• Locations

  Southwark, London

• Salary

  Up to £247 per day

• Sector

  Homelessness, Housing, Revenues & Benefits

• Type

  Contract / Interim

Gateway Prevention Officer

Are you a Gateway Prevention Officer looking for your net assignment? LB Southwark are currently looking to recruit a Gateway Prevention Officer to join their team on a contract basis.

· To reduce homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation in the borough

· To lead on the collation of the data information for the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government around the prevention of homelessness.

· To provide an effective, professional homelessness service on behalf of the Council including assessment and investigation of homeless approaches and applications in line with the Councils’ statutory duties under Housing Act 1996 Part 7 and relevant case law.

1. To address and resolve customers needs at first contact in the Gateway Customer service team.

2. To deliver outreach surgeries, online platforms and other information to named public bodies and other key interested parties or potential partners to deliver cross cutting prevention work for Housing Solutions.

3. To develop key information packs including but not limited to schools, GPs, and other matters relating to the welfare of applicants children that may move out of Southwark.

4. To undertake statutory homelessness applications, assess and make decisions in line with law and statutory guidance.

5. To improve and become the local intelligence and community link for the key areas of homelessness presentations within Southwark.

6. To engage with key stakeholders and partners to provide alternative solutions to support customers to remain in housing and sustain accommodation.

7. To develop, update and review Personalised Housing Plans for customers on behalf of the council in light of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. This Plan will ensure that homelessness is prevented or relieved through active engagement with council and private sector services.

8. To advise clients on full range of options to solve their housing problem, including intervention if threatened with homelessness, registering on council housing list, initiatives for council tenants, private renting, mortgage advice, moving out of London and shared ownership.

9. To advise clients of available tenancy support services including income maximisation, Discretionary Housing Payments, under occupation schemes, mutual exchange, debt and rent arrears advice and HB support.

10. To assist in developing full range of information and publicity for all clients as well as internal procedures. To understand the value of information to the council and to contribute to good information governance by keeping information safe, accurate and up to date and available to those who need it. The officer is required to abide by the council’s information governance policies.

11. Any other duties appropriate to the post and grade for example, deal with enquiries, complaints and correspondence from clients and their advocates, including solicitors, councillors, MPs, the ombudsman and other housing providers, in line with the Council’s complaints and enquiries procedure. This may include preparing information to support court cases for which the post- holder is responsible.

12. To deliver training, information updates and represent the Council at external meetings

13. To deputise for managers, if required.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual’s skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.