Supported letting officer

JD:

Supported Lettings Officer

Southwark, UK (Hybrid)

Summary

Requires someone who has experience of working with ex offenders in housing need and with an understanding of the support available to them on release from prison. You will lead on assessing and supporting this cohort to secure accommodation in the private rented sector procured by colleagues within the councils supported lettings team following the completion of an affordability assessment. There will be an element of work around expectation management with customers in relation to affordability, risks and areas where they can live. Once moved in They will lead on providing resettlement support for up to 12 weeks to support customers to settle in accommodation.

Purpose Of The Job

• To support and coordinate support services and information to homeless ex offenders to enable them to acquire accommodation in the private rented sector, to live independently and to maintain their tenancies.

• To liaise with key partners and stakeholders and ensure that additional support such as mental health, drugs and alcohol recovery are provided for customers that are in need.

• To promote the use of the private rented sector as a viable alternative to social rented housing, in order to encourage independence, prevent homelessness, provide settled housing solutions and reduce the Council’s use of temporary accommodation.

Principal Accountabilities

• To assess ex offenders for suitability to move into the private rented sector with support.

• Provide tenancy sustainment support ensuring tenancies in the private rented sector are sustainable.

• To provide advice on all processes leading to acquiring a private rented sector tenancy and tenancy sustainment service for residents assessed and accepted for the council’s accommodation for ex-offenders service requiring assistance.

• To identify the welfare and support needs as well as considering any risks of ex offenders requiring private rented accommodation through visits and other contacts, reports from internal officers and collaborative working with other agencies including Probation and the Police .

• To carry out accompanied viewings following risk assessments with applicants and provide them with advice and guidance on all aspects of lettings (including welfare benefits, tenancy responsibilities) to assist them in making an informed decision.

• Assist applicants to explore other housing options where available such as, options for settled accommodation outside of London, Flat share schemes etc.

• Preparation of tenancy support material required to enable sustainable tenancies. To ensure that applicants are provided with information on local services where accommodated and signposted to local services where applicable such as GP’s, Dentists, Job Centre places of Worship etc.

• To act as a point of contact for landlords and tenants who are experiencing difficulties in sustaining tenancies, including working with the supported lettings team to militate against tenancy breakdowns. Identifying measures to enable appropriate solutions.

• To assist in the provision of a tenancy sign up and sustainment service to ensure assured short hold tenancies are successfully signed up and sustained.

• To understand, and keep up to date with local and national policies affected by legislation with regard to welfare reforms and housing.

• To support occupants in liaising with Landlords and/ or other bodies regarding disrepair and complaints.

• Work collaboratively with the councils supported lettings service to ensure all landlords and tenants comply with their respective contractual agreements.

• Work effectively and efficiently with colleagues within the service, across other departments and external agencies to deliver an excellent customer focused service meeting individual, team, service and corporate targets & KPIs.

• Provide advice to tenants on all aspects of lettings including but not limited to housing benefit, universal credit, benefit caps, welfare reforms, property standards.

• Liaise with colleagues in the Housing Solutions service to provide a streamlined and seamless service to customers moving out of temporary accommodation into the private rented sector, ensuring efficient processes are put in place to discharge the authority’s housing duty by facilitating the offer of private rented sector accommodation.

• Maintain accurate written and electronic records/information with regard to properties, landlords and applicants including general contact information and any other relevant information associated with delivering a resettlement service, keeping this information up to date.

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with other Council services and a wide range of other stakeholders in order to facilitate the flow of information, encourage joint working and co-operation, achieve the prompt resolution of complex problems and ensure that, even where input is required from a number of teams, service delivery is properly coordinated and the service user is kept fully informed of developments.

• Deliver a streamlined high quality customer focused service ensuring telephone calls, emails, letters and complaints are fully responded to promptly and to the highest possible standard in compliance with corporate guidelines or as instructed by the team manager.

• Carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunities and Data Protection policies and core values.

• All employees are required to comply with the Council’s Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times, taking due care for themselves, colleagues and members of the public.

• Undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the service