3 months contract with local authority

Responsibilities:

1. Manage and conduct the review process for Part VI and Part VII applications, including preparation of papers, minuting, and following up decisions in writing.
   
2. Conduct, determine, and issue decisions on homeless reviews in compliance with statutory timescales and regulatory framework.
   
3. Be senior in rank or grade to the officer who took the original decision, in compliance with statute.
   
4. Write complex review decision letters ensuring compliance with law and good practice.
   
5. Ensure statutory decisions are able to withstand political, media, and legal scrutiny.
   
6. Provide effective and professional Review and Appeal service on behalf of the Housing Options and Homelessness service.
   
7. Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and case law.
   
8. Ensure reviews are dealt with in accordance with the law and council policy.
   
9. Manage a caseload and own time efficiently to ensure all deadlines are met.
   
10. Liaise with applicants and their representatives regarding their application for review and review decisions in line with legislation, good practice, and case law.
    
11. Instruct legal services and provide recommendations concerning legal challenges arising from decisions.
    
12. Determine and issue decisions regarding the provision of temporary accommodation pending appeals.
    
13. Manage and control the use of temporary accommodation during the review and Court appeal process.
    
14. Conduct, determine, and issue all Part VI reviews where necessary, in accordance with Islington’s Allocation scheme.
    
15. Conduct, determine, and issue medical reviews, be responsible for the re-assessment of applications from people seeking housing on medical grounds.
    
16. Develop and maintain high standards of timely decision-making on homelessness reviews, housing register appeals, and complex customer complaints.
    
17. Liaise with Legal Services to ensure that decisions regarding legal challenges are made in the best interest of the Council.
    
18. Recommend and implement changes in procedure where necessary.
    
19. Disseminate good practice and provide feedback decisions to relevant managers and staff.
    
20. Enter, update, and extract information from the Council’s IT systems as required and maintain performance information on the review function.
    
21. Prepare applicants' files for disclosure where necessary.
    
22. Develop, disseminate, and train on procedures for dealing with reviews and appeals and any other related matters.
    
23. Investigate and respond to enquiries received from applicants, other council officers, MP’s councillors, and external bodies.
    
24. Undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.