Job Advert

Salary: Grade 8, starting at £28,340 per annum (pay award pending)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Place of Work: Agile working from offices in Dereham and Thetford and some home working

Basis: Permanent

Would you like a job where what you do:

• Makes a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in your community?
• Ensures excellent quality of advice and assistance given to people threatened with homelessness?

We are seeking someone to develop innovative approaches to the prevention and relief of homelessness, carry out homeless prevention activity early and assist customers to plan for their housing need.

The successful applicants would receive training and assistance to help them learn the role, they are not expected to hit the ground running. 

About you:

The type of person that you are and your attitude is just as important to us as your working experience.  People like dealing with you because you make things easy for them to understand and you focus on and listen to what they say. You are empathetic and will do whatever you can to help, which allows you to quickly establish rapport and build strong relationships. You provide fair and accurate feedback to others, helping them to believe in themselves, see what they are capable of achieving and create the conditions for people to grow and develop for themselves.  You are quite happy to take responsibility for your own decisions and accountabilities.

You will deal sensitively with situations that may be challenging but require clear and logical decisions to be made. You keep going no matter how difficult things get, and use setbacks as a springboard for greater success.You have an inner composure whatever the situation and are exceptionally well-organised, ensuring that everything you do is accurate and error free. Although you plan your work out in advance, you regularly re-prioritise to manage changing demands. Although you like to work within fixed guidelines you enjoy working out how things can be improved or done better.

You are passionate about providing the best possible service for our residents.

Collaborative

• You look for ways to work in partnership and listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing your views and knowledge
• You recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input

Ambitious

• You always ask yourself 'How could we do this better?'
• You take ownership of change and help others to understand, adapt to, implement and embed change

Results-driven

• You make sure you are clear on what you need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions
• You are driven to achieve results and show courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan

Empowering

• You show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo - acting on opportunities to generate income or reduce costs, embracing new technology and promoting digitalisation
• You ask for help and support when needed, and take responsibility if things don't go well, learning from it for your own and for the organisation's development

Supportive

• You treat others as you would want to be treated myself ensuring you are welcoming, friendly and approachable
• You understand and take care of your own well-being and of that of those around you, and give time to colleagues who need help or support

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

As a Housing Solutions Officer you will:

• Provide customers approaching the council with timely and comprehensive housing advice and information and support to access services covering a range of housing issues including:
  • Housing and tenancy rights in both private and social rented sectors and for homeowners.
  • Financial advice including housing and welfare benefits, maximising income and tackling debt.
  • Housing options including private rented sector, housing register, specialist accommodation such as refuges and low cost home ownership.
  • The council's statutory duties under the homelessness legislation.
• Give advice on the wide range of housing options available to clients in differing circumstances, including the signposting clients to relevant third parties.
• Take a creative approach to preventing homelessness through the use of a comprehensive toolkit, including applying for DHPs, negotiating with landlords and applying to charities for assistance to name but a few.
• Undertake homelessness prevention and relief casework-managing a varied and complex caseload.
• Undertake landlord/tenant advice and dispute resolution.