Opus People Solutions on behalf of Oxford City Council are recruiting for a Accommodation & Sustainment Officer to join their team on a temporary contract

Start Date:

ASAP

Length:

3 Months

Working Location:

Flexible working arrangements

Working Hours:

37

Overall purpose of the role:

• To be an effective member of the Accommodation and Sustainment team and contribute to the delivery of excellent service across all Council Departments.
• Responsible for properties, void management and maintenance of first stage temporary accommodation for a defined number of properties within Oxford and Oxfordshire.
• Day to day key holders for all temporary stock, SALTO equipment, IMO's and SVPRS properties.
• Give advice to customers, where appropriate on re housing options, including prospects through Choice Based Lettings, Real Lettings, Rent Guarantee Scheme, Lord Mayors Deposit Scheme. Education and employment, training, debt and money advice.
• To liaise with external support providers as well as co-ordinate and influence the activities of other council services including Property, Direct Services, Health and Safety.
• To act as the first point of contact for Landlords, Licensees, Tenants, Support Workers, Partners, Stakeholders, Community and other Council services in respect of Councils temporary accommodation dwellings.
• Provide support and tenancy sustainment for clients placed in temporary accommodation and IMO properties.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Managing a defined number of temporary accommodation properties of varying tenures and to act as a first point of contact for the landlords and customers, ensuring that a high quality of customer care and service is delivered at all times.
2. Prepare properties and work with the allocations team to identify suitable available temporary accommodation. Co-ordinate and provide sign up and viewing information including placement packs containing all the relevant details about the accommodation, local area, local services and amenities.
3. Take full ownership and responsibility for a patch focusing on viewings and sign-ups for first stage temporary accommodation, completing immediate housing benefit claims and to assist in other claims for welfare benefits. Assisting clients move in, and ensuring they are familiar with the accommodation (including fire escapes and fire safety equipment).
4. Responsible for ensuring that all licensee's are fully aware of their contractual terms, rights and obligations relating to the Licence Agreement. Making sure they are fully aware of any changes to their tenure during their application process. Notify, update and instruct all relevant internal and external parties and systems once licensee is successfully placed or moved on.
5. Liaise/work with relevant external support agencies, health service, schools, Family Solutions Service, Young Carers, Headway, Asylum welcome, translation service, Welfare Reform, CAB. To ensure that residents needs are met and that they have a realistic understanding of their options of alternative accommodation. To ensure re-housing prospects, improving access to education, employment, training, debt, money advice, and childcare services; and to gather information on any relevant changes to the clients circumstances.
6. Visiting accommodation on a regular basis, including welfare checks to monitor well-being and occupancy, ASB and adherence to the licence agreement. Undertake monthly property inspections in accordance with Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as per an agreed work plan, or when requested and to keep all records accurate and up to date as necessary.

Qualifications/Experience Needed:

• Educated to A level or equivalent of 3 years housing experience
• Experience of working for a local authority or registered provider in a housing management environment
• Experience of working in partnership with residents, tenants and individuals, demonstrating the ability and skills to negotiate and influence in regards to their often unpredictable needs.
• Experience of preparing complex tenancy enforcement cases and representing the council at the County Court, giving evidence as the Councils main witness.
• Experience of working and managing a diverse customer base including vulnerable tenants with multiple and complex needs
• Ability to demonstrate an expert professional knowledge of current landlord and tenant legislation, guidance, best practice and case law
• Sufficiently mobile to undertake visits, site inspections (including existing stock and new build sites) and travel around the city as necessary providing excellent customer service utilising strong communication skills and partnership working.