At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable residents with homelessness inquiries and decisions, ensuring compassionate service delivery.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to help those in need and create positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service or social care, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for career advancement and impactful community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 19 - 25 £ per hour.
Our client is seeking an experienced Inquiries and Decisions Officer to place the residents at the heart of our services and to treat every resident as if we are providing a service to an important member of our family. To promote the spirit of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and prevention of homelessness every day of your work.
Responsibilities include:
- Assessment, enquiries and main duty decisions (singles and families) with particular reference to assisting people under the relevant homelessness legislation and informing them of the Council’s decision in relation to their application.
- Assisting with pre-existing applications to clear the homeless decisions backlog.
- Operating to the highest professional customer care standards for the delivery of the homelessness service.
- Providing a responsive and empathetic service that places the customer at the heart of service delivery.
- Participating and contributing to relevant case conferences with internal council services (e.g. Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, MARAC, DSM, hospitals etc.) and providing advice on matters related to homelessness.
- Supporting Council initiatives for complex and vulnerable persons such as rough sleepers, asylum seekers/refugees, victims/survivors of domestic abuse, LGBTQ, care leavers etc.
- Ensuring responsibilities with regard to the safeguarding of adults and children at risk are met at all times and promoting the council’s safeguarding work.
- Delivering a co-ordinated approach to inquiries and decisions for families and vulnerable persons through developing and maintaining effective working relationships with other Council teams (within Housing Needs and Strategy), services and external agencies.
- Ensuring effective implementation and adherence to processes and protocols with Social Services for effective liaison and for discharging statutory joint obligations and duties.
- Being alert to the possibility of housing fraud and working in conjunction with the council’s Housing Investigation team to prevent fraud.
- Making onward referrals to the relevant support agencies, public sector bodies and voluntary sector organisations.
- Supporting the Homeless Assessment Manager with the provision of detailed information in response to Councillor enquiries, complaints and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) enquiries.
- Developing and maintaining effective ongoing working relationships and partnerships with other Council services and external agencies, including Registered Social Landlords, advocacy services and public bodies (e.g. prisons, hospitals, probation services and health services) that support the Council’s objectives.
- Ensuring that the services provided are clear, accountable, responsive to customer/client needs and person-centred.
- Providing verbal contact and written communication in plain English which takes account of any special requirements and conforms to Islington’s write first time and customer service standards.
- Undertaking periodic home visits as required as part of the enquiries process when investigating main duty applications.
- Undertaking other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.
Colbern Limited along with our clients are an equal opportunities employer.
Locations
Business Support / Project Support in Islington, London employer: Colbern Limited
Contact Detail:
Colbern Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Support / Project Support in Islington, London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more natural you'll feel during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Support / Project Support in Islington, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Inquiries and Decisions Officer. Highlight your experience in customer service and any relevant work with vulnerable populations, as this will show us you understand the importance of treating residents like family.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep your language clear and straightforward. We want to see that you can communicate effectively, just like you would in the role. Avoid jargon and make sure your points are easy to understand.
Show Your Empathy: In your application, demonstrate your understanding of trauma-informed care. Share examples of how you've provided empathetic support in previous roles, as this aligns with our commitment to delivering a responsive service to those in need.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this and other opportunities. Plus, we have loads of other roles available that might interest you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Colbern Limited
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and other relevant legislation. Understanding these laws will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your commitment to providing a service that prioritises residents' needs.
✨Empathy is Key
Prepare to showcase your ability to provide empathetic support. Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve helped vulnerable individuals or families, and be ready to discuss how you approached those situations with care and understanding.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in collaborating with various teams and agencies. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve developed effective working relationships in previous roles, as this is crucial for the role of Inquiries and Decisions Officer.
✨Clear Communication
Practice explaining complex information in plain English. You may be asked to demonstrate how you would communicate decisions to residents, so think about how you can make your explanations clear and accessible, keeping in mind any special requirements.