Assistant Housing Choice officer LBS-006

To provide a customer focused choice based lettings service to the public, through engagement with statutory and voluntary agencies developing partnerships to promote equal access to housing and related services.

To support vulnerable households achieve ease of access to council services and work to reduce the number of homeless households in temporary accommodations by promoting other viable options for rehousing.

To undertake assessments of needs, administer the social welfare panel and contribute to auditing the work of the team and policy/procedural development, · To provide a customer focused service that has regard to the Equalities Act 2010
· To assist vulnerable households to access the choice based lettings scheme with ease and to work closely with partner agencies to achieve this
· Assisting applicants with the different stages of the application process
· Attending partner agency workshops, advice sessions or meetings (representing the team where necessary) with the aim of sharing information and promoting ease of access to the choice based lettings service
· Undertaking priority assessments of need and Part 6 reviews in accordance with the allocations policy
· To use a variety of reports to feedback on progress
· To develop the choice based lettings scheme through the development of procedures and online content
· To quality assure the work of the applications team to promote best practice and consistent ways of working
· To answer correspondence within corporate timescales
· To coordinate the annual review of the Housing register, ensuring data is kept up to date
· Any other duties that are commensurate with the responsibility level of this post

JOB CONTEXT
· No direct reports
Key Interfaces
· Will be in contact with Members, senior staff across the Council, external organisations and housing applicants on matters relating to their application for re-housing.

Financial Responsibilities
· None

Organisational Objectives
· Contribute to the implementation of the Council's corporate objectives:
· Health and safety at work
· Performance management
· Equal opportunities and managing diversity policies
· Customer care and quality initiatives such as Gold Standard
· Corporate strategies and policies

Health and Safety
The job holder is required to take reasonable care for the safety and health of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts; and to co-ordinate with management in the promotion and maintenance of health and safety measures.

Grade/Conditions of Service

· Hay Grade 6, Experience of maintaining electronic computer records in line with GDPR.
E
I

Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies:
Ability to plan, organise and prioritise the work-load
E
S/I
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing including active listening
D
I
Ability to analyse information quickly, to think creatively about problems and identify solutions
E
S/I
Ability to effectively use range of IT applications including database, Word, Excel and Powerpoint
E
I
Ability to deal effectively and even-handedly with people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances
E
S/I

Special Conditions of Recruitment:
Comply with and promote the Council's Equal opportunities policy

Key: S Shortlisting criteria
E Essential
I Evaluated at interview
T Subject to test

The purpose of this position is to provide administrative support to housing choice team as well as carry out initial assessments and provide advice to vulnerable residents in housing need. Knowledge of Part VI (allocations) would be advantageous. Ability to draft correspondence explaining policy and legislation, experienced in inbox management, database creation and maintenance and customer care.
Self starter with the ability to work with minimal supervision and understand how to prioritise workload.
This is not a Hybrid position, only 1 Home working day, the rest of the days will be in the office.
The position is minimum 6 months

The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job., knowledge of the legislation regarding a local authority's lettings schemes and homelessness, including code of guidance and case law, Experience of sharing information to a variety of audiences
E
I
Experience of preparing reports and preparing statistical information
D
I
Experience of service delivery to members of the public preferably those in housing need

£16.39 per hour
25-27 Bournemouth Road, Southwark, SE154UJ
Property and Housing