At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people find housing solutions and prevent homelessness through advice and support.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on delivering essential housing services in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a mix of on-site work and flexible hours, plus opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing services, strong communication skills, and knowledge of relevant laws are essential.
- Other info: Work involves collaboration with various agencies and requires empathy and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Who You Are You are a skilled Housing Needs Officer with extensive experience in decision making, customer interviewing, and assessments related to homelessness, particularly under Part 7 of the Homelessness Act. Your proficiency in Housing Reduction Act (HRA) regulations allows you to excel in delivering excellent customer-focused services in fast-paced environments. You possess strong analytical skills, mediating effective solutions efficiently while maintaining professional boundaries yet showing empathy. With deep knowledge of current housing laws, immigration issues, and relevant legislations, you are both an adept team player and an independent worker, keen on addressing changing service needs using your initiative. Your outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, are complemented by a sound understanding of equality, diversity issues, safeguarding, and data protection. You are also competent in IT, familiar with systems like Word, Excel, and databases, effectively managing complex tasks and utilizing resources for preventing homelessness. What the Job Involves As a Housing Needs Officer in the Housing Demand Team, your focus will be on delivering high-quality, customer-focused housing needs services. This involves providing housing advice, addressing housing issues, and preventing homelessness in line with relevant legislation. Your role will include coordination with internal teams like Rough Sleeper Outreach, Temporary Accommodation, and Social Lettings, as well as with external agencies such as Slough Mental Health Team, Probation, and Police. Youll employ holistic strategies to guide tenants, licensees, landlords, and others about their rights and available options, while managing complex information. Effective management of resources to ensure sustainable and affordable housing solutions is essential. Responsibilities include conducting home visits for verifying homelessness applications, maintaining meticulous records, and ensuring proper utilization of council resources. Furthermore, youll provide legal advice on housing, immigration, and benefits legislation, working proactively towards statutory and performance targets. Upholding the councils values in equality and diversity, youre expected to comply with health and safety, data management, and other relevant protocols. Your work schedule consists of two days on-site at Slough offices, with occasional third-day requirements, along with engaging in regular evaluations and meetings to enhance personal development and service quality.
Housing Needs Officer employer: Slough Council
Contact Detail:
Slough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Needs Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Homelessness Act and Housing Reduction Act regulations. Understanding these laws will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and your ability to navigate complex legal frameworks.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your customer service skills by preparing examples of how you've effectively communicated with clients in challenging situations. Highlighting your empathy and problem-solving abilities can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the housing sector, especially those who work with homelessness prevention. Engaging with others in the field can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current housing laws and local initiatives related to homelessness. Being knowledgeable about recent changes or programs can demonstrate your proactive approach and genuine interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Needs Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in decision making, customer interviewing, and assessments related to homelessness. Emphasize your knowledge of the Homelessness Act and Housing Reduction Act regulations.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, showcase your analytical skills and ability to mediate effective solutions. Mention specific examples of how you've delivered customer-focused services in fast-paced environments.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your communication skills, both written and verbal, and your understanding of equality and diversity issues. Don't forget to mention your IT competencies, especially with systems like Word and Excel.
Showcase Your Initiative: Demonstrate your ability to work independently and as part of a team. Provide examples of how you've addressed changing service needs and managed complex tasks effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Slough Council
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Housing Legislation
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the Homelessness Act and Housing Reduction Act. Highlight specific examples from your experience where you successfully applied these regulations to assist clients.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
During the interview, emphasize your ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups. Share instances where you mediated solutions while maintaining professional boundaries and showing empathy towards clients in distressing situations.
✨Highlight Your Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss how you approach complex cases and make decisions based on thorough assessments. Provide examples of how you've used your analytical skills to develop effective housing solutions.
✨Familiarize Yourself with the Team Dynamics
Research the Housing Demand Team and its collaboration with external agencies. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to team goals and enhance service delivery through effective coordination and communication.