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RSR Justice are currently recruiting for a Housing Officer for a charity that help ex-offenders, prisoners, and those at risk of offending to live crime-free.

This is a permanent role, paying £22,633 per annum, based in Bedford.

Purpose of the Role

As a Housing Officer, you are responsible for ensuring compliance with the charity’s policies, processes, procedures and stakeholder contracts. By liaising with staff, external agencies and partners, you will ensure that all properties within the allocated portfolio are safe, habitable, fit for purpose and fully equipped in accordance with the charity’s policies and the terms of the tenancy agreement with the relevant landlords.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lettings and referrals – You will be required to assist in the management of the referral process within the project to achieve agreed occupancy/target levels. To lead in the assessment and management of risk including the operation of physical and situational security measures to control the level of risk posed to the public, staff and others in relation to the referral and letting of properties. The ex-offending and restrictive licence conditions (of some) of the applicants entail a very detailed referral and letting process and this will entail working with both police and probation along with the local authority housing department.
• Benefits advice – You will be providing information and advice about Welfare Benefits especially that of Housing Benefit.
• Aids, Adaptations, Health & Safety – Where tenants have a physical disability, the Housing Officer will assist in assessment of needs and the provision of equipment/facilities as required.
• Tenant Consultation and Involvement – The Housing Officer will provide relevant information to tenants and get feedback from them on occupancy related matters, informing occupants about housing performance and oversee the housing management complaints and suggestions policy as directed by the Project Manager.
• Tenancy conditions – You will provide information about tenants’ rights and responsibilities, address breaches of occupancy with. Signposting to and liaison with advocacy/agencies (including culturally specific groups). Encouraging and enabling tenants to develop social skills through specific programmes provided by relevant advocacy/agencies or by encouraging them to participate in the community.
• Rent arrears – The Housing Officer will take action to address incidents of rent arrears. Due to the vulnerability of the client group, the area of rent arrears will require a lot of intervention in partnership with benefit advice and advocacy/agencies.
• Housing advice – The Housing Officer will be available for tenants wishing to move into alternative independent accommodation.
• Tenants File, Records and Information – The Housing Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining accurate records including correspondence, housing management plans and health and safety records on the tenants file and other housing management records.
• Statutory Agencies: The Housing Officer will support statutory agencies in the monitoring of risk and other support/care or training factors relating to the tenants and to write reports for the courts.

Person Specification

• Have awareness of different cultures and backgrounds.
• Commitment to work for, and obtain, a qualification deemed relevant to the post.
• Literate to write letters and reports
• Numerate to complete statistical returns
• Familiar with computer packages including Word, Excel, email and allied computer skills
• Able to deal discretely with delicate matters.
• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide variety of housing issues.
• Aware of the Home and Communities Regulatory Framework.
• Computer literate, preferably with Housing software.
• Experience of working with offenders or other disadvantaged groups in the criminal justice, housing, social services, not-for-profit sectors
• Good understanding of the issues affecting ex-offenders
• Knowledge or specialism in one area of work such as homelessness, housing finance or welfare benefits.
• Have a good understanding of Budgetary Control.

You will need to undertake an Enhanced DBS check to be considered for this post.

If you would like to be considered for this position and have the relevant experience, then please email your CV to Natalie.Begley@rsg.ltd

Due to the high volume of applications received, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, I am afraid your application has been unsuccessful.

RSR Justice is member of the Red Snapper Group.

The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) - a free and confidential service to candidates.

The Red Snapper Group is an equal opportunities employer.