Medical Advisor

To work within Housing Needs to assess the housing problems experienced by people with health needs and disabilities and make recommendations on priority for rehousing. To provide expertise on health and disability issues which enable the Council to develop policies which improve housing options for people with disabilities., 1. Consider, assess and recommend housing priority for all applicants seeking rehousing on health grounds, including providing an opinion on whether priority homeless applicants are vulnerable and whether applicants ought to be excused from a finding of intentional homelessness on medical or disability grounds, ensuring that a high standard of customer care is provided at all times.

2. Make recommendations regarding what would constitute suitable accommodation for all those applying for rehousing on health grounds, including homeless applicants, in consultation with health and social care professionals working in the NHS and Social Services where appropriate. Carry out functional assessments of housing need for applicants for rehousing who have medical conditions/disabilities, where there is no involvement from other health or social care agencies, and to refer on where necessary.

3. Devise, implement and maintain medical assessment procedures and policies which ensure reasonable preference for people who need to move for medical or welfare reasons (see s167 (2) Housing Act 1996).

4. Work with the Special Needs Manager and relevant stakeholders to develop policies which adequately recognise and meet the housing needs of people with medical problems and disabilities in Hackney.

5. Assist the authority in defending any legal challenge including swearing affidavits, affirmations and/or appearing in court to justify recommendations.

6. Draft reports on relevant matters, and if appropriate, present them to meetings of officers or members of the Council and other agencies.

7. Advise and liaise with health and social care professionals, officers, members of the Council and members of the public about these policies and procedures. Participate in training programmes, including the preparation and delivery of training, concerned with the needs and requirements for housing people with disabilities or medical problems.

8. Pre-allocate to adapted or specially built social housing stock in consultation with relevant internal or external staff, and advise on allocations to people with health problems and disabilities.

9. Provide medical guidance and direction to housing staff.

10. Work in strict compliance with the council's equal opportunities statement/policy.

11. Take part in audit as required e.g. LBH & Public Health Directorates programme of audit.

12. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing to a range of individuals and services, in order to present the team in a positive and professional manner.

13. Represent the service when necessary at internal and external meetings and working groups.

14. Maintain accurate, consistent and up-to-date records which respect client confidentiality and are available as and when required for performance or auditing purposes.

15. Ensure that a high standard of customer care is provided at all times.

16. Provide cover for colleagues and/or managers as required.

17. Undertake other duties appropriate to the post as directed by the service manager.

1. The post holder must be aware of and comply with Health and Safety legislation and Council Health and Safety Policy as relevant to the post.

2. An understanding of the Council's equal opportunities policies and a commitment to their promotion and knowledge of problems faced by service users in an area like Hackney.
LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY, 1. Ability to work effectively with a broad range of professionals in Health, Housing & Social Services.

2. An understanding of the relationship between health and housing.

3. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

4. Excellent communication and organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise own workload.

5. Development of effective working relations with directorate staff and external agencies.

6. Working knowledge of the type of housing that is suitable/ adaptable for people with disabilities.

EXPERIENCE

1. Experience of working with people with physical disabilities in the home, e.g. community nursing or visiting, accompanied home visits, assessments for equipment and adaptations.

2. Experience of working across a broad range of client groups, including the elderly, the young, those from ethnic minority groups in a deprived multicultural inner city area with medical and/or welfare needs including learning difficulties, mental illness and physical disabilities.

3. Experience of working with a range of professionals from Health departments, Social Services & Housing backgrounds., State registered relevant health care professional qualification with post qualification experience and experience gained in the community working within inner city area.

Hackney is one of the UK's highest performing local authorities, serving one of London's best places to live and work. We have achieved a huge amount: our services, our schools, our public spaces are all amongst the very best. We have changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. Bringing jobs and investment into the borough, securing the legacy from the 2012 Games, and making this a place of which we can all be proud.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and the workforce can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.