Bookings & Emergency Accommodation Officer

MRJ Associates are working on behalf of our client Tower Hamlet Council who are recruiting for Bookings & Emergency Accommodation Officer within the Local Authority paying up to £29.29ph. YOUR NEW CONTRACT * Minimum 3 Months contract – Starting ASAP * 35 hours per week across a 5-day rota. * Payrate up to £29.29 per hour (Umbrella) PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION To assess the accommodation needs of homeless applicants and undertake all procedures for booking customers into emergency, self-contained temporary and permanent accommodation, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, guidance governing the suitability of accommodation and Council policies, procedures and targets To manage a caseload of applicants accommodated under homelessness duties and powers in bed & breakfast accommodation and liaising with the lead officer dealing with the homelessness assessment to ensure all enquiries are completed in a timely manner, bringing concerns to the attention of the Team Principal or Team Manager as appropriate DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES * To ensure customers receive, either directly or through referral to relevant teams/agencies, appropriate advice on their options, providing information in advance of transfer to self-contained accommodation so that properties are suitable first-time round * To be responsible for ensuring the quality of designated hotels, undertaking inspections and running on-site surgeries as directed * To conduct inspections of designated hotels as directed, to confirm landlord compliance with service standards, referring to enforcement agencies as appropriate * Verify clients’ occupation and compliance with conditions of licence, holding regular surgeries at designated hotels to facilitate efficient casework and minimise ad hoc queries and complaints * To ensure that licensees in B&B accommodation abide by the conditions of licence paying particular attention to rental payments, ensuring tenant-like conduct and occupation, taking enforcement action, including booking closures and ensuring correct duty cessation letters are issued in accordance with procedures; referring complex cases to other specialist Teams as directed * To make sure the rehousing and resettlement needs of the customer are clearly established and understood with adequate records provided, having particular regard to the need to support vulnerable households * To ensure the efficient progression of all verbal and written enquiries/ complaints and gather information as required in order to help progress responses to review requests and other enquiries KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY * An understanding of the duties owed to customers threatened with homelessness/actual * Homelessness under relevant legislation * An awareness of the services available to customers seeking help and accommodation provided by other organisations, both statutory and voluntary, including those beyond housing such as health & well-being, employment & education * Knowledge of relevant Landlord and Tenant Legislation, Family and * Immigration law, welfare and housing benefits * Knowledge of the Children Act and Community Care Act, and associated case law as they relate to the Council’s duties to homeless households * Knowledge of the principles and processes of managing rent accounts * Demonstrable experience of working with customers giving advice within a housing or similar service * Experience of working in a demanding environment with the general public * Experience of managing a housing patch or caseload covering at least one of the following areas: * Tenancy Management * Property Management * Income management WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW If you are interested in this role, click \’apply now\’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now