At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality housing advice and prevent homelessness for those in need.
- Company: Local Authority focused on community support and housing solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving community welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them secure stable housing.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing advice and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28.3 - 28.3 £ per hour.
- 3 months contract with a Local Authority
- Recent experience within a
Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, or Housing Advisory Service , preferably in a Local Authority setting.
Job Purpose
The Housing Coordinator is responsible for delivering a high-quality housing advice, homelessness prevention, and housing options service in accordance with relevant housing legislation and statutory duties.
The post holder will work proactively with individuals and households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, using a range of prevention tools and interventions to secure sustainable housing solutions.
The role involves assessing housing needs, conducting homelessness investigations, managing casework, providing comprehensive advice and assistance, and working collaboratively with internal and external partners to achieve positive outcomes for residents.
The Housing Coordinator will ensure compliance with the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, relevant case law, and government guidance while delivering excellent customer service.
Key Responsibilities
- Housing Advice and Homelessness Prevention
- Provide comprehensive housing options, homelessness prevention, and housing advice services to residents.
- Assess and investigate homelessness applications in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and associated legislation.
- Develop and implement Personal Housing Plans to prevent and relieve homelessness.
- Utilise available homelessness prevention tools, including Homefinder Schemes, Rent Deposit Schemes, Discretionary Housing Payments, and mediation services.
- Assist households in securing suitable and affordable accommodation.
- Provide statutory advice and assistance to non-priority homeless applicants, including rough sleepers.
- Case Management
- Manage a diverse caseload of homelessness and housing advice cases, ensuring timely and accurate case recording.
- Conduct detailed investigations to establish homelessness duties and housing entitlements.
- Arrange and undertake home visits to assess housing conditions, confirm homelessness, and verify household circumstances.
- Ensure all applications, assessments, decisions, and case records are completed accurately and within service standards.
- Prepare and issue legally compliant decisions and correspondence.
- Partnership Working
- Work closely with internal teams including Gateway Services, Assessment Services, Temporary Accommodation Services, Adult Social Care, Children's Services, Revenues and Benefits, and Legal Services.
- Liaise with landlords, housing providers, support agencies, health professionals, voluntary organisations, and community groups to prevent homelessness.
- Collaborate with Market Management Teams to secure accommodation where housing duties are owed.
- Support referrals and joint working arrangements for vulnerable households, including care leavers, individuals with mental health needs, hospital discharges, and those with complex support requirements.
- Legal and Technical Advice
• Provide specialist housing advice relating to
- Security of tenure
- Tenancy agreements
- Possession proceedings
- Illegal eviction and harassment
- Housing disrepair
- Tenancy sustainment
- Welfare benefits and housing support
- Apply relevant legislation, case law, statutory guidance, and council policies in all decision making.
- Respond to legal challenges, reviews, complaints, councillor enquiries, MP enquiries, and complex correspondence within required timescales.
- Ensure compliance with homelessness legislation, including referrals, reviews, appeals, and associated statutory requirements.
- Customer Service and Continuous Improvement
- Deliver excellent customer service through professional, respectful, and empathetic engagement.
- Promote self-service tools, including the Council website and online customer portal.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to service monitoring and performance reporting.
- Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to achieving departmental and corporate objectives.
Experience Required
Essential
- Experience of delivering housing advice and homelessness prevention services.
- Experience of assessing and investigating homelessness applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
- Experience of managing a complex caseload while meeting deadlines and performance targets.
- Experience of working directly with members of the public in a customer-facing environment.
- Experience of handling sensitive, complex, challenging, or contentious cases.
- Experience of working collaboratively with internal departments and external agencies.
- Experience of negotiating successful outcomes with landlords, tenants, and partner organisations.
- Experience of maintaining accurate records and case management systems.
- Experience of using IT systems and databases to manage information effectively.
Desirable
- Experience within a local authority housing service.
- Experience of temporary accommodation, housing allocations, or welfare benefits.
- Experience of representing clients or providing support in legal or court-related housing matters.
Qualifications
Essential
- Good general standard of education, including English and Mathematics.
- Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to housing, homelessness, or customer services.
Desirable
- Professional qualification in Housing, Homelessness, Public Services, Social Care, or related discipline.
- CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) qualification or equivalent.
- Housing law or homelessness prevention training.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act.
- Understanding of welfare benefits, Housing Benefit, Discretionary Housing Payments, and Local Housing Allowance.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to explain complex legal and technical information clearly.
- Strong investigative and analytical skills.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders and customers.
- Strong organisational and case management skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure.
- Good negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
- Competent IT and database management skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Additional Information
Location
London
Working Pattern
- Onsite
- (office-based)
Hours
35 hours per week
Pay Rate
£28.30 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract Type
Temporary/Agency Contract
Department
- Place â
- Housing & Regeneration, Housing Advisory Service
- Additional Requirements
- Recent experience within a
Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, or Housing Advisory Service , preferably in a Local Authority setting.
- Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation, including the
- Housing Act 1996 and
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 .
- Experience assessing homelessness applications and delivering statutory housing advice.
- Proven ability to manage a complex caseload and meet statutory deadlines.
- Excellent customer service, communication, negotiation, and case management skills.
- Ability to undertake home visits and engage effectively with vulnerable residents and partner agencies.
- Competent in the use of housing management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Housing Coordinator in London 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 Coordinator in London
✨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 Coordinator in London
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.
