Job Description

Homelessness Prevention & Assessment Officer

Lewisham

We are currently seeking a skilled and motivated Homelessness Prevention and Assessment Officer to join a high-impact project within the Housing Division. This role will allow the successful individual to contribute directly to the Temporary Cost Reduction Programme. This is a fantastic 12-month role where you can make a real impact and offers a unique opportunity to directly influence housing solutions and improve outcomes for vulnerable households.

As the successful candidate, you'll join the dynamic Move-On Team, and will be based in Housing Partnership and Service Improvement Team and will sit under the Temporary Accommodation Cost Reduction Project.

Key Responsibilities:

We are looking for an experienced Homelessness Prevention and Assessment Officer with extensive knowledge of the Homelessness Act, relevant legislation, guidance, and case law. You'll have a proven ability to carry out detailed affordability assessments and demonstrate excellent communication skills. Your experience of working in high-pressure environments will enable you to make well-informed decisions under tight deadlines and manage your workload effectively.

Whilst your main duties will focus on move-on activities which will include but not limited to the following:

To provide a comprehensive high quality homeless prevention, support and advice service to all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

To prevent and resolve homelessness within the borough through the provision of confidential and impartial advice and information to customers approaching the Housing Needs Service about their housing rights and obligations under legislation and Council policy either in Council offices or other locations as required.

To provide advice to customers in respect of the Council's obligations under PtVI and PtVII of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011.

To fully investigate the circumstances of customers presenting to the Council as homeless and to determine in accordance with current legislation, case law and the Code of Guidance 2006 what duty the authority owes to them and to issue legally robust S184 decision letters accordingly.

Proactively address s.21 notices and make informed homelessness decisions including decisions to discharge housing duties where appropriate.

Facilitating appropriate move-on, by making homelessness decision on the existing cases by discharging duty offers made under s.193 and PRS offers.