Homelessness Officer

**Job Description**: Job Title: Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer Location: Harrow Council Employer: Pertemps Recruitment Partnership for Harrow Council Contract Type: Temporary ongoing assignment Hours of Work: 36 hours per week Overview of a Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer: Pertemps have an exciting opportunity within Harrow Council for a self-driven and motivated Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer to join an expanding team. The role of Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer has a competitive pay rate of £18.59 per hour (negotiable). Other benefits include excellent training and support for career development and 21 days of holiday (excluding Bank Holidays). The Main Purpose of a Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer: " To take part in the Duty Triage rota and to assist customers through general reception, telephone, and electronic enquiries with appropriate advice. " To deliver intensive, specialist support to homeless clients. " To manage a caseload of people who are currently experiencing a housing crisis and provide a service that seeks to minimise the duration of that crisis. " To understand the complex, multiple needs as well as strengths of those individuals; and develop trusting, non-dependent relationships to improve their confidence and motivation to progress towards their next step in housing " To empower individuals to find their solution to their housing crisis, drawing on the assistance provided by the Homeless Prevention & Solutions Team. " To create individual Personal Housing Plans (PHPs) for everyone in housing need to sustain existing accommodation and/or find new housing, taking account of their circumstances and keeping the plan under review. " To carry out all agreed actions in the PHP the Council is to take on the time and update the plans promptly. " To help people to understand the rented housing market, keeping up to date with Local Housing Allowance, benefit changes, and opportunities. " To provide some support for individuals through the resettlement process when moving to a new home. About you, the successful will have: " Comprehensive knowledge of all core legislation such as the Housing Act 1985, Housing Act 1996 as amended by Homelessness Act 2002, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, housing needs issues, related legislation, and case law. " Good working knowledge of housing benefit rules and the supply and demand issues related to public sector and private housing in a London council. " Expert knowledge of homelessness policy and practice " Experience of negotiation/advocacy/mediation. " Experience in effective record keeping including electronically. " Experience in carrying out interviews, investigations, and negotiations. About Us " For almost 60 years, Pertemps Recruitment Partnership has been the market leader in providing permanent and temporary staffing solutions and we are one of the most established players within the recruitment industry. The Sunday Times has listed us as one of the Best 100 Companies to work for 14 years running. We are not a big scary faceless company, quite the opposite: we strongly believe in the personal touch with everything we do. We are proud to be accredited 'investor in people' which is reflected across our business in the length of service and career progression of our employees. " Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.