Folkestone and Hythe District Council Job Description

Transcription

1 Folkestone and Hythe District Council Job Description JOB DETAILS Job Title Service Area / Team Reports to Post Number Grade & Annual Salary Politically Restricted Post DBS Requirement Housing Advice and Preventions Officer Human Resources / Housing Options Housing Advice and Preventions Team Leader HG110 Grade E/F No Enhanced JOB PURPOSE To provide a comprehensive and effective housing advice and assistance service, focussing on the prevention of homelessness and a housing options approach. To promote and deliver homelessness prevention and broad range of housing options to clients, including ensuring the council fulfils its statutory homelessness duties where prevention is not possible. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direction of the Team Leader provide an efficient and effective Housing Advice and Preventions Service, following documented processes and procedures to ensure consistency of practice across the service To provide comprehensive housing advice and assistance to clients in all types of tenure. To work proactively with clients to prevent homelessness wherever possible, through providing an advisory and advocacy role in areas such as: negotiating with families; negotiating with landlords or agents; providing debt advice and negotiating with lenders; liaising with other agencies and attending the Courts. Frequency (daily/weekly/ monthly/annually etc)

2 To complete personalised Personal Housing Plans for applicants (under the new Homelessness Reduction Act legislation requirements), using innovative ways to prevent homelessness, including drawing up agreements between landlords and tenants To interview and complete housing needs assessments with customers, in the office, by telephone or in their homes. To attend and participate in multi-agency meetings where housing is an issue for the customer. This will include amongst others: Child In Need, Child Protection, Multi Agency Public Monthly Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and ASB Problem Solving Groups. To offer advice and assistance to any client seeking accommodation on the availability of housing sources locally in the public and private sectors. Such advice shall include the likelihood of rehousing under the Council s allocation scheme To maintain comprehensive records and information on available housing options. To develop links and liaise closely with a wide range of Ongoing statutory and voluntary agencies, individuals and companies, to maximise the supply and use of available accommodation sources. Such links will include: colleagues within the Council; the Department of Works & Pensions; Probation Service; Housing Associations; Citizens Advice Bureau; letting agencies and private landlords. To assist households who wish to make applications to the Council s Housing Register and to assist applicants with using the Kent choice based lettings scheme. To investigate cases of actual or threatened homelessness and to fulfil the Council s statutory duties in respect of homeless applicants. To make recommendations to Housing Advice and Preventions Team Leader regarding the Council s responsibilities. To attend advice and options surgeries and outreach sessions Fortnightly as required, and to visit people who are threatened with homelessness at home as necessary. To support the Duty to Refer people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, who are unlikely to be owed a main Housing Duty by the Council, to relevant agencies for assistance with housing and any other issues impacting on their housing situation. To conduct outreach visits to prisons, hostels, hospitals or Monthly other locations to provide early intervention and prevention advice, as well as holding advice surgeries. To provide training and support to enable in-house staff and Monthly external agencies to identify early warning signs of homelessness and ways to prevent it. To ensure accurate recording of statistical data in order for the

3 Housing and Inclusion Manager and Team Leader to produce accurate statistical reports and returns. Monitor own performance targets and evidence thorough casework. To make decisions on when and where homeless households will be placed into temporary accommodation, ensuring the correct interim and temporary accommodation procedures are followed, including bookings, completion of placement paperwork, regular monitoring household is using accommodation appropriately and for the ending of accommodation. To refer households to Children and Families Social Services as per guidance in the Housing Act 1996 and the Children s Act To gather evidence regarding incidents of harassment and illegal eviction as defined within the Protection from Eviction Act To assist in implementing, monitoring, and reviewing the effectiveness of initiatives developed under the Homelessness Strategy including taking responsibility for specific areas of work within the team as directed. To work collaboratively with the Housing Accommodation team to support appropriate re-housing solutions for people in order to prevent homelessness or meet statutory housing duties. To carry out welfare checks on unauthorised encampments in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Team. To develop and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the legislation and Council policy in relation to the following issues: homelessness; children; landlord/tenant; matrimonial; domestic violence; and housing and welfare benefits. To undertake project work relating to the prevention of homelessness and the housing options available to those in housing need. To liaise with the police on domestic abuse and anti social behaviour cases. To also liaise with mental health teams to obtain customer s care plans and risk assessments when appropriate. To be responsible for managing a caseload; identifying priorities; monitoring referrals; maintaining statistics; keeping accurate written and electronic records; writing reports and replying to correspondence. To respond to complaints/enquiries on individual cases or other areas of the post in-line with documented procedures. To assist the Team Leader and other housing sections with the induction/training of new staff by mentoring and job shadowing. As required As required Ongoing Ongoing As required Ongoing Monthly Weekly As required As required CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES Adhere to the council s safeguarding policies and procedures and undertake

4 relevant training in order to help protect children and vulnerable adults within the district. To comply with legislation, council policies and procedures including the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Information Security Policy, the Code of Conduct for Officers and to participate in any Emergency Planning activities as required. To actively demonstrate the values and behaviours of the council. To ensure our customers are valued by taking into account their views and needs in all that we do. To contribute to the development and achievement of relevant corporate and service objectives by suggesting ideas for service improvements. To communicate openly and honestly with colleagues, members and customers. To undergo any training necessary to be able to fulfil the requirements of the job. To carry out other duties commensurate with the grade, skills, experience and qualifications of the post holder as directed and as may be required from time to time. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Responsibility for Staff (direct reports) Responsibility for Staff (indirect reports) Financial / Budgetary Accountability Overall Accountability/control ( value) 0 FTE 0 FTE N/A Directly Managed ( value) Income Generation ( value) N/A N/A Responsibility for Physical Resources Vehicles / Equipment / Tools Information Systems Buildings / External Locations Maintenance Stocks / Supplies / Procurement Responsibility for Service Contracts Responsible for laptop, mobile phone and GPS. Responsible for accurately updating Locata, Civica, Northgate, RB Live and E-Fin. N/A The key decision making areas in the role On a day to day basis: Making statutory homeless decisions and discharging the councils homeless duty under the Housing Act 1996 (part VII) Decisions whether to provide temporary accommodation Decisions to end temporary accommodation

5 Decisions on the provision of Rent Deposit and Rent-in-Advance support Make recommendations to Housing and Inclusion Manager / Housing Advice and Preventions Team Leader for the Prevention Fund and Prevention Fund payments Decisions on referring customer s to voluntary & statutory agencies Decisions on whether to refer households to Social Services Make recommendations for Reasonable Preference and Exceptional Circumstances The wider context of the role Support a housing list of nearly 1,500 people Support over 800 homelessness approaches each year Support approximately 315 homeless applications per annum 75% of homeless applications are from individuals with housing issues as a result of complex personal issues including mental health, substances misuse, offending history, unemployment, domestic abuse etc. Ensure a Housing Options interview for anyone threatened with homelessness within 2 months occurs within 5 days of being notified. Refer up to 30 medium to high risk cases to Kent Social Services team each year. NATURE OF CONTACTS Internal External Employees Managers Members Voluntary and community sector, a range of other external partners e.g. Porchlight, Rainbow Centre, CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau, Registered Social Landlords, Registered Housing Providers and East Kent Housing Landlords and Estate Agents Other local authority staff Town and Parish councils (staff and councillors) Members of Parliament Kent County Council Children s Services Mental Health Services NHS (National Health Service) Hospitals GPs Kent Public Health Police Probation Services RAPT (Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust)

6 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Progression in Role Starting the required related knowledge / skills / qualifications and experience required at selection Minimum requirement on starting A C Maths and English GCSE, Level 2 literacy and numeracy (or equivalents) or recent and relevant experience that demonstrates proficiency in English and Maths. A Chartered Institute of Housing recognised qualification at Level 4 or comparable experience of working in homelessness and housing advice. Recent and relevant demonstrable experience (minimum of 2 years) within a Housing context including undertaking homeless enquiries and issuing relevant decisions or undertaking housing reviews. Induction what initial induction / training is required to become proficient in this role? During the first few weeks of employment the post holder will be expected to follow the basic corporate induction framework, attend the next available formal corporate induction session and complete any departmental induction requirements. In addition, the post holder will need to: - Learn how to use the relevant IT systems - Read and understand guidance, policies and procedures - Shadow other colleagues - Visit temporary accommodation and district - Make contact and introductions to local housing/homelessness support agencies Proficient how would this be displayed in the role? - Prioritising and manage own workload - Able to make appropriate and timely decisions in line with legislation and guidance - Able to support colleagues - Undertaking the duties without supervision Advanced what additional characteristics will be displayed? - Innovative ideas and thinking - Recommending service improvements - Deal with and make complex decisions - Showing and displaying signs of skills and initiative to develop

7 Structure Chart Housing Options Housing and Inclusion Manager 1 FTE Grade H Private Sector Property Manager 1 FTE Spot Salary Fixed-term 31/03/2019 Line management delegated to ABC Senior Housing Accommodation Officer 1 FTE Grade F Housing Projects and Partnerships Officer 1 FTE Grade E Fixed-term 2 years Housing Advice and Preventions Team Leader 1 FTE Grade G Landlord Liaison Officer 0.5 FTE Grade E Housing Accommodation Officer 1.81 FTE Grade E Prevention Plus Officer 1 FTE Grade E Fixed-term 09/07/2019 Housing Advice and Preventions Officer 4.9 FTE Grade E/F Housing Advice and Preventions Officer 1 FTE Grade E/F Fixed-term 2 years Initial Housing Advice Officer 1 FTE Grade subject to JE Fixed-term 2 years

8 Folkestone and Hythe District Council Person Specification Post Title: Housing Advice and Preventions Officer Important Information for Applicants: The criteria listed in this person specification are the requirements for the post. Where the method of assessment is stated to be the application form, your application needs to demonstrate clearly and concisely how you meet each of the criteria, even if other methods of assessment are also shown. If you do not address these criteria fully, you may not be shortlisted. Please give specific examples wherever possible. Factors Qualifications Criteria Essential Good basic education to GCSE A-C standard or equivalent (including Maths & English) A Chartered Institute of Housing recognised qualification or at Level 4 or comparable experience of working in homelessness and housing advice. Means of Assessment Application Interview Test Experience and Knowledge Essential A minimum of 2 years recent and relevant demonstrable experience within a Housing context including undertaking homeless enquiries and issuing relevant decisions or undertaking housing reviews. Demonstrable current knowledge and application of legislation relevant to the role including the: o Housing Act 1988 o Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 o Parts 6 & 7 of the Housing Act 1996 amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 o Protection From Eviction Act 1977 Experience of achieving performance targets and meeting departmental objectives. Knowledge of public and private sector housing options. Experience of working with advice and support services relevant to the

9 department s customers. Dealing with difficult and vulnerable clients or customers, both face to face and over the phone Experience of operating MS Office systems such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Use of bespoke systems such as Locata. Experience of investigating and determining homelessness applications. Experience of delivering homelessness prevention support. Skills and Abilities Desirable Demonstrable current knowledge of welfare benefits Demonstrable understanding of legal proceedings in relation to housing. A good knowledge of the social and health issues that are impact by housing. Essential Ability to work as part of a team Ability to operate on own initiative with minimal supervision Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate to a range of customers, colleagues, Members and stakeholders at a range of levels and through a range of mediums. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to operate and build excellent working relationships at all levels and constructive partnerships and networks with agencies and stakeholders High level of attention to detail and accuracy Competent user of IT, particularly Microsoft Office Proactive and committed to continued service and personal development Ability to adapt and proactively organise and prioritise work effectively in order to meet deadlines and maintain high standards at all times. Ability to demonstrate a professional and customer orientated approach The ability to make sound, evidence based decisions The ability to attend some evening meetings and weekend activities.

10 The ability to travel around the district in an efficient and effective manner (essential car user allowance paid) Desirable JOB DESCRIPTION / PERSON SPECIFICATION SIGN-OFF Completed by Housing Advice and Preventions Team Leader Date: September 2017 Reviewed/Agreed by Head of Communities Date : September 2017