3 months contract with a North London based Local Authority
Job Summary:
We are looking for an experienced Review Officer with extensive housing knowledge and the ability to complete both Part 6 & 7, Housing Act 1996 reviews.
To ensure that statutory reviews are carried out within the statutory time limits.
To liaise with the Legal Department and Head of Service to defend legal challenges whether that is from judicial review proceedings or County Court appeals under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996.
To ensure that complaints, MP, Member & solicitor enquiries are logged and responded to within target timeframes.
Key Duties/Accountabilities:
To ensure that all housing reviews and appeals (housing register, homelessness decisions, offers of social and temporary accommodation), are logged, monitored, and carried out efficiently, and within prescribed time limits.
To liaise with the Allocations Team, Accommodation Services, and the Case work Team to ensure that all relevant information has been gathered to address the requests for reviews of homeless & housing register assessments, and social & temporary accommodation offers.
To have regular meetings with the council's Legal Department in order to ensure that Section 204 appeals and judicial review proceedings are defended and to ensure that deadlines are met for witness statements and skeleton arguments in defence of County Court or High Court appeals.
To ensure that legal costs are minimised in relation to threatened/actual court action.
To monitor and prepare reports for the Head of Service and Members, on performance in respect of decision reviews and court cases.
To be responsible for developing procedures, guidelines, and model letter templates, in relation to taking and processing applications.
To take account of good practice initiatives developed by other local authorities and government (DLUC).
When appropriate, arrange oral hearings for clients in line with regulation 7 of the Homelessness (Review Procedure, etc.) Regulations 2018.
To examine reports and case notes prepared by the Case Work Officers, on applications prepared for review.
To identify shortcomings or trends where remedial action is required.
To ensure that the Case work Team is fully aware of current caselaw and of any related legislation/regulations in order that casework is of high quality and that fully informed decisions are reached by officers.
To highlight anomalies/irregularities in the Allocations Scheme (as part of the annual review) and homelessness and accommodation procedures, that arise from appeals in order to minimise the risk of court action.
To obtain medical reports from GPs/ Consultants and to seek recommendations from the in-house' medical adviser, the Mental Health Professionals Meeting, or an independent consultant for the purpose of investigating a review.
Authorise and, where appropriate, make recommendations on the placement into temporary accommodation of persons to whom the Council owes a duty.
To exercise discretion in deciding whether to continue providing accommodation pending a review or county court appeal.
To take a lead on briefing the Council's solicitors and counsel.
To attend court where appropriate and in particular in relation to section 204 appeals and judicial reviews.
Essential Experience Required:
The successful candidate will be able to work independently, using their own initiative.
Experience of carrying out complex housing enquiries and producing well written, legally sound decisions is essential, as is the ability to liaise with solicitors and other representatives on a regular basis.
Highly detailed knowledge of current and emerging housing legislation and case law related to housing advice issues including private sector landlord and tenant law, security of tenure, homelessness law, housing benefit and other welfare benefit regulations, possession proceedings in the county court including court procedure rules, Community legal Services funding rules etc.
Additional information to note:
The role is remote however, there may be occasions when you are required to attend our offices.
The role is for an initial period of 3 months.
An urgent start is required.
The closing date for this position is Friday 16/08/2024.