Decision details

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the implementation of a newly proposed staffing structure, following consultation with the service (see Housing Service Re-design Consultation Document – Appendix 1).
The aim of the restructure is to enhance capacity for frontline service delivery, shifting the focus towards homelessness prevention rather than responding primarily to emergency situations where residents are at immediate risk of losing their homes. Such crises often lead to the use of temporary accommodation, which is costly and not always conducive to household stability or wellbeing.
The demand for temporary accommodation has significantly increased in recent years, placing considerable financial pressure on the Council’s budget. A preventative approach to service delivery is expected to help reduce this demand and associated costs.
As part of the redesign, the Temporary Accommodation Team will be strengthened by increasing the number of Move On Support Officers (MOSOs). Each MOSO will manage a dedicated caseload and work closely with residents in temporary accommodation, providing intensive, tailored support. This includes linking households with training and employment opportunities, helping to maximise their income, and supporting realistic housing searches. These efforts aim to shorten the duration of stays in temporary accommodation and further ease the financial burden on the Council.

RESOLVED - That:
The proposals for change are:
Deletion of the following posts:
•1 FTE Housing Options Service Manager (Grade 10)
•2 FTE Business Support Officers (Grade 2)
•1 FTE Senior Housing Needs Officer (Allocations) (Grade 8)
•1 FTE Principal Housing Strategy Officer (Allocations) (Grade 9)
•1 FTE Principal Housing Strategy Officer (Accommodation Lead) (Grade 9)
•1 FTE Central Access Point Officer (Grade 5)
•2 FTE Temporary Accommodation Officers (Grade 5)
•1 FTE Temporary Accommodation Move on Support Officer (DA) (Grade 6)
•4 FTE Engagement Officers (Grade 4)
Creation of the following posts:
•1 FTE Homelessness Prevention and Assessment Manager (Grade 10)
•1 FTE Temporary Accommodation and Move on Support Manager (Grade 10)
•1 FTE Housing Register and Customer Support Manager (Grade 9)
•5 FTE (additional) Temporary Accommodation Move on Support Officers (Grade 6)
•5 FTE (additional) Homelessness Prevention Officers (Grade 6)
•4 FTE Housing Needs Customer Support Officer (Grade 3)
•1 FTE (additional) Apprentice
•1 FTE Housing Technical Officer (Grade 7) permanent
•2 FTE Housing Technical Officer (Grade 7) Fixed Term 12 months (EARP Grant funded)
•1 FTE PRS Resettlement Support Officer (Grade 5 tbc) Fixed Term 12 months (EARP Grant funded)

Option 1 – do nothing and continue with the current staffing arrangements as they currently are. This is not the preferred option as there isn’t enough capacity within the housing service to deliver exceptional customer service to our residents within the current staffing arrangement. The deployment of current resources is inefficient and not prevention focused. There is no dedicated move on support work taking place due to lack of staffing capacity and high numbers in temporary accommodation. This way of working with the lack of resource is contributing to the increasing costs within temporary accommodation and the overall Council budget pressures.
Option 2 – implement the new staffing structure. This is the preferred option.
The proposals show how extra capacity can be brought into the structure and where resources can be deployed effectively and efficiently to meet service demand which will in turn create a better customer experience for the residents of Oldham.
The proposals to the staffing structure within the service re-design complement the new ways of working including supporting the place-based model. The new structure will enable the service to be delivered in a prevention focused way, resulting in less need for temporary accommodation. This coupled with dedicated move on support work for those residents residing in temporary accommodation should see the costs of temporary accommodation decline as the numbers needing the service reduce and those residents who do need temporary accommodation are assisted to move on into their new homes as quickly as possible keeping costs to a minimum. The proposals have been made in line with existing budget capacity and bare no extra cost to the Council.

Option 1 – do nothing and continue with the current staffing arrangements as they currently are. This is not the preferred option as there isn’t enough capacity within the housing service to deliver exceptional customer service to our residents within the current staffing arrangement. The deployment of current resources is inefficient and not prevention focused. There is no dedicated move on support work taking place due to lack of staffing capacity and high numbers in temporary accommodation. This way of working with the lack of resource is contributing to the increasing costs within temporary accommodation and the overall Council budget pressures.
Option 2 – implement the new staffing structure. This is the preferred option.
The proposals show how extra capacity can be brought into the structure and where resources can be deployed effectively and efficiently to meet service demand which will in turn create a better customer experience for the residents of Oldham.
The proposals to the staffing structure within the service re-design complement the new ways of working including supporting the place-based model. The new structure will enable the service to be delivered in a prevention focused way, resulting in less need for temporary accommodation. This coupled with dedicated move on support work for those residents residing in temporary accommodation should see the costs of temporary accommodation decline as the numbers needing the service reduce and those residents who do need temporary accommodation are assisted to move on into their new homes as quickly as possible keeping costs to a minimum. The proposals have been made in line with existing budget capacity and bare no extra cost to the Council.

None disclosed