Job info	Job info details
Job title	Temporary Accommodation Property Management Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults
Service	Housing Options
Business unit	Community Safety
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Housing Options Team Leader
Accountable to (line manager)	Housing Options Manager
Salary grade	G
JE ref	JOT222

1. Key purpose of job

• To improve outcomes, including general wellbeing, for clients who are homeless.
• To manage temporary accommodation units and ensure that properties are compliant with relevant legislation, health and safety requirements and that repairs are identified and fixed.
• To ensure that temporary accommodation is being used appropriately and meets the needs of the individuals placed and the wider community.
• To identify gaps and develop and implement sustainable options for the provision of temporary accommodation for homeless individuals. Through working with landlords and other housing providers.
• To act as a link with agencies that discharge client to the service (e.g., prison, health etc.) to ensure that a co-ordinated delivery model is in place.
• To act as point of contact for landlords, clients, and the local community.
• To promote the safeguarding of adults who use the service.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• To ensure there is access to adequate, well managed temporary accommodation.
• The provision of alternative accommodation models for those with complex needs and single homeless.
• Provision of cost-effective accommodation that is sustainable.
• Building effective and creative relationships with key partners and to develop greater integration of service process and delivery.
• The provision of quality services to meet legislative need, the needs of the community and to improve standards in public health, environmental quality and safety.
• The implementation of an innovative sustainable partnership arrangement, to ensure the effective delivery of services that address the housing needs of homeless clients.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• To identify and implement new models of delivery for the provision of temporary accommodation.
• To facilitate a ready accessible supply of accommodation to ensure accommodation duties are met.
• To establish effective pathways across a variety of agencies, businesses, and organisations to maximise and provide effective and innovative partnership working.
• To ensure void properties can be turned around in a timely manner through robust management.
• To work closely with relevant departments and providers to ensure properties are well maintained and cleaned appropriately.
• To carry out regular inspections and inventories of temporary accommodation to ensure properties remain safe and arrange prompt repairs to ensure they are complainant with relevant legislation.
• That accurate records are maintained to ensure the management of the properties can be evidenced.
• That where appropriate, that an assessment of the cost effectiveness of the property is undertaken by ensuring all relevant claims have been submitted and that robust management practices are in place to mitigate the risk of repairs.
• To plan creative and innovative responses to clients’ needs and to enable them to use their own assets to make changes in their lives.
• To identify areas of best practice for providing accommodation for marginalised groups.
• To proactively work with all housing sectors to build relationships and future options of delivery.
• Ensure effective and confidential communication between local authority, statuary agencies such as the Police and health care agencies.
• Conducting all external relations in such a way as to enhance the Authority’s good standing and reputation.
• Proactively work with landlords, provide advice re anti-social behaviour, tenancies, obligations etc to facilitate sustainable tenancies and rescue tenancies.
• To serve the appropriate notices required in order to end temporary accommodation licenses, working with the legal team to prepare court documents where necessary.
• To ensure safeguarding takes place in regard to vulnerable clients and or situations including informing Children's Services of any risk to children identified in the course of our duties.
• To be flexible and carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the head of service commensurate with the grade of this post.
• The position may require some weekend working as appropriate to ensure that properties are well managed.
• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working environment although will be expected to attend home visits and undertake assessments in properties or engage with individuals on the streets.
• Client group are likely to be challenging and have complex needs, with the majority of engagement being outside of the office environment.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• PC, mobile phone etc. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External - NHS care trust, GP’s, temporary accommodation providers, supporting people providers, letting agents, landlords, other support providers, registered landlords, advocacy agencies, social services, Probation, Police, IOM, housing needs services across Devon, and any other voluntary and statutory agencies.
• Internal - Other service areas within Torbay Council and other Housing related sections including Community Safety. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job. 

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Temporary Accommodation Property Management Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults
Service	Housing Options
Business unit	Community Safety

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Ability to interpret and apply relevant homeless, housing and health legislation to ensure that statutory duties are maintained.
• To be able to use effectively a range of modes of communication including face to face, email, telephone, formal and in formal reports and in presentations taking into account issues of confidentiality.
• To be able to communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations.
• Effective organisational ability, particularly self-organisation, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with partners, generating confidence and respect.
• Ability to contribute towards change.
• Able to elicit information from service users, carers and professional staff surrounding a wide range of topics.
• A democratic and inclusive style.
• Ability to undertake training to a diverse audience including professionals and those with complex needs.
• Ability to form appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Confidence in using one’s own authority effectively and appropriately.
• Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
• Practical approach to resolving housing disrepair and management of contractors.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• High standard of report writing.
• Ability to contribute to the evaluation of work undertaken and the outcomes.
• Project management skills. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Current knowledge on the different forms of tenancy to provide different working solutions and creative outcomes.
• Knowledge of a variety of private sector lettings arrangements.
• Ability to undertake risk assessments with regards to the placement of tenants and hazardous conditions in properties under Housing Act legislation.
• Health and safety knowledge.
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary agencies and experience of liaising with them.
• Knowledge of PC based computer systems including Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of legal and professional matters in relation to this area of work.
• Knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies.

Desirable knowledge

• Practical working knowledge of housing benefits to maximise financial recovery for the local authority and to mitigate financial risk.
• Awareness of welfare rights and benefits and the potential impacts of changes/proposed changes.
• Current homelessness legislation, case law, codes of practices.
• Knowledge of current legislation aimed at dealing with ASB.
• Knowledge of Housing Standards legislation with regards to HHRSR. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Significant experience working with vulnerable individuals who have complex needs and in delivering programmes of work.
• Experience or working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies.
• Demonstrate experience of successful partnership working leading to measurable improvements in outcomes.
• Conflict management and problem solving. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience of negotiation in establishing joint programmes of work.
• Experience of working in the substance misuse field.
• Devon Home Choice and Social Housing.
• Experience of managing residential properties. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE O Level standard or equivalent. 
• ECDL or equivalent IT experience. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Experience of working in housing or related area of work. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to carry out the physical requirements of the role (i.e. manual handling). 
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home-working.