Independent Reviewing Officer

Sand Martin; Halifax; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in North London is seeking a Housing Review Officer for an immediate start. The role involves reviewing homeless decisions, ensuring proper housing assessments, and collaborating with legal teams. Candidates must have detailed knowledge of housing legislation and local authority experience. Excellent communication skills and a good educational background are essential. This initial 3 to 6 month contract offers a Monday to Friday schedule, with the possibility to extend.

Qualifications

• Expertise in housing legislation, including private sector landlord and tenant law.
• Experience working with local authorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review homeless decisions and accommodation offers.
• Collaborate with the Legal Department on legal challenges.
• Train staff on housing law changes.

Skills

Knowledge of housing legislation

Understanding of legal challenges

Communication skills

Education

Good standard of education

Job description

Housing Review Officer – North London Local Authority – Immediate Start.

Responsibilities

• Carry out the statutory function of reviewing all homeless decisions, offers of accommodation and housing register assessments where a review is requested.
• Ensure statutory reviews are carried out within statutory time limits.
• Work with the Legal Department and Head of Service to defend legal challenges, including judicial review proceedings or County Court appeals under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996.
• Develop procedures and guidelines for officers in liaison with the Service Development Manager.
• Minimise legal costs in relation to threatened or actual court action.
• Authorise and make recommendations on placement into temporary accommodation for persons to whom the Council owes a duty.
• Exercise discretion in deciding whether to continue providing accommodation pending a review or county court appeal.
• Develop training programmes and train staff on changes in legislation, case law, or regulations.

Qualifications

• Highly detailed knowledge of current and emerging housing legislation and case law related to housing advice issues, including private sector landlord and tenant law, security of tenure, homelessness law, housing benefit, welfare benefit regulations, possession proceedings in the county court, court procedure rules, Community Legal Services funding rules, etc.
• Solid understanding of legal challenges faced by local authorities.
• Good standard of education.
• Local Authority experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Contract Details

Initial 3 to 6 month contract with the opportunity to extend, PAYE via Umbrella. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

All applications are monitored and shortlisted candidates will be contacted via phone call or email.