Housing Advice Caseworker

We are a dynamic, vibrant housing team based in West London looking to expand our team with a likeminded person.

We have good reputation within the Borough we work in, for the innovative advice work we do. We have successfully built a reputation for our positive approach to problem solving and joint working. We work closely with Local Authority, local Councillors, MP’s, statutory bodies and NHS providers, offering a holistic approach to our clients.

We are looking for people with recent experience as a caseworker, with direct involvement in advising clients on housing issues including, possession proceedings, homelessness eligibility and access to suitable accommodation.

We are looking for someone to bring the same energy and dedication to help us look for new housing solutions and new ideas. For example recently we launched a new tenant project focus project to support Rent Repayment Order cases.

To be successful you will need good knowledge, experience of providing housing advice and casework plus a drive to build your expertise. We are willing to provide additional training to help personal development in these areas for the right person.

Nucleus Legal Advice Centre is an accredited Specialist Debt, Housing and Benefits advice provider.

We offer generous terms and conditions including:

• 35 hour week (excluding lunch)
• A supportive learning environment
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Commitment to a work life balance
• Some WFH flexibility

Please note CVs will be accepted but must be accompanied with a covering letter. You will need to meet the requirements of the person specification. If you wish to discuss the posts please contact Baljit on 0207 373 4005.

Job Description – Housing Advice

NUCLEUS LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE

NUCLEUS LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE

JOB TITLE Housing Advice Caseworker

RESPONSIBLE TO Housing Co-ordinator

SALARY: £29.5 - 32.5K

PERIOD Permanent.

JOB PURPOSE:

We want to make sure people are seen soon enough to promote prevention and self-help work and at the same time ensure complex cases are dealt with effectively by the right person and at the same time however they access the service.

To use housing law expertise, debt and benefits (and working with debt , benefits teams ) to avoid and/ or prevent people losing their homes.

To provide legal advice to help people being evicted

To provide insight into the benefit it system and the housing systems to help people secure suitable accommodation

To help promote effective housing solutions

To take a lead with triaging queries involving housing and guide caseworkers in each service to access housing advice to ensure they get to the right person with the correct capability for eviction, homelessness and possession cases.

Duties

1. To help provide access to housing advice service and to take on and maintain a housing case load (The boundaries of each subject to be agreed with the relevant supervisor(s).
2. Take a casework approach to meet the needs of clients assisting them to access services, take control of their future, maximise their opportunities to prevent or relieve homelessness/ housing issues.
3. Undertake representation at appropriate courts and appeal tribunals as necessary.
4. To actively participate with and work with both statutory and other NfP organisations to look for solutions to help resolve housing issues
5. To actively contribute to and encourage cross-team working and problem solving approaches to tackle housing evictions and homelessness.
6. Work with stakeholders to improve access to advice services.
7. To collate casework data, studies and other relevant information from the advice team for the purpose of funding and writing specialist reports/submissions
8. Assist in managing and/or contributing to the development of the Nucleus website and other forms of communication.
9. Supervise other relevant staff and volunteers in connection with the duties of the role.
10. Maintain and develop Nucleus case work management systems, and monitoring and evaluation systems and records.
11. Maintain an active current awareness of local and national policy issues relevant to the work of Nucleus.
12. To proactively develop and maintain relationships with relevant local and national policy makers and bodies on relevant issues impacting on homelessness and homelessness reduction.
13. Record, monitor, evaluate and report on activities and progress towards agreed outputs and outcomes to line manager.
14. Help to design and deliver training or briefing sessions on innovative and effective housing solutions.
15. Assist in the collation of evidence on issues impacting on Nucleus beneficiaries; ensure sharing of such evidence both within policy work and wider voluntary sector.
16. Assist in managing and undertaking Nucleus legal, policy, research and campaign work.
17. Undertake any additional duties which will contribute to the smooth running of the Nucleus Centre, services and projects.
18. Contribute to the development of the Nucleus website and other Nucleus communication systems.
19. Work consistently with Nucleus mission, strategic planning and policies, meeting goals and priorities agreed with the line manager.
20. Be self-servicing and carry out own administration and assist other workers when required.
21. Assist in maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organization’s work; this includes complying with and promoting issues of confidentiality, equal opportunities and other policies and procedures of the organization.
22. Attend staff, management, training, supervision and other meetings when required.
23. Be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team without close supervision.

Person specification :Housing Advice Caseworker

Knowledge:

1. At least 1 year plus Experience of providing specialist Housing Advice to tenants facing evictions or homelessness
2. Case work experience in possession cases and / or statutory homeless

Experience

1. Experience of the not for profit sector and the advice sector in particular
2. Experience of working with a mixture of paid staff and volunteers to deliver advice services.
3. Intelligence, energy and an ability to motivate
4. A team/consultative approach to decision making consistent with the values of the organization.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Strong IT skills and a knowledge of social media
7. A sound understanding of the distinctive characteristics of providing legal services in the not for profit sector and the current challenges in the sector.
8. Ability to work well under pressure.
9. A commitment to social justice and equal opportunities for all, and a willingness to work within, and promote, EAS aims and principles and its equal opportunities policies.
10. Ability to be self-servicing.
11. Ability to work outside office hours as required