At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and individuals facing homelessness, ensuring swift and effective solutions.
- Company: Join Bristol City Council, a supportive and fast-paced environment.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and a flexible approach to work.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35360 £ per year.
Full Time, Fixed Term until April 2028. Bristol City Council’s Housing Options Service has two new fixed term vacancies available for Homelessness Assistants to work alongside Housing Advisors within the Homelessness Prevention Team. The team are specialists in working with families and single people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness; to ensure early intervention and prevention of homelessness, and to assist households in finding solutions to their housing problems.
Whilst no two days are the same, you will be integral to supporting the team in ensuring that households are provided with a swift and effective service at a difficult time. Under the supervision of Team Leaders, you will be required to carry out key tasks for clients to ensure that their housing difficulties are resolved at the earliest point of contact. You will also be responsible for undertaking general administration duties to support the team achieve the overarching aims of the service.
You will need to have a flexible and methodical approach to your work so that key tasks are prioritised and a willingness and ability to work under pressure in a high-pressure environment. It is also important that you can demonstrate care and empathy for those accessing the service. Excellent communications will be required with a commitment to providing a high level of customer service to achieve positive outcomes for clients that are in housing need.
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment. For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to. If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.
We’re a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We’ll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
Homelessness Assistant employer: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Trauma-Informed Recovery Navigator, you will benefit from flexible working hours and generous leave allowances, allowing you to balance your personal and professional life while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in a role that not only fosters collaboration with various services but also empowers you to contribute to the recovery journey of individuals facing complex challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Assistant
✨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 Bristol City Council.
✨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 Bristol City Council!
✨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 Bristol City Council, 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 Bristol City Council 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 Assistant
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 Bristol City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bristol City Council! 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 Bristol City Council
✨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.
