Housing Assessment Support Officer
Braintree District Council
Temporary, Full Time
£30.00 ph (umbrella)
Location: Braintree
Closing Date: 29th September 2025
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree District Council to recruit a Housing Assessment Support Officer on 2–3-month temporary basis. Please note that you will be required to work in the Council offices 3 days per week.
The Role:
To be part of the busy Housing Assessment Team within Braintree District Council, providing support to ensure the Housing Register for the District is accurately maintained and applications to join the Register are properly assessed.
- Assess applications (inc. change of circumstances). Use information supplied to decide on eligibility to be placed on the Council’s Housing Register. Assessment will include the needs of individual applicants and the need to meet both legislative requirements as well as the Gateway to Homechoice Allocations Policy.
- Carry out investigations to determine the priority to be awarded to housing applications. This will include liaising with other Agencies such as landlords, Social Services, Mental Health Teams, GPs and the Police.
- Scan and attach relevant supporting documents to applications.
- Renew applications as necessary.
- Identify applicants who may be within 56 days of becoming homeless and liaise with colleagues in the Housing Options Team.
- Once the advertising cycle has ended, provide nominations from the shortlists to some Housing Associations in the District.
- Respond to enquiries received by email, letters and telephone. This must meet with the Council’s service performance targets and must ensure that the Council’s policies are explained clearly, and an efficient and effective service delivery is maintained.
- Assist applicants to complete their housing applications where necessary.
- Visit applicants to measure bedrooms to determine whether they are large enough in accordance with the Allocations Policy.
- To support, contribute and comply with quality practices as described within the Corporate Quality Policy and as described by Management.
- The Experience You Will Bring:
- Housing related experience and a knowledge of the Housing Act Part 6 and 7
- An awareness of equalities and the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the issues in relation to housing need
- Must have good interpersonal skills and be non- judgmental
- The ability to apply investigative skills
- Hold full driving licence and have use of a car
- Good knowledge of Microsoft office and previous experience of using Abritas system
- Choice Based Lettings- Housing Register
- Completing medical and welfare assessments – understanding housing needs- risks and vulnerabilities
Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative, innovative and forward-thinking approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it.
Please Note–Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.
What should you do next?
If you are interested in this post, then please click apply.
If you have any queries regarding submitting an application or require anything further, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk
