Housing Solutions Initial Assessment Officer

Housing Solutions Initial Assessment Officer

Full Time (37 hours per week, Monday to Friday) Permanent

The Housing Solutions service at CBH is focused on preventing and relieving homelessness wherever possible. The service faces a range of challenges, with an increasing demand for accommodation without an adequate supply of housing. From April 2018 the enactment of the Homeless Reduction Act has brought further challenges.

We are looking for Initial Assessment Officers with an understanding of the Housing Act 1996 Part 7 (as amended) and the Homeless Reduction Act 2017. You will be expected to use an innovative approach to determining if an applicant is eligible, homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days, manage your own performance and contribute to the development of the service. You will be customer‑focused and able to manage a wide and varied workload whilst meeting our business objectives and performance targets.

Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme with a 20.8 % employer contribution
• Excellent training, development and progression opportunities
• Generous annual leave entitlement, 23 days (increasing to 26 days after 5 years of service), plus bank and public holidays and two extra company holidays during the Christmas period
• Opportunity to buy up to another 5 days holiday, subject to conditions
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme
• Provision of a smartphone and laptop
• Discounted gym membership at Leisure World and the Northern Gateway
• 1 volunteering day per year
• Free flu jab
• Exceptional flexible working arrangement
• Agile working at Colchester Borough Homes – flexibility about when, where and how we work to best meet the needs of our role and service area

Other employee benefits include payment of a professional subscription, free yearly eye tests plus a contribution towards glasses for VDU use.

Job Summary

• Location: Colchester, Essex
• Organisation: Colchester Borough Homes
• Job Type: Property job
• Closing Date: 30/10/2025
• Reference ID: 36084

Contact & Application

For further details and to apply, please visit Jobs · Colchester City Council and click on \’apply via online portal\’ at the base of the page.

Interview date to be confirmed.

To discuss the post further, please contact Housing Solutions Team Leader, Louise Johnson at 01206 282728.

Equality & Diversity Commitment

Colchester Borough Homes are an equal‑opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those with a physical or mental disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer, a Mindful Employer and hold accreditations for Working Well, Investors in People Gold status and the Armed Forces Covenant.

How to apply

1. Read the advert, Job Accountability Statement and Person Specification.
2. Click ‘Apply online’ below and complete the application form in full, ensuring you indicate how you meet the criteria contained within the Person Specification.
3. Press ‘submit’.

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