At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess homelessness applications and provide vital housing advice to support vulnerable households.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on preventing homelessness in the Bracknell area.
- Benefits: Earn £36.10 per hour with bi-weekly pay and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: This is a temporary 3-month contract with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in housing support.
- Qualifications: Experience with housing legislation and strong customer service skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36.1 - 36.1 £ per hour.
This temporary role involves assessing homelessness applications, providing housing advice, and ensuring compliance with statutory duties under homelessness legislation. The successful candidate will work to prevent and relieve homelessness, complete statutory assessments, and collaborate with customers, landlords, and partner agencies to achieve positive housing outcomes. This position is crucial in supporting vulnerable households and ensuring they receive appropriate guidance and assistance.
Responsibilities
- Homelessness Assessments: Evaluate applications under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Conduct detailed housing needs assessments and determine duties owed to applicants. Complete statutory investigations and issue Section 184 decision letters.
- Prevention & Relief Duties: Work with customers to prevent and relieve homelessness. Explore housing options and develop tailored prevention strategies. Ensure applicants are informed throughout the process.
- Personal Housing Plans: Develop and monitor Personal Housing Plans (PHPs). Collaborate with customers to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Housing Advice & Case Management: Provide high-quality housing advice and manage a complex caseload. Ensure accurate case recording and file management.
- Financial Assessments: Conduct affordability assessments and support income maximization. Liaise with welfare benefit services as needed.
- Housing Register Assessments: Assess and process housing register applications. Maintain accurate housing records.
- Landlord & Stakeholder Negotiation: Negotiate with landlords and housing providers to prevent homelessness. Facilitate positive outcomes through partnership working.
- Partnership Working: Collaborate with internal departments and external agencies. Attend multi-agency meetings and coordinate support plans.
- Database & Record Management: Maintain accurate case notes and ensure compliance with GDPR.
Requirements
- Essential: Ability to attend the office once per week for face-to-face assessments. Experience with Abritas and Civica systems. Knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Experience issuing Section 184 decisions and managing complex housing cases. Strong customer service and case management skills.
- Desirable: Previous local authority homelessness experience. Knowledge of the Renters Rights Act. Experience in multi-agency meetings and working with partner organizations.
This is a 3-month temporary contract with a rate of £36.10 per hour (Umbrella). The role is based in the RG12 (Bracknell Area) and requires full-time hours. Bi-weekly pay with a requirement to attend the office once per week for face-to-face assessments. Previous local authority homelessness experience and knowledge of the Renters Rights Act are highly desirable.
Housing Options Officer (Housing) employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where strategic leadership in the Special Educational Needs service can truly make a difference in children's lives. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to meaningful outcomes in the Bromley community. The supportive culture and commitment to high-quality services make this an attractive opportunity for those looking to lead impactful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Options Officer (Housing)
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Options Officer (Housing)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Civic Recruitment Limited
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Civic Recruitment Limited.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Civic Recruitment Limited that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
