Housing Options Support Officer

Ashford Borough Council; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Relocation assistance

Annual leave with flexi time

Job summary

Ashford Borough Council is seeking an experienced Housing Options Support Officer to join the Housing Options Team. You will provide expert homelessness prevention guidance, assess housing need, manage your own caseload and apply housing legislation to reach positive outcomes for customers.

Hybrid working is available, with flexible hours to balance work and home life. The role requires two years' homelessness or housing options experience, excellent communication, and the ability to work with

Qualifications

• At least two years' experience within homelessness, housing advice or a related housing field.
• Experience of working directly with vulnerable customers.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation and make sound decisions.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Resilience to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Investigating housing options and homelessness cases.
• Interpreting and applying housing legislation including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Preparing robust case records and written decisions.
• Engaging with vulnerable customers and liaising with partner agencies.
• Managing a caseload and delivering a high-quality housing advice service.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpreting legislation

Case management

Job description

Are you experienced in homelessness prevention, housing advice or housing options casework? We are looking for an experienced Housing Options Support Officer to join our busy and customer-focused Housing Options Team. This is a rewarding and varied role where you will provide expert housing advice and support to households facing housing challenges, helping customers understand their housing options and preventing homelessness wherever possible. You will manage your own caseload, conduct investigations, assess housing need, and apply housing legislation to reach informed decisions and positive outcomes for customers. Working as part of a supportive team, you will engage with vulnerable individuals and households, liaise with partner agencies, and contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service that places customers at the heart of everything we do. You will be responsible for providing comprehensive housing advice and guidance to members of the public, along with:

• Investigating housing options and homelessness cases.
• Interpreting and applying housing legislation including the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Preparing robust case records and written decisions.
  It is essential that you already have experience working within homelessness prevention, housing advice, housing options or a related housing environment and be confident dealing with complex and sensitive situations along with having:
• At least two years' experience within homelessness, housing advice or a related housing field.
• Experience of working directly with vulnerable customers.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• The ability to interpret legislation and make sound decisions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• The resilience to work in a fast-paced and sometimes challenging environment.

We are seeking applicants who can demonstrate they have experience of homelessness legislation, housing advice and casework decision making. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they have existing homelessness or housing options experience.

In April 2028 Local government in Kent is moving to a new unitary council structure. If you join us now, you will be employed by Ashford Borough Council in the first instance, but staff are expected to transfer to the new organisation under TUPE arrangements in April 2028. This means your continuity of employment and existing terms and conditions will be protected. Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community

Hybrid Working - We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working.

Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package for specific roles and opportunities for training and development.