Housing Options Officer

Carrington West; London Borough of Hackney; Híbrido; GBP 34.000 - 42.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Carrington West is recruiting for two Housing Options Officers to support a busy Housing Options service in London. The role involves managing a caseload of around 35+ homelessness applications from initial triage to final decisions, with hybrid working and a one-day-per-week office presence.

You will conduct detailed assessments, apply the Housing Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996 Part VII, and draft Section 184 letters. Collaboration with external agencies is essential.

Formación

• Must have significant experience as Housing Options/Homelessness Officer in a local authority
• Experience managing homelessness cases from assessment to final statutory decisions
• Strong knowledge of Housing Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996 Part VII
• Experience drafting and issuing Section 184 letters
• Experience managing prevention, relief and main duty cases and Personalised Housing Plans
• Ability to handle ~35+ active cases with minimal supervision
• Experience liaising with external agencies (GPs, mental health services, probation, etc.)

Responsabilidades

• Manage a caseload of 35+ homelessness applications from triage to final decisions
• Conduct in-depth homelessness assessments and client interviews
• Apply relevant legislation across prevention, relief and main housing duty cases
• Assess the five statutory homelessness tests and make robust decisions
• Draft and issue Section 184 decision letters with supporting case law
• Develop and manage Personalised Housing Plans and related actions
• Assess temporary accommodation requirements and related duties
• Liaise with GPs, mental health services, probation and other agencies
• Participate in telephone duty rotas and respond to homelessness enquiries

Descripción del empleo

We are currently recruiting for two experienced Housing Options Officers to support a busy Housing Options service with increasing homelessness demand. These are contract opportunities offering hybrid working, with approximately one day per week in the office, subject to service requirements. We are looking for fully competent Housing Options Officers who can manage homelessness cases from initial assessment through to final decision, with minimal supervision.

The Role

• Manage a caseload of approximately 35+ homelessness applications, progressing cases from initial triage through to final decisions.
• Conduct detailed homelessness assessments, investigations and client interviews in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Apply the Housing Reduction Act 2017 and Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 across prevention, relief and main housing duty cases.
• Assess the five statutory homelessness tests and make legally robust decisions based on individual circumstances.
• Prepare and issue Section 184 decision letters, ensuring decisions are supported by relevant legislation and case law.
• Develop and manage Personalised Housing Plans, identifying appropriate prevention and relief actions.
• Assess temporary accommodation requirements and make recommendations in line with statutory duties.
• Liaise with GPs, mental health services, probation teams and other agencies to obtain information and progress complex cases.
• Participate in telephone duty rotas, responding to homelessness enquiries and managing new applications.

Key Requirements

• Significant experience working as a Housing Options Officer or Homelessness Officer within a local authority.
• Proven experience managing homelessness cases from initial assessment through to final statutory decisions, rather than prevention work alone.
• Strong working knowledge of the Housing Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996 Part VII and relevant homelessness case law.
• Experience conducting detailed homelessness investigations and applying the five statutory homelessness tests.
• Demonstrable experience drafting and issuing Section 184 decision letters independently.
• Experience managing prevention, relief and main duty cases, including Personalised Housing Plans.
• Ability to manage a substantial caseload of approximately 35 or more active cases with minimal supervision.
• Experience assessing temporary accommodation duties and working with vulnerable households and external agencies.