Homelessness Reviews Officer - Newham
Ref: 3430593225_1753199703Key Tasks and Accountabilities
Key tasks and accountabilities are intended to be a guide to the range and level of work expected of the post holder. This is not an exhaustive list of all tasks that may fall to the post holder and employees will be expected to carry out such other reasonable duties which may be required from time to time.
1. To carry out statutory homelessness reviews of decisions made by the Council, with respect to the relevant legislation, caselaw and Codes of Guidance. This will include, but not exclusive to, Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Homelessness Act 2017, Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012, Localism Act 2011 and Equality Act 2010.
2. To ensure the Council delivers an effective, customer-friendly and efficient service, which puts people at its heart. To make support officers in their decision making, using the evidence garnered through Reviews to identify training need and deliver training in order to achieve continuous improvement.
3. To assess the merits of individual cases in respect of threats of Judicial Review and requests for interim accommodation, if available with legal advice, making recommendations to officers and managers as necessary.
4. To maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the relevant legislation and caselaw, advising on the development and revision of policies and procedures in light of these.
5. To attend High Court and County Court Proceedings, conferences with counsel, and Committee meetings as requesting, assisting with the compilation of reports and written instruction.
6. To ensure that investigations and decisions are completed within statutory time limits, using available systems to monitor progress and compile statistics.
7. To engage with solicitors acting on behalf of those requesting Reviews and appeals, maintaining a professional and customer-friendly approach throughout and acting in the best interests of the local authority.
8. To respond to telephone calls, emails and other communications, including member's enquiries, Ombudsman investigations and Freedom of Information requests.
9. To follow up actions resulting from review decisions, such as cancellation of emergency/temporary accommodation, ensuring that all IT systems are updated with the relevant actions and outcomes.
10. To participate as a duty manager as required ensuring the effective use and promotion of homelessness prevention services, authorising temporary accommodation placements where appropriate, and making sure best practice is adopted.
11. To maintain extensive and specialist knowledge of relevant housing legislation, case law and guidance as well as local and national policies in order to provide expert advice and guidance to staff, colleagues, council members as well as partners and stakeholders.
12. To operate within a robust performance management framework, taking responsibility for actions relating to the post, and achieving outcomes within stated targets. To input into the collatation of performance data, in order for this to be fed into reports and briefings as required.
13. To contribute to the day to day management and development of move on, prevention and housing options and coordinate services with health care, young people and prison/probation services to ensure the provision of suitable housing move on solutions for people leaving care or institutions.
14. To help develop a housing options approach to service delivery to customers and partner service providers, using liaison, negotiation and casework skills to assist customers to move into alternative settled accommodation or, where necessary, specialist supported housing.
15. To contribute to the development of proactive housing services for residents affected by the impacts of homelessness, welfare reform and other policy or legislative changes.
16. To ensure the service complies with all relevant statutory requirements, Government Guidance and Codes of conduct, Newham policies and procedures, professional and performance standards and good housing and homelessness prevention practice.
17. To build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues within Newham, other councils and statutory bodies, external agencies, clients and landlords as well as voluntary and other housing organisations.
18. To contribute to a full range of information and publicity for all clients as well as internal procedures. To understand the value of information to the council and to contribute to good information governance by keeping information safe, accurate and up to date and available to those who need it. The post holder is required to abide by the council's information governance policies.
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
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