Housing Review Officer

Job Title: Housing Reviews Officer
Location: Remote
Contract Type: Temporary (6 weeks)
Salary: £25- £29 per hour (DOE)

Hours: 25 per week

About Us

Connect2Dorset is the managed service provider for Dorset Council, supplying high-quality temporary, contract, and interim staffing solutions across various departments. We are proud to be an ethical, trustworthy, and caring organisation.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Housing Reviews Officer to join Dorset Council on a fully remote, home-based basis (25 hours per week). This role involves carrying out statutory housing reviews under Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996.

The successful candidate will have strong experience undertaking Section 202 reviews within a Local Authority setting and will be confident drafting detailed, legally robust decision letters. You will apply up-to-date legislation, statutory guidance, case law, and council policy to ensure high-quality, well-reasoned review decisions that are clearly communicated in plain English.

This is a short-term temporary contract for 6 weeks, offering an opportunity to support the Council in delivering fair and legally compliant housing review decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out statutory reviews under Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Ensure full compliance with statutory requirements relating to Section 202 Reviews and Section 204 Appeals.
• Apply detailed knowledge of homelessness legislation including the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), the Homelessness Act 2002, the Localism Act 2011, and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant case law and its impact on statutory housing decisions.
• Interpret and apply Dorset Council's housing allocation policies and strategies within review decisions.
• Draft detailed, fully reasoned, and legally compliant decision letters capable of withstanding further legal challenge.
• Communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively in plain English to applicants.
• Scrutinise case files and identify any further enquiries required prior to completing reviews.
• Carry out relevant enquiries and maintain accurate and comprehensive case notes.
• Review client information using the Council's housing management system (Huume).
• Negotiate calmly and objectively with distressed or dissatisfied applicants to achieve fair outcomes.
• Utilise Microsoft Office and other IT systems effectively in the production and management of review documentation.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 2 years' experience undertaking Part VI and Part VII statutory housing reviews within a Local Authority setting.
• Strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation, statutory guidance, and case law.
• Demonstrable experience drafting robust Section 202 review decision letters.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce detailed, legally sound decisions.
• Ability to interpret legislation and apply it accurately in complex housing cases.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Experience reviewing housing case management systems (Huume desirable).
• Confident handling challenging conversations with professionalism and empathy.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.