Allocations Officer

Job Title: Bookings & Emergency Accommodation Officer
Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role:
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is seeking a dedicated and diligent Bookings & Emergency Accommodation Officer to join its Housing Options Service. This is a pivotal role in supporting some of the borough's most vulnerable residents by assessing accommodation needs and arranging emergency, self-contained, and permanent housing in accordance with statutory requirements and council policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Arrange and manage bookings into temporary and emergency accommodation.

• Oversee a caseload of clients in Bed & Breakfast accommodation, ensuring efficient communication and follow-up with homelessness assessment officers.

• Conduct regular inspections of designated hotels and ensure compliance with service standards.

• Monitor adherence to licence conditions, ensuring tenants meet their obligations, particularly regarding rent.

• Support the transition of clients into self-contained accommodation, ensuring all necessary arrangements and documentation are completed.

• Liaise with various internal and external stakeholders, including social workers, GPs, landlords, and housing benefits officers.

• Proactively manage rent accounts and minimise arrears through prompt action and effective engagement.

• Respond to incidents or concerns including racial harassment, domestic abuse, and safeguarding issues in accordance with council procedures.

Essential Requirements:

• Proven experience of advising clients in a housing or comparable setting.

• In-depth understanding of homelessness legislation and local authority responsibilities.

• Knowledge of landlord and tenant law, welfare benefits, and the Children Act.

• Experience managing rent accounts and enforcing licence conditions.

• Strong IT skills including database and workflow management.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work under pressure and manage sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.

• Commitment to the Council's TOWER values: Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, and Respect.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility to attend site visits and work occasionally up to 7pm as required.