Housing Solutions Officers

Location: Kirklees Council, Civic Centre 3, Market Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 2YZ

Contract: Temporary Assignment (2 - 3 Months)

Hours: Full Time

Pay Rate: £15.31 per hour PAYE

DBS Requirement: Basic DBS Required

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Housing Solutions Officers to join Kirklees Council's dynamic Housing Solutions Service on an initial agency assignment.

Working across the Huddersfield and Dewsbury Hubs, you will play a key role within the Advice & Assessment and Young Persons Teams, supporting the delivery of homelessness prevention and housing advice services.

You will be responsible for managing homelessness approaches, undertaking housing assessments, providing information and guidance, and working with customers to identify practical housing solutions. This is a fast-paced, rewarding role within a customer-focused service committed to preventing homelessness and supporting some of the most vulnerable people within the community.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Undertake homelessness assessments and determine customers' housing needs.
• Manage same-day homelessness approaches and provide timely assistance.
• Deliver advice, guidance and support to customers facing housing difficulties.
• Develop creative and sustainable housing solutions tailored to individual circumstances.
• Work directly with customers both face-to-face and over the telephone.
• Take an asset-based approach that empowers customers to resolve housing issues wherever possible.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of internal and external partners.
• Liaise with support agencies, housing providers, landlords and community organisations.
• Use mediation, negotiation and communication skills to achieve positive outcomes for customers.
• Assist customers to access and sustain suitable accommodation.
• Maintain accurate and timely case records using computerised systems.
• Produce written correspondence, reports and customer communications to a high standard.
• Contribute to service development and identify opportunities to improve service delivery.
• Support the wider objectives of the Housing Solutions Service.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience working with customers facing housing difficulties or homelessness.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong assessment and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience managing complex caseloads in a busy environment.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and case management systems.
• A customer-focused approach with a commitment to achieving positive outcomes.
• Homelessness legislation and housing-related law.
• Housing options and homelessness prevention practices.
• Tenancy sustainment and housing support services.
• Safeguarding principles and working with vulnerable individuals.
• Partnership working across statutory and voluntary sector organisations.

Benefits:

To apply for the Housing Solutions Officer positions, please send your cv to