At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable households and provide essential housing advice in a busy environment.
- Company: Join Thanet District Council, a dynamic team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a supportive and innovative workplace.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on people's lives while working in beautiful seaside towns.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and knowledge of homelessness legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 34536 - 34536 £ per year.
Location: Thanet, Kent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, full time
Salary: starting salary £34,536 per annum, with opportunity for progression to £38,052
Closing date: 31 August 2026
About the role
With the cost of living impacting our district, Thanet's housing service is currently experiencing an exceptionally busy period. The Council is seeking an enthusiastic individual to join our homelessness team, providing essential support and guidance to households approaching Thanet District Council. As a Homeless Officer, you will play a vital role in delivering comprehensive housing and homelessness advice in accordance with statutory guidelines. The post holder will be responsible for conducting thorough investigations into the causes of a household's homelessness and issuing detailed, written decisions in compliance with the Housing Act 1996 and relevant Homelessness Legislation.
Tasks will include:
- Dealing with homeless households in extremely vulnerable situations
- Managing difficult conversations and expectations
- Liaising with various professional agencies including Police and Social Services
Essential requirements:
- Good communication skills
- Part of the Out of Hours Service and Emergency Plan
- Organisation in managing large caseloads
- Writing detailed letters to a professional legal standard
- Knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act
Thanet is a great place to live and work. Our historic seaside towns of Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs and surrounding villages are rich in heritage and opportunity. With 19 miles of stunning coastline, our beautiful Blue Flag beaches, the internationally renowned Turner Contemporary, and the UK's only Royal Harbour are all just a short train ride from central London thanks to the high-speed rail link. Our proximity to the port of Dover and the Eurotunnel at Folkestone mean Europe is literally on our doorstep too. All of this, combined with a flexible approach to how we work, makes it an exciting time to join Thanet District Council.
We have set our sights high. We want our residents to enjoy the highest quality services. We want to ensure that by listening to local people, working in active partnership and doing things in an innovative way, we can accelerate improvement to meet the challenges ahead.
Our staff benefits package includes:
- Competitive salary
- Flexible working hours
- Flexible annual leave and working arrangements
- Local Government Pension Scheme membership
- Reduced cost leisure membership, including theatre tickets and sporting activities
- An extensive Employee Wellbeing package
Due to the nature of the role the successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as part of their pre-employment checks.
Homeless Officer employer: Artemis Clarke Ltd
Artemis Clarke Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at Bluewater that fosters teamwork and personal growth. With a focus on employee development through training opportunities and a competitive bonus scheme, we ensure our Store Managers are well-equipped to lead their teams to success while enjoying attractive employee discounts. Join us to be part of a dynamic retail environment where your passion for sales and leadership can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homeless 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 Artemis Clarke Ltd.
✨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 Artemis Clarke Ltd!
✨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 Artemis Clarke Ltd, 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 Artemis Clarke Ltd 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 Homeless 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 Artemis Clarke Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Artemis Clarke Ltd! 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 Artemis Clarke Ltd
✨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.