At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness by providing guidance and managing housing applications.
- Company: Join Pertemps Recruitment Partnership, a leader in staffing solutions with a personal touch.
- Benefits: Earn £16.71 per hour, enjoy a supportive work environment, and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: Work in a diverse community with excellent transport links and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and a background in housing are essential.
The predicted salary is between 16.71 - 16.71 £ per hour.
Location: Harrow Civic Centre, Forward Drive, Harrow, HA3 8NT
Employer: Pertemps Recruitment Partnership (on behalf of London Borough of Harrow)
Contract: Temporary - March 2027
Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Work Style: Office Based
Rate: £16.71 per hour PAYE
Pertemps Recruitment Partnership is seeking an experienced Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Support Officer to join the Housing Team at the London Borough of Harrow. This role offers an excellent opportunity to support the delivery of vital homelessness prevention services and ensure residents receive timely, accurate and compassionate guidance.
Key Responsibilities:- Register new applicants on the relevant housing databases and ensure all required documentation is uploaded and maintained accurately.
- Act as the first point of telephone contact for individuals seeking housing advice, offering initial guidance and directing them to the appropriate service for further support.
- Book appointments for Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officers, including arranging visits outside normal office hours when required. Inform clients straight away if an appointment is delayed or cancelled and rearrange at a time that suits them.
- Handle challenging situations calmly, including supporting clients who may be distressed, upset or difficult.
- Manage complaints and provide initial advice to clients about their housing or homelessness applications.
- Experience of dealing with the public on a daily basis, both over the phone and face to face, within a customer focused environment.
- Background in Housing.
- Experience of working in an office environment, handling a range of different tasks and responsibilities on a daily basis.
- Able to write clearly, accurately and concisely, producing straightforward and easy to understand information.
Homelessness Support Officer employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Support Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at All The Top Bananas.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from All The Top Bananas!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like All The Top Bananas, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at All The Top Bananas or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to All The Top Bananas:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to All The Top Bananas! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
