Housing Law Caseworker (Cardiff, Vale and Valleys)

Role Description

Reports to: Team Leader (Cardiff, Vale and Valleys)

Salary: £26,862 per annum (pro rata ) - £24,559pa

Location: Cardiff

Hours: 32 hours per week

Post No: SC732

Background to their organisation

Our client is the people and homes charity in Wales and works for the prevention of homelessness, the improvement of housing conditions, and the right of everyone to a safe, suitable and affordable home.

Our client understand the damage that bad housing causes. Every day they deal with the effect it has on people's lives.

Job summary/purpose

To deliver and develop high quality, cost effective housing rights advice and advocacy services to people in housing need with a focus on preventing homelessness where applicable and improving peoples’ housing conditions. Also to contribute to the promotion of housing policy initiatives and best practice and to work in a constructive and collaborative way with other services, including local authorities and housing associations when it is in the best interest of their users.

Key responsibilities

1.1 Provide appropriate advice, information and where necessary, practical help, to enquirers whether by visit, telephone, dedicated telephone and online service, letter or email and where necessary, to advocate on behalf of clients in the appropriate forums.

1.2Provide advice and advocacy at court to people facing housing possession proceedings.

1.3 Ensure that all casework records is kept up-to-date, accessible to other staff and that all local casework information systems are maintained effectively.

1.4 Identify all cases that qualify for legal aid and ensure that the necessary procedures are followed and recording systems maintained.

1.5 Actively participate in file review meetings and all other evaluation structures designed to maintain and improve the quality and standards of casework provision.

1.6 Identify opportunities to effect positive change to housing policy in Wales and pursue such opportunities in liaison with the line manager and other staff.

1.7 Engage positively and constructively with other services, including local authorities and housing associations, where it is in the best interest of their users and maintain good local relationships in line with agreed partnership protocols.

1.8 Participate in policy meetings and ensure that work in progress is communicated to other relevant staff.

1.9 Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to promote the housing rights service to other agencies and potential funders.

1.10 Assist in the development of team workplans, within the overall planning procedure, and to be responsible for individual performance against agreed team objectives.

1.11 Participate in policy conferences, seminars and events and to respond to requests for information from the media in consultation with the line manager and other relevant staff

General

2.1 To support the work of volunteers and other placements as requested.

2.2 Participate as and when required in team and one-to-one meetings, and undertake, as appropriate, courses/training/other developmental activities, relevant to the role.

2.3 Ensure, in the course of employment, complete confidentiality is maintained in respect of the Charity, its dealings, transactions, affairs and all other information relating to clients, participants, associates, staff and other subsidiaries etc.

2.4 Keep up to date with developments within the company and other sector-wide practices, which influence the day-to-day activities within the role, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and any other relevant internal/external factor(s).

2.5 Ensure all activities comply with appropriate legal requirements and with company policies and procedures.

2.6 Demonstrate commitment to the aims and objectives of the business and the implementation of its Equal Opportunities policy and Welsh Language Scheme in the workplace.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined, you must be prepared to undertake such additional duties which may result from changing circumstances, but which may not of necessity change the general character or level of responsibility to the post.

You will be subject to a performance review which will incorporate a review of the above duties and performance over the period.

As the post may involve working with vulnerable people, your employment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Scheme check.

Other Conditions

Salary: £26,862 per annum (pro rata ) - £24,559pa

Contract type: Permanent (subject to continued funding)

Hours: Normal office hours are 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday, although alternative hours may be worked with line manager agreement. Work outside office hours may sometimes be necessary and will be compensated for by time off in lieu.

Annual leave

29 days plus two concessionary days at Christmas and New Year (excluding statutory and national holidays). Annual leave and statutory holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis where applicable.

Pension

Our client operates a contributory pension scheme. They will auto-enrol you into the scheme in accordance with its auto-enrolment obligations. Full details of the scheme will be provided to you once you are enrolled, including the minimum level of contributions that you will be required to make during your membership (current contributions - employer 4% and employee 5%).

Mileage

A fixed rate allowance is payable for agreed mileage undertaken on company business in a private vehicle, over and above your usual journey to your workplace/s.

Location

Our client is developing a flexible and hybrid working approach for all staff, with a minimum of one day per week working in the office and have offices across Wales (Cardiff, Swansea, Rhyl, Felinheli and Wrexham)

Please return your completed application by email on their website.

An application form and guidelines can be found online on their Vacancies page.