Reviews Officer – 3 to 6 Month Contract

Summary

Responsibilities

• Statutory Reviews:
  
  
  
  • Conduct Section 202 Homelessness Reviews under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
    
  
  
  • Review decisions on eligibility, homelessness, priority need, intentional homelessness, local connection, suitability of accommodation, and duty owed.
    
  
  
  • Ensure reviews are completed within statutory timescales.
    
  
  

• Review Investigations:
  
  
  
  • Conduct detailed investigations and evidence gathering.
    
  
  
  • Review housing application records, assessments, correspondence, and supporting evidence.
    
  
  
  • Evaluate facts objectively and make legally robust recommendations.
    
  
  

• Decision Making:
  
  
  
  • Draft clear, comprehensive, and legally defensible review decisions.
    
  
  
  • Apply relevant legislation, regulations, statutory guidance, and case law.
    
  
  
  • Ensure decisions are fully reasoned and supported by evidence.
    
  
  

• Accommodation & Placement Expertise:
  
  
  
  • Review decisions relating to accommodation offers.
    
  
  
  • Assess suitability of temporary and permanent accommodation arrangements.
    
  
  
  • Work closely with Accommodation Placement Teams regarding offers and discharge of duty decisions.
    
  
  

• Partnership Working:
  
  
  
  • Liaise with Housing Options Teams, Accommodation Placement Teams, Legal Services, Temporary Accommodation Teams, external support providers, and other local authorities.
    
  
  
  • Build positive working relationships across internal and external services.
    
  
  

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance:
  
  
  
  • Ensure compliance with the Housing Act 1996 Part VII, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Homelessness Code of Guidance, Review Procedures Regulations, and relevant case law.
    
  
  

• Service Improvement:
  
  
  
  • Monitor quality and compliance within review processes.
    
  
  
  • Identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement.
    
  
  
  • Contribute to continuous service development and best practice initiatives.
    
  
  

• Knowledge:
  
  
  
  • Detailed knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Section 202 Reviews, Homelessness Code of Guidance, Review Procedures Regulations, and relevant housing case law.
    
  
  
  • Understanding of homelessness duties and accommodation suitability requirements.
    
  
  

• Experience:
  
  
  
  • Minimum 2–4 years' continuous experience conducting Section 202 Homelessness Reviews.
    
  
  
  • Experience preparing legally robust review decision letters.
    
  
  
  • Experience reviewing homelessness decisions within a Local Authority setting.
    
  
  
  • Experience making accommodation offers under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
    
  
  

• Skills & Competencies:
  
  
  
  • Excellent investigative and analytical skills.
    
  
  
  • Strong written communication and report-writing abilities.
    
  
  
  • Ability to draft legally sound decision letters.
    
  
  
  • Strong decision-making skills and attention to detail.
    
  
  
  • Ability to interpret legislation and case law effectively.
    
  
  
  • Strong organisational and time-management skills.
    
  
  

• Qualifications:
  
  
  
  • Relevant housing qualification or equivalent experience within homelessness and housing services.
    
  
  
  • CIH qualification or equivalent professional housing qualification is desirable.
    
  
  

Additional Information

• This is a 3–6 month temporary contract.
  


• Rate: £32.03 per hour (Umbrella).
  


• Location: London Borough of Waltham Forest.
  


• Pay is provided on a bi-weekly basis.
  


• Section 202 Review experience is essential.
  


• Experience managing Accommodation Placement Teams is highly desirable.
  


• London Local Authority homelessness experience is highly desirable.
  


• Opportunity to work within a high-performing Housing Needs Service.
  


• Immediate start available.