Review Officer

Working Hours

35 Hours per week

2 × Full‑time, Temporary (18 month & 12 month)

11 March 2026

11:59 pm

Face to Face

Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK; visa sponsorship is not available.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. All statements must be truthful, factually accurate, and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism or AI‑generated content presented as your own may result in withdrawal or disciplinary action.

• References (where possible, 3 years’ history)
• DBS (Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance as required by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) checks.

Manchester City Council is one of the most exciting local authorities to work for in England, especially the Housing Solutions Service. One of our core values is to “own it” and to try new things. Our forward‑thinking approach towards tackling homelessness has led to Manchester breaking national trends, and our techniques have been highlighted as good practice by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

The Housing Solutions Service delivers the Council’s statutory duties set out in the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. It is a busy, customer‑focused service that assists people at risk of homelessness and those already homeless, with prevention at its forefront.

As a Review Officer you will carry out reviews of legal decisions under the Housing Act 1996, Part VII, and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, when a customer disagrees with a decision. You will manage a caseload and conclude statutory reviews within the required timescale.

Key responsibilities include:

• Investigating and analysing each case to reach a sound legal decision.
• Providing clear, concise, and legally sound instruction to the Council’s legal team.
• Co‑ordinating with support agencies and external legal representatives.
• Delivering high‑quality written communication and complex legal information to varied audiences.
• Progressing service improvement and delivering training to colleagues.

Please answer the following questions in no more than 750 words:

• Understanding and practical application of government legislation or policy.
• Using investigation and analytical skills to reach a decision.
• Identifying areas of development and improvement methods used.

• Excellent communication skills – clear, confident, concise, and audience‑appropriate.
• Analytical skills – ability to absorb and compare complex information from multiple sources.
• Planning & organising – strong time‑management, prioritisation, and realistic scheduling.
• Strategic thinking – identifying good practice and communicating improvements.
• Problem solving & decision making – resolving complex issues under pressure.
• Research & intelligence – evaluating and disseminating research information to achieve set goals.

• Developed knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and duties under Part VII.
• Prior experience reading, understanding, and applying government legislation and policy.
• Ability to provide quality ad‑hoc advice and instruction to colleagues and the Council’s legal officers.
• Ability to write legal decision letters that comply with relevant legislation and case law.
• Experience developing training materials and delivering training on complex topics.

• We take time to listen and understand.
• We work together and trust each other.
• We value our differences and treat people fairly.
• We “own it” and are not afraid to try new things.
• We are proud and passionate about Manchester.

• Generous holiday allowance – up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays (up to 31 days after five years of service). Additional leave can be purchased.
• Enrolment in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme with life cover of three times your salary.
• Enhanced parental and carers…