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Job Title
Housing Register Officer
Directorate / Service
Housing & Homelessness -?Allocations & Housing Options
Grade / Salary
Scale?-?Local Government Pay Scale (indicative:?SO2-PO2, subject to evaluation)
Reports To
Senior Housing Allocations Officer / Housing Allocations Team Leader
Direct Reports
None
Role Purpose
To provide a high?quality, customer?focused allocations service that:
Assesses and maintains all applications to the Council's Housing Register, determining eligibility, preference level, effective (waiting?time) date and any special factors.
Prevents and relieves homelessness through timely advice, advocacy, direct lettings, temporary accommodation and private?rented?sector offers.

Ensures full compliance with Part?VI of the Housing Act?1996, the Homelessness Reduction Act?2017, the Council's Housing Allocations Scheme and associated legislation, codes and policies.

Contributes to the Council's Homelessness Strategy, void?turnaround targets and wider corporate objectives relating to vulnerable households.

Key Responsibilities
Area Duties
Housing Register Assessments * Process new and re?registration applications verify ID, eligibility, local connection, finances and priority factors.
* Determine effective date, bedroom need, medical/welfare preference and any quota or band change.
* Notify applicants in writing of decisions, reasons and review rights.
Housing Advice & Homelessness Prevention * Deliver person?centred advice on social and private?rented options, mobility schemes, mutual exchange, welfare benefits and income maximisation.
* Mediate with landlords, friends/family and support agencies to prevent eviction or secure alternative housing.
* Produce and monitor Housing Action Plans record outcomes to meet HRA prevention/relief targets.
Lettings & Nominations * Advertise void properties via Choice Homes?UK (Abritas) and prepare shortlists or direct matches for vulnerable groups (medical, hospital discharge, under?occupiers, management transfers, sheltered).
* Arrange viewings, verify circumstances before offer, complete tenancy sign?ups and update systems.
Temporary & PRS Placements * Allocate and let temporary accommodation or Private Rented Sector Offers (PRSOs) in line with the Placement Policy and suitability assessments.
* Activate refusal and duty?discharge processes where appropriate.
Partnership & Casework Liaison * Work collaboratively with Occupational Therapy, Social Care, NHS, Police, Probation, RPs, private landlords and third?sector providers to secure sustainable outcomes.
* Represent the service at case conferences, hospital discharge meetings and inter?agency panels.
Systems, Records & Performance * Maintain accurate electronic case notes (Northgate/Abritas, Jigsaw, Info@Work).
* Provide statistical returns on void turnaround, prevention outcomes, PRSO lets and B&B use.
* Contribute to service improvement, procedures and policy reviews.
Customer Service & Governance * Handle enquiries, complaints and Members'/MPs' correspondence in line with corporate standards.
* Uphold data?protection, safeguarding, equality and health?and?safety obligations.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Detailed working knowledge of Housing Act?1996 Part?VI & VII, Homelessness Reduction Act?2017, Welfare Reform Act, Children Act and Care Act.

Proven experience in housing?allocations, housing?options or homelessness?prevention casework within a local?authority or registered?provider setting.

Ability to interpret and apply Allocations Schemes, Codes of Guidance and case law.

Strong assessment, investigation and decision?writing skills with clear audit trail.

Effective negotiation and advocacy with landlords, statutory/voluntary agencies and customers with complex needs.

Excellent written and verbal communication, including drafting responses to complaints, Members' enquiries and legal challenges.

Competent user of allocations and homelessness IT systems (e.g., Abritas/Locata, Jigsaw, Northgate) and MS?Office.

Full UK driving licence and ability to undertake home visits, hospital/prison interviews and emergency placements at short notice.

Desirable
CIH Level?3?Certificate in Housing Practice or equivalent professional qualification.

Experience of void management, property advertising or Choice Based Lettings administration.

Knowledge of welfare?benefit calculations and income?maximisation tools.

Key Performance Indicators
Housing?Register processing -?applications assessed and decision letters issued within 10?working days.

Void turnaround -?void properties advertised, shortlisted and let within target timescales.

Homelessness prevention / PRSO outcomes -?quarterly prevention and relief targets achieved.

Temporary?accommodation use -?no households in B&B >?6?weeks (families) and adherence to Placement Policy.

Customer satisfaction & complaints -?high satisfaction ratings complaints resolved within SLA.

Corporate & Flexibility Statement
All employees must work to the Council's values on equality, conduct, health & safety, data protection and customer care. Duties may vary to meet changing service needs and the post?holder is expected to adopt a flexible approach within the scope and grade of the role.

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.

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