Temporary Accommodation Visiting Officer - AR

Temporary Accommodation Visiting Officer

Slough Borough Council, Housing Services - TA & Housing Allocations.

Role Purpose

The Temporary Accommodation Visiting Officer will ensure that households placed in temporary accommodation (TA) by Slough Borough Council are living in accommodation that is safe, suitable, and meets statutory standards. The role includes carrying out regular visits and suitability assessments, preventing and detecting fraud, and working with households and providers to improve accommodation standards. The post-holder must understand the impact of living in temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast accommodation, on individuals and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Suitability and Property Assessments
• Conduct regular visits to temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast and nightly paid accommodation.
• Complete suitability assessments in line with legislation and council policy.
• Identify health and safety risks, overcrowding, disrepair, or poor management and escalate concerns.
• Ensure accommodation meets required standards and take action where it does not.

• Resident Engagement and Support
• Engage sensitively with households in temporary accommodation.
• Demonstrate understanding of the impact of temporary accommodation on wellbeing, mental health, family life, and children's education.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and make appropriate referrals.

• Fraud Prevention and Detection
• Verify occupancy and household composition during visits.
• Prevent, identify, and report potential housing-related fraud.
• Work with internal teams to protect public funds.

• Monitoring and Partnership Working
• Maintain accurate records and reports.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and accommodation providers.
• Contribute to service improvement and reduction of bed and breakfast use.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:
GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths, or relevant experience.

Desirable:
- Housing-related qualification (e.g. CIH).
- Training in safeguarding, fraud awareness, or health and safety.

Knowledge

Essential:
Knowledge of homelessness legislation - Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act, and temporary accommodation suitability.
-Knowledge of Welfare Benefits
- Understanding of the impact of living in temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast.
- Awareness of housing standards, safeguarding, and fraud prevention.

Desirable:
- Local authority housing functions.

Experience

Essential:
- Experience working in housing, homelessness, or a related field.
- Experience visiting properties and service users.
- Experience dealing with vulnerable people.
- Good written and communication skills

Desirable:
- Local authority experience.
- Experience of suitability assessments or fraud investigation.

Skills and Attributes

Essential:
- Strong communication and assessment skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage workload.
- High levels of professionalism, integrity, and empathy.

Additional Requirements

Essential:
- Full, clean UK driving licence.
- Access to a suitably insured vehicle to undertake visits, including out-of-borough placements.
- Ability to travel independently across Slough and surrounding areas.