RQ - Temporary Accommodation Officer

This period closes on Thursday October at 12:00.

Job Title: Temporary Accommodation Officer

Grade: SO2

Department: Neighbourhoods and Growth

Division: Housing

Function: Accommodation Services

Reporting to: Temporary AccommodationTeam Manager (Placements or Management)

Responsible for: No staff

Umbrella rate: £216.39 a day

Main Purpose of the Job

Responsible for the day to day allocation and management of Temporary Accommodation, and to provide support and advice to residents to assist them to move on from temporary accommodation. To ensure compliance with legislative and defined standards, contractual arrangements and service objectives.

The post-holder will be required to undertake responsibilities across Temporary Accommodation Placements and Temporary Accommodation Management as directed. Temporary accommodation includes accommodation provided pursuant to Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, and any other temporary accommodation provision outside of this Act, including temporary accommodation provided for other services.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Temporary Accommodation Placements:

1. Allocate a variety of temporary accommodation units including emergency accommodation, and control and conduct all activities leading to admissions and discharges where appropriate in order to achieve the most efficient and economic use of accommodation available.
2. Minimise the inappropriate use of shared accommodation for families with children and ensure that all clients are effectively tracked, monitored and moved on from temporary accommodation where appropriate.
3. Conduct visits where necessary to a range of B&B type establishments to ensure property standards are maintained and occupancy is verified; taking prompt and effective action to address breaches of licence and any disrepair issues.
4. Effectively liaise with and manage the day to day relationships with emergency accommodation providers and out of hours services, providing advice and monitoring their performance in the most effective use of temporary accommodation stock.
5. Provide timely and accurate management information, data and produce detailed reports to assist with the monitoring and supply of the temporary accommodation portfolio.
6. Liaise and work closely with other peer groups across housing and other directorates that have a direct influence on the section promoting a joined up approach in the operational deployment of services.

Temporary Accommodation Management and Move On:

1. Effectively manage the Councils varied portfolio of temporary accommodation (including leased, hostels, direct lets, B&B and Annexe placements and all other types of temporary accommodation) ensuring properties are of good standard, are suitable and fit for purpose.
2. Manage and coordinate the timely hand-backs of leased accommodation to their owners or managing agents and negotiate new leases and renewals with agencies and landlords ensuring suitable TA is supplied through providers that satisfy demand in line with the Councils statutory provisions and move on requirements.
3. Proactively work on a casework basis with all temporary accommodation residents occupying leased, hostels, direct lets, B&B and Annexe placements and all other types of temporary accommodation to assist them to move on from temporary accommodation. Closely monitor and track households occupying TA to ensure that they needs are fully assessed and met in the provision of accommodation and ensure households are promptly moved on once the Council's duty has ended. Be responsible for ensuring casework records and housing application details for residents are up to date and accurate.

Both:

1. Deliver a proactive service to all residents focusing on resident engagement to ensure compliance with licence agreements so that appropriate occupancy and high standards are maintained, relationships with the landlords and agents are developed and customer service and access is optimised.
2. Undertake front-line duties with respect to placements, transfers, move-on and management of temporary accommodation as required. To participate in front-line duties and processes as appropriate to the grade to support the overall aims of the service, including prevention of homelessness and maximisation of revenue collection.
3. Responsible for dealing with all complaints, emergencies, tenancy and Anti Social Behaviour issues taking prompt and remedial effective action and enforcement and/or instigating legal instruction as necessary; providing advice and support as required.
4. To promote and develop initiatives to improve the quality of services to residents and to ensure "value for money" in all aspects of temporary accommodation management implementing systems to ensure and measure resident satisfaction.
5. Oversee the day to day relationships with TA providers and closely manage and monitor the contractual arrangements and their performance ensuring prompt and appropriate actions are taken to address non compliance with contractual management arrangements and to improve performance.
6. Conduct visits to properties as required to ensure property standards are maintained and occupancy is verified; to address issues like complaints, disrepair ASB etc and to ensure property standards are maintained so that they comply with health and safety regulations and legislative requirements; taking prompt and effective action to address any failures and disrepair issues.
7. Provide accurate, detailed reports and up to date information to assist the TA Team Manager in developing and reviewing the demand models to sustain TA supply.
8. Liaise and work closely with other peer groups across housing and other directorates that have a direct influence on the section promoting a joined up approach in the operational deployment of services.

Generic Responsibilities

1. Be a champion for excellent customer service delivery and customer care and contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated service.
2. Be self serving with respect to administration, case record keeping and other related duties and utilise IT systems to update and record information required according to guidance and established procedures.
3. Participate in appraisals, one to ones, objective settings, personal development plans and working group meetings and take a full and active role in service development, including service reviews.
4. To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
5. To carry out the duties of this post with due regard to the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy and to actively promote and uphold the Council's FRESH values.
6. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post, for ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures aimed at promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and adults.
7. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post for promoting diversity including tackling racism and good race, ethnic & community relations.
8. To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, that may be required. These may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the service.

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