Housing / Property Specialist

Colbern Limited; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work pattern

Job summary

Colbern Limited in Kettering is seeking an experienced Housing Options Officer to assess homelessness risk, determine eligibility and advocate for positive outcomes. The role combines in-office triage (4 days) with one day working from home within a North Northamptonshire framework.

You will work as part of a small team, deliver high-quality housing advice, complete Full Housing Assessments and Personal Housing Plans, and collaborate with landlords, agencies and families to prevent homelessness.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting initial homelessness assessments and determining eligibility.
• Knowledge of homelessness legislation, statutory guidance, and council policies.
• Ability to manage a caseload and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary contact for households homeless or threatened; provide triage and advocacy.
• Mitigate eviction risks; escalate complex cases as needed with timely referrals.
• Deliver tailored, proactive, person-centred advice; negotiate with landlords and identify accommodation.

Skills

Triage

Homelessness assessments

Advocacy

Customer service

Job description

Housing Options Officer

Kettering

Contract

£30 per hour limited paid via umbrella company inside IR35

Our client is looking for an experienced Housing Options Officer

4 days in Kettering office 1 day at home

Triage officer to conduct the initial homelessness assessments for customers who are at risk of homelessness. Role will be to assess eligibility, homelessness and reason to believe priority need and determine if any S188 duties are owed with a key priority to preventing homelessness with a positive outcome.

To work with other Housing Options Advisors in a small team within the Housing Advice and Options Service or Single Homelessness Service delivering specialist advice, support and interventions via triage, and casework functions for both families and certain priority groups and single homeless people.

To provide an efficient, high-quality advice and assessment service for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, ensuring that customer's circumstances are investigated and their housing and support needs are assessed and met in accordance with homelessness legislation, statutory guidance and the Council's policies and procedures.

Focussed on securing positive outcomes, the post holder will work collaboratively and proactively with other services and organisations, landlords, letting agents and family members to support and safeguard homeless households and vulnerable people, and work to prevent homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation.

The role will be based across the locality of North Northamptonshire.

Principal responsibilities

1. Acting as a primary point of contact for households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, provide an effective triage service to assess initial housing needs, risks, and eligibility for assistance, offering immediate advice, practical support, and advocacy to stabilise their situations.
2. Take swift and decisive action to mitigate risks of eviction or homelessness, escalating complex cases as needed, delivering timely and appropriate advice and referrals for families and single individuals based on their circumstances and statutory entitlements.
3. Deliver tailored, proactive, and person-centred advice to prevent or relieve homelessness, including negotiating with landlords, mediating with family or friends, and identifying suitable alternative accommodation. Working with customers to complete Full Housing Assessments (FHA’s) and create and implement Personal Housing Plans (PHP’s) that outline steps to resolve their housing issues sustainably.
4. Manage a varied caseload, ensuring that all advice, actions, casework, assessments and decisions comply with relevant legislation, guidance and caselaw, and the Council’s policies and procedures. Ensure decisions are evidence based, and robust, liaising with Senior Housing Options Advisors for guidance on complex or high-risk cases as required.
5. Work collaboratively and proactively across the Housing Solutions service, with internal departments and external agencies to deliver holistic accommodation and support solutions for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Coordinate, lead and actively participate in multi-agency meetings to share information, discuss concerns or risk, work together to respond to housing issues, identify and agree multi agency support plans and improve outcomes.
6. Provide empathetic, professional, and high-quality customer service at all times, resolving queries and complaints promptly and effectively. Escalate recurring issues or trends to Senior Housing Options Advisors for resolution and to support service improvement.
7. Maintain accurate, up-to-date records on all cases using the Council’s homelessness case management system and other records as required, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Contribute to data collection and reporting processes, supporting performance monitoring and service improvement initiatives.
8. Identify safeguarding concerns for vulnerable individuals, including children and adults at risk, and take appropriate action in line with safeguarding protocols. Work with relevant teams and agencies to address risks and ensure positive outcomes for customers.
9. Take responsibility for own learning and development in relation to updates to legislation, guidance, case law and best practise to enhance knowledge and skills relating to housing advice and homelessness prevention. Share best practices and insights with colleagues to ensure consistency and contribute to the development and implementation of service improvements.
10. Provide flexible support to meet service demands during peak periods or emergencies, ensuring continuity of service for customers in urgent need.
11. Identify trends and areas for improvement within the Housing Solutions Service, contributing ideas and solutions to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and outcomes. Support the development and implementation of new initiatives, policies, and procedures to meet changing demands and legal requirements.

Colbern Limited along with our clients are an equal opportunities employer