Local Authority Housing Fund

About the role
Who we are:
Here at North Northamptonshire Council (NNC), we provide a wide range of services to its residents and the growing number of businesses based locally. As a Council, we are passionate about providing high quality services to our communities, residents, and businesses. This means we need to employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people. As a new unitary authority, we are excited with the opportunity we have in building the Council of the future with our local communities. The Council is creating a “one team” culture which will be central to our future approach and will build the solid foundations needed to drive future service improvement.

What we do:
The Refugee Resettlement Team provides specialist support to meet the needs of families and individuals resettled, or those looking to resettle, in North Northamptonshire through various refugee resettlement programmes, such as, Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), Homes for Ukraine or under the nationwide Asylum Dispersal Policy.

The Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) is provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to local authorities in England to provide accommodation to families with housing needs who have arrived in the UK via Ukrainian and Afghan resettlement and relocation schemes. NNC are participating in the LAHF scheme to alleviate the current pressures on the housing system by acquiring additional properties to house refugee families.

What will you be doing?
Your role:
We are looking we are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and forward-thinking LAHF Project Officer who possesses drive, initiative and confidence. Reporting to the Communities & Wellbeing Project Manager, you will support newly arrived refugee families to resettle in North Northamptonshire and to provide them with tailored support to be able to sustain their tenancies and to live productive and fulfilling lives. NNC is acquiring a number of properties under the LAHF to house refugee families, and therefore the LAHF Project Officer's role will be to support the families moving into these properties. This is a truly unique opportunity to be part of this exciting journey of service transformation across North Northamptonshire. This is a wide-ranging role which will require you to work with directorates throughout the Council and beyond, including community groups and organisations, and voluntary sector partners.

Your main focus will be on providing bespoke casework and tenancy support to newly arrived refugee families. You will support families to set up their new homes, provide early orientation and integration advice, and ensure that families are able to live and thrive in their new homes by supporting them with ongoing advice and casework. You will also be key in ensuring that families understand their rights and responsibilities in the UK and to help them adapt to their new lives in the UK.

Where you will be working:
The team is currently based in Kettering, but NNC has a flexible working policy and supports hybrid and home working options. The ability to travel between sites across North Northamptonshire is essential to this post. There may also be occasions where you will be required to work outside of normal office hours.

About you
- experience of working in supporting vulnerable people in a housing or care related setting
- experience of delivering a high-quality bespoke support services to individuals and families and managing a complex caseload
- experience with working with people who speak English as a second language
- outstanding communication skills, both written and oral
- possess an abundance of drive and determination

It would also be nice for you to have:

- experience of working with refugees and/or asylum seekers
- experience of working in a local authority
- understanding of supporting vulnerable people and safeguarding processes and procedures

Application:
The Council offers a range of benefits and flexible working hours.

North Northamptonshire Council is an equal opportunities employer.

About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

**Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.**
- We are undertaking consultation with the Trade Unions on terms