Housing Allocations Team Leader Ref: 05-25

Salary: Grade 7, starting at £36,841 per annum (pay award pending)
Hours: Full time, 37 per week
Basis: Permanent
Place of Work: Dereham, occasionally Thetford and some travel across the district or further afield

After a review of the Housing and Communities service we are excited to be expanding our service and we have a number of rewarding positions available.   Some of these are technical and specialist positions, ideal for individuals with knowledge and experience in housing legislation and some are more public-facing roles, which are perfect for those who excel at connecting with people, fostering relationships, and creating a welcoming environment.

For this role, would you like a job where what you do:

• allows you to lead and develop a newly formed team?
• builds and develops relationships with our partner housing associations to ensure we, together, enable affordable homes for rent are let to the people who need them the most?
• links across the housing service to help assist and advise those who need it most, often facing challenging circumstances?

About you:

Your qualities and behaviours are as important to us as your work experience.  Is this you?

• 'I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input'
• 'I listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge'
• 'I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things'
• 'My approach to work is filled with positivity and optimism'
• 'I am flexible ensuring I provide the best possible service, wherever and whenever is best for the customer'
• 'I am driven to achieve results and show courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan'
• 'I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development'
• 'I treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, valuing their thoughts, background and experience'
• 'I understand and take care of my own well-being and of that of those around me.'

OK, I'm interested... But is it really the job for me?

As a Housing Allocations Team Leader you will:

• Support the Housing Solutions Team Leader in providing an effective Housing Solutions Service.
• Directly line manage the Allocation Team's officers, carrying out regular 1:1 supervision, appraisals, etc. with staff in accordance with Council policies and taking responsibility for their performance, development, conduct and attendance.
• Be responsible for the Choice Based Lettings service through overseeing the implementation of the Allocations Policy, the advertising of properties and partnership working with Registered Providers in Breckland.
• Be responsible for the Registered Provider partnership and nominations agreements, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing.
• Sign off decisions on housing register eligibility, qualification and reduction in banding. 
• Carry out reviews of decisions (statutory and informal) relating to the application of the Allocations Policy when requested by customers.
• Manage the contractual relationship with the IT systems provider(s) and be the key point of contact for upgrades and changes, working with the systems officer on detail.  Lead procurement activity to ensure best value for money and adherence to legislation.

Please see the job description and person specification for more a comprehensive list of duties that the role normally entails as you could be asked to occasionally pick up other responsibilities, and also for the personal qualities needed.

Please be aware that applicants who do not submit a supporting statement showing how they meet the person specification will not be considered for interview.

Closing date - 9am, Monday 28^th April

Job summary

Description of duties

• Support the Housing Solutions Team Leader in providing an effective Housing Solutions Service.
• Directly line manage the Allocation Team's officers, carrying out regular 1:1 supervision, appraisals, etc. with staff in accordance with Council policies and taking responsibility for their performance, development, conduct and attendance.
• Be responsible for the Choice Based Lettings service through overseeing the implementation of the Allocations Policy, the advertising of properties and partnership working with Registered Providers in Breckland.
• Be responsible for the Registered Provider partnership and nominations agreements, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing.
• Manage the contractual relationship with the IT systems provider(s) and be the key point of contact for upgrades and changes, working with the systems officer on detail.  Lead procurement activity to ensure best value for money and adherence to legislation.
• Act as duty manager on a rota basis, signing off temporary accommodation requests and dealing with enquiries from officers and customers as required.
• Sign off decisions on housing register eligibility, qualification and reduction in banding.  To assist the Housing Solutions team Manager and other Team Leaders in managing the use of temporary accommodation, with the aim of keeping occupation and expenditure to a minimum.
• Carry out reviews of decisions (statutory and informal) relating to the application of the Allocations Policy when requested by customers.
• Develop outcomes for the service and ensure suitable management information and performance information is known, understood and analysed, including the completing of statutory returns.
• Provide technical advice and expertise, assisting with the interpretation of new regulations,  legislation and the Code of Guidance, providing guidance and training as required.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, carrying out of investigations or making of recommendations in conjunction with the Team Manager and service management team for Cabinet, Scrutiny, senior managers or external agencies ensuring appropriate liaison and consultation with interested parties.
• Ensure that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times
• Ensure compliance to all policies, procedures, standard operating practices, with recommendations for action and continuous improvement.
• Ensure relevant mailboxes are monitored and responses are appropriate and timely.
• Take personal responsibility to build and maintain relationships with key partners including housing associations, statutory bodies, and third and voluntary sector organisations and the general public.
• Develop and maintain open, honest and constructive relationships and be supportive to colleagues.
• Play an active role in driving forward improvements in customer service delivery including complaints, MP enquiries, FOI requests Subject Access Reviews and s.202 reviews
• To undertake any other duties as requested by the Housing Manager and the Housing Solutions Team Manager, appropriate to the level and competence of the post.

Primary Line/Performance Management Objectives of the Role

• To ensure the Housing Allocation Team's officers provide an excellent housing register and  choice based lettings service.
• To ensure officers remain focused on reducing the use of temporary accommodation.
• To ensure that all documentation and systems are kept up to date with accurate information

Primary Leadership Objectives of the Role

To lead the Housing Allocation Officers to deliver on the relevant statutory obligations.

Responsibilities for:

People - The post holder is responsible for developing a culture within the Housing Solutions Team and wider Housing Service which is linked to the behaviours and values of the Council. In addition, the post holder will be expected to look at improved ways and processes to benefit customers of the service and the wider organisation.

Finance - Responsible for the Choice Based Lettings budget.

Decision Making - Alongside other senior colleagues, assessing and processing all temporary accommodation, choice based lettings and broad housing advice related enquiries in a manner which is focused upon the sensitive requirements and needs of the customer.

Communications - Liaising with internal staff members of staff and portfolio holders. Direct communication and contact with external partners including but not exclusive to Breckland residents, tenants and landlords, organisations/representatives, Government and non-governmental organisations. Take a personal responsibility to build and maintain relationships with key partners, including private landlords, housing associations, statutory bodies, and third and voluntary sector organisations and the general public.

This job description is not exhaustive.

The job description outlines the current position and will be subject to review in the light of development within the service, in consultation with the post holder as detailed in your Contract of Employment.

Experience and Knowledge

- Assessed from job application -

Essential

• Experience of working with and supporting the needs of vulnerable people
• Experience of combining excellent team working with the ability to operate with a minimum amount of supervision
• Proven experience of working in a busy customer service focused environment
• Working knowledge of a wide range of Microsoft Office packages
• Experiencing of taking initiative, identifying opportunities and taking an outcome-oriented approach to addressing challenges
• Experience of taking decisions in a busy environment
• Excellent time management and negotiation skills
• Full driving licence

Desirable

• Experience of leading and managing a team I  a busy environment.
• Experience of working in a local government or registered provider setting.
• Experience or clear knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• A working knowledge of:
• -        Housing allocations and homelessness law
• -        Landlord and tenant law
• Experience of managing a budget

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent qualification or appropriately experienced for the role

Desirable

• Post Grad Diploma in Housing
• Educated to degree level

Essential Behaviours

- Assessed at interview -

Collaborative:

• I look for opportunities to coach, support and mentor people both inside and outside of my own team (s) or discipline.
• I encourage individuals and teams to work, learn and deliver together.
• I make sure people feel trusted, valued, informed and supported.

Ambitious:

• I act as a role model, leading by example: motivating, influencing and inspiring others.
• I am motivational and drive positivity.
• I take an optimistic approach: engaging others and giving individuals the space and freedom to be creative.
• I actively encourage innovation. If things go wrong, I see that as an opportunity to learn and develop.

Results Driven:

• I act as a role model, leading by example: motivating, influencing and inspiring others.
• I am motivational and drive positivity.
• I take an optimistic approach: engaging others and giving individuals the space and freedom to be creative.
• I actively encourage innovation. If things go wrong, I see that as an opportunity to learn and develop.

Empowering:

• I make sure individuals have control and a sense of purpose about their work. Work should make people feel good.
• I stamp out any instances of blame - individuals are accountable, but we do not look for a person to blame.
• I empower everyone to work in the most effective way, trusting in their ability to deliver, and encourage individuals to have the confidence to challenge in a safe space.

Supportive:

• I help create an environment where individuals feel comfortable to be themselves and where they feel heard, included and valued.
• I promote and regularly check on individual's mental health and wellbeing.
• When individuals are finding things hard, I give them chance to talk and give them the help and support they need.

Mental Demands

The post requires the successful candidate to deal sensitively with customers who may be vulnerable and/or emotional and situations that may be challenging, demanding and stressful, but still require clear and logical decisions to be made to bring matters to an acceptable conclusion.  

The role is led by service demand and at times is likely to require regular re-prioritisation of existing workload to cope with unpredictable peaks in demand for the service which requires professionalism at all times.

In order to deal with the workload and manage customer expectation the role will regularly be mentally and emotionally demanding.

Physical Demands

To be able to meet the physical and travel/mobility requirements of the post and to make home or out of office visits as required.

Part of the role is office based (sometimes in satellite offices) requiring the use of PC's and laptops, or working remotely from home or on site.

Health & Safety (exposure to risk)

The post is exposed to occasional unavoidable risks including:

• Complex and varied work area. Need to manage to tight deadlines and look after welfare ( workplace stress)
• Visits to properties that are 'filthy' and/or verminous, infested with pests, or with trip/slip hazards
• Could face angry/verbally aggressive/ verbally abusive customers ( phone/email).
• Majority of time is spent at work station/sedentary- VDU/ Work Related Upper Limb and Posture issues
• Exposure to some personal and sensitive data and records which could affect mental well being.

What's it like to work for us?

We are passionate about our people and pride ourselves on being a great place to work, we genuinely care and know that a happy workforce is a productive and motivated one! If you're still not sure, here are some stats from our 2024 staff survey to convince you..

• 94% said they feel trusted and empowered
• 90% of staff recommend Breckland as a great place to work
• 89% said they have had opportunities to learn and grow in the last 12 months
• 94% think Breckland provide positive action on health and wellbeing
• 91% said they felt supported by their manager

If you STILL need convincing, here's what some of our staff say...

• "Breckland is a fantastic employer, lots of opportunities and support"
• "Having only just started, it is a great place to work, everyone says hello, is smiley and chatty. I like the groups that are on, like carers shed and neurodiversity"
• "We are encouraged to take regular breaks and there are mental health first aiders and a wide range of good promotional aspects of healthy living and wellbeing."
• "In times of need the council offers excellent support."
• "BDC really does seem to care about the wellbeing and happiness of their staff."

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, and ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care, we listen, and we support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and we are innovative in our approach, coming up with ways to meet the needs of the local communities that we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can't do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and we work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area, and by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places where people and businesses choose to be, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here and those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

We offer excellent conditions of service, including:

• A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
• Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing after three years' continuous Local Authority service by one day per year up to the maximum of 28 days, plus bank holidays)
• Free car parking.
• Remote-enabled working arrangements.
• A newly refurbished office. See what it is like working here by watching this short film: 
  

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Please see the job description and person specification for more a comprehensive list of duties that the role normally entails as you could be asked to occasionally pick up other responsibilities, and also for the personal qualities needed.

Please be aware that applicants who do not submit a supporting statement showing how they meet the person specification will not be considered for interview.

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Jane Booth, Housing Solutions Team Manager, by emailing jane.booth@breckland.gov.uk

Closing date - 9am, Monday 28^th April
Interview date-  6^th May 2025
 

APPLY ONLINE

Please be aware that if you are selected for this role there will be a requirement to undertake a DBS check as part of pre-employment checks.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies. These are listed as essential requirements on the person specification.