Senior Reviews Officer

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Job Introduction

We're recruiting a Senior Reviews Officer to join our Housing Reviews Team.

This team carries out statutory reviews under s202 of the Housing Act 1996 which relate to the acceptance and ending of duties, and suitability of accommodation relating to both temporary, final settled offers in relief and settled offers of accommodation under s193.

You will also assist with reviews where previously accepted duty has been discharged under s193 of the Act and conduct reviews of decisions made in accordance with the city council's Allocation Scheme.

You will be an experienced and motivated candidate with a sound knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 as amended, in particular Parts VI and VII. You will also have a detailed knowledge of the Homeless Reduction Act with a good understanding of how the new legislation impacts homelessness duties.

You will have experience of making autonomous decisions under s184 and s202 of the Act and decisions governed by the provisions of an Allocation Scheme.

Interviews for this role will be held on 9 December 2024

Main Responsibility

• Carry out relevant inquiries and maintain accurate, detailed notes in a timely manner.
• Possess excellent writing skills and be able to draft detailed, fully particularised robust decisions of a sufficient standard so as to withstand any further challenge and which address the relevant legislation and objective argument(s) in relation to that review.
• Work collaboratively with the wider housing service providing feedback and guidance to original decision makers.
• Work in conjunction with the Deputy Manager or other senior officers when assessing requests for the provision of interim accommodation and where refusal is appropriate to draft detailed decisions setting out the Council's reason for that refusal.
• Participate in team duties such as the recording of review requests, maintaining and accurately updating databases and team mailboxes.
• Liaise with each Council's legal representatives and attend Court when required.
• Possess an analytical, investigative approach towards your work and have the ability to critically appraise information and communicate complex decision making in writing.
• You will also be expected to use the findings of your review work to identify opportunities for service improvement and good practice.
• Ideally you will also assist the Deputy Manager in the day-to-day allocation of work to the Housing Reviews Team and to provide guidance on the interpretation of complex legislation and the statutory duties of the Council on relevant legislation and enactment of law and ensure implementation of any subsequent changes arising from amendments in statute and guidance.
• Assist the Deputy Manager with coordinating the review function and ensuring that decisions are robust, high quality and transparent, ensuring that reviews are conducted in compliance with the statutory timescales, regulatory framework, and the Code of Guidance. Responsible for providing guidance and instruction to Reviews Officers regarding the nature and extent of appropriate enquiries.
• You will be expected to carry out regular case management as well as monitoring casework quality to ensure that decisions are defendable on appeal.

The Ideal Candidate

• Possess a detailed knowledge of parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended, the Homelessness Code of Guidance, as well as a working knowledge of relevant case law which you will apply when undertaking any statutory review.
• Experienced decision maker and have a detailed knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and with regard to the Homelessness Code of Guidance 2017 and the relevant Council's Allocation Schemes.
• Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you and BPSS referencing.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.

• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.

• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.

• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.

• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated 'site based' or 'home based'. 'Site based' roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst 'home based' roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.

If you'd like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.