Housing Solutions Manager

Job Opportunity: Housing Solutions Manager (Temporary)

Position: Housing Solutions Manager
Contract: Temporary, 4-month contract with the possibility of an extension.
Possibility of Extension: Yes, based on performance
Pay Rate: 36.49 per hour (PAYE)
Working Hours: 36.00 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 08:45 - 17:00
Location: KT10 9SD

Job Purpose:

• Lead a multi-disciplinary service currently comprising four teams and 22 people.
• Provide 1-2-1 support and performance development for team leaders and ensure this is cascaded effectively through their teams.
• In collaboration with your teams, effectively manage housing performance statistics to help prevent homelessness and ensure the fair allocation of social housing.
• Ensure that staff are trained, coached and supported to deliver high-quality services.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with partners, colleagues and the voluntary sector.
• Lead on developing, implementing and reviewing a range of housing policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the effective monitoring and management of budgets.
• Ensure services are legally compliant, customer-focused and proactive.
• Deputise for the Head of Housing Services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support, manage and give professional advice to the 4 Team Leaders in the Homelessness Prevention and Advice Teams; Private Rented Sector and Temporary Accommodation Team; and Social and Supported Housing Team in the delivery of their day-to-day work and the provision of the Housing Solutions Service.
• Manage the delivery of the Housing Solutions Service to comply with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and other associated legislation and guidance.
• Respond to councillor and MP enquiries and handle stage one complaints relevant to the service, working with colleagues in responding to escalated complaints.
• Represent the council in statutory investigations such as those led by the Coroners Court or for Serious Case Reviews involving the housing service, preparing and submitting chronologies and documentation and answering questions asked of the Housing Service.
• Manage staff within Housing Solutions Service in accordance with the Council's Performance Management framework, monitoring staff performance and taking informal and formal action as necessary in line with Elmbridge procedures, including disciplinary proceedings and management investigations.
• Be the council's expert on policy and practice concerning homelessness and the allocation of social housing, providing advice and guidance to senior officers and members as required. Be the main point of contact with civil servants at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on homelessness, housing advice and rough sleeping matters and good practice dissemination.
• Manage revenue budgets for the Unit around homelessness prevention, the operation of the housing register and the provision and use of temporary accommodation, providing reasons for variations as requested and minimising financial risk to the council.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven successful track record in homelessness and housing advice for a local authority.
• Experience of managing the allocation of social housing and the operation of social housing registers.
• Significant experience of multidisciplinary line management responsibility.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of the Homelessness Act 2002, Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Code of Guidance, case law, relevant Regulations and legislation on Housing Register assessment and the Allocation of social housing.
• Ability to lead, manage, advise and motivate others.
• Ability to work using own initiative, assuming a high level of individual responsibility and workload, self-motivated, meeting deadlines and prioritising workload.