4Recruitment Services are seeking an experienced Homelessness Prevention Officer  to work in the Housing Advice & Prevention team for a council based in Aylesbury.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

• To provide a statutory homelessness and housing advice service in relation to preventing homelessness and statutory homelessness assessments. Also, to assist senior officers and managers. (This involves fulfilling statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017) including actions to prevent homelessness, the preparation and publication of personalised Homelessness Prevention Plans).
• To deliver an efficient, front-line service in line with the Council’s vision, core values and behaviours, resources, strategic and service priorities and to deliver services in a professional and courteous manner.
• To deliver a comprehensive, customer focussed and high-quality service in relation to housing options and homelessness prevention tailored for a diverse client group including vulnerable and disadvantaged persons and households
• To prevent homelessness through the thorough resolution of casework by undertaking comprehensive housing needs assessments and identifying and undertaking the appropriate actions
• To achieve individual performance objectives, targets, and service standards to contribute to the achievement of the team plan, objectives and targets.
• To play an active role in the prevention and detection of fraud, involving the Councils’ fraud team as required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Plan and organise work to efficiently deliver specialised advice and support to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring wellbeing of vulnerable customers.
• Assess and determine eligibility of customers for financial and / or housing support, within legislation, regulations and policies.
• Make detailed inquiries to relevant agencies in order to verify and obtain required information. Interpret and analyse information to aid own decision making.
• Make optimum use of the opportunities available to prevent or relieve homelessness including the use of the Homeless Prevention Fund, Discretionary Housing Payments, the supply of private rented housing; taking into account the customer’s overall financial situation, their needs and aspirations, their eligibility for assistance under the homelessness legislation, whether they are able to sustain a tenancy in the private rented sector and their priority on the housing register.
• Working with appropriate supervision, to support in the prevention of homelessness by providing advice and assistance through targeted early interventions. 
• Co-operate and work with other agencies including, not limited to, the Police, Probation, Prisons NHS, hospitals, GPS and Community Health Services to offer appropriate advice and assistance to joint clients, and to work with local Health Services to promote the prevention of homelessness including in emergency situations in liaison with senior officers.
• Conduct risk assessments in accordance with DASH and/or other relevant assessments and refer as appropriate and be mindful of duties in respect of safeguarding children, vulnerable adults, the prevent agenda and making referrals as necessary.
• Conduct visits to customers and properties to fully carry out statutory and corporate duties, including residency checks and assisting vulnerable members of the community where necessary to determine a homelessness application
• Provide advice and assistance in emergency situations for those households threatened with homelessness on the day.

ESSENTIAL  REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Authoritative knowledge of relevant systems, regulations, legislation, best practice, policies and procedures, including health and safety. Eg Housing Act 1996, Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, Immigration Act 2014, Localism Act 2011, Children’s Acts 1989, 2004, Human Rights Act 1998, Public Sector Equality Act 2021, Welfare Reform Act 2013, Housing Act 1988, 1996, amended 2002. Housing Act 2004, Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Protection from Harassment Act 1977, Landlord & Tenants Act 1985
• Good demonstrable experience of working with customers and/or residents, including dealing with difficult or sensitive matters
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, able to explain technical / legal / compliance issues clearly
• Educated to NVQ 4 / HND / BTEC / degree standard or equivalent.

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on 0800 988 6307 or email  gpadmin@4recruitmentservices.com.