Job Details
ROLE PURPOSE:
Leadership and management of the Housing Options, Move-On and Homeless Prevention service for residents in need of housing advice and assistance.
The post-holder will be responsible for proactively leading a service delivering advice on housing options advice, including low cost home ownership, preventing homelessness and undertaking statutory assessments.
The operational service delivery will be consistently accurate, flexible and responsive to client needs within available resources ensuring agreed team plans and performance targets are delivered and that a culture of putting our residents first and continuous service improvement is maintained. The post-holder will be responsible for leading and contributing to the delivery of strategic improvements to the service and other corporate, cross-cutting priorities, as required to deliver corporate priorities. This includes working closely with social care services to support the move-on of families to suitable accommodation, leading on cross-service strategies and understanding the impact of housing decisions on other key service areas.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
To be responsible for the selection, development and performance of the Housing Options, Move-On and Homeless Prevention Teams in line with the Council’s HR policies.
To ensure all team members receive the appropriate level of communication to maintain engagement with the Council’s vision, priorities and activities.
To be a visible and effective leader within the service and department, represent the service at a range of public and internal forums, actively seek to improve the council’s service delivery and provide a cohesive and efficient service to colleagues, Hillingdon residents and stakeholders.
To implement and embed relevant policies, strategic actions and objectives within the operation of the team, identifying opportunities to improve performance, promoting modern and professional service delivery, expanding good practice and actively targeting weaker aspects of the service to improve.
To challenge, manage and resolve poor performance where it exists within the team.
To be responsible for the effective operational delivery of key frontline services, including a timely, high quality casework management service and customer-focused contact arrangements. This will include developing and implementing clear procedures and professional standards to achieve excellence in day-to-day service delivery.
To be responsible for ensuring the application of systems to provide assurance that standards are met in own area.
To actively lead the team setting up, chairing and managing meetings and forums where required.
Manage and lead the service team by analyzing and using data reports to set team specific targets, to monitor performance and evaluate progress and identify case risks which require mitigating action.
Be responsible for providing advice on a range of housing options, including low cost home ownership which promotes self-service, independence and prevents homelessness.
To be responsible for proactively managing case work to move clients on from temporary accommodation into longer term suitable and sustainable accommodation which effectively fulfils the Councils statutory duties.
To develop and maintain effective relationships with private sector landlords, local managing and lettings agents and owners of empty properties in order to secure use of privately rented properties for households in housing need in the Borough.
To be responsible for proactively managing case work who are at risk of homelessness to effectively fulfil the Council statutory duties and resolve their homelessness.
Ensure that an annual Team Plan, aligned to the Group / Service Plan(s), is developed, agreed and communicated to team members in a timely manner. Develop and review procedure manuals providing guidance on the functions of the team and accurate, up-to-date information relevant to the areas of responsibility, having regard to Council policy and ensure that these are understood, accessible to, and followed by staff.
To develop new and cross cutting initiatives in line with an enhanced housing options approach, and developing and implementing external and partnership services.
To develop smart performance targets and monitor team performance against these, managing improvement plans and recovery actions where required.
Umbrella hourly rate – £38.40
