Homeless Accommodation Officer

The Homeless Accommodation Officer Team is responsible for finding and placing homeless households into temporary accommodation in accordance with the council’s statutory homelessness and suitability duties. You will match households to suitable placements and carry out sign-ups, explaining the type, location and cost of the accommodation to ensure their obligations are clearly communicated and understood.

You will be responsible for setting up and monitoring customers' rent accounts, notifying and liaising with the housing benefit team when households move through different accommodation placements and monitoring and actively managing current and former tenant rent accounts to minimise debt to the council.

You will need to be an excellent communicator, highly organised and possess demonstrable numerical, IT and administration skills. Be able to demonstrate confidence, flexibility and the ability to have honest and clear conversations with customers about the temporary accommodation being offered to them, why it is being offered and the outcomes should they chose not to accept it as set out in the legislation.

You will be able to work on your own initiative but work closely with your immediate colleagues to be responsive to the accommodation requirements of those presenting to the service; some of which will be without warning. Be able to prioritise and divide a demanding and varied workload yet be a creative facilitator and problem solver. An understanding of homelessness law as well as an up-to-date knowledge of the welfare benefits available to applicants would be an advantage but full training will be given to the right candidate.

This role has multiple and competing work strands which can be fragmented. Therefore, the ability to multi-task, complete interrupted tasks and work at pace and under pressure whilst producing accurate work is essential.

You will be required to work closely with our homeless accommodation providers and be able to manage and coordinate voids, provide suitable nominations in accordance with the relevant partner service level agreements and bring placements to an end in an appropriate and timely manner. You will identify and communicate moves to alternative temporary accommodation placements ensuring customers understand where, when and why they are moving. You will also be the first point of contact for applicants and providers who are experiencing difficulties with their placement.

You will be receiving invoices from our accommodation providers to verify as accurate and approve for payment and will need to ensure this is done within the council’s corporate timescales. Rejecting incorrect invoices and chasing missing invoices is also part of this role.

You will identify opportunities for the council to discharge the duty towards homeless applicants in accordance with current legislation and government guidance requirements.

Crawley is an exciting place to work with a hardworking, open, friendly and welcoming culture and the opportunity for a career in public service. An organisation that is passionate about Crawley and that works together to achieve the best outcomes for our residents and put customers at the heart of everything we do. We are also undergoing a redevelopment and regeneration scheme with a new Town Hall Building to provide staff and customers with a modern working environment.

Previous applicants will not be considered.

Fixed term contract for one year.

A full current UK driving licence is desirable.

A Baseline Personnel Security Standard check is required as part of this role, and that will also entail the successful applicant undertaking a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We offer a generous employee benefits package, with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.

Click the Apply button to complete your application online. Please ensure that the reference details you supply are for your current or most recent employer and that any gaps in employment are covered on your application form. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a fully completed application form.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, email aaron.bull@crawley.gov.uk, Homeless Accommodation Manager or call on 01293 438098.