Housing Triage Officer
We are recruiting for an experienced Housing Triage Officer to join a busy Local Authority Housing Needs team. This role is ideal for a housing professional with strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and experience delivering high-quality housing advice and assessments.
The Role
You will be responsible for carrying out initial homelessness assessments, providing accurate housing advice, and making legally compliant decisions in line with the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. You will work closely with colleagues and partner agencies to support residents at risk of homelessness while ensuring statutory duties are met.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct initial homelessness assessments in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
- Provide accurate and legally compliant housing and homelessness advice.
- Draft and issue written legal decisions in line with statutory requirements.
- Assess eligibility, homelessness status, priority need, local connection, and housing circumstances.
- Refer complex cases to Duty Officers where further assessment is required.
- Maintain accurate case records and ensure statutory timescales are met.
- Deliver a high standard of customer service to vulnerable residents with empathy and professionalism.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies to achieve positive housing outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with housing legislation, statutory guidance, safeguarding responsibilities, and organisational policies.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Previous experience within a Local Authority homelessness or housing advice service.
- Strong working knowledge of:
- Part VII of the Housing Act 1996
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
- Experience undertaking homelessness assessments and issuing legally compliant decisions.
- Excellent understanding of homelessness legislation and statutory guidance.
- Ability to manage a varied caseload while meeting statutory deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to support vulnerable customers sensitively and professionally.
- Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
Desirable
- Experience using Local Authority housing or case management systems.
- Knowledge of welfare benefits and wider housing options.
- Experience working within a fast-paced statutory housing environment.
If you have the experience and technical knowledge to deliver high-quality
homelessness assessments and are looking for your next Local Authority contract, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today!