[Hiring] Quality Assurance and Review Officer @Civic Recruitment Limited

Role Description

Somerset Council is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance & Review Officer to manage a backlog of statutory housing allocation reviews and support the implementation of a new Housing Allocations Policy. This pivotal role involves overseeing complex statutory reviews under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996, ensuring that decisions are legally sound and well-reasoned. The successful candidate will provide expert advice on housing allocations legislation, policy interpretation, and case law, while also contributing to service improvements and policy implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and resolve complex statutory reviews under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996.
• Ensure review decisions are of high quality and legally compliant.
• Apply housing legislation, statutory guidance, case law, and local policy in decision-making.
• Address existing review backlogs and ensure timely completion.
• Prepare review files and documentation for potential legal challenges.
• Collaborate with Legal Services on:
  • Pre-action correspondence
  • Judicial Review matters
  • Legal challenges
  • Complex allocation cases
• Identify and mitigate legal, financial, and reputational risks.
• Provide specialized advice to officers, managers, and senior leaders.
• Assist in implementing the Council's new Housing Allocations Policy.
• Develop new processes and quality assurance measures.
• Promote consistency and best practices in housing allocations decision-making.
• Stay updated on legislative developments and emerging case law.
• Support service improvement initiatives from reviews, complaints, and policy changes.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Housing Allocations and Housing Needs Services.
• In-depth knowledge of:
  • Part VI Housing Act 1996
  • Housing Allocations Legislation
  • Housing Law
  • Statutory Reviews
  • Allocation Policies
• Proven track record in determining statutory review cases.
• Ability to produce legally robust review decisions.
• Experience managing complex housing cases and investigations.
• Strong understanding of administrative law and decision-making principles.
• Experience working with Legal Services on challenges and litigation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage a specialized caseload.

Requirements

• Experience in implementing or reviewing Housing Allocation Policies.
• Experience with Judicial Reviews.
• Background in a Local Authority Housing Needs team.
• Awareness of current housing policy developments and best practices.

Benefits

• £34.93 per hour (Umbrella)
• 3 Month Contract
• 18 Hours Per Week (Part-Time)
• Fully Remote Working
• Bi-Weekly Pay
• Opportunity to lead a significant housing allocations review program.
• Key role in supporting the implementation of a new Housing Allocations Policy.
• Exposure to complex statutory reviews, legal challenges, and policy development.
• Flexible part-time working arrangement.
• Ideal for candidates with experience as a Quality Assurance & Review Officer, Housing Allocations Officer, Senior Housing Officer, Housing Reviews Officer, Housing Needs Officer, Homelessness Reviews Officer, Housing Policy Officer, or Housing Appeals & Reviews Specialist.