Discharge of Duty Officer

3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
To undertake the proper lettings of temporary accommodation to those who have approached the Council for housing advice and assistance and have been deemed we owe a duty to in accordance with the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.
To properly and legally work to discharge any duty held where this is required and placement termination is necessary.
To manage discharges of duty within specific cases and be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments and legal decisions that can withstand legal scrutiny and are successful at the review stage or in court.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
To maintain a working knowledge of legislation and subsequent or relevant statutes case law and Council policy relating to the management and provision of temporary accommodation.
To maintain a working knowledge of homelessness legislation to work to reduce temporary accommodation occupancy where termination of placement is required.
To ensure void properties are properly managed and to minimise the use of Bed and Breakfast/Hotel Accommodation.
In conjunction with the Income Recovery/Arrears Team and the Temporary Accommodation Finance Officer to ensure proper financial control and the timely discharge of the Council s liabilities. To ensure that the team maximises rental income taking appropriate legal action where necessary.
To ensure relevant advice is provided to tenants on sustaining temporary accommodation in respect of nonbreach of tenancy for any reason and to prevent and detect fraud.
To manage discharges of duty within specific cases in compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act and conduct comprehensive assessments including affordability and suitability and legal decisions that can withstand legal scrutiny.
To address breaches of tenancy conditions including nuisance racial or sexual harassment domestic abuse or threats to the wellbeing and safety of occupants and all forms of antisocial behaviour. To ensure appropriate management action against perpetrators including immediate eviction and lock changes and any discharge of duty as instructed by Senior Managers.
To monitor and regularly visit all temporary accommodation tenancies to provide a tenancy management service including identifying unauthorised occupation and take action promptly to ensure efficient use of properties and prevent consequential financial losses. To ensure that all visits are in line with the Council s procedures in relation to officer safety.
To provide a housing service to all temporary accommodation tenants with a special need in respect of physical or mental health age or other circumstances where support is needed and to liaise with Social Services and other support agencies to secure the delivery of community care services as appropriate making referrals where necessary. To ensure safeguarding for both adults and children in TA and to attend or arrange necessary professional meetings in relation to complex cases.
To represent the service at relevant forums and meetings on temporary accommodation issues as required. To respond to customer Councillor and thirdparty enquiries whilst strictly adhering to GDPR guidelines with clarity and empathy. To assist the Housing Allocation Manager in the response to MP enquiries.
To collate and monitor data and produce reports and detailed documents as required.
Ensure compliance with and promotion of Slough s Health and Safety management and equality and diversity policies.
Undertake project work as directed by the Housing Allocation Manager and carry out any other reasonable duties as are commensurate with the post.
Skills/Experience:
Extensive experience of homelessness legislation guidance and case law including proficiency in affordability and suitability assessments.
Extensive experience of legislation and subsequent or relevant statutes case law and Council policy relating to the management and provision of temporary accommodation.
Experience of working in a highprofile frontline housing needs service dealing with complex needs with a commitment to equalities and working in a diverse environment.
Experience of working in a multicultural community and within an urban environment.
Consistently achieves high levels of accuracy when recording information in systems and complies with set processes and procedures.
Ability to write clear accurate and concise records and legally binding decision letters with the ability to analyse data from a variety of sources.
The ability to communicate effectively at interview and in writing with customers with senior managers and members of the Council including Councillors and a range of stakeholders on a wide range of complex and sensitive issues.
The ability to organise work to deadlines and targets whilst working effectively under pressure and to work with initiative and minimum supervision whilst also being an effective team player.
To demonstrate excellent negotiation investigative organisational and administrative skills.
Ability to produce concise and accurate management information on all performance measures relating to Temporary Accommodation.
Extensive knowledge of housing law homeless legislation/guidance/case law and that relating to security of tenure and the Councils temporary accommodation duties to homeless households.
A broad knowledge of tenancy law and how this relates to TA and the eviction process.
Good numeracy and an understanding of rent accounting and the principles of housing benefit administration.
An understanding of the principles of tenancy management and the efficient control of empty properties income maximisation and fraud prevention.
Degree or equivalent level of qualification or experience.
Evidence of continual professional development.
Must have a full clean UK driving licence and the use of a car for business purposes.
Additional Information:
The closing date: 14/02/25 @18:00.
Hybrid role: 2 days/week from the office 3 days/week WFH.

Extensive experience of homelessness legislation, guidance, and case law including proficiency in affordability and suitability assessments. Extensive experience of legislation and subsequent or relevant statutes, case law and Council policy relating to the management and provision of temporary accommodation. Experience of working in a high-profile front-line housing needs service dealing with complex needs with a commitment to equalities and working in a diverse environment. Experience of working in a multi-cultural community and within an urban environment. Consistently achieves high levels of accuracy when recording information in systems and complies with set processes and procedures. Ability to write clear, accurate and concise records and legally binding decision letters with the ability to analyse data from a variety of sources. The ability to communicate effectively at interview and in writing with customers, with senior managers and members of the Council including Councillors and a range of stakeholders on a wide range of complex and sensitive issues. The ability to organise work to deadlines and targets, whilst working effectively under pressure, and to work with initiative and minimum supervision whilst also being an effective team player. To demonstrate excellent negotiation, investigative, organisational and administrative skills. Ability to produce concise and accurate management information on all performance measures relating to Temporary Accommodation. Extensive knowledge of housing law, homeless legislation/guidance/case law, and that relating to security of tenure and the Council\'s temporary accommodation duties to homeless households. A broad knowledge of tenancy law and how this relates to TA and the eviction process. Good numeracy, and an understanding of rent accounting and the principles of housing benefit administration. An understanding of the principles of tenancy management and the efficient control of empty properties, income maximisation and fraud prevention. Degree or equivalent level of qualification or experience. Evidence of continual professional development. Must have a full, clean UK driving licence and the use of a car for business purposes.
Key Skills
CCTV,Federal Agencies,Clearance,Facility,Incident Reports,Hazardous Materials,Public Safety,Law Enforcement,Professional Development,Access Control,General Public,Procedures,DoD,Powerpoint
Employment Type : Full Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Monthly Salary Salary: UM 25 - 25

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