Location: Remote
Contract Type: Temporary (12- weeks)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Salary: £25- £30 per hour
About Us
Connect2Dorset is the managed service provider for Dorset Council, delivering high-quality temporary, contract, and interim staffing solutions. We pride ourselves on being an ethical, transparent, and people-focused organisation, committed to supporting both our clients and candidates.
About the Role
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Housing Caseworker to support Dorset Council's Housing Service on a temporary basis. This role plays a vital part in delivering a comprehensive housing advice and homelessness prevention service, ensuring statutory duties are met under relevant housing legislation.
You will manage a caseload of customers who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, providing tailored housing advice, undertaking homelessness assessments, developing Personal Housing Plans, and working creatively to prevent and relieve homelessness. The role requires strong legislative knowledge, excellent case management skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver a high-quality housing advice and homelessness prevention service in line with current housing legislation.
Manage a caseload of homeless or threatened-with-homelessness applicants, maintaining accurate and up-to-date case records.
Undertake homelessness investigations, make statutory decisions, and refer for temporary accommodation where appropriate.
Develop, implement, and regularly update Personal Housing Plans with customers to prevent or relieve homelessness.
Work creatively to prevent homelessness, including negotiating with landlords, sourcing alternative accommodation, attending court where necessary, and working with partner agencies.
Provide advice on related issues such as welfare benefits, debt, income maximisation, and employment, and signpost to specialist agencies where required.
Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners including Adult and Children's Services, health services, probation, police, and housing providers.
Support vulnerable customers, including 16-17-year-olds, care leavers, and clients with complex needs, working in line with agreed protocols.
Skills & Experience
Previous experience working within a local authority housing service or registered housing provider.
Strong knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2018.
Proven experience of preventing homelessness using a range of practical tools and techniques.
Experience managing a complex caseload with minimal supervision in a confidential environment.
Up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing options.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and work collaboratively with partners and customers.
Strong problem-solving, organisational, and IT skills, with a commitment to delivering excellent customer service.
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
A CIH Level 4 qualification is desirable.
Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates
Salary description
£25.00 - £30.00 per hour