• Our client is a Local Authority who are seeking a Sheltered Housing Warden for a Temporary Contract through to December to interview and advise persons applying as homeless and make the necessary enquiries pursuant to the 1996 Housing Act Part VII (as amended) and advising applicants of the Council’s decision on their case. In liaison with the Principal Homeless Officer, where appropriate, to ensure that applicants are given the best advice concerning their statutory rights and the various avenues open to them, always bearing in mind the unique nature of homelessness and the unprecedented situations it can raise. A clear understanding of the 1996 Housing Act Part VI. Also in accordance with the 2002 Homelessness Act, giving advice and assistance in regards to all prevention measures as set out in the Homelessness Strategy.

• Successful candidates duties will include: To ensure that all cases are seen quickly and appropriately in line with the hectic nature of the service. Ensuring that all applicants are interviewed and advised about homelessness and potentially homeless persons seeking assistance under the legislation. A knowledge of all options available to ensure that all alternatives to prevent homelessness are utilised. To make decisions as to the Council’s statutory obligations on the day of application, authorising use and type of interim accommodation, if appropriate, ensuring that all relevant details are passed to the Service's Accommodation Section enabling it to make the necessary arrangements. To liaise with Social Services and/or any other agency, as appropriate, to ensure the most appropriate outcome to applications. To manage an allocated caseload of homeless applications obtaining all information necessary (and verifying same where appropriate) from all available sources, as appropriate, within agreed time scales to enable the Team Leader to decide the Council’s responsibility under the Act. To advise applicants verbally and in writing of the decision reached and giving reasons in full.

• Liaising with referring agencies, such as the Leaving Care Service, Community Mental Health Team, Anti Social Behaviour Team, Local Housing Offices and Doctors, Law Centres, Solicitors. Requesting information in writing and on the telephone on cases where decisions are pending. To undertake visits to applicants at their place of residence to assess suitability to occupy and to previous homes to verify an applicant’s residence, homelessness and reasons for homelessness. To negotiate with the applicant and their Landlord, whether that be a friend, relative or statutory landlord, to explore other routes to housing available to the applicant, or to improve current living conditions. Some of these visits may be outside the Borough and the Section's Visiting Code must be complied with to ensure personal safety. To identify case problems and the reasons for delays in progressing cases both individually and collectively and take corrective action, in consultation with the Team Leader. To work closely with other sections within the Homeless Service (including Assessments Duty, Accommodation, Social Services, Housing Benefit, Housing Advice, Housing Options and Arrears) to ensure that all relevant information is communicated to other sections as appropriate. To liase with and refer cases to the Council’s Medical Advisor and/or the Social Work Team ensuring that all relevant information is obtained from other agencies (including substance abuse and mental health agencies) to ensure the most appropriate outcome. To have a thorough understanding of all other services relevant to the prevention of Homelessness, especially Lettings, Choice Based Lettings Scheme, Rent Arrears Sections, Anti Social Behaviour Team and Housing Benefits.

0209-312404 – Sheltered Housing Warden - Romford – £11.50 - £14.00ph - Temporary Contract

• Our client is a Local Authority who are seeking a Sheltered Housing Warden for a Temporary Contract through to the end of November to promote the best possible relations between the Council functions and its tenants and ensure that tenants gain the maximum benefit and contentment from their homes whilst preserving the Council's assets in a proper manner To exercise general supervision throughout the whole of the Sheltered Housing Complex under his/her control and prevent any behaviour by the tenants, their families or visitors which may give rise to complaints or occasional damage. To be responsible for the unobtrusive general supervision of the tenants, including the keeping of an up-to-date register of names and addresses of all tenants, with full particulars of nearest relatives, tenants' doctors and other useful information and to notify relatives and doctors as necessary in case of illness or other emergency. To act with tact and sympathy, allowing tenants to lead a completely independent lie, although there may be occasions when there is no alternative but for the Warden to give immediate short term general assistance. It should be the practice, in case of illness or other emergency, to encourage near relatives to take over responsibility for the welfare of tenants and to ensure that requests are made for Home Helps, Nurses etc when essential. To prevent trespass by persons having no right of access. To ensure that the Council's Rules and Conditions of Tenancy are observed by tenants and to report any infringement to the appropriate Business Unit.

• To be responsible for the supervision of the maintenance and cleaning of all communal areas including staircases, landings, corridors, bathrooms, lounge, laundry and other routine duties. In some instances the Warden will be responsible for cleaning the communal areas. To immediately inform the appropriate agency of any emergencies arising. In the case of fire, to immediately inform the Fire Brigade and subsequently report in writing to the Directorate, giving relevant details. To submit reports to the Sheltered Housing Manager and copy to the Communication Centre Manager weekly on any matter connected with the work. If necessary, to call the Police to any instance of serious disturbance. To contact the appropriate services to deal with lift stoppages and give comfort and support to any person being trapped. Prevent further use of the defective lift and notify the defect to the company carrying out lift maintenance under contract. To deal with any major failure of lights after dark, to communal areas e.g. in lifts, on landings, staircases and corridors. To contact the appropriate services to deal with any stoppage of refuse chutes. To maintain control of all appropriate keys. To maintain a record of telephone calls.

• To carry out a six monthly fire drill and to maintain a register of tenants who do and do not take part in the drill and the reasons for them not doing so. To maintain adequate stocks of cleaning equipment and materials, spare electric lamps, fuses etc as necessary for the communal areas. To liase with the Emergency Control Centre at the start and end of each period of duty and to advise the Centre when absent to sickness, leave etc in order that the Communication Centre Wardens may then provide emergency cover for the tenants within the Complex. To assist in the operation of the Emergency Control Centre and visit other complexes when necessary. This will involve working a shift in the Control Centre which could be anytime within a 24 hour day. Time off in lieu will be agreed in advance when appropriate. To carry out the delivery of bulk correspondence addressed by Housing Services to the Council's tenants within those dwellings under your supervision, together with those dwellings in the immediate vicinity. This relates particularly to the annual to tenants of increase in rents etc. All duties must be carried out in accordance with: i) The Health and Safety at Work Act ii) Acts of Parliament, Statutory iii) Nationally agreed Codes of Practice All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job. All necessary paperwork to be completed. Duties to be carried out for jobs up to/including those in the same grade provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.