Housing Options Officer

Cherwell District Council are currently looking to recruit an additional Housing Options Officer to join our Housing Services Team as part of a job share opportunity. This rewarding role offers opportunities to help our most vulnerable customers and those facing the most difficult housing situations. You will work to prevent homelessness by assisting households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to retain their accommodation or source a new sustainable housing outcome. You will carry out homelessness casework, investigating the reasons and circumstances relating to a households homelessness. You will liaise with partners and other parties involved in the case directly and issue decisions based on your inquiries. You will manage your own caseload and you will work within our wider Housing Options Team, working hard to deliver an excellent housing options service to customers The Person: We are looking for someone that has

• CIH Level 3 Qualification and/or significant recent experience in a housing role, preferably in housing options
• A good understanding and awareness of housing issues and issues affecting homelessness
• Knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation including the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• Proven experience of working with customers
• Experience of interviewing and/or providing advice to people in difficult personal situations
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate both verbally and written
• An ability to negotiate and be confident and assertive when managing cases and working with partners or other stakeholders
• An ability to work effectively as part of a team
• An ability to manage your own caseload effectively to meet deadlines.
  
  The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We offer agile working and staff work from home and in the office to suit the business need. Other benefits include
• A generous annual leave entitlement (27 days + bank holidays)
• Flexible working policy
• Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• £25 annual eye care voucher
• Annual flu vaccination
• Discounted gym membership
• Incremental pay award (awarded annually in April after one years' service)
• An employee assistance programme