Improvement and Reviews Manager

Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)

1mo ago

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Senior & Expert Level
Government & Politics
People, HR & Administration
London

Requirements

Significant experience in housing or related fields, with a proven track record in homelessness services.
In-depth knowledge of housing legislation, including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
Strong understanding of local and national housing policies, strategies, and best practices related to homelessness and how it influences service delivery.
Experience of leading, managing, and motivating a team, ensuring high performance and effective service delivery. Excellent self-management skills including ability to plan, deal with complexity, prioritise workloads and work effectively to often fluctuating and shifting priorities.
Strong project management skills, with experience of successfully delivering complex projects from inception, through delivery to agreed time, cost, quality parameters.
Educated to degree level or NVQ Level 4 or 5, or equivalent work experience.
A Level 4 or 5 Certificate or Diploma in Housing, or a foundation degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing, or a willingness and ability to work towards obtaining this qualification.
Membership in a relevant professional body, such as the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Evidence of Continuous Professional Development, for example, formal management training and development programmes such as ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, or Project Management training such as Prince2 or Project Management Professional certification.

Responsibilities

Working collaboratively across teams within Housing Demand, the directorate, council and with partners delivering seamless end to end outcomes for residents. Including matrix management of services/projects.
Delivering services across the full range of settings and channels to ensure best outcomes for residents, including face-to-face and home visits.
Managing the statutory s202 & s204 review function regarding homeless decisions relating to Part VI & VII of the 1996 housing Act as amended by the Homeless Reduction Act 2017(HRA) and legal any challenges
Developing and maintaining a programme of training, continuous learning, and service improvement across the division, driving improved performance and knowledge of all officers.
Contributing to the service improvement, working with all the various teams within the service by assisting with MP enquiries, complaints, adopting a customer friendly, problem-solving approach to prevent further escalation.
Providing coaching and mentoring to staff to deliver the statutory requirements of the HRA 2017 and ensuring consistency and robust decision making across the service
Working experience of responding to judicial reviews and assisting the legal team with defending the Council against legal and other challenges including the housing ombudsman.
Working collaboratively with colleagues and managers to produce detailed procedures and training materials and ensuring these are kept up to date in accordance with changes to legislations and case law.
Ensuring the service identifies and prioritises assistance for vulnerable groups, such as families with children, pregnant women, and individuals with specific needs, for these groups to receive the necessary support and resources to secure stable housing.
As part of a wider management team, ensuring the provision of interim accommodation for applicants, coordinating with various service providers to secure temporary housing solutions that meet the immediate needs of homeless individuals.
Contributing and leading where directed in ensuring that service policies, procedures, and processes are continuously developed to reflect legislative and regulatory changes, guidance, and best practices, with a strong emphasis on adhering to legislation affecting the service, and ensure all working practices are compliant and efficient.
Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by supporting the development of and implementation of service improvements, service planning, including clearly communicating goals and expectations to enhance service delivery, processes, and outcomes, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s and directorate’s overall objectives, industry trends and best practice.
Being responsible for managing and motivating the workforce, ensuring effective team management, professional development, and fostering a positive and productive work environment in line the council’s employment policies, procedures and practices.
Ensuring that regular 1-2-1s, team meetings and individual annual reviews are undertaken supported by a clear individual and team plans.
Leading and managing assigned projects ensuring all allocated resources are organised effectively and efficiently throughout the life span of the project, ensuring all objectives are achieved.
Acting as the duty manager on a rota basis, covering all areas of Housing Solutions on duty throughout the day to the point of closing the service.
Working out of hours on a rota basis to manage out of hours service.
Representing the department and Council at relevant meetings and as appropriate engaging with community stakeholders and partners, ensuring collaboration and co-creation on joint initiatives and integrating community and partnership working into service planning and delivery.
Managing and monitoring budgets, interrogate financial records, authorise expenditure, supporting the compliance with financial and procurement rules, policies and processes, proactively managing risks and overspends, and maximising income, funding opportunities and efficiencies.
Fostering effective communication with staff, ensuring they are well-informed and actively involved. Clearly articulating service objectives, development of team plans, and ensuring that corporate messages are effectively cascaded.
Ensuring continuous professional development and mandatory training for staff, fostering a culture of ongoing learning and compliance.
Supporting the Head of Service in identifying, assessing, and managing risks to ensure effective service delivery in accordance with the council’s risk management policy, frameworks, and local risk register, including ensuring the timely escalation of risks to the Assistant Director.
Supporting the Head of Service in managing relationships with members concerning service delivery and politically sensitive issues by providing accurate and timely information and reporting within your area of responsibility, whilst representing the service and the council at meetings and events as required.
Ensuring complaints, Members Enquiries and FOIs are completed within required timeframes and active reviewing of complaints is undertaken to improve service delivery.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Improvement and Reviews Manager position?

The salary package is between £59,739 and £63,159 per annum inclusive.

What are the application closing dates for this position?

The application closing date is midnight on Sunday, 08 June 2025.

What are the working hours for this role?

The working hours are Monday to Friday, with hybrid working options available.

Who will the Improvement and Reviews Manager report to?

The Improvement and Reviews Manager will report directly to the Head of Housing Solutions.

How many direct reports will the Improvement and Reviews Manager supervise?

The Improvement and Reviews Manager will have up to 15 direct reports.

What are the key responsibilities associated with this position?

Key responsibilities include managing the review function regarding homelessness decisions, developing training programs, providing coaching to staff, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with housing legislation.

What qualifications are required for this role?

Candidates should be educated to degree level or have NVQ Level 4 or 5, or equivalent work experience, as well as relevant housing qualifications or a willingness to obtain them.

Is experience in housing or homelessness services required?

Yes, significant experience in housing or related fields, with a proven track record in homelessness services, is required.

What types of skills are sought after for this position?

We are seeking strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities, project management skills, and the ability to lead and motivate a team effectively.

Are there any special considerations for applicants?

Ealing Council welcomes applications from all residents of the borough and particularly encourages candidates from underrepresented groups in Ealing’s workforce.

How can I apply for this position?

You can apply online or email robin.turner@adecco.co.uk for a confidential conversation regarding the role.

Will this position require me to work out of hours?

Yes, the Improvement and Reviews Manager will be expected to work out of hours on a rota basis to manage the out-of-hours service.

What are the key performance indicators for this role?

Key performance indicators include the delivery of statutory performance indicators to prevent homelessness, minimize the use of temporary accommodation, and delivery of improvement projects within agreed timeframes and budgets.

Is there a need for ongoing professional development in this role?

Yes, continuous professional development and mandatory training for staff is essential and will be fostered within the role.

Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)

Government

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

Mission & Purpose

We are one of London’s largest, most diverse boroughs, home to approximately 350,000 residents who strongly identify with our seven towns of Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale and Southall. Ealing is thriving. We are home to iconic film studios, international food production companies and home to part of Park Royal, the largest industrial estate in Europe. Located between the West End and Heathrow, the opportunities for our residents and businesses are exceptional and we have a renewed ambition to help generate jobs and improve lives. We are a council that wants to break with traditional service delivery and listen more closely to what residents really want from us, placing resident engagement at the heart of everything we do. Working with a new administration and newly appointed Chief Executive, we have renewed ambition to help generate jobs and improve lives. Our Council Plan sets out the vision and the following three key priorities for the borough: •Creating good jobs – returning good well-paid jobs to our borough and delivering the next generation of genuinely affordable homes •Tackling the climate crisis – cleaning our air and ensuring the borough we build is sustainable •Fighting inequality – that blights too many lives and disproportionately holds back all too many people from achieving their dreams and aspirations.