Homelessness Local Connection Disputes – Independent Referee
Are you passionate about supporting local authorities to tackle homelessness? Are you self-motivated with an in-depth knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation? If so, we have an opportunity for you to join an independent panel of referees that resolves disputes between local authorities arising from the referral of homeless applicants from one authority to another on the grounds of local connection. The panel is managed by the Local Government Association (LGA).
We encourage applications from Black and minority ethnic applicants, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and serving British regular or reserve Armed Forces Personnel.
About the panel:
The LGA is the national membership body for local authorities and we work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.
As per the Homelessness (Decisions on Referrals) Order 1998, the LGA – agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association – operates a panel responsible for the arbitration process by which a council can dispute whether it is their or another council’s responsibility to provide homelessness duties to an applicant. Panel members are independent and not employed by the LGA, but the LGA provides the relevant councils with information on the panel and a panel member is requested to conduct the arbitration.
Job purpose:
Referees follow the Homelessness Code and Guidance for Local Authorities produced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and investigate the evidence available to decide which authority has a duty to house when a local connection dispute arises. The guidelines for invoking the disputes procedure are agreed by local authority associations and outlined in the Procedures for referrals of homeless applicants to another local authority.
Referees are paid a flat rate fee of £1,000 by the authorities per determination and and any third-party costs would normally be recovered from the unsuccessful party to the dispute.
Skills and experience:
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of housing and homelessness legislation in relation to local authorities, including:
- Part VII Housing Act 1996
- the Homelessness (Review Procedure etc.) Regulations 2018
- Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities 2018
- Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act, 2004
- Homelessness Reduction Act, 2017
- Experience of working with local authorities is essential
- Experience of working in a local authority and an understanding of the different legislative context in England, Scotland and Wales is desirable
- Commitment to the highest standards of professional practice and ethics
- A track record of excellent client care
- Outstanding communication, judgement and decision-making
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement (expression of interest) detailing how you meet the skills and experience for the role before the closing date.
We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names. We are unable to remove candidate’s names from their CV’s. If you wish to remain anonymous, we ask that you take your name off your CV before submitting.
Closing Date: 5pm, 29 March 2024
Interview Date: Rolling
If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role, please email Nathan.Brewster@local.gov.uk for more information.