We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in Northampton to assist with the appointment of a Housing Allocations Officer, on a 3-month contract, likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay: £19.23 - £25.00 per hour

Summary:

• To deliver an efficient and professional allocations service, ensuring the councils Housing Register, allocation of accommodation within the councils own stock and nominations to partner registered provider vacancies are administered in accordance with the Councils Housing Allocation Scheme (policy), service procedures, national code of guidance and housing legislation (Part 6 of the Housing Act).
• To provide comprehensive housing advice and information to households in housing need in order to ensure their housing needs are met via the appropriate intervention.

Responsibilities:

• To process complex and detailed correspondence and telephone enquiries in relation to housing allocations applications, including who can join the Councils Housing Register, the banding scheme and what priority a customer may be awarded under the scheme and the provision of realistic advice on the availability of social housing and a customers housing options.
• Comprehensively assess, investigate and determine housing applications to join the Councils Housing Register in terms of eligibility and qualification for social housing and level of priority awarded to those applicants that can join the Councils Housing register in accordance with the Councils Housing Allocations Scheme and all relevant codes of guidance and legislation.
  
• Process applications where there is a medical need and assess the applicants basic medical condition in relation to their housing circumstances. Make decisions on the level of priority that should be awarded to the applicant and the type of property to best suit their needs. In particularly complex situations, make an appropriate referral to the Councils specialist medical advisor for guidance and advice to inform decision-making.
  
• Ensure that investigations are robust and verification of all housing register applicants circumstances are completed in accordance with the agreed policy and procedures. This will require interviewing applicants both in their home and within locality hubs, such as council offices.
  
• Receive information about available properties from the Councils ALMO and Registered Providers in the area and create adverts for regular choice-based lettings advertisement cycles (to make applicants on the Housing Register aware of the available properties that they can bid on).

Qualifications:

• Educated to A level or equivalent qualification or has equivalent experience in a related role
• A pass in English and Maths at GCSE level (Grade C old system; Grade 4 new system)
• Chartered Institute of Housing Chartered Membership (for those with a CIH recognised qualification at Level 2 or above, or members who have completed an experiential route accredited by CIH.)
• Evidence of continued professional and personal development. 

• Experience with a local housing authority or Registered Housing Provider in a customer service or Housing capacity.
• Experience of dealing with a wide range of people who may present complex and challenging behaviour.
• Experience of providing comprehensive advice and assistance on all housing matters and related issues, including accessing all forms of accommodation, including different tenures and supported accommodation.
• Experience of assessment and determination of applications for assistance under the provision of the Housing Acts.
• Demonstrable experience of working within a service with high levels of demand, significant time pressure and conflicting priorities.
• Conducting complex investigations, enquiries, interviews and casework management, with a focus on positive outcomes and preventing homelessness.
• Experience of working collaboratively and proactively with other services and organisations to prevent homelessness and meet housing need.

Please note:

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K
• This role requires an enhanced DBS

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent. Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

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