Temporary Accommodation Resettlement Officer

18 Month Fixed Term Contract

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to preventing and relieving homelessness in our community by securing suitable accommodation for those in need. Our team plays a critical role in ensuring that homeless households have access to safe and secure housing. We are currently seeking an experienced and proactive candidate to join our team as a Temporary Accommodation Resettlement Officer. This role is key to ensuring that households in temporary accommodation receive the support they need to secure suitable  in helping us expand our network of accommodation providers and support households in transitioning from temporary or insecure housing to more permanent solutions housing in a timely and efficient manner.

The Role

As a Temporary Accommodation Resettlement Officer, you will work closely with our Homelessness Prevention Officers and the Accommodation Procurement Officer to facilitate the transition of households from temporary accommodation to more permanent housing.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Establishing a network of new accommodation providers. Engage with existing and prospective landlords and letting agents to expand our pool of available properties.
• Supporting households in temporary accommodation.
• Inspecting and procuring suitable properties.
• Making emergency and temporary accommodation placements.
• Facilitating timely sign-up for temporary accommodation placements.
• Providing cover to support various functions of the Temporary Accommodation Service.
• Conducting regular visits to households in temporary accommodation.
• Managing temporary accommodation schemes.

About You

We are looking for an organised and motivated individual who is committed to supporting households in securing, long-term housing. The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working in housing services, particularly in roles related to homelessness prevention, resettlement or property management.
• Strong organisational skills and excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality customer care, ensuring that all households receive the support they need to move on to suitable accommodation.
• Experience in managing temporary accommodation schemes or similar housing services is highly desirable.

The successful candidate must hold a full clean UK driving licence and have their own vehicle, which is fully insured and taxed, as the role involves regular travel to properties both within and outside the Wokingham borough,

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join an excellent and dynamic team.

For an Informal discussion, please contact: David Higgins at david.higgins@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date of applications: Monday 14th October 2024, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful.  Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

Please note, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible, as this advert may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.