We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional who wishes to support the improvement of homelessness prevention in Rother. The successful candidate will work with people in housing need, including those living in temporary accommodation, to access and sustain existing accommodation in the private rented sector. You will have experience delivering tenancy sustainment support, particularly personal budgeting, in-depth knowledge of welfare benefits and developing independent living skills.

You will be quick to build a rapport with the Council’s Housing Needs team alongside partners from across the statutory and voluntary sectors to ensure each individual’s support needs are identified and addressed promptly. You will possess strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Working closely with the Council’s Housing Team to identify clients in housing need who would be suitable for support by the Tenancy Sustainment Officer and assess referrals for the service
• Providing structured support to enable vulnerable tenants to understand their responsibilities and supporting them to develop effective strategies to manage those responsibilities
• Casework and sustain tenancies in the private sector by offering support, advice and expert assistance to prevent homelessness, managing a small caseload of households
• Carrying out a risk assessment with each tenant that highlights any risks to themselves, their tenancy or others – this must be reviewed on a regular basis
• Addressing additional support needs of vulnerable tenants through initial assessment and referral to, and joint working with, housing related support or social care providers, monitoring outcomes and seeking appropriate resolutions for tenancy sustainability
• Advising landlords and tenants of their rights and obligations around all relevant tenancy issues including disrepair, validity of notices, rights of entry etc.

Skills and qualifications:

• At least 2 years work experience in housing options, homelessness, housing support, tenancy sustainment or other equivalent experience related to private landlords or tenants
• Strong influencing, negotiating and relationship building skills
• Ability to manage expectations and deal objectively but sympathetically with customers
• Working knowledge of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and other welfare benefits
• Working knowledge of housing law relating, in particular, to homelessness, security of tenure and the rights and duties of landlords
• At least five GCSEs at minimum grade C or 4 (or equivalent) including Maths and English

If you feel you have the right skills and experience for this exciting, varied role, then we want to hear from you.

What Rother District Council can offer you:

We take pride in offering an excellent employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• training opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

If you would like an informal discussion regarding this vacancy, please contact Caroline Wakefield, Housing Needs Operations Manager, on caroline.wakefield@rother.gov.uk

The job description and application form are available to view and download below.

Please send applications and queries to: recruitment@rother.gov.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on: 14^th October

Interview dates to be confirmed

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and community sectors