Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer
Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer

Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer

Temporary 55000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Morgan Hunt UK Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Conduct assessments and provide housing advice to prevent homelessness for vulnerable households.
  • Company: Join a supportive council team dedicated to improving community housing needs.
  • Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in tackling homelessness and supporting your community.
  • Qualifications: Experience in housing services and strong knowledge of relevant legislation required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.

The Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer will undertake specialist assessments relating to temporary accommodation housing needs for households accommodated under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. The postholder will provide professional housing advice, homelessness prevention interventions, and accommodation suitability assessments to vulnerable households. The role focuses on ensuring that accommodation offers are suitable, legally compliant, and responsive to complex customer needs. The successful candidate will work closely with internal and external stakeholders including Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, legal representatives, landlords, health professionals, and homelessness services to prevent and relieve homelessness while reducing the Council’s reliance on temporary accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct specialist accommodation suitability assessments for households placed in temporary accommodation.
  • Manage complex homelessness and housing needs cases in line with the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
  • Work proactively to prevent homelessness through early intervention and effective housing solutions.
  • Develop, update, and implement Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) with customers.
  • Assess support, medical, safeguarding, affordability, and social care needs when determining accommodation suitability.
  • Make decisions regarding discharge of homelessness duties following suitable accommodation offers.
  • Conduct joint assessments with Adult and Children’s Social Care where statutory duties may apply.
  • Provide housing advice covering: housing rights and tenancy issues, temporary accommodation, private rented sector options, housing register and mobility schemes, welfare benefits and affordability, prevention and relief duties.

Casework & Legal Responsibilities

  • Carry out detailed investigations and enquiries on complex homelessness and suitability cases.
  • Prepare legally compliant decision letters and case records.
  • Liaise with Legal Services in response to reviews, appeals, judicial reviews, and legal challenges.
  • Support court proceedings and prepare documentation where required.
  • Ensure accurate case recording and maintenance of electronic records.
  • Meet statutory and service deadlines relating to homelessness decisions and reviews.

Partnership Working

  • Develop effective working relationships with Housing Supply teams, Social Care services, health professionals, solicitors and advocates, landlords and accommodation providers, voluntary and support agencies.
  • Coordinate accommodation placements requiring specialist or individualised approaches.
  • Work collaboratively to ensure accommodation placements meet identified support and housing needs.

Performance & Service Delivery

  • Maintain high standards of customer service and decision-making.
  • Ensure homelessness prevention and relief targets are achieved.
  • Contribute to reducing temporary accommodation usage and associated expenditure.
  • Provide statistical and performance information as required.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, codes of guidance, council policies, and information governance standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential Knowledge

  • Strong knowledge of Housing Act 1996, Part VI and VII, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Welfare Reform legislation, housing allocations and homelessness law, Adult and Children’s Social Care legislation, relevant homelessness case law and Codes of Guidance.
  • Understanding of inner-city housing issues and homelessness prevention strategies.
  • Knowledge of temporary accommodation suitability requirements.

Essential Experience

  • Experience working within homelessness prevention, housing needs, or temporary accommodation services.
  • Experience dealing with vulnerable customers and complex housing cases.
  • Experience carrying out interviews, investigations, and assessments.
  • Experience making legally robust housing or homelessness decisions.
  • Experience working in a demanding frontline customer service environment.
  • Experience achieving performance targets and statutory deadlines.

The employer is an equal opportunity employer.

Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer employer: Morgan Hunt UK Ltd

As an Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer in Ilford, you will join a dedicated team committed to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable households. Our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring you are well-equipped to handle complex housing needs. With a focus on collaboration with various stakeholders and a commitment to homelessness prevention, we offer a meaningful and rewarding career path in a dynamic environment.
Morgan Hunt UK Ltd

Contact Detail:

Morgan Hunt UK Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing and homelessness sector. Attend local events or join online forums where you can connect with professionals. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Housing Act and homelessness prevention strategies. Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you've made a difference. Show them you’re not just knowledgeable but passionate about helping vulnerable households!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest job listings, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and updates!

We think you need these skills to ace Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer

Housing Needs Assessment
Homelessness Prevention
Knowledge of Housing Act 1996
Knowledge of Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Case Management
Legal Compliance
Customer Service
Complex Problem Solving
Stakeholder Engagement
Assessment Skills
Report Writing
Data Management
Interpersonal Skills
Performance Monitoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer role. Highlight your experience with housing needs, homelessness prevention, and any relevant legislation you've worked with. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on your experience dealing with vulnerable customers and complex cases. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed housing assessments or interventions. This will help us understand your hands-on experience in the field.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we appreciate straightforward communication, especially in a role that requires clear advice and decision-making.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right place and allows us to process it efficiently. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan Hunt UK Ltd

✨Know Your Legislation

Familiarise yourself with the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Be prepared to discuss how these laws impact your role as an Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer, especially in relation to homelessness prevention and accommodation suitability.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience with vulnerable customers and complex housing cases. Highlight any successful interventions you've made and how you achieved performance targets in a demanding environment.

✨Understand the Role's Key Responsibilities

Review the job description thoroughly and be ready to explain how you would manage complex homelessness cases and develop Personalised Housing Plans. Think about how you can contribute to reducing reliance on temporary accommodation and improving service delivery.

✨Build Relationships

Think about how you would approach building effective working relationships with various stakeholders like social care services and landlords. Be ready to discuss your strategies for collaboration and how you would ensure accommodation placements meet identified needs.

Accomodation Needs Assessment Officer
Morgan Hunt UK Ltd

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