Job Ref: 215128809

Date: 2021-11-10 16:36:03

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On behalf of our Milton Keynes Council via Opus People Solutions, we are looking for a Housing Assistant to join the team on a Temporary Basis.

Roles and Responsibilities

To provide outstanding, customer-focussed and efficient service to customers, supporting them to achieve positive housing outcomes. Working with them to maintain their current home and preparing to move into a permanent accommodation.

To be responsible for carrying out the full range of duties to support customers, including aiding them to understand their rights and responsibilities in their current accommodation, the condition and repair of the property and debt management.

Referring customers to specialist agencies and information where necessary.

Providing advice and information to customers so they understand their current housing position and their rights and responsibilities in their current accommodation this will include offering guidance on areas such as debt management, protection from eviction, meal preparation, etc.

To work collaboratively with temporary accommodation colleagues and anti-social behaviour colleagues as well as internal colleagues in Housing, Adult and Children’s Services and external stakeholders including registered providers and private sector landlords.

Consider applicants support needs and associated risks, escalating as required and making appropriate referrals, such as safeguarding and prevention assistance.

Meeting customers within their own home or agreed other setting to provide practical support as agreed with the oversight of the Housing Solutions Officer.

Maintaining thorough up to date case notes.

Monitoring risks, understanding how and when to escalate these to line management and ensuring any new risk identified is reported and included in risk assessments and risk management plans.

Development of strong empathic professional relationships with customers, working with senior officer to manage complex situations.

Essential Requirements (key skills & qualifications)

Understanding of the legislative frameworks and statutory requirements relating to the Housing Solutions Service.

Practical evidence of developing and maintaining good working relationships with a wide range of customers/stakeholders

Ability to respond effectively to changeable or challenging situations, remaining clam and measured in approach to challenge.

A sound understanding of current issues affecting social housing and private housing provision, and proactive, problem solving initiative to support a wide range of customer needs

Good level written and oral communication skills.

Impacts and Demands

At this level, tasks and duties will be generally carried out in a sedentary position but there will always be a requirement for standing and walking from time to time, and the occasional need to lift or carry items.

The problem solving and decision making elements of these jobs mean that job holders require lengthy periods of enhanced mental attention to attend to duties, while also dealing with deadlines, interruptions and conflicting demands.

Duties will not require job holders to develop and maintain working relationships with people who, through their circumstances or behaviour, place particular emotional demands on the job holder.

Many Professional / Technical job holders find themselves exposed to some disagreeable, unpleasant or hazardous working conditions when the particular needs of their specialism requires them to work on external sites exposed to the weather, in or around refuse and waste plant, close to particularly noisy machinery and in similar environments. Other PT jobs, such as enforcement roles, may also see job holders exposed to verbal abuse and threatening environments. In all cases, job holders will minimise risk and conform to health and safety regulations to mitigate any negative effects of such exposure

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