Housing Solutions Manager

We are looking for an interim Housing Solutions Manager whilst we recruit on a permanent basis. The role is based at Elmbridge Civic Centre, Esher. The successful candidate will be expected to work full-time in the office during their induction period, before moving to hybrid working, but with the majority of time being in the office.
Purpose of Housing Solutions Manager role:

Lead a multi-disciplinary service currently comprising four teams and 22 people.
Provide 1-2-1 support and performance development for team leaders and ensuring this is cascaded effectively through their teams.
In collaboration with your teams, to effectively manage housing performance statistics to help prevent homelessness and ensure the fair allocation of social housing.
Ensure that staff are trained, coached and supported to deliver high quality services.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with partners, colleagues and the voluntary sector.
Lead on the development, implementation and review of a range of housing policies and procedures.
Responsible for the effective monitoring and management of budgets.
Ensuring services are legally compliant, customer focussed and proactive.
Deputise for the Head of Housing Services

Main Housing Solutions Manager responsibilities

To support, manage and give professional advice to the 4 Team Leaders in the Homelessness Prevention and Advice Teams; Private Rented Sector and Temporary Accommodation Team; and Social and Supported Housing Team in the delivery of their day-to-day work and the provision of the Housing Solutions Service.

To manage the delivery of the Housing Solutions Service to comply with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and other associated legislation and guidance.

To respond to councillor and MP enquiries and to handle stage one complaints relevant to the service and where complaints are escalated, to work with colleagues in responding to these.

Where required, to represent the council in statutory investigations such as those led by the Coroners Court or for Serious Case Reviews involving the housing service, preparing and submitting chronologies and documentation and answering questions asked of the Housing Service.

To manage staff within Housing Solutions Service in accordance with the Council's Performance Management framework, monitoring staff performance and where necessary taking informal and formal action at all stages in line with Elmbridge procedures including disciplinary proceedings and management investigations.

To be the council's expert on policy and practice concerning homelessness and the allocation of social housing, providing advice and guidance to senior officers and members as required. To be the main point of contact with civil servants at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on homelessness, housing advice and rough sleeping matters and good practise dissemination.

To be responsible for managing revenue budgets for the Unit around homelessness prevention, the operation of the housing register and the provision and use of temporary accommodation. To provide reasons for variations as requested and to minimise financial risk to the council.

With the Head of Housing Services, to make effective use of the council's Homeless Prevention Grant and Rough Sleeper Initiative funding, commissioning services (where appropriate) and ensuring all reporting requirements to Central Government are complied with.

To ensure that trained personnel and comprehensive policies and processes are in place to enable the Housing Solutions Service can deliver services and decisions that comply with the law.

To be the reviewing officer where initial decisions were made by Team Leaders and to work with Legal & Governance Services in responding to legal challenges relating to the Housing Solutions Service.

To collaborate with the Housing Services Management Team on the development of a robust Housing, Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy for Elmbridge and leading on the delivery of actions relevant to the Housing Solutions Service.

Person Housing Solutions Manager Specification (mandatory elements)
A. Qualifications and education

Educated to degree level or equivalent working experience.

B. Mandatory experience

Proven successful track record in homelessness and housing advice for a local authority.
Experience of managing the allocation of social housing and the operation of social housing registers
Significant experience of multidisciplinary line management responsibility

C. Required skills, knowledge and abilities include

Detailed knowledge and experience of the Homelessness Act 2002, Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 the Code of Guidance, case law, relevant Regulations and legislation on Housing Register assessment and the Allocation of social housing
Ability to lead, manage, advise and motivate others.
Ability to work using own initiative and assuming a high level of individual responsibility and workload, self-motivated, meeting deadlines and prioritising workload
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to tailor your style to different audiences
Ability to be innovative and capable of developing new projects to meet changing needs
Proficient at using Microsoft software and capable of maximising the use of software applications
Committed to equal opportunities and providing customer focussed services
A sound understanding of budget management responsibilities
Must be able to take forward the management change culture for the Housing Solutions Service.
Must hold a full UK driving licence
Must be able to attend evening meetings

Rate of pay is £36.49ph
Full brief on request