Housing Solutions: Accommodation Officer

Are you passionate about helping people during difficult times and making a real difference in your community?

We're looking for a proactive and compassionate individual to join Publica as a Housing Solutions Accommodation Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, helping them access suitable accommodation and move towards long-term housing solutions.

Based within our Housing Solutions service, you'll spend much of your time working directly with customers living in temporary accommodation, supporting them to overcome barriers, access services and achieve positive housing outcomes.

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll work closely with customers, accommodation providers, partner agencies and colleagues across the organisation to ensure accommodation placements are well managed, and individuals receive the support they need.

If you're organised, resilient and committed to delivering excellent customer service, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Gain

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable residents
• Experience working within a busy and rewarding Housing Solutions service
• Ongoing support and development from experienced colleagues
• Opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of partner organisations and agencies
• The chance to develop your knowledge of housing, homelessness and related legislation
• A varied role combining customer support, case management and accommodation oversight

As part of our Housing Solutions team, you'll:

• Manage a caseload of customers placed in emergency and temporary accommodation
• Support customers to explore housing options and move on from temporary accommodation as quickly as possible
• Carry out regular visits to accommodation, including hostels, hotels and B&Bs
• Work with customers to identify support needs and create personalised tenancy-ready plans
• Liaise with support agencies, accommodation providers and colleagues to achieve positive outcomes
• Help resolve tenancy issues and respond to concerns quickly and effectively
• Ensure customers are accessing appropriate benefits and financial support
• Maintain accurate records and case information using a range of IT systems
• Undertake risk assessments and support safe accommodation placements
• Participate in an out-of-hours telephone advice rota

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Has experience working within housing, homelessness, supported housing or temporary accommodation services
• Has experience supporting people with complex needs
• Is customer-focused, empathetic and professional
• Can remain calm and confident in challenging situations
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Is organised and able to manage a varied caseload
• Has strong IT skills and experience using Microsoft Office applications
• Works effectively with colleagues, customers and partner organisations
• Maintains accurate records and pays attention to detail
• Is flexible, motivated and committed to achieving positive outcomes for customers

Essential Requirements

• Experience working in a housing, homelessness, supported housing or temporary accommodation environment
• Experience working with people who have complex support needs
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel regularly across the district and surrounding areas

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

Special Conditions

• DBS/BPSS Check Required
• Full UK Driving Licence Essential
• Participation in an out-of-hours telephone advice rota

• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Renewed again for another year there is a health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of up to 7% of your earnings
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
• Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
• Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary