Housing Advice & Early Intervention Officer

· To act as the first point of contact for clients and others presenting to the service. To undertake initial triage assessments to identify support and housing need for clients who may be vulnerable with complex needs.

· To provide an efficient, person centred, information, advice, guidance, intervention, assessment, assistance and practical support service to residents, enabling them to make informed choices in relation to their housing needs and signpost as necessary.

· To carry out holistic assessments of housing, health and social care needs, providing appropriate interventions and referrals, with the aim of minimising avoidable escalation to homelessness and use of higher level statutory and crisis service provision.

· To provide advice information and assistance in regards to housing options and services available. To coordinate referrals to other services where appropriate.

· To ensure that all client details are logged and updated accurately. To carry out administrative duties to ensure efficient service delivery.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

· To promote a housing options approach to service delivery by providing advice information and assistance.

· To prevent and resolve homelessness/ housing issues by joint working with other departments and agencies.

· To triage, carry out initial assessment and assessment of needs for customers and determine if a person is likely to be homeless or threatened with homelessness and refer any cases to the relevant team for specialist prevention/relief work.

· To identify where referrals to relevant agencies are appropriate

· To input data and ensure IT systems are kept up to date and accurate

· To have an understanding and knowledge of the support needs of all cohorts who may approach the local authority with a housing need, including mental health, substance misuse, offending, learning disabilities, physical health, education employment and training.

· Experience of working with vulnerable customers is essential.

· Experience of housing related support services is essential.

· Experience of the housing options approach to homelessness prevention is essential.

· Experience of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (as amended) is essential.

Essential Qualification Required:

· Good level of general education is essential.