Purpose of this Post

To work within the Homelessness Service Team to complete homelessness assessments, providing advice and assistance to applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

To take a positive and proactive approach to preventing andamp; relieving homelessness, produce personalised housing plans and review these plans on a regular basis to optimise housing options and positive outcomes.

To issue S184 decisions on homeless applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996, Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

To work in partnership with other agencies and services to meet the needs of homeless households to promote sustainability and reduce repeat presentations and support the complex needs such households present with.

Key Job Specific Accountabilities

• To ensure the Council meets its statutory duty towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelenssnes.

• To provide a face-to-face service to those in immediate need, to establish if criteria for emergency accommodation is met and to arrange that this is made available for occupation in accordance with the Homelessness Code of Guidance

• To ensure homelessness assessments are undertaken with clients to determine any legal duties owed in accordance with homelessness legislation, to investigate their support, medical and accommodation needs, providing advice on a range of realistic and sustainable prevention options.
• To ensure applicants are provided with comprehensive advice on the full range of housing options available to them, considering individual needs and eligibility for assistance in accordance with homelessness legislation, including covering out-of-hours emergency homeless calls on a rota basis.
• To ensure comprehensive and accurate records are kept and the web-based homelessness system is regularly updated for audit purposes to enable monitoring required by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) service planning, scheduling work across available resources, decision-making and also effective case management.
• To have due regard to equality and diversity, and to work in a fair and reasonable manner towards all people, ensuring service standards are maintained for all clients.
• To establish and maintain effective liaison and joint working arrangements with other statutory and third sector agencies and make appropriate referrals to accommodation and support services as necessary. This will include representing the Council at multi-agency meetings.
• To ensure safeguarding is a key consideration when assisting clients accessing the service.