Service Area: Housing Options Grade: SO1 / SO2

Transcription

1 Job Description Directorate: Operations Job Title: Visiting Officer Service Area: Housing Options Grade: SO1 / SO2 Special Conditions: Essential User Car Allowance Be able to fulfil the mobility requirements of the job role See Section 8. DBS Disclosure: Enhanced Job Family: SPA1 Issue Date: March 2018 Relationships 1. Responsible to: Housing Options Team Leader 2. Supervisory Responsibility : None 3. Important internal relationships: Board members, Senior Management Team, staff within Wolverhampton Homes 4. Important external relationships: Customers, tenants and leaseholders, City of Wolverhampton Council, other statutory and voluntary/third sector agencies, private sector landlords and letting agencies

2 Primary Functions and deal with applications from applicants who are threatened with homelessness at a range of locations, including by making home visits, to ascertain why they are threatened with homelessness and discuss all options available to them. This will include immediate intervention to prevent crisis homelessness Develop and them maintain effective working relationships with internal colleagues and external agencies which aim to prevent homelessness To ensure effective assessment and identification of individual s accommodation needs at the initial point of contact including those being discharged from hospital or other institutions without suitable accommodation Ensure those threatened with homelessness are given advice and assistance to claim benefits or have access to other funding streams with the aim of preventing or delaying homelessness To contribute to and assist in the monitoring of personal housing plans To ensure that the use of discretionary housing payments are maximised by investigating entitlement and supporting applications made by households threatened with homelessness Assist with the administration of funds that aim to prevent homelessness, including but not limited to Rent Deposit Scheme To work with Wolverhampton Homes PSL section in the identification and acquisition of private sector property which meets the needs of households in terms of prevention of homelessness and in discharging the main duty around homelessness Work with private sector landlords / lettings agencies to ascertain why they have served notice requiring possession. Negotiate with landlords and offer practical assistance where possible to allow households to remain in their accommodation Work with the City of Wolverhampton Council Private Sector Team where there are allegations of harassment/illegal eviction Help households secure private rented accommodation before becoming homeless Maintain accurate and detailed notes of actions taken and ensure that performance information is readily available to allow effective monitoring both in terms of individual performance and to comply with government requirements (HCLIC) Where prevention intervention has not been successful, to refer the case to the relevant officer for follow up case work Attend meetings as required Undertake any other duties as required which contribute to the objectives of the post and are appropriate to the level of the post Comply with safeguarding policies and procedures Main Activities 1. Section Management and Service Planning Support senior staff in building good working relationships with partners and service providers Contribute to section planning for team, including working to agreed Performance Indicators Understanding and working towards providing a peoplefocussed service

3 Contribute to the review and updating of service standards Keep up to date with all relevant legislations and good practice 2. Operational Service To visit applicants, assess need and provide suitable advice and assistance to prevent homelessness and repeat homelessness Give and supervise the provision of high quality professional advice to households with a complex housing or housing related problem. To offer independent mediation for cases at risk of homelessness irrespective of tenure, excluding fear of violence or domestic abuse. To work in conjunction with the Social landlords and the Rent Deposit Scheme and other partners, landlords and other agencies. To comply with the company s policy and procedure in terms of safeguarding 3. Contracts To comply with Wolverhampton Homes constitution including financial procedure rules, statutory regulations and approved codes of practice with regards to the placing of orders and the award of contracts. 4. Financial Management Adhere to the principles of Value for Money and develop VFM opportunities for the company. To act in accordance with the Company s constitution including Financial Procedure Rules Statutory Regulations and Approved Codes of Practice. 5. Staff Management To support colleagues in their work and also during times of change. To participate in Staff Development, Appraisal and Training as required. To be familiar with and comply with the Company s Personnel Policies and Procedures and Officer Code of Conduct. 6. Other duties To participate in Individual Appraisal meetings and training as required.

4 Ensure equality of opportunity both in service provision and employment in accordance with the diverse needs of the community. To ensure compliance with the Safeguarding, Data Protection Act and Wolverhampton Homes Health & Safety Policies, Management of Attendance, No Smoking and Customer Care policies and procedures. Any other duties deemed appropriate to the purpose and remuneration of the job subject to any reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. To undertake any appropriate training, health & safety related duties such as First Aider, Fire Marshall, Duty Holder, Risk Assessments Health & Safety Representative etc. To participate in the exit and leaver process as required. 7. General The duties of the post may change and develop from time to time in light of new legislation, Wolverhampton Homes Policies, organisational developments and social trends. Such developments will be monitored in conjunction with the Chief Executive and Director of Business Support and will be reflected as necessary in the aims and objectives of the post. Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. Any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post, subject to any reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act Special Conditions The Visiting Officer may be required to cover the out of hour s service on a rota basis. They will take a full and equal share, along with other staff memebrs on the rota to ensure the service is maintained all year around. The Visiting Officer may be required to adopt flexible working hours to meet service requirements. The Visiting Officer may be required to work outside normal working hours on occasions, the time off in lieu of notice policy will be applicable. The Visiting Officer will be required to work any any given location across the City.

5 Personnel Specification Job Title: Visiting Officer Job Purpose: To interview/visit households who are threatened with homeless to assess their application prior to any application being made under relevant legislation To offer advice and assistance to prevent households becoming homeless by taking a proactive approach to preventing homelessnes To work with landlords in the private rented sector with the specific aim of preventing homelessness and identifying alternative private rented sector accommodation where appropriate FACTORS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE HOW IDENTIFIED Education Standard Verbal, written and numeracy skills GCSE A level qualification or equivalent CIH Supporting Homeless People Certificates Training Equalities & Diversity Dealing with violence and aggression Knowledge of welfare reform. Experience of counselling Knowledge of health and safety practices and lone working Relevant training within the field of housing CAADA/ DASH risk assessor trained

6 Experience of supervising others Experience Experience of liaising and working in partnerships with other agencies Experience of dealing with complex cases Experience of social housing management. Experience of working with the private sector Experience of providing support Meeting targets Special Knowledge / Skills Good communication and inter personal skills. An understanding of the issues facing people/families who are threatened with homelessness. Knowledge of relevant legislation. Previous use of Northgate databases Training in housing management Able to negotiate and facilitate positive outcomes Understanding of housing benefits/welfare benefits Able to fulfil the mobility requirements of the post Personal Qualities Balanced, friendly outlook Excellent communication skills

7 Ability to work on own initiative with a professional approach Able to cope with the emotional demands of cases Able to have positive conversations in challenging circumstances Flexible and able to work as part of a team. Interests & Motivation Relevant to the Job Prepared to work outside normal hours if needed Aware of the needs of a multi-cultural society To work flexibly when needed. Have personal interest in wider housing issues. Committed to preventing homelessness and minimising the social and emotional cost to the applicant. Commitment To develop and improve services to meet the needs of vulnerable and homeless residents of the City. To work to prevent homelessness across all sectors. Equal opportunities. Health and safety compliance. Disqualifying Factors Indication of attitudes/behaviours inconsistent with Wolverhampton

8 Homes Policies and Procedures, e.g. sexist, racist, antidisability or any other attitudes/behaviours. Tests