Housing Options Officer Role- Homelessness/Welfare (Temp Ongoing)

North London, UK Housing Options Officer Role- Homelessness/Welfare (Temp Ongoing) Our client are looking for a well versed Housing Options Officer for their offices in North London on a temp ongoing basis. This role will be specialising in homelessness support/prevention and welfare to residents of the borough. The role will be supporting residents in the borough to secure accomodation in the area and assisting them through the processes accordingly. The main duties are as follows: To deal with and difficult housing enquiries in order to ensure all customers have a positive experience and receive the right answer first time with consistent high quality. To provide appropriate basic advice and assistance on all matters of housing entitlement, eligibility and priority need for social housing. To ensure customers receive correspondence written in plain English which takes account of any special requirements and conforms to our clients right first time and customer service standards. To ensure wherever possible by intervention, referral, advice, advocacy and joint working that homelessness is prevented by ensuring the broadest range of housing options is available to customers. To follow the departments procedures and protocols for the effective liaison and discharging statutory joint obligations. To enable mediation between landlords and tenants, parents relatives and family relationship breakdowns in order to prevent homelessness. To interview and carry out an initial assessment of all customers visiting the Housing Aid Centre. To give guidance regarding welfare benefits and income maximisation To acquire and maintain up to date detailed knowledge of relevant housing legislation including current case law. To keep clear up to date accurate and written and computerised records. Maintaining confidentiality and security of information. To interview and visit applicants carry out inquiries within target timescales at alternative locations where necessary. Ensuring that supporting information and evidence is available to substantiate the decision in each case. To take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons/ vulnerable adults who you come into contact with. To provide information on, promote and refer customers to all available housing options, including special schemes, voluntary sector housing, private sector housing, shared ownership and other initiatives. To liaise closely and effectively with both internal and external colleagues. To refer clients where appropriate to other professionals and agencies. for advice on housing matters, welfare rights, social services, immigration and other issues using referral procedures. To advice and assess customers suitability for Home Shelter Scheme and make appropriate referrals to relevant agencies including MARAC, Police, Social Services and Area Housing Office To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post. ADDITIONAL:To use information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner. To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the line manager. To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and post holder. To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the council’s commitment to customer service excellence and ensure compliance with the customer care standards. To be committed to the clients core values of public service, quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way duties are carried out. To ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation. To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the clients Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation. For this role you will ideally have the following: Extensive experience with housing options and advice – specifically with homelessness and welfare reform Have dealt with landlords - under the Protection of Eviction AcComputer literate ( Very good with excel and familiar with database ) Knowledge of relevant homeless legislation relating to homelessness and housing needs, with particular reference to the Housing Act 1996 (amended 2002) ·Good Knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) Good with issuing/completing PHP, End of Duty letters and issuing non-cooperation letter Preventing Homelessness by mediating with hosts ( family & friends) and liaising with landlords to stop evictionsAt all times to carry out responsibilities/duties within the framework of the our clients Dignity for all Policy. (Equal Opportunities Policy) This role is working Mon-Fri 9am-5pm daily and offering £17.27 GBP PAYE- Umbrella options are also available. This role is immediate and you will ideally have worked in a similar role. Please apply with your CV through the "Apply" Button or email your CV to (Email Removed)(url removed)