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- Tasks: Help prevent homelessness by providing tailored advice and support to individuals and families.
- Company: Join a London borough dedicated to tackling homelessness with a busy statutory advice service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of homelessness, excellent communication skills, and experience with complex customers required.
- Other info: Two fixed-term contracts available, with a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 33766 - 44430 £ per year.
Salary Range: £37,766 to £44,430 per annum
Full time, Fixed term contracts
Location: Housing Customer Services Centre, 90 Putney Bridge Road, SW18 1HR
Other essential information: 2 positions available: 1 x fixed term contract until 31/7/2026 and 1 x fixed term contract until 31/03/2028
Objective of role
We are a London borough providing a very busy statutory homelessness advice service who are looking to recruit two Prevention and Solution Officers to work with us. In this role you will work with all types of people who approach us as homeless or are about to be. They may have become street homeless, or perhaps an individual has been asked to leave home. Maybe someone is being evicted from their tenancy and cannot remain there any longer or you may find that a family must leave their home due to violence. In this role you will work proactively with individuals and families to help support them in their homelessness journey and adhere to legislative guidance as well as policy and procedures set out for you to conduct your role effectively.
Within the Prevention and Solutions Service, you will provide tailored advice and information to customers and provide interim accommodation where required. You will work within a hybrid model keeping a focus on the needs of our customers and supporting your work life balance. In addition to this, you will also provide a holistic approach and make the relevant referrals for clients who have complex needs that are not always immediately apparent. Your contribution and support will help those clients to stay in their current home or find a new home by delivery of key prevention techniques and options whilst managing expectations. You will enjoy partnership working, collaboration and have a keen motivation to meet objectives and importance of working towards targets.
About the role
- Prevent and alleviate homelessness by providing housing advice and options to those who present as homeless.
- Conduct and review homelessness needs assessments and complete personalised housing plans to help empower individuals to sustain and secure accommodation.
- Work collaboratively with various stakeholders and manage expectations.
- Demonstrate an excellent customer centred approach and participate in Duty rotas.
- Be able to issue out statutory homelessness decision letters aligned with Homelessness legislation in a timely manner.
- Ability to take on a caseload and manage this effectively.
- Utilise IT systems to accurately update and record information.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Understanding of Homelessness & Prevention: Strong knowledge of the causes of homelessness and effective prevention techniques.
- Legislative Expertise: Ability to interpret and explain complex laws and guidance clearly.
- Fast-Paced Work Environment: Capability to thrive in a busy and demanding setting.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication with strong relationship-building abilities.
- Organisational & Record Keeping: Exceptional skills in managing tasks and maintaining accurate records.
- Experience with Complex Customers: Extensive background in working with individuals who have diverse and complex needs.
- Resilience & Teamwork: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating adaptability and perseverance.
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd June (23.59).
Shortlisting Date: W/C 23rd June.
Interview Date: TBC.
Test/Presentation: A written test will form part of the interview process.
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Contact Detail:
LB RICHMOND UPON THAMES & LB WANDSWORTH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local homelessness legislation and policies. Understanding the legal framework will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and its responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the homelessness sector. Attend local events or workshops related to housing and homelessness to build connections and gain insights that could be beneficial during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential scenario-based questions in the interview. Think about how you would handle various situations involving individuals facing homelessness, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and empathy.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific challenges faced by the community you’ll be serving. Understanding the demographics and unique issues in the area will help you tailor your approach and show your dedication to making a positive impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience you have in homelessness prevention, housing advice, or working with complex customer needs. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
Showcase Communication Skills: Given the importance of communication in this role, ensure your application reflects your strong verbal and written communication skills. Consider including examples of how you've successfully built relationships with clients or stakeholders in the past.
Prepare for the Written Test: Since a written test is part of the interview process, practice writing clear and concise responses to potential questions related to homelessness legislation and prevention techniques. This will help you feel more confident during the assessment.
How to prepare for a job interview at LB RICHMOND UPON THAMES & LB WANDSWORTH
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the responsibilities and objectives of the Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the types of cases you might encounter and the legislative framework surrounding homelessness.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Given the nature of this role, excellent communication is key. Prepare to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information clearly and build rapport with clients. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully communicated with diverse individuals.
✨Prepare for the Written Test
Since a written test is part of the interview process, practice writing clear and concise responses to potential scenarios related to homelessness prevention. This will help you articulate your thoughts effectively under time constraints.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Collaboration is crucial in this role. Be ready to discuss your experience working in teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to team goals and supported colleagues in achieving objectives.
