Accommodation Assessment & Lettings Team Leader

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

Are you passionate about housing and helping clients with their homeless journey? Do you have the skills and knowledge to make a difference in our temporary accommodation service? You could be at the forefront of shaping strategies that make a difference to our clients who require temporary accommodation.

What’s the role? …

Housing Services Directorate is looking to appoint an Accommodation Assessment & Lettings Team Leader to manage a team of six Accommodation Assessment & Lettings Officers responsible for offering suitable accommodation under S188 and S193 duties. Successful management of this service area will ensure we deliver a high quality, customer-focused approach to our applicants eligible for homelessness assistance and continuous improvement and efficiency in the service delivery. In addition, you will ensure officers complete S208, enforce offer of suitable accommodation, correctly undertake the discharge of duty and complete all other tasks relevant to their role.

What’s in it for you? 

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance 
• Local Government Pension scheme 
• Flexible working and family friendly policies 
• Season ticket and bicycle loans 
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships 
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

We are seeking an experienced Accommodation Assessment & Lettings Team Leader with a good working knowledge of managing a team responsible for offering accommodation under S188 and S193, Part 6 & 7 of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Localism Act 2011 and its application. You must have knowledge and understanding of the activities, functions and processes involved in offering suitable accommodation under S188 and S193 as well as issuing discharge of duty decisions. 

In return, we will offer excellent development opportunities, plus a range of benefits that includes a career average pension scheme, flexible working and the opportunity to make a real difference to our local community.

Location 

Whilst the service is primarily based in Laurence House, we operate a hybrid approach whereby you may be required to work both in the office and from home as determined by service requirements.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed. 

For an informal discussion, please contact Abdul Hamid on 07385 226267

Lewisham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

The post is subject to a DBS.

To find out more, including a full job description and person specification, and to apply, please visit the Lewisham Council website

Salary

£47,628 - £49,638 per annum (P03)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity 

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply 

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.  

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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