• Locations

  Uxbridge, London

• Salary

  Up to £256 per day

• Sector

  Homelessness, Housing, Revenues & Benefits

• Type

  Contract / Interim

Homeless Officer – LB Hillingdon – Uxbridge

Are you a Homeless Officer looking for your next assignment? Our client in LB Hillingdon are currently looking to recruit a number of Homeless Officers to join their team on a contract basis, please see below!

Location: London Borough of Hillingdon – Uxbridge

Contract Length: Initial 3-6 month contract, with potential for extension and the opportunity to go permanent with the council

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 to 3 days per week in the office

Pay Rate: £32 per hour Umbrella

Hours: Full-time, 36 hours per week

Start Date: ASAP

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of homelessness and housing advice cases from initial approach through to resolution.
• Conduct detailed assessments of applicants’ housing circumstances, needs and eligibility.
• Assess homelessness applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Carry out inquiries into eligibility, homelessness, priority need, intentional homelessness and local connection.
• Issue appropriate statutory decisions and notifications within required timescales.
• Develop and agree personalised housing plans with applicants and take reasonable steps to prevent or relieve homelessness.
• Provide comprehensive housing advice and explore all available housing options.
• Work proactively with households to identify sustainable solutions, including private rented sector accommodation, social housing and supported accommodation where appropriate.
• Make appropriate referrals to internal and external services to ensure applicants receive holistic support.
• Liaise with landlords, letting agents, housing associations and other partner organisations to secure suitable accommodation.
• Provide clear and accurate advice to applicants regarding their housing rights and responsibilities.
• Respond professionally to enquiries, complaints and requests for information.
• Contribute to the prevention of homelessness and the reduction of temporary accommodation use and associated costs.
• Ensure all decisions and actions comply with relevant legislation, council policies, procedures and guidance.
• Keep up to date with changes in housing and homelessness legislation, case law and best practice.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Demonstrable experience working within a local authority homelessness or housing options service.
• Strong working knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and associated homelessness legislation and guidance.
• Experience managing a caseload of homelessness applications from initial approach through to statutory decision.
• Experience undertaking homelessness assessments and making legally compliant decisions.
• Knowledge of the prevention and relief duties and the use of Personalised Housing Plans.
• Experience providing housing advice and identifying appropriate housing options.
• Ability to assess complex cases involving vulnerability, priority need, intentional homelessness and local connection.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent case management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and statutory deadlines.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working within a London local authority homelessness service.
• Experience working with complex homelessness cases and households requiring multi-agency support.
• Knowledge of temporary accommodation procurement and placements.
• Experience working with private rented sector landlords and letting agents.
• Experience using local authority housing systems such as Northgate, NEC or similar.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Resilient and confident when dealing with challenging and complex cases.
• Compassionate and committed to achieving positive outcomes for homeless households.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident in making evidence-based and legally sound decisions.
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider housing team.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced local authority environment.
• Professional, approachable and able to communicate effectively with applicants and partner agencies.

What the Role Offers

• £32 per hour Umbrella
• Hybrid working – 2 to 3 days per week in the office
• Full-time contract opportunity with a London local authority
• Opportunity to work within an established Housing and Homelessness service
• Potential for contract extension, subject to performance and service requirements
• Immediate start available for the right candidate

Candidate Profile

This role would suit an experienced Homelessness Officer, Housing Options Officer, Homelessness Prevention Officer or Housing Needs Officer with strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and local authority housing services.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate recent experience managing homelessness cases and carrying out statutory assessments and decisions, with the confidence to work in a busy and target-driven environment.

Homeless Officer

Public sector and government

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.