At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct statutory homelessness reviews and manage a high-volume caseload.
- Company: Hammersmith & Fulham Council, a high-profile London borough.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Impact vulnerable residents' lives through fair and lawful homelessness decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience with Housing Act and strong written communication skills required.
- Other info: Immediate start with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 27 - 35 £ per hour.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council urgently requires an experienced Homelessness Review Officer to join its Housing service on a temporary basis, handling a high-volume caseload of statutory homelessness and housing reviews under Parts VI & VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. This is a priority hire, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted and progressed without delay.
The Role
- You will lead on the conduct and administration of statutory reviews, including:
- s.202 homelessness reviews on the acceptance, discharge and cessation of duties, and the suitability of temporary and permanent accommodation.
- s.166A Housing Register reviews and challenges to the lawfulness of the Council’s Housing Allocation Scheme.
- Certifying what duty is owed and how it is to be discharged, ensuring decisions are lawful, robust and clearly reasoned.
- Drafting high‑quality statutory decision letters and detailed reports, responding to complex legal challenges and enquiries from solicitors, MPs, advocates and senior officers.
- Instructing Legal Services for judicial reviews and s.204 County Court appeals, and attending court where required.
About You
- To be considered at short notice, you must be able to demonstrate:
- Detailed knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 (Parts VI & VII), Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Homelessness (Review Procedure etc.) Regulations 2018, and the Homelessness Code of Guidance.
- Strong experience conducting homelessness reviews (s.202) and/or housing allocation reviews (s.166A) within a local authority or similar setting in the last few years.
- Excellent written skills with the ability to produce clear, defensible statutory decisions and briefing reports on complex legal and factual issues.
- Ability to manage a demanding caseload to statutory timescales, working under pressure with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of customer care.
- Confident communication skills when dealing with customers, legal representatives, senior managers, councillors and partner agencies on sensitive and contentious cases.
Why Apply Now
- Immediate start opportunity with a high-profile London borough.
- Competitive hourly rate with hybrid working (4 days per week, minimum on-site presence).
- Chance to have a direct impact on fair, lawful homelessness decisions for vulnerable residents while shaping good practice across the service.
- This role is time‑sensitive and will be shortlisted on a rolling basis.
- If you have the required homelessness review experience and can start at short notice, please submit your CV today – suitable candidates will be contacted immediately for interview.
Homelessness Review Officer employer: Pertemps
Contact Detail:
Pertemps Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Review Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the housing sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at Hammersmith & Fulham Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of the Housing Act and recent changes in homelessness legislation. We want you to be ready to showcase your expertise and how it applies to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to explain complex legal issues clearly, so consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to get comfortable discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the quickest way to get noticed, and we’re keen to see candidates who are proactive about their applications. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Review Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with the Housing Act and homelessness reviews. We want to see how your skills match the job description, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for helping vulnerable residents.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since excellent written skills are key for this role, make sure your application is clear and well-structured. We appreciate concise, defensible arguments and reports, so let your writing reflect that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the quickest way for us to receive your details and get you in the running for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pertemps
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Being able to discuss specific sections, like s.202 and s.166A, will show that you’re not just familiar with the laws but can apply them in real scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since you'll be drafting statutory decision letters and reports, prepare examples of your written work. Bring along any previous reports or letters you've crafted that demonstrate your ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Caseload Management
Be ready to talk about how you manage a high-volume caseload. Share specific strategies you use to stay organised and meet statutory timescales, especially under pressure. This will highlight your ability to maintain high standards of customer care.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to homelessness reviews. Think through how you would handle sensitive cases and legal challenges, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and confidence in dealing with contentious issues.