Housing Professional in Ilford

Our client is looking for an experienced Reviews Officer – Housing. 1 day pw at Ilford office (subject to business needs).

• To carry out high quality, timely reviews of homelessness decisions (negative homeless decisions, suitability, discharge of duty) under section 202 of the Housing Act 1996; reviews functions under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017; part VI reviews of Housing register assessments and housing offers through choice-based lettings.
• Manage cases that go to section 204 appeal in the County Court and to further appeal in the higher courts: judicial reviews and other housing court challenges.
• To reduce the need for provision of temporary accommodation and resulting expenditure by ensuring effective and timely reviews but also offering good quality options, prevention and relief advice as part of reviews casework.
• To take responsibility for the recording of high quality, key data on all types of reviews which support the submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government ensuring key trends on homelessness, the causes and solutions is available. Also ensuring information on homelessness and allocations as it relates to reviews is available for analysis locally to support the management of demand and response to trends.
• This is a specialist role that will be at the forefront of the new reviews functions following the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2017.
• This position is fundamental to the provision of housing advice and homelessness services to vulnerable customers who may approach the council for assistance as a result of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reductions Act 2017 duties, and other key housing legislation, alongside the Children Act and the Care Act.
• The post holder will be required to have comprehensive knowledge of all housing advice and homelessness legislation, other general housing legislation, welfare benefit expertise and knowledge of the adult & children social care environment and impact and to use this knowledge to support customers and achieve positive outcomes.
• The post holder will be required to have specialist knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Children Act, and the Care Act. Combined with specialist knowledge of the Welfare Reform Act.
• The post holder needs to use this knowledge to work collaboratively with customers to resolve their reviews and to identify the most appropriate and effective solutions to their housing problems and to do so proactively at the most appropriate time – ensuring the maximum opportunities for early intervention.
• The post holder will be required to be innovative, dynamic and solutions focussed and consider and pursue all available housing options to prevent the customers from becoming homeless.
• The post holder will be required to use their experience to contribute to the ongoing development and design of the service and solutions for customers.