Housing & Welfare Officer

We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in Walsall to assist with the appointment of a Housing & Welfare Officer on a 4-month contract likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay: 15.86 - 20.07 per hour

Summary:

The Housing & Welfare Officer will provide specialist housing and welfare support to residents across the Borough of Walsall. The role involves delivering high-quality customer service providing advice on housing rights and welfare benefits preventing and resolving homelessness and representing customers in tribunals or court hearings where required. The officer will also support joint initiatives with internal and external partners and ensure services are responsive accessible and aligned with Council policies and objectives.

This role requires flexibility including working on a standby and call-out rota out-of-hours weekends and across multiple locations.

Responsibilities:

• Provide expert advice and assistance to members of the public applying for housing or welfare benefits.
• Assess risk manage referrals and resolve enquiries efficiently ensuring timely service delivery.
• Prevent and resolve homelessness through guidance negotiation and support including assisting vulnerable groups such as youth ex-offenders and individuals with mental health or substance misuse challenges.
• Assess suitability for the Councils private rented sector access schemes and support tenants in meeting their obligations.
• Make statutory decisions on homelessness applications in line with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and relevant guidance.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs (AC) including Maths and English or equivalent.

Requirements:

• Proven experience delivering housing and welfare services in accordance with legislation and Council policies.
• Experience developing and maintaining positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience working with vulnerable groups and managing complex casework.
• Experience representing customers in tribunals or court hearings is desirable.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Relevant housing welfare or social care qualifications desirable but not essential where equivalent experience is held.

Please note:

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K
• This role requires an Enhanced DBS

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary though assignments can be and often are extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

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