Job Title: Reviews & Appeals Officer
Contract: Temp on going
Hours: 35, mostly remote working
Location: Harrow

Purpose of the Role
I am representing a client based in Harrow, who are looking for someone who understands the challenges and complexities around homelessness today, the impact that homelessness has on families and single people and have a commitment to addressing housing issues and reducing homelessness.

Main Responsibilities

• Be responsible for fulfilling the council's statutory function under s202 and s204 of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII i.e., reviewing negative homelessness decisions and suitability of offers when requested by applicants/their representatives and produce a written adjudication supplying the full reason for the review decision.


• To conduct appeals against housing register decisions.


• To make enquiries into possible fraudulent housing applications and refer on those that require further investigation.


• To act as the council's representative in any subsequent court challenge to a review decision or in any litigation around the conduct of the review, including that which involves any decision not to conduct a review.


• To ensure additional internal deadlines are met regarding the management of the review process, e.g., timely dispatch of file copies; follow up of submissions and Regulation 7 letters and liaison with the council's solicitors in relation to court proceedings.


• To liaise with applicants' solicitors who are challenging decisions made on their clients housing applications, including but not restricted to Harrow Law Centre & Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

Requirements

• Significant experience of making enquiries and undertaking statutory reviews in accordance part VII of the Housing Act 1996, related legislation, and case law.


• In-depth knowledge of all relevant housing and associated legislation and caselaw which affects homelessness decisions and the Council's Housing Allocation policy.


• Significant experience and knowledge of the court processes relating to judicial review.


• Ability to organise and monitor the progression of tasks and activities, progressing work in a timely manner and changing priorities to achieve expected outcomes and deadlines.


• Educated to degree level or equivalent or has the equivalent relevant work experience.

If you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please send your CV now for consideration.

If you require any additional information regarding the position, please call Joel at Service Care Solutions on 01772 208 966 or send an E-Mail to joel.hopwood@servicecare.org.uk