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- Tasks: Support vulnerable residents with homelessness inquiries and decisions, ensuring compassionate service delivery.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Colbern Limited, focused on community support and care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience in social services.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service or social work, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate across various council services.
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 (e.g. 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.
Business Support / Project Support in Islington 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨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 when it’s time to shine in front of the real interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Support / Project Support in Islington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly 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.
Showcase Your Empathy: In your application, let us see your empathetic side! Share examples of how you've provided support to individuals in challenging situations. This is key for us, especially when working with complex cases under the Homelessness Reduction Act.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, use plain English and avoid jargon. We want to see that you can communicate effectively, just like you would with residents. Remember, clarity is crucial in our line of work!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised. Plus, you can check out other opportunities while you're there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Colbern Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Inquiries and Decisions Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and how it impacts service delivery. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you’re genuinely invested in helping residents.
✨Empathy is Key
Given the nature of this role, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to provide empathetic support. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully assisted vulnerable individuals or families. Be ready to discuss how you would approach sensitive situations with care and understanding.
✨Communication Skills Matter
Since you'll be dealing with a variety of stakeholders, effective communication is essential. Prepare to showcase your verbal and written communication skills. You might want to practice explaining complex information in plain English, as this aligns with Islington’s customer service standards.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in collaborating with other teams and agencies. Discuss how you’ve built effective working relationships in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to work within a multi-agency framework, which is vital for this position.
