Temporary Accommodation Officer

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a professional to manage processes associated with clients in Temporary Accommodation. The role involves ensuring placements are appropriate, collaborating with various teams, and conducting assessments for clients owed the Main Housing Duty. Candidates must have strong communication skills, a valid driving licence, and experience with vulnerable clients. The council promotes a fair culture with flexible working arrangements and a focus on health and well-being initiatives.

Benefits

Health and well-being initiatives

Flexible working arrangements

Discounted gym memberships

Qualifications

• Driving licence and access to a car with business insurance.
• Experience developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Background working with vulnerable clients.

Responsibilities

• Manage all processes for clients in Temporary Accommodation.
• Oversee management of void units and collaborate with teams.
• Conduct affordability and suitability assessments.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong IT skills

Ability to build stakeholder relationships

Self-starter with a can-do approach

Experience with complex clients

Job description

This role is responsible for all processes and matters associated with clients housed in Temporary Accommodation under the council’s statutory homelessness duties. It will also include management of void units, working closely with our in‑house Temporary Accommodation teams and external providers. You will be one of our housing teams’ 'go-to' people in all matters relating to Temporary Accommodation. The post holder will work closely with clients, benefits teams and providers to protect the council financially and with the wider housing team to ensure that placements are appropriate, including undertaking affordability and suitability assessments and formulating move‑on plans for all clients owed the Main Housing Duty.

As an 'on the go' worker, you will spend most of your time visiting clients across the county, with some office work based out of any of our offices or Council‑Owned Temporary Accommodation Buildings. A driving licence and access to a car with your own business insurance is essential for this role.

About the Department

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property. Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy. By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect a fair and inclusive culture, the chance to really make a difference to those around you, health and well‑being initiatives, and flexible working arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Manage all processes and matters for clients in Temporary Accommodation under statutory homelessness duties.
• Oversee management of void units, collaborating with Temporary Accommodation teams and external providers.
• Provide support to clients, benefits teams and providers to protect council finances.
• Ensure placements are appropriate by conducting affordability and suitability assessments.
• Formulate move‑on plans for all clients owed the Main Housing Duty.
• Spend most of your time on client visits across the county.
• Handle some office work at council offices or Temporary Accommodation Buildings.

Qualifications

• Driving licence and access to a car with business insurance.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build stakeholder and client relationships.
• Strong IT skills and an eye for detail.
• Experience developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working within a partnership environment.
• Self‑starter with a can‑do approach and proactive communicator.
• Background working with complex and vulnerable clients, preferably managing an autonomous business area.
• Ability to lead in your business area and develop new ideas and solutions to complex problems.

Benefits

• A fair and inclusive culture.
• The chance to really make a difference to those around you.
• Health and well‑being initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops.
• A unified voice through our Employee Representative Group.
• Ongoing support and opportunities to develop and progress in your career.
• Opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events.
• Flexible working arrangements and a good work‑life balance.
• Discounts on cafés, restaurants, shops and auto‑enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme.
• Discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and many other perks.