Housing Officer- Ukraine Support

This role, reporting to the Housing Support Supervisor, will provide housing support to hosts and guests participating in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. The role will focus upon working with both hosts and their guests to secure sustainable housing solutionsand to prevent any potential incidents of homelessness.
**Main duties and responsibilities**:

- To undertake visits to assess properties suitability under the homes for Ukraine (and other) scheme(s).
- To play a key role in the new rematching team providing an effective ‘rematching’ service for the Homes for Ukraine scheme across South and Vale
- To work as part of a team providing mediation to try and resolve the need for rematching, making appropriate rematching arrangements where necessary
- To work closely with and building relationships across the Councils in Oxfordshire to rehouse families
- To be an effective member of the Rematching team as well as working collaboratively with colleagues across the department to support the objectives of the Housing Needs team; homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing and excellent customer outcomes.
- To work with Ukrainian and other families where the relationship between host and guest is breaking down to minimise homelessness presentations and use of temporary accommodation through mediation, rematching and other early intervention measures.
- Where necessary, to undertake prevention and homelessness casework and make decisions in accordance with homelessness legislation.
- Where necessary to liaise effectively with registered providers, social services and other partner agencies to promote the best interests of our customers.
- To work with internal council teams, statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure appropriate support packages are in place for Ukrainian households that require housing assistance.
- Provide regular reports to the Ukrainian Housing Support Supervisor on progress to resolve housing provision issues for Ukrainian households.
- Have an understanding of the 1996 Housing Act (Parts VI and VII); the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act; tenancy law and other legislation relevant to housing need and homelessness and provide support to the Ukrainian Housing Case Worker
- Collate data and compile reports as required
- Undertake rematching and move on duties and include rematching on government database.
- Attend meetings in relation to Homes for Ukraine as required.
- The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility, and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.
**Your essential skills, knowledge and experience**:

- ability to use IT systems including Excel
- excellent oral and written communication skills
- ability to take the lead on areas of work to improve the service
- ability to take part in our out of hours service
- experience of dealing with vulnerable people and people who are distressed
- excellent time management and prioritisation skills
- ability to follow process and procedures
- excellent record keeping skills
- effective negotiation and communication skills
- dynamism and drive, be a proven self-starter, enthusiastic, proactive and determined
- Able to liaise effectively with people at all levels including senior level in organisations
- flexible approach, able to pick up new tasks quickly using own initiative
- full and current driving licence and use of car for business
**Your essential qualifications**:

- educated to degree level or equivalent, or equivalent level of experience
**If you have the following experience or qualifications - it’s a bonus**:

- experience of working in a local government environment
**About us**
Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.
We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high quality cost effective services.
**The benefits we offer**:

- A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
- Flexible working and annualised hours - a flexible approach to work that our employees love
- Salary pay awards
- A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
- The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme
- A salary sacrifice car lease scheme - a fully inclusive driving package for a fixed monthly cost
- Various schemes to keep you healthy
- We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.
**Salary**: Grade 6 - £37,891 to £43,191
**Contract**: 12 month fixed term contract with option to extend
**Hours**: 37 - some evening and weekend work may be occasionally required
**Location**: Hybrid - home, on district and Council Offices 135 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB/ Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JE as required.
You may also have experience in the following Supported Housing Officer, Domestic Violence, Outreach Officer, Housing Association, Project Worker, Housing and Income Officer, Sheltered Housing Officer, Social Worker, Property Management, Housing Liaison, NeighbourhoodHousing Officer etc.
Ref: 135 339