Housing Options Officer in Thatcham

Are you in search of a temporary yet fulfilling role? We are thrilled to offer an exciting position for our client based in Windsor and Maidenhead who are looking to appoint a Housing Options Officer for 3 months ongoing, at the rate of £28 per hour umbrella. Office presence required at least once a week. Phone Duty included within the role.

Responsibilities

• To deliver first class customer service which provides the customer with a suitable solution regarding their housing issues and satisfaction is high.
• To provide advice face to face, by phone and online regarding housing options and prevention enquiries to customers in buildings used by the Royal Borough to deliver customer services.
• To conduct outreach visits at customers' homes, prison, hostel, hospital or other locations in-line with documented procedures including arranging and attending surgeries where set out by the Senior Management.
• Ensure that housing options, other than Part VII applications, are fully explored in all cases to maximise opportunities for preventing homelessness.
• Assess homelessness applications within Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 including cases for acceptance, refusal or referral to other Authorities. Make decisions on where homeless households will be placed into temporary accommodation and advise the Housing Assistant to make arrangements for sign up and housing benefit assistance if appropriate.
• To provide expert advice and assistance to stakeholders and customers with housing problems, particularly those living in the private rented sector, and take action to prevent homelessness.
• Investigate and make every effort to resolve landlord/tenants disputes, seeking to conciliate wherever possible and ensuring that all relevant parties are aware of their rights, responsibilities and remedies.
• Achieve individual performance objectives, targets and service standards and contribute to the achievement of team plan objectives and targets.
• Manage a personal caseload and maintain accurate and detailed casework records. In addition manage priorities and meet individual and service performance targets and deadlines.

Qualification / Education / Training

• 4 GCSE's including Maths & English
• Educated to A-level / NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
• HND/NVQ4 level or experience in relevant field.
• Housing Qualification attained or currently being studied
• Project management training (Desirable)
• NVQ2 in Customer Service (Desirable)

Experience

• A comprehensive understanding and awareness of housing issues, and of government policy relating to homelessness.
• Vast experience of interviewing people who are under stress, emotional and/or living in unsatisfactory housing conditions.
• Proven ability to manage difficult situations remaining calm, friendly and professional.
• Experience of working in partnership with local authorities or other housing providers.
• Extensive experience of working in confidential situations with an understanding of when and how to share sensitive information with customers and relevant agencies.
• A high level of experience of working in a Housing Needs, Local Authority Lettings or equivalent environment.

Should your skills match the above please send through your updated CV.

Eden Brown is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Eden Brown Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.