Bookings & Emergency Allocations Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Bookings & Emergency Accommodation Officer to join the Bookings and Emergency Accommodation Team on a secondment basis. This role plays a vital part in ensuring that statutory housing duties are met through the effective placement of homeless applicants into emergency and temporary accommodation.

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of homelessness legislation, housing allocations, and property suitability, alongside experience in managing accommodation placements and liaising with service users and providers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess the accommodation needs of homeless applicants and arrange bookings into suitable emergency, temporary, and permanent accommodation.

• Ensure all placements comply with statutory guidance and council procedures, including suitability assessments and record-keeping.

• Manage a caseload of clients in bed & breakfast accommodation, liaising with homelessness assessment officers to support timely case progression.

• Conduct inspections and on-site surgeries at designated hotels to verify property standards and ensure compliance with licensing conditions.

• Monitor rent payments, assist with income recovery, and liaise with Housing Benefit and DWP to address arrears and benefit delays.

• Support vulnerable clients during their transition into self-contained accommodation, arranging removals, documentation, and accompanied viewings.

• Respond to concerns including safeguarding, anti-social behaviour, and harassment, ensuring cases are escalated or referred as appropriate.

• Maintain accurate data on housing systems, ensure compliance with data protection policies, and contribute to service improvement initiatives.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience working within homelessness services, housing options, or temporary accommodation placements.

• Knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation (Housing Act 1996 Parts VI & VII, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017).

• Understanding of landlord and tenant law, welfare benefits, safeguarding legislation, and housing benefit systems.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-pressure environment managing sensitive and complex cases.

• Ability to carry out property inspections, liaise with landlords and service users, and manage rent accounts.

• Excellent organisational, communication, and customer service skills.

• Confident using housing management and document workflow systems.

• Flexible to attend site visits and occasional evening work when required.

If interested in this role please send your CV to Lee-Jaun at Coyle Personnel Ltd.