Solutions - Homelessness Officer

Housing Solutions - Homelessness Officer About The Role

Housing Solutions – Homelessness Officer
Salary: £33,341 - £34,799 Per Annum (26/27 NJC pay award pending)

Hours:

37 hours per week

Location:

Witney

Contract:

Fixed Term – 12 months maternity cover

We are looking for a Housing Solutions – Homelessness Officer to join our Housing team supporting West Oxfordshire District Council.

This role will focus on supporting households from refugee resettlement schemes who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

About the Role

In this important role, you will provide a comprehensive homelessness advice and prevention service, helping vulnerable households understand their housing options and access suitable accommodation.

You will assess housing applications, determine statutory homelessness duties and work closely with partners to help households secure sustainable housing solutions.

The role will also involve visiting applicants in their homes or temporary accommodation and supporting them to access private rented housing where possible.

• To assess all customers presenting as homeless to determine what housing duty is owed to them
• Create individual housing plans for every applicant which fully reflect their needs and circumstances
• To source appropriate short term and long term accommodation to assist the council in discharging its duties
• To assist with the daily running of the homeless hostel’s
• To manage a caseload of people complex issues who are currently experiencing a housing crisis
• Empower individuals/household to find their own solution to their housing crisis

You will have experience working within a housing or homelessness service and a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable people through challenging situations.

You’ll be confident managing complex cases, working with partner agencies and providing clear advice and support to individuals with a range of needs.

• Experience working in housing, homelessness or a related support service
• Experience supporting vulnerable people or those with complex needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to manage your own caseload and prioritise effectively
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
• Experience of working collaboratively with partner organisations
• The ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations

Knowledge or experience of issues affecting refugees or asylum seekers would be beneficial, and Ukrainian language skills would be an advantage but are not essential.

You will need resilience and adaptability as you will often work with people experiencing stress, crisis, or confrontation, so it is essential you can manage these situations calmly and confidently. Being emotionally resilient and understand how to support others without becoming personally involved or emotionally entangled.

Teamwork is essential for this role to work effectively with colleagues and external agencies.

Please note you will be based at our offices 5 days a week and will need the ability to travel as required.

• The role may require travel to other Publica or client locations
• You may occasionally be required to work additional hours in line with service needs
• The role involves visiting applicants in their homes or temporary accommodation

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Renewed again for another year there is a health…