At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage homelessness cases and support residents in understanding their housing options.
- Company: Civic Recruitment Limited, dedicated to community and social services.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a meaningful role with potential for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on equality, diversity, and trauma-informed practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in housing management.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing or social services, strong communication, and decision-making skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
3 Month Contract with a Local Authority
Job Purpose
To manage homelessness cases through to the lawful cessation of statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. The role is responsible for assessing evidence, making legally compliant decisions, issuing statutory notifications, and ensuring residents understand their housing options, rights, and responsibilities. Working within the Housing Needs Service, the postholder will support the Council's objective of reducing reliance on temporary accommodation through robust case management, high-quality decision-making, and collaborative working with internal services and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of homelessness applications and cases through to the lawful conclusion of housing duties.
- Assess evidence, case histories, and housing circumstances to determine when statutory duties can be ended.
- Prepare and issue clear, accurate, and legally compliant statutory notifications and decision letters.
- Ensure all decisions are fully documented, evidence-based, and capable of withstanding review or legal challenge.
- Maintain and update Personal Housing Plans (PHPs), ensuring actions and outcomes are accurately recorded.
- Work proactively with applicants to encourage acceptance of suitable accommodation offers and sustainable housing solutions.
- Identify safeguarding concerns, vulnerabilities, and risks, escalating cases appropriately and participating in multi-agency responses where required.
- Communicate complex housing decisions clearly, sensitively, and professionally to residents and stakeholders.
- Support residents by providing advice on housing options, tenancy rights, welfare benefits, and support services.
- Maintain accurate case records and audit trails in line with statutory, operational, and information governance requirements.
- Work closely with Housing colleagues, Legal Services, Adult Social Care, Children's Services, and external partners to achieve positive outcomes.
- Prepare case files and supporting documentation for reviews, complaints, and legal proceedings when required.
- Contribute to service improvement by identifying trends, sharing learning, and participating in training and continuous professional development activities.
- Apply trauma-informed and resident-centred approaches in all interactions and decision-making.
Requirements
- Experience managing homelessness, housing options, or other frontline housing caseloads.
- Good knowledge of homelessness legislation, particularly duties under Sections 188 and 193 of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
- Experience making statutory housing decisions and preparing written notifications or case records.
- Strong understanding of housing options, welfare benefits, tenancy law, and landlord and tenant responsibilities.
- Ability to analyse information, assess risk, and make balanced, evidence-based decisions.
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce clear and legally defensible correspondence.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and challenging conversations professionally and empathetically.
- Experience working with vulnerable residents, including those experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse, mental ill-health, or exploitation.
- Experience maintaining accurate records and using housing or case management systems.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies, and stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice.
- Level 4 or Level 5 qualification in Housing, Advice & Guidance, or a related discipline.
- Membership of, or willingness to work towards membership of, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
- Experience within a local authority homelessness or housing needs service.
- Knowledge of the Renters’ Rights Act and current housing legislation developments.
- Understanding of Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) principles.
- Experience preparing cases for reviews, legal challenges, or appeals.
- Evidence of continuing professional development in housing, homelessness, safeguarding, or related fields.
Cessation OF Duty Officer in London employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and community impact. Located in Lambeth, this role as a Cessation of Duty Officer provides the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in residents' lives while benefiting from a collaborative environment and access to continuous professional growth within the local authority framework.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cessation OF Duty Officer in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Civic Recruitment Limited.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Civic Recruitment Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Civic Recruitment Limited, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Civic Recruitment Limited or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Cessation OF Duty Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Civic Recruitment Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Civic Recruitment Limited! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Civic Recruitment Limited
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
