Housing Assessment & Advice Manager

The purpose of The Housing Assessment & Advice Manager (HAAM) role is to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Assessment & Advice team within the Housing Needs, Advice & Support Service. This includes the shared line management of a multi-disciplinary team totalling approximately 30 FTE direct reports, although at times you may take responsibility for team members in the wider team.

We are looking for somebody who:

• Has experience of working in a challenging front line service.
• Has the ability to support and manage staff dealing with customers who may have a range of social issues
• Has experience of working within the relevant legislative framework managing, making and reviewing homeless decisions.
• Has a practical understanding of the private rented housing sector and landlord and tenant law generally
• Has the ability to manage a budget
• Can motivate, manage and lead a team, offering support, direction and advice to help them, to be more effective in their role and equip them with the skills they need to robustly engage with customers and partners.
• Can make proportionate decisions in a structured and transparent way and is able to identify and pull resources to themselves to help achieve necessary outcomes.
• Is confident and a strong verbal and written communicator. Able to negotiate and to clearly interpret legislation and contract arrangements, for partners, employees and customers as appropriate.
• Has an awareness of the welfare benefits system and the impact of current reforms on customers and a Housing Needs, Advice & Support service
• Has a commitment to equal opportunities and awareness of the issues facing vulnerable client groups
• Understands and is committed to the safeguarding of adults and children.
• Is always proactive, working on their own initiative, able to manage multiple tasks.
• Is creative, able to respond to customer demand with well thought out solutions to problems and is happy to question current procedures and suggest improvements based on their knowledge of the 'what and why' of the current performance.
• Is competent using a variety of IT systems such as Excel and other office applications.
• Has the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English
• Has the ability to work in accordance with the 'Ways of working' as described above.