3 months contract with a local authority

Job Purpose

• Service Delivery relating to Benefits and Housing Needs including the assessment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction; discretionary payments; welfare reform; homeless prevention and the provision of housing advice; homeless assessments and reviews; the Council’s Housing Register; Lettings and the allocation of social housing and related initiatives; Housing supply and procurement; the management and maintenance of temporary accommodation and associated financial monitoring, payments and income collection; complaints, Member enquiries and FOIs.
  

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• To perform all functions within the Benefits and Housing Needs Service namely the processing of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, welfare reform support including discretionary schemes, homelessness prevention and advice, homeless assessment, housing register applications, lettings of housing, housing supply and procurement, management and maintenance of temporary accommodation, financial monitoring and maintenance, payments, complaints, members and mayoral enquiries and FOI requests.
  
• To deliver an efficient, high quality and customer-focussed service for a diverse client group including high numbers of vulnerable and disadvantaged households.
  
• To mentor both new members of staff and staff from other areas in legislation, practice, procedures, performance of duties and guidance on complex case work.
  
• To protect the public purse and assets of the Council by identifying and preventing fraud and error in all duties.
  
• To apply the relevant legislation, procedures, caselaw, guidance, audit recommendations, to conduct rigorous, robust and accurate assessments.
  

Essential Experience Required

• Extensive knowledge and substantial experience of at least one of the following disciplines:
  
• Homeless assessments and reviews; o Homeless prevention and housing advice
  
• Temporary Accommodation management, maintenance, income collection and financial monitoring and payments
  
• Housing Supply and procurement
  
• Lettings, Allocations and the Housing Register; o Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction schemes
  
• Discretionary payments and Local Welfare Support
  

Essential Qualification Required

• Membership of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation and/or Chartered Institute of Housing is desirable.
  
• GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics is essential.
  

Additional information to note

• Working hours: 36 hours per week
  

The closing date for this role is 23rd April 2025.