Housing Advisor

Job title:

Housing Adviser

Salary: C1 £ 28,598 - £31,022

Hours:

37 per week

Contract:

Permanent

Location:

Merrion House

As a Housing Adviser you will become part of the Council's statutory homeless service responsible for preventing and relieving homelessness. You will deliver a housing options service framed around the three core functions of housing advice provision, assessment of housing need and duty, and securing suitable temporary and longer‑term housing options.

• Deliver a face‑to‑face housing options service, in accordance with Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended) to people who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or in some housing need, at a variety of locations including the Leeds Housing Options Service at Merrion House.
• Deliver a telephone‑based, or using other mediums such as email, housing options service.
• Take responsibility for caseload of homeless and housing need cases.
• Carry out homeless and other additional need assessments in accordance with Part VI and Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended).
• Write homeless decision letters in accordance with the legal framework.
• Liaise with supported housing and other temporary accommodation providers to secure suitable temporary accommodation for people owed such a housing duty.
• Help people to secure private rented options through the Private Sector Lettings scheme and through other routes such as requesting a Homeless Prevention Fund payment.
• Prepare Homeless Prevention Fund applications as required.
• Assist service managers in the quality assurance of service delivery by providing case work information held in case files or IT systems, decision letters and financial payments.
• Help develop partnering arrangements between the Leeds Housing Options Service and other public, private and third sector organisations.
• Work flexibly to help deliver an effective Housing Options Service.
• Attend meetings and forums as required relating to the delivery of the Housing Options Service.
• Undertake any other duties as required commensurate with the responsibilities and grade of the post.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

• None required

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Demonstrate evidence of problem solving, analytical and social skills required to provide a housing options service to vulnerable people.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use a range of ICT applications including Word and email and to be able to word process reports.
• Ability to extract and analyse information sourced from different ICT systems.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work in partnership with a range of public, private…