Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time - Fixed Term 12 months

Salary
£41,511 - £43,449 per annum (Scale SO2)

About the Role
As a Housing Adviser, you will play a vital role in preventing homelessness by providing tailored housing advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation. You will work with individuals and families facing complex housing challenges, exploring every available option to help people secure and sustain suitable accommodation.

You will manage a varied and demanding caseload, supporting some of the most vulnerable residents in our community. Using your knowledge of housing and welfare legislation, you will assess housing need, make informed decisions, develop Personal Housing Plans and work proactively to achieve positive outcomes for customers.

The role requires strong problem-solving skills, resilience and a commitment to delivering excellent customer service, often in challenging circumstances. You will also contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Homelessness Prevention & Advice Service.

Key Responsibilities
- Prevent homelessness through tailored housing advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation.
- Assess the housing needs of individuals and families experiencing complex circumstances and vulnerability.
- Make decisions in accordance with relevant legislation including the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Children Act, Care Act and Welfare Reform legislation.
- Manage a complex caseload, ensuring all housing options are thoroughly explored.
- Develop and review Personal Housing Plans with customers.
- Issue statutory decisions and maintain accurate case records.
- Undertake home visits where appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to achieve the best possible outcomes for residents.
- Contribute to the development of innovative practices and service improvements within the Homelessness Prevention & Advice Service.

About Us
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London, well connected by bus, tube and DLR, with Crossrail services soon enhancing accessibility. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country and was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics. It features a thriving arts quarter, two University of East London campuses, and a large Westfield shopping centre in Stratford. We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment and delivering a high-quality service that puts residents first.

Experience
- Experience of providing housing advice and homelessness prevention services.
- Strong understanding of homelessness and housing legislation.

About You
- Able to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to build rapport with customers while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Innovative, dynamic and focused on achieving solutions.
- Demonstrates empathy, resilience and a commitment to excellent customer service.
- Able to make sound decisions in complex and challenging situations.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are stated; however, a strong knowledge of relevant legislation and experience in housing advice is essential.