Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer
Redbridge Council
Role
Who You Are
You are a knowledgeable and experienced professional with a strong understanding of homelessness and housing legislation, as well as social care and welfare benefits. You are skilled in providing advice to the public, handling challenging situations, and working with vulnerable customers. You possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, are self-motivated, able to manage workloads independently, and committed to preventing homelessness through proactive solutions.
What the Job Involves
The Accommodation Needs Assessment Officer is responsible for conducting specialized assessments for temporary housing needs under the Housing Act 1996. You will collaborate with internal and external services to case manage offers of temporary accommodation, update Personalised Housing Plans, and work to prevent homelessness. The role includes making informed decisions on discharge of homelessness duties, coordinating temporary accommodation allocations, and maintaining accurate records of homelessness data. Effective interaction with both clients and partners is essential to this role, alongside ensuring service development and improvement.
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to interpret complex legislation and case law
- Experience in customer service and conflict resolution
- Strong organizational and time management abilities
- Proficiency in IT and record-keeping
- Creative problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Commitment to equality and diversity
- Ability to work independently and meet targets
- Experience working with vulnerable populations
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation