Location: Enfield
Rate: £31.00 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: 3 Month Contract
Hours: Full Time
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 1 Day Per Week Office-Based
Pay: Bi-weekly
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We are looking for an experienced Cessation of Duty (COD) Officer to handle complex homelessness cases and make legally sound decisions regarding the discharge and cessation of homelessness duties. This role is crucial for ensuring that statutory homelessness duties are managed effectively and in compliance with relevant legislation. The ideal candidate will be adept at working independently, assessing complex evidence, and drafting high-quality decision letters that can withstand legal scrutiny.
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Manage a caseload of complex homelessness and cessation of duty cases.
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Conduct thorough investigations and legal inquiries before making statutory decisions.
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Assess factors such as affordability, suitability, intentional homelessness, refusal of accommodation, and loss of temporary accommodation.
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Review and analyze evidence, including housing records, financial assessments, welfare benefits information, medical evidence, safeguarding information, and rent accounts.
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Identify gaps in evidence and request further investigations as needed.
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Weigh conflicting information and make findings of fact.
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Draft legally compliant minded-to and final decision letters.
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Ensure decisions can withstand Section 202 Reviews, Ombudsman investigations, and legal challenges.
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Liaise with internal teams, legal services, housing providers, landlords, support agencies, and external partners.
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Maintain accurate records and clear audit trails.
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Make safeguarding referrals where appropriate.
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Contribute to service improvements and quality assurance activities.
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Requirements:
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Significant experience within Homelessness Services, Housing Needs, Housing Options, or Housing Advisory Services.
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Extensive experience making homelessness decisions under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
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Strong knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Homelessness Code of Guidance, Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duty, Human Rights considerations, and relevant homelessness case law.
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Experience managing complex homelessness cases independently.
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Experience conducting detailed investigations and fact-finding exercises.
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Experience assessing suitability, affordability, intentional homelessness, discharge of duty, and temporary accommodation matters.
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Excellent decision-writing skills and experience preparing legally robust decision letters.
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Strong analytical and investigative skills.
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Ability to make decisions that withstand legal and statutory scrutiny.
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Local Authority homelessness experience.
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Experience dealing with Section 202 Reviews.
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Experience working closely with Legal Services.
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Experience within Temporary Accommodation or Housing Advisory Services.
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Knowledge of H-CLIC reporting requirements.
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Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
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Strong legal interpretation and decision-making abilities.
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Exceptional attention to detail.
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Ability to analyze complex and conflicting evidence.
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Excellent case management skills.
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Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
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Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
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Professional and resilient approach to complex casework.
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Location: Enfield
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Hybrid Working: 1 Day Per Week Office-Based
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High-volume case management environment.
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Regular liaison with internal departments, legal teams, housing providers, support services, and statutory agencies.
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Opportunity to support a specialist homelessness service at a critical stage of the housing journey.
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£31.00 per hour (Umbrella)
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3 Month Contract
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Location: Enfield
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Hybrid Working: 1 Day Per Week Office-Based
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Bi-weekly Pay
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Opportunity to work within a specialist Homelessness Team.
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Complex and rewarding casework involving homelessness legislation and statutory decision-making.
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Ideal for experienced Homelessness Officers, Housing Needs Officers, Housing Options Officers, Reviews Officers, or Housing Advisory professionals.
Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with experience as a Homelessness Officer, Housing Needs Officer, Housing Options Officer, Reviews Officer, Housing Advisory Officer, Housing Solutions Officer, or Cessation of Duty Officer.
