Temporary Accommodation Caseworker

Temporary Accommodation Caseworker

Full-Time 32597 - 35412 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Working for Hull City Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Help people find temporary accommodation and provide essential support to prevent homelessness.
  • Company: Join Hull City Council, a supportive and forward-thinking organisation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
  • Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and a passion for helping others.

The predicted salary is between 32597 - 35412 £ per year.

The post holder will deliver a high-quality, empathetic temporary accommodation (TA) and homelessness advice and assistance service to customers, ensuring that the customer’s experience of the service is at the heart of all they do with an emphasis on minimising the time spent in TA and that people’s ongoing housing solution is as sustainable as possible to avoid the cycle of repeat homelessness. They will arrange TA for customers as needed and investigate their homelessness cases in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (HRA), ensuring that customers are given good quality advice and that their expectations are managed empathetically and that duties owed to them are identified and appropriately discharged.

They will manage the licences of those in TA and deal with any breaches or other issues accordingly, arrange the void turnarounds and furnishing of the properties which are owned by the council and liaise with other teams and service areas, supporting with the provision of TA where appropriate in response to a crisis. They will make decisions on cases/issues of a more complex nature and carry out some supervision of team activity. They will occasionally deputise in the Temporary Accommodation Team Leader’s absence.

The Housing Access Service is a multi-disciplinary service which is the front door service to access housing in the city. It provides a comprehensive housing advice and options service designed to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping, help customers find realistic and sustainable housing solutions which meet their needs from a range of options and allocate available council homes in a timely way.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Provides a professional, empathetic and high-quality service in response to customers approaching the service for advice and assistance which may be in person, over the phone, in writing or via IT systems. Responds to enquiries and gives advice in accordance with council policies and procedures and the Data Protection Act, which will include appropriately managing customer expectations and challenging behaviour from some customers and liaising with partners where appropriate.
  • Investigates and identifies the individual housing needs of customers who are homeless and living in TA to determine and discharge the Council’s statutory homelessness obligations.
  • Manages the licences of those in TA, supporting with benefit claims and raising repairs where appropriate and dealing with tenancy breaches in accordance with agreed protocols.
  • Provides a responsive and flexible service to colleagues and customers to set up and arrange emergency TA, often with little or no notice.
  • Ensures that future accommodation solutions found for the customer are as sustainable as possible by ensuring that issues are identified, and mitigations put in place.
  • Carries out temporary accommodation property inspections as required whilst occupied and upon customers moving out.
  • Maintains an expert knowledge of wider Housing Access Team priorities and issues, relevant legislation, policies, procedures and trends.
  • Administers their workload efficiently ensuring accurate and professional information is recorded on systems as appropriate.
  • Prioritises their own workload and co-ordinates that of the team appropriately.
  • Provides advice and practical support to applicants who may be facing barriers to services due to previous behaviour or other issues.
  • Carries out some straightforward supervision tasks to the Temporary Accommodation Support Officer.
  • Represents the team at multi-agency meetings and events as required.
  • To promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
  • The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated legislation places responsibilities for health and safety on Hull City Council, as your employer and you as an employee of the council.

Benefits of Working of Hull City Council:

  • A competitive salary
  • An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service, eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off
  • Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
  • Supportive and forward-thinking culture
  • Great career development opportunities

Please ensure that you complete and submit your application by midnight prior to the closing date. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria against the person specification as listed in the job description.

Temporary Accommodation Caseworker employer: Working for Hull City Council

Hull City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and forward-thinking work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Temporary Accommodation Caseworker, you will benefit from a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and generous annual leave, while making a meaningful impact in the community by helping vulnerable individuals find sustainable housing solutions.

Working for Hull City Council

Contact Details:

Working for Hull City Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Temporary Accommodation Caseworker

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Working for Hull City Council.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Working for Hull City Council!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Working for Hull City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Working for Hull City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Accommodation Caseworker

Empathy
Customer Service
Homelessness Legislation Knowledge
Case Management
Crisis Management
Negotiation Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to Working for Hull City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Working for Hull City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Working for Hull City Council

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.