Home Moves Plus Officer

Job Category : Housing

Location : The Deane Depot, Somerset Council

Hours Per Week : 37.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:00
Salary: £17.71

The Home Moves Plus (HMP) Project was established to make better use of the existing social housing stock in the Taunton and Wellington areas, and to mitigate the impact of Hinkley Point C’s construction on the housing needs of local people by creating bed spaces in the area through downsizing.

The role is responsible for reducing the number of under occupied households within Somerset Council’s ‘in-house’ landlord housing stock, thus freeing up much needed accommodation for those who need it.

If the role did not exist and tenant’s circumstances change, they could find themselves living in accommodation that is no longer affordable to them and does not suit their needs. The Council will also have less ability to manage its housing stock in line with local priorities.

Key results area          Accountability

Corporate Responsibilities     Understand, uphold, and promote the aims of the council’s equality, diversity, and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do. Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction with staff, service users and communities and includes challenging discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all.

Operational Service Delivery Engage frequently with tenants, their family, and friends, providing solutions to meet their housing needs. 

Responsible for ensuring relevant documentation is completed, for example: housing register application forms, tenancy agreements, tenancy termination forms, grant/tenant incentive forms and welfare benefit change of circumstances forms.

Responsible for updating the housing management system with changes to tenancies. 

Responsible for determination of value of grants awarded under Somerset Council’s Transfer Removal Grant scheme, ensuring all internal financial processes are followed, resulting in tenants receiving their payments.

Create and deliver the following reports: periodic list of all the financial incentives awarded to tenants’ year to date up to an annual value of £25,000, quarterly reporting on location data, case studies and issues, postcode monitoring, end of year and final reports. 

Subject to policy and guidelines the postholder will decide upon who is eligible and those who will be entitled to receive incentives including a grant payment, additional support, and assistance.

Report concerns relating to the safeguarding of children, young people, or vulnerable adults in accordance with agreed procedures.

Essential

Good general standard of education (minimum to GCSE standard or equivalent, including English and Mathematics).

Evidence of continuing development of professional skills, e.g. through training, qualification and/or experience. 

Desirable

Be a member of a professional body for housing i.e. the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Knowledge and Experience 

Essential  

Knowledge of the demographics of the housing tenants, the local community and wider sub regional impacts, such as Hinkley Point, in respect of properties for letting and impacts on homelessness.

Knowledge of income management work and best practice in a housing organisation context.

Detailed and extensive professional and technical knowledge of allocations and lettings policy and practice.

Detailed and extensive professional and technical knowledge of wider housing management policy and practice, housing law and best practice relating to neighbourhood and tenancy management.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and housing applications (Open Housing System, Homefinder Somerset, Choice Based Lettings system, Home Swapper Mutual Exchange System)

Knowledge of services across Somerset Council, for example Children’s services, adult social care and community mental health.

Desirable 

Experience of working with elected members or in a political environment.

Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and requirements.

Experience of working in a social housing organisation.

Skills

Essential 

Good customer service and communication skills.

Able to value and promote equality and diversity.

Able to build successful working relationships with a range on internal and external stakeholders.

Have a flexible approach to changing deadlines. 

Persuasive and encouraging, adopting a coaching style to support customers. 

Desirable

High degree of problem solving and decision making.

Able to identify opportunities for further enabling and self-serve. Understand when to consult with others, including specialists.