy

Decision making

Empathetic communication

Time management

Descripción del empleo

This frontline post sits in the Housing Options and Assessment service at London Borough of Waltham Forest, managing a varied caseload of residents who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. The work centres on assessing housing need, deciding statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018, and preventing homelessness through interviews, decision letters and personal housing plans. The role is full-time, permanent, 36 hours a week, with a retention bonus. Visa sponsorship is not offered, so applicants must already hold UK work authorisation that needs no sponsorship.

What the job involves

• Manage a varied caseload of residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Assess housing needs and determine statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018
• Conduct face-to-face and telephone interviews with residents in housing need
• Produce statutory decision letters and Personal Housing Plans
• Take proactive steps to prevent homelessness, including engaging with landlords and agents
• Promote a full range of housing options, including private rented solutions
• Work with colleagues and partners to progress cases and remove barriers
• Maintain accurate records, manage data and contribute to service performance

What's required

Experience

• Two years' experience in a fast-paced, resident-focused environment managing a varied caseload
• Two years' experience in a busy Housing Options or prevention and assessment service
• Confidence managing a complex caseload independently

Skills & knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation and processes
• Excellent knowledge and use of IT systems and software packages
• Excellent literacy and numeracy
• Making sound decisions in challenging, time-pressured situations
• Empathetic, clear communication, including difficult conversations
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Checks & eligibility

• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks
• Satisfactory declaration of interest
• Existing UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship

Other

• Fluent spoken English sufficient for a public-facing role
• Diplomatic, confidential handling of internal and external stakeholders
• Balancing competing priorities and meeting deadlines
• Working with minimum supervision, using problem-solving and initiative

Nice to have

• Knowledge of frontline housing services

What's offered

• Retention bonus of £2K per annum
• Career development salary range, with possible higher starting point for substantial, directly relevant experience
• Supportive team with opportunities to learn and develop
• Consideration of flexible working arrangements where possible
• Employer accredited under the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard