• Locations

  Hammersmith and Fulham, London

• Salary

  £294 - £304 per day

• Sector

  Homelessness, Housing, Revenues & Benefits

• Type

  Contract / Interim

LB Hammersmith & Fullham – Reviews Officer

Are you a Reviews Officer looking for your next assignment? Hammersmith & Fullham are currently looking for a Reviews Officer to join their team on a contract basis?

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

To lead on the conduct and administration of reviews in housing and homelessness applications under Housing Act 1996 parts VI & VII and decisions relating to the suitability of temporary accommodation and offers of permanent accommodation, as well as s.166a reviews for Housing Register purposes b. To maintain up-to-date, detailed knowledge of statutory duties in relation to the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), including leading on and conducting reviews in relation to duties under HRA 2017. c. To respond to legal challenges in respect of temporary accommodation offers and occupancy under the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act. d. To liaise with the Legal Services department in relation to legal challenges and make recommendations regarding the service’s position on legal issues. e. To maintain an up-to-date detailed knowledge of national policy, development and legal issues as they relate to Housing and Welfare Reform. f. To provide excellent services to all residents and customers by offering high standards of customer care at all times, acting with integrity and courtesy. ABOUT THE ROLE You will need to:

• Develop and maintain a detailed knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Parts VI and VII, the Homelessness Code of Guidance, associated case law, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Council policy and local working procedures as applied to housing applications, the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme and homeless assessments. To apply this knowledge in the context of statutory reviews and Appeals.
• Have, develop and maintain a detailed knowledge of associated legislation relevant to homelessness assessments, including immigration and eligibility rules, landlord and tenant law, family & children, welfare benefits and welfare reform, social care, legislation relevant to Asylum seekers and other persons from abroad and other judgments, directives and legislative instruments relevant to the post.
• To certify what housing duty is owed and how that duty is to be discharged, to individual applicants in accordance with homelessness law, local policy and working procedure.
• To conduct statutory homelessness reviews under s.202 of the Housing Act 1996 of decisions relating to the acceptance of duties and the suitability of temporary and permanent accommodation: interviewing applicants and carrying out further enquiries as necessary; assessing the reasonableness of decisions in the light of legislation, caselaw, the Code of Guidance, and all relevant matters of fact and law.
• To conduct statutory reviews on the suitability of accommodation under s.202 of the Housing Act 1996 as amended and reviews of the discharge or cessation of duty for applicants refusing suitable offers of accommodation.
• To make and notify all statutory decisions arising from the review process, including decisions whether to provide s. 188(3) accommodation pending the completion of reviews or Appeals, completing risk assessments as required.
• To conduct reviews requested under s.166a of the Housing Act 1996 and to respond to any legal challenges regarding the lawfulness of the council’s Housing Allocation Scheme.
• To instruct the Legal Services Department in cases where applicants are seeking judicial review of the council’s decisions or exercising a s.204 right of Appeal to the County Court; to consult with Counsel and give evidence in support of the council’s decision and to attend Court as necessary.
• To work closely with Housing Advisers, Allocations, Temporary Accommodation and other colleagues, providing feedback, advice and support and carrying out joint assessments if necessary.
• To maintain accurate case databases, file notes and documents in relation to all casework undertaken and to ensure that all relevant databases are kept up-to-date at all times and decisions notified through comprehensive notification letters.
• To ensure that all administrative duties including the copying of files as required to support the service and to maintain relevant databases / information systems are carried out as necessar

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.