We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

The Housing and Homelessness Service is a very busy environment  and faces several challenges to meet the housing needs of citizens of Coventry.  The team have grown significantly  and this reflects the fact that Housing & Homelessness are now a key council priority.  

The team are responsible for the delivery of the following service functions: 

• Provision of the statutory homeless service 

• Provision of temporary accommodation 

• Management of the housing register 

• Co-ordination of support to citizens rough sleeping 

• Commissioning of homeless services, and  

• Responsibility for housing strategy  

The Council has a strategic vision that is clearly set out in both the Housing & Homelessness and the Rough Sleeping Strategies.

By becoming part of an expanding team who are focused on preventing households from becoming homeless as well as providing tailored support and interventions when someone does become homeless this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our city. 

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Are you looking for a new challenge in 2024?

The Housing and Homelessness service have secured funding for a 12-month fixed term role to work with single people that are homeless or threatened with homelessness. The funding has been awarded to work with single people in the community to prevent homelessness and the risk of rough sleeping.

We are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated individual who can adapt to the changing needs of the Housing & Homelessness service. As a Housing Options Visiting Officer you will have a keen eye for detail and will take every opportunity to prevent homelessness.  

Duties of the role include:

• Carrying out home visits in the community to people who are homeless and threatened with homelessness.
• Mediating in family disputes and with private landlords to prevent homelessness and the risk of rough sleeping.
• Assessing the suitability of accommodation and reporting on findings.
• Supporting Single homeless customers into permanent accommodation to prevent rough sleeping.
• Carrying out housing needs assessments under homelessness legislation.
• Representing the Housing and Homelessness Service in the community.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
 

You will need to have a clean driving licence and have constant access to a car which will need to be in good working condition. 

If you have experience and knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 or of working in an advisory capacity, this will be preferred but not essential.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

For informal enquires please contact Caroline Darwin via email Caroline.Darwin@Coventry.gov.uk 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a work-based exercise and panel interview which will take place on 20th March 2024. 

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies