Reviews Officer - Housing

Description

To carry out high quality, timely reviews of homelessness decisions (negative homeless decisions, suitability, discharge of duty) under section 202 of the Housing Act 1996; , reviews functions under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017; part VI reviews of Housing register assessment’s and housing offers through choice based lettings

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Manage cases that go to section 204 appeal in the County Court and to further appeal in the higher courts; judicial reviews and other housing court challenges

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To reduce the need for provision of temporary accommodation and resulting expenditure by ensuring effective and timely reviews but also offering good quality options, prevention and relief advice as part of reviews casework

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To take responsibility for the recording of high quality, key data on all types of reviews which support the submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government ensuring key trends on homelessness, the causes and solutions is available. Also ensuring information on homelessness and allocations as it relates to reviews is available for analysis locally to support the management of demand and response to trends

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This is a specialist role that will be at the forefront of the new reviews functions following the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2017.

Role Context:

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This position is fundamental to the provision of housing advice and homelessness services to vulnerable customers who may approach the council for assistance as a result of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reductions Act 2017 duties, and other key housing legislation, alongside the Children Act and the Care Act.

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This is a specialist role that will be at the forefront of the prevention of homelessness, and at the cutting edge following the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2017. In particular the new review and appeal duties created will require adapting to enable the service to comply with the emerging new regime.

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he post holder will be required to have comprehensive knowledge of all housing advice and homelessness legislation, other general housing legislation, welfare benefit expertise and knowledge of the adult & children social care environment and impact and to use this knowledge to support customers and achieve positive outcomes

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The post holder will be required to have specialist knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Children Act, and the Care Act. Combined with specialist knowledge of the Welfare Reform Act.

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The post holder needs to use this knowledge to work collaboratively with customers to resolve their reviews and to identify the most appropriate and effective solutions to their housing problems and to do so proactively at the most appropriate time – ensuring the maximum opportunities for early intervention

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The post holder will be required to be innovative, dynamic and solutions focussed and consider and pursue all available housing options to prevent the customers from becoming homeless.

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The post holder will be required to use their experience to contribute to the ongoing development and design of the service and solutions for customers.

1. Operations and Support

* To contribute as a member of the Reviews and Service Improvement team.

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To manage all aspects of own casework in association with all reviews carried out, keeping detailed case notes, liaising with the customer and their advocates, and responding to solicitors and other correspondence within target and to a very high standard

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To provide any necessary input on cases that are appealed in the County Court and beyond, preparing witness statements and responses to appeal as required in conjunction other officers and managers, and the Council’s Legal Department.

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To take appropriate decisions on requests for interim accommodation pending review or county court appeal.

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To support the response to emergency judicial review applications in a timely and professional way on topics including failure to accommodate pending review, suitability of temporary accommodation offered under s.193, and to work with Legal Services to defend all legal challenges. Respond to pre action protocol letters in cases of threatened Judicial Review proceedings and take appropriate action to ensure the Council complies with its statutory obligations to homeless households.

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To carry out reviews of suitability of temporary accommodation, private rented sector offers and discharges of the homelessness duty including as a result of refusal of part VI offers.

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To fully consider customers vulnerability under either the law on housing, the Care Act 2014, or the Children Act 1989

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Provide appropriate contributions to the development of high quality Personalised Housing Plans.

Knowledge

Excellent current knowledge of housing issues, legislation, case-law, policy and best practice in the delivery of services

Knowledge and commitment to provide first class customer service.

A good knowledge and understanding of the government’s welfare reform programme and its implications for the private rented sector and homelessness

A specialist, knowledge of all homelessness legislation, case law and codes of guidance

A detailed knowledge of housing allocations and the operation of part VI of the Housing Act 1996

Knowledge of private sector housing, security of tenure, protection from eviction and housing standards

A thorough knowledge of the range of services provided by the Council for households who are in housing need.

An understanding of the financial implications of decisions

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