Tunbridge Wells - Town Hall (Hybrid)
Permanent, Full time
Basic DBS check required
Career Grade F-£30,077 / G-£33,535
37 hours
Within the Housing Team, our vision is to be more than a housing service. We are passionate about what we do, and we will work resourcefully and creatively as one team, going the extra mile to improve the lives and homes of our customers.
As a Housing Options Advisor, you will be responsible for providing a professional, customer orientated service to individuals who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness. You will work with colleagues across the Housing Service to provide advice on the housing options available and you conduct enquiries into homeless applications ensuring that the Council is fully compliant with statutory homelessness duties under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.
This is a career graded post and candidates will be assessed against both the essential criteria requirements for both Grade F and Grade G detailed in the Person Specification. Candidates will only be considered as appointable to the Grade G position if they fulfil the essential criteria requirements, as detailed below, for both Grade F and Grade G. Candidates who are only able to demonstrate that they meet the Grade F requirements, will have the opportunity to progress to a Grade G through training and develop in post and upon being able to demonstrate they meet the Grade G requirements.
Main Responsibilities:
Conduct interviews and assessments in line with the Councils’ statutory duties under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and write robust statutory S184 homelessness decision letters.
Carry a caseload of homelessness prevention and relief cases and create Personalised Housing Plans to take reasonable steps to prevent or relieve homelessness, or the threat of homelessness.
To advise clients on full range of housing options to solve their housing problem, including negotiating with private sector landlords; conciliating between family members and friends to prevent exclusions; identifying suitable move-on options.
Carry out income and expenditure assessments to access affordable housing options and identify areas where income can be maximised, or expenditure reduced.
Develop effective working relationships with colleagues both within Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and external partners, service users, landlords as well as voluntary and other housing organisations.
Be the team lead in specific areas such as domestic abuse, ex-offender, care leavers, mental health or substance misuse.
About you:
You should have experience of working in a front-line in a housing environment and able to provide a full range of advice on housing options to prevent and relieve homelessness, including being able to make legally robust statutory decisions.
Educated to A Level (or equivalent) at grades A to C, or equivalent grading, or demonstrable experience of working within housing options and homelessness.
Excellent understanding of Housing legislation including the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, and the Homelessness Reduction Act
A good understanding of the welfare benefit system and welfare reform changes
Excellent influencing and negotiation skills - for example, when working with landlords to prevent evictions
Ability to work in a team and develop effective and supportive relationships with colleagues.
In return we offer you:
- 22 Days Annual Leave (Grade F) / 24 Days Annual Leave (Grade G), plus bank holidays. Increasing to 27 days with 5 years' continuous service
- Membership to Local Government Pension Scheme with 19.7% employer contribution
- Career development and training opportunities
- Access to eye care vouchers and VDU Glasses
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to EAP Services 24/7
To find out more take a look at the Job Description and Person Specification below. Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile.
Please note previous applicants will not be considered for interview.
For an informal discussion about this post, you can contact Sabrina Goacher, Housing Options Team Leader, on 01892 554417 or sabrina.goacher@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Our competency framework describes what's expected from our employees in terms of attitudes and behaviors. To view our core competencies, click here
To stay up to date with our latest vacancies and what it’s like to work here you can follow us on twitter @TWBC_Jobs and LinkedIn @TWellsCouncil
JD_-_Housing_Options_Advisor.pdf
PS_-_Housing_Options_Adviser_Career_Grade_F-G_August_2024.pdf