Housing Solutions Advisor (Apprenticeship)

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Housing Solutions Advisor (Apprenticeship) on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position:

To provide quality service of housing options advice in order to fulfil the authority's statutory function to prevent homelessness, in accordance with the council's statutory duties under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996 Part VII and related amendments, case law and statutory guidance/instruments.

To accurately assess and give advice, by phone or in person, to prevent homelessness, wherever possible, or to facilitate a move into suitable accommodation in the private or social sector.

To support speedy assessments of cases and refer to the appropriate teams where duties under the HRA have been triggered and assist in the development of the personalised housing plan. To support the Housing Solutions Officer keeping personalised housing plans up-to-date, administration of rent deposit application, financial assessments, and referrals to hostels etc.

To maintain a detailed understanding of security of tenure including tenancy agreements possession proceedings, harassment, illegal eviction, disrepair issues and tenancy sustainment in order to give appropriate housing options & advice.

You must have "Lived in the UK, Gibraltar, EEA, Switzerland, or EU overseas territories for at least the previous 3 years."

To undertake the Housing and Property Management Level 3 Apprenticeship, in addition work towards the Chartered Institute of Housing qualification.

You will be responsible to:

To work proactively to deliver a front line services to individuals and their families at risk of homelessness. To give accurate advice and assist on housing related matters and support individuals and their families to find and secure accommodation including referrals to appropriate services and organisations. This will include working and negotiating with council departments, employment support workers, landlords, external agencies, and legal and health professionals.

To assist caseworkers to undertake completion of financial affordability assessments, developing support plans and co-ordinating the interventions of partner organisations, monitoring and reporting on caseloads and progress. To process rent deposit applications and assist clients with the completion of discretionary housing payments and housing benefit claim forms. Assist residents with obtaining appropriate welfare benefits, and to provide advice and guidance in maintaining full benefit entitlement.

Complete and maintain accurate records allowing casework to be tracked and monitored to ensure the service can be effectively evidenced and evaluated.

To establish eligibility for other services e.g. employment support, stronger families, flying start and obtain consent to make referrals where appropriate. Making referrals to hostels and partners and record outcomes. Refer and signpost residents for ongoing support where appropriate. Promote close working ties with other support agencies to ensure that longer term support is available. Liaise closely with the appropriate support services providing on-going support to vulnerable people.

Work towards and complete all learning modules as a part of your apprenticeship programme, keeping Practice Educators, tutors and mentors up to date with any associated risks both to work programme and course work. Participate actively in your own development plan as agreed with the line manager and apprenticeship assessor, tutor and mentor.

Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a busy and pressurised environment as part of a team to achieve set targets and outcomes
• Demonstrable experience of partnership working, liaison and negotiation with external agencies and partners
• Ability to plan and prioritise own work. To identify barriers to casework progression due to issues involved in working with clients and families with complex, multiple needs and to appropriately challenge failures of clients to meet targets
• Good written skills, being able to communicate accurately and politely by letter and e-mail. Exemplary telephone manner, communicating clearly and effectively
• Ability to deal with challenging and disengagement behaviour in a calm and professional manner to achieve a positive turn-around. Being able to empower individuals to resolve their problems
• Good numerical skills to carry out affordability tests to recommend financial awards/grants/loans
• Demonstrable knowledge of interpreting and applying legislation and policies
• Demonstrable knowledge of interpreting and applying legislation and policies

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.