Housing Resettlement and Accommodation Officer

Sevenoaks District Council; Sevenoaks; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Sevenoaks District Council is seeking a Housing Resettlement and Accommodation Officer to support temporary accommodation, resettlement and housing services within the Housing Options and Solutions Team. You will help manage enquiries, coordinate property matching and move-ins, and assist with welfare checks while supporting vulnerable households.

The role sits within the Housing Resettlement and Accommodation Team, contributing to statutory homelessness duties and service improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience providing housing advice within a local authority context.
• Understanding Housing Act 1996 Part VII and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 is desirable.
• GCSEs including Maths and English are required; vocational qualification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of temporary accommodation, resettlement and housing support services.
• Assist with property matching, move-ins and welfare checks.
• Maintain accurate records and assist income recovery.

Skills

Local authority housing experience

Advising customers

Communication skills

Negotiation & mediation

Education

GCSEs A-C including Maths and English

NVQ Level 2 in Housing or Customer Care (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Housing systems

Job description

Are you passionate about helping residents access safe and suitable accommodation? We are looking for a Housing Resettlement and Accommodation Officer to join our Housing Options and Solutions Team and support the delivery of high quality temporary accommodation, resettlement and housing support services across the Sevenoaks District.

This is an important new role within the Housing Resettlement and Accommodation Team, created as part of the Council’s recent Housing Service restructure. You will support the Housing Resettlement and Accommodation Team Leader with the day to day operation of the team, helping the Council meet its statutory homelessness and accommodation duties while providing practical support to vulnerable households.

About the role

Working closely with colleagues, housing providers, Kent County Council and partner agencies, you will help secure and manage temporary or alternative accommodation, support resettlement activity, assist with the Mother and Baby unit including carrying out welfare and residence checks, and contribute to housing service improvements and new legislation. The role will involve handling enquiries, coordinating property matching and move ins, monitoring households in temporary accommodation including carrying out visits, supporting income recovery and maintaining accurate records.

About you

We are looking for someone with local authority housing experience, including advising customers and ideally procuring suitable temporary accommodation. You will understand key housing legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and be organised enough to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

You will be customer focused, empathetic and non-judgemental, with strong communication, negotiation and mediation skills. You should be confident working with vulnerable customers, landlords, accommodation providers and partner agencies, able to use Microsoft Office and housing systems effectively, and able to keep accurate records.

You will need GCSEs at grades A to C, or equivalent, including Maths and English. An NVQ Level 2 in Housing or Customer Care would be desirable. A basic DBS check, full driving licence and access to a car for business use are required.

This role will be based at our Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1HG. We currently operate a hybrid working model for the majority of our roles where your working time will be divided between the office (2-3 days) and home working (2-3 days).

Please note, previous applicants need not apply.