Housing Advice Officer

Job DescriptionJob Description Housing Options & Homelessness Prevention Officer** ________________________________________ 1. Job Purpose * To provide a statutory homelessness and housing advice service in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. * To prevent homelessness through early intervention, comprehensive assessments, the preparation and implementation of Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs), and the delivery of practical housing advice. * To support senior officers and managers by contributing to statutory duties, service improvements, and effective case management. * To deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service to a diverse range of clients, including vulnerable and disadvantaged households. ________________________________________ 2. Key Responsibilities 2.1 Statutory Homelessness & Prevention Duties * Deliver statutory homelessness assessments in line with the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and associated statutory guidance. * Prepare, update, and publish Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) to prevent or relieve homelessness. * Undertake detailed housing needs assessments, identifying causes of homelessness and appropriate prevention measures. * Take all reasonable steps to prevent homelessness through tailored support, advice, and interventions. * Ensure all statutory notifications and decisions are accurate and issued within legislative timescales. 2.2 Housing Advice and Options * Provide high-quality, accessible advice to households on housing options, homelessness prevention, tenancy rights, affordability, private rented sector access, and support services available. * Tailor advice to diverse and vulnerable households, ensuring communication is clear, empathetic, and customer-centred. * Work with clients to explore all viable solutions, ensuring sustainable long-term outcomes. 2.3 Casework Management * Maintain an accurate and up-to-date caseload, ensuring all actions are recorded promptly and case notes meet audit standards. * Resolve complex casework issues through comprehensive investigations, liaison with partners, and proactive problem-solving. * Monitor case progression in line with statutory requirements, service priorities, and performance targets. 2.4 Partnership & Multi-Agency Working * Work proactively with internal teams, statutory services, voluntary agencies, support providers, and external stakeholders to prevent homelessness and secure positive housing outcomes. * Promote and embed multi-agency collaboration in all casework and service delivery. * Refer households to relevant specialist support services where appropriate, including domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, benefits, and financial inclusion. 2.5 Fraud Prevention & Compliance * Contribute to the prevention and detection of fraud by identifying irregularities and referring cases to the Council's fraud team where required. * Ensure compliance with legislation, policy, good practice, data protection, and safeguarding responsibilities. To Apply reach out to me on (phone number removed) Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.Eden Brown Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number (phone number removed). Our registered address is 5th floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, part of nGAGE Specialist Recruitment Limited T/A nGAGE Talent. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. This message is intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to us, and immediately and permanently delete it. Do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. We take reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email but cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage sustained as a result of computer viruses and the recipient must ensure that the email (and attachments) are virus free