Michel Ngue, Private Renting Access and Support Officer

Lambeth Council

My Role:

I work for Lambeth Council Move-On team which houses vulnerable people into the private rented sector. My main role is to establish links with stakeholders in order to provide a stream of suitable properties for clients. This involves receiving and assessing referrals, conducting interviews with clients to ascertain their suitability for independent living and ensuring adequate support system is put in place for them to make their tenancy sustainable. It is an exiting job which requires innovation, leadership, negotiation, communication, partnership working with both internal and external agencies and tailored solutions on a case by case basis, to aid clients in the prevention of homelessness and the provision of alternative housing options.

The Challenge, Why did you apply?
I have applied for the Local Government Challenge for three reasons:

1 - I am always keen to learn and believe that only through challenges can someone discover their limitations, reflect on their job and learn new skills which are essential for self and organisation's improvement. I want to learn something that will help me both in my personal and professional life.

2 - I aspire to progress within my career and believe that this challenge is able to give me an opportunity and exposure to meet and possibly learn from those who have made it to the top, whilst allowing me to show others what I can do.

3 - I have a passion to inspire, motivate and coach others to achieve their dream and believe the competition could help me to reach out to some people who lack confidence to pursue their passion.

What would you do with the £10,000 scholarship if you won?

If I win this competition, I will use a quarter of the money to select, train and coach 4 young people to get a job within the Local authority and three quarters of the money will be used to establish links and exchange knowledge with a local authority in the USA.