Homelessness Prevention Officer
Location
Dover, Kent | United Kingdom
Job description
The Dover District is steeped in history, with the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, several castles including the Lord Warden of Cinque Ports residence, Walmer Castle. As well as the coastline, the District has wonderful countryside, lush valleys and beautiful parks and gardens.
Main Duties:
To support Dover Council’s delivery of homelessness prevention services to individuals or households who may be at risk of future homelessness, with a focus on refugees living in the district.
To be proactive in preventing homelessness by helping customers to sustain their current accommodation, and where appropriate, assist in securing more suitable and affordable accommodation.
To work closely with local private landlords, letting agents and accommodation providers in the Dover District, to promote the DDC landlord incentive scheme. To effectively monitor payments made to accommodation providers and where necessary, support recovery of payments made to customers to prevent homelessness.
Essential Requirements:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
- Ability to use negotiation and influencing skills.
- Proficient in the use of IT systems including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and internet-based systems.
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and use own initiative.
- Ability to build excellent relationships and working partnerships both in the Council and externally with partner organisations.
- Educated to GCSE level in English and Maths Grade C or above, Grades 4-9 or equivalent.
- A good understanding of all relevant benefit issues, including welfare reform changes would be desirable.
- Knowledge of homelessness legislation, in particular the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, would be desirable.
- Ability to work flexibly.
- Hold a full, clean UK driving license, and use of a motor vehicle for business use, or the ability to get to locations in a timely manner equivalent to motor travel in your own vehicle.
Due to the nature of this role the successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as part of their pre-employment clearances.
What do we offer?
- Benenden Membership and Employee Assistance Program
- Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension
- Generous annual leave provision
- Discounts including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre
- On-site parking.
For an informal discussion about this post, please contact, Ms Pam Millington, Senior Housing Options Officer, on 01304 872202.
Job tags
Salary
£30.94k - £35.58k per annum
