Homelessness Prevention & Assessment Officer

Job Category : Housing

Location : Laurence House, Lewisham Council

Hours Per Week : 35.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:00

Salary: £21.24

To provide a comprehensive high quality homeless prevention, support and advice service to

all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

? To provide an assessment service to customers presenting to the Council to ascertain what

duties are owed to them by the authority and what alternative housing options are available to

them.

? To demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Homelessness legislation

and case law coupled with hands-on experience of preventing homelessness and making

statutory decisions.

? To develop specialist knowledge and skills in relation to customers required to enable the

delivery of a flexible and responsive housing needs service that can effectively meet changing

demands and customer pressures.

? To keep up to date, clear, accessible and accurate casework and data records and report on

performance as required.

Skills

A high level of ICT skills to use packages such as word, excel, outlook and bespoke databases

Excellent interviewing skills to extract relevant information from customers and complete accurate assessments

Excellent communication skills at all levels

Excellent negotiating skills with varied parties, including partner agencies and internal colleagues

Excellent written skills to be able to produce detailed and accurate reports and letters to the public and other professionals

Ability to avoid and manage conflict and stress

Experience

Experience of composing and issuing detailed and legally robust S184 decision letters in line with the duties owed to customers under the homelessness legislation S

Experience of producing detailed and accurate reports and letters to the public and other professionals

Experience of working in a demanding front line service in a housing environment S Experience of “front line” interviewing and of dealing effectively with confrontational situations S Experience of working with vulnerable client groups and providing appropriate support as required

Experience of giving detailed advice on a range of welfare benefits to customers to enable them to resolve their accommodation difficulties

Experience of working effectively as a part of a busy team as well as being able to manage your own case load S

Experience of advocating on customer’s behalf with other statutory and voluntary agencies and members of the public