Job Details
Job Title: Allocation and Verification Team Manager
Department: Housing
Division: Housing Solutions
Business Unit: Allocations and Verification
Grade: PO5
Reports to: Head of Housing Solutions
Responsible for: Allocations and Verification Team
6 x Allocation and Verification Officers SO2
1 x Medical Assessment Officer PO2
2 x BSO
Context
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose,’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. For more information, please have a look at our dedicated One Lambeth Values and Behaviours page.
Job Purpose
To be responsible for the on the development, coordination and management of the Allocation and Verification service ensuring optimum use of housing stock within the borough pursuant to the Council’s policies and statutory provisions under Part VI of 1996 Housing Act. To also be responsible for the medical assessment functions, expansion of new housing initiatives and the management and facilitation of exceptions cases.
Responsibilities
1. Manage allocated staff, resources and budgets using core processes and procedures consistently across the assigned operational activities in a manner which delivers value for money and is in compliance with all relevant policies and guidelines.
2. Implement and manage team plans and budgets on a routine basis ensuring that all team activity is undertaken in an effective and efficient manner to deliver the political objectives and priorities of Lambeth and to effectively manage risks.
3. Support Service Managers where necessary to provide detailed information and if required, draft responses to inform Members of progress, performance and relevant customer insights across Lambeth.
4. Work in partnership with relevant internal and external partners as designated by the Service Manager for team objectives to deliver effective outcomes through collaborative, joined-up working.
5. Manage the day-to-day team operational activity for the defined services supporting the achievement of intended outcomes by using timely and relevant information to monitor and evaluate performance.
6. Identify and implement opportunities for the continual improvement for the team deliverables and interactions with other areas of the Council to deliver the highest possible levels of service quality
7. To contribute to the development of annual operational plans and longer term planning to support the achievement of corporate policies and objectives based on local realities.
Specific role responsibilities
1. To lead and be responsible for the provision of the Councils’ housing register and allocation and verification service to Lambeth tenants and residents applying for transfers and social housing via nominations to Registered Social Landlords and Housing Co-operatives and the various HOMES and Housing Association mobility schemes.
2. Effectively manage the Council’s Choice Based Letting scheme ensuring that this operates in line with Council policy and service objectives and that systems are developed, applied and enhanced to reflect key policy and legislative changes to address housing need
3. Take lead responsibility for developing innovative initiatives and resolutions to tackle housing need to ensure that statutory requirements and strategic objectives are supported, making the most efficient use of stock which achieves the most benefit to customers and the community.
4. Take lead responsibility for managing the relationships with Registered Social Landlords, monitoring their performance and taking necessary remedial action to address failures; ensuring the most effective use of total social rented stock in the borough and the sub-region.
5. Take lead responsibility for developing the medical assessment service ensuring medical assessments relating to those in urgent housing need are undertaken to a high standard, promptly and accurately.
6. Manage exceptions cases with the thorough assessment and monitoring of applicants who are considered to have unique circumstances and exceptional housing need that may not otherwise be covered by Lambeth’s Allocations Scheme.
7. Lead on the development and operational implementation of agreed policies and develop comprehensive management information systems and controls by producing accurate management reports for internal and external stakeholder consumption aligned to divisional targets and regulations.
8. Undertake, as directed by Accommodation Service Manager, reviews, projects and commission surveys including analysis of local and national housing needs and trends and explore alternative housing schemes with key stakeholders and partners in conjunction with policy and legislative requirements.
Generic Responsibilities
9. Be a champion for excellent customer service delivery and customer care and contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated service.
10. Be self serving with respect to administration, case record keeping and other related duties and utilise IT systems to update and record information required according to guidance and established procedures.
11. Undertake appraisals, one to ones, objective settings, personal development plans and working group meetings and take a full and active role in service development, including service reviews.
12. To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
13. To carry out the duties of this post with due regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to actively promote and uphold the Council’s FRESH values.
14. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post, for ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures aimed at promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and adults.
15. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post for promoting diversity including tackling racism and good race, ethnic & community relations.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
It is essential that in you can meet the following requirements for the role and be able to give evidence or examples of your proven experience in each of the short-listing criteria marked Application (A).
You should expect that all areas listed below will be assessed as part of the interview and assessment process should you be shortlisted.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme, you will need to give evidence or examples of your proven experience in the areas marked with “Ticks” () on the person specification when you complete the application form.
Key Knowledge
K1 Knowledge of current central Government policy, Legislation, caselaw and statutory processes relating to the allocation of social housing and associated areas, e.g. homelessness
K2 Knowledge and awareness of current issues, best practice and developments affecting the delivery of housing services to residents.
Relevant Experience
E1 Experience of delivering a high quality housing service in a related area for a large local authority or comparable organisation
E2 Experience of leading, motivating and managing services with multidisciplinary teams to achieve significant, sustainable improvements and positive outcomes through internal and external partnerships
E3 Experience of providing information to Councillors, senior officers, partners and local groups on housing issues and programmes including presenting reports to Management Boards and
to other groups and partnerships
E4 Experience as a team manager within a large, complex, customer-focused organisation with a significant emphasis on performance management.
E5 Experience of devising, developing and implementing successful innovations in service delivery
E6 Experience of monitoring performance, producing reports and analysing data in morder to drive service
Qualification
A degree or professional housing qualification
