Housing Options Officer – Full Time – Bracknell

Catering; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Bracnkell Forest Council is seeking a temporary Housing Options Officer to assess homelessness applications and provide housing advice in line with statutory obligations. The role requires experience with Abritas/Civica, rota-based assessments, and face-to-face client meetings once a week.

You will negotiate with landlords and agencies to prevent homelessness, perform financial assessments for affordability, and maintain accurate case notes while coordinating with education, employment and

Qualifications

• Must be able to attend the office once a week for face-to-face assessment.
• Experience with Abritas/Civica software.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII as amended by the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.
• Ability to perform housing need assessments and triage on a rota.
• Negotiate with landlords, family members and agencies to prevent homelessness where possible.
• Conduct comprehensive financial assessments to ensure affordable accommodation.
• Assess and review housing register applications for applicants owed a homeless duty.
• Provide robust Personal Housing Plans linking education, employment, health and other providers.
• Attend multi-agency meetings as required.

Responsibilities

• Attend office once a week for face-to-face assessment.
• Assess homelessness applications in line with housing acts and statutory obligations.
• Undertake assessment and triage duties as part of a rota.
• Work with clients to prevent homelessness and find housing solutions.
• Negotiate with landlords and agencies to secure accommodation.
• Perform financial assessments to ensure affordability.
• Review housing register applications and duties owed.
• Record case notes accurately and upload documents.
• Provide Personal Housing Plans with linked services.
• Attend multi-agency meetings when required.

Skills

Face-to-face assessment

Abritas/Civica experience

Tools

Abritas/Civica

Job description

Bracnkell Forest Council

• Must be able to attend the office once a week to offer a face to face assessment
• Previous working experience of Abritas/Civica required

• To consider and assess homelessness applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 Part VII as amended by the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and meet the Councils statutory obligations in relation to providing high quality housing advice and homeless services including the s184 notifications and direct communication via phone, email or in person, with members of the public seeking support or advice
• To undertake assessment and triage duties as part of a rota
• To actively work with clients to prevent and relieve their homelessness
• To have knowledge of the Renters Rights Act
• To negotiate with landlords, family members and other agencies, both statutory and non-statutory to find the best solutions to clients housing needs and seeking to prevent homelessness wherever possible.
• To undertake comprehensive financial assessments to ensure accommodation is affordable and work closely with internal and external organisations to maximise income
• To assess and review housing register applications for applicants owed a homeless duty
• To ensure all case notes are accurately recorded and documents are uploaded on to our database
• To provide customers with robust Personal Housing Plans linking with education, employment, health and other support providers and agencies.
• To attend multi agency meetings where required

Salary: £32 – £34/hour

Job Type: Temporary

Location: RG12, Bracknell, Bracknell Forest