At a Glance
- Tasks: Support homelessness prevention by providing tailored housing advice and solutions.
- Company: Join Cambridge City Council, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while helping those at risk of homelessness.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing advice or social services is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 38510 - 43150 £ per year.
This fixed-term Homelessness Prevention Officer post is intended to support the Council’s comprehensive homelessness prevention and solutions service. This role will augment the wider service by offering tailored housing advice and prevention options to groups of customers as outlined in the Homelessness Reduction Act or any subsequent legislation.
The post holder will undertake pre-arranged home visits, as required, in connection with the objective of preventing homelessness. In addition, the post holder will develop links with services within and outside the City Council to generate referrals where there is a risk of homelessness. This role will contribute to the delivery of the Council’s statutory homelessness functions by assessing customers’ needs and housing options and, where relevant, agreeing these in the form of a personalised housing plan.
As part of this work, the post holder will recruit colleagues and other professionals to offer support to find accommodation and address the problems that are the root cause of homelessness or threat of homelessness. This role will bring the post-holder into contact with customers with a range of needs; some customers’ needs are complex and will include those with mental health problems, substance misuse issues or a history of being the victim of domestic abuse. The successful candidate will need to be able to travel around the city and will need to complete an Enhanced DBS check.
Why join us?
Join a team where your work makes a difference. We’re committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and rewarding workplace where you can develop your skills, achieve your ambitions and make a real impact. Alongside meaningful work and opportunities to grow, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your wellbeing, work-life balance and future, including:
- Learning and Development – A range of learning opportunities and resources to help you build your skills and progress your career, with achievements recognised through Digital Badges where applicable.
- A great pension - access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with the option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions through Shared AVC.
- Flexible Working – Agile and flexible working options to help you balance work with life outside work.
- Generous annual leave - starting at 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years’ service, plus 8 days public holidays (pro rata for part time), with the option to purchase additional leave.
- Family-friendly benefits - A range of family-friendly policies and Flexible Bank Holidays.
- Make a difference beyond your role - Paid volunteering hours each year, giving you time to support a cause that matters to you.
- Support for your wellbeing - Confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme and access to the Your Care wellbeing platform.
- Recognition and appreciation - Opportunities to celebrate achievements, recognise colleagues and receive awards; including through our annual staff awards ceremony.
- Professional Development – Professional membership fees covered where applicable to your role.
- Savings on everyday essentials - Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work, gym membership and home & electronics purchases.
- Exclusive lifestyle discounts – Access to more than 750 discounts across leading retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and more.
- Free swimming – Enjoy free swimming at CCC swimming pools.
- Help with commuting – A subsidy towards public transport.
- Relocation support – Relocation assistance may be available in approved cases.
- Pay progression – Pay and award progression negotiated annually.
Hours: This is a full-time role, for 37 hours per week. Although the role is advertised as full time, if you believe you have the skills and experience to join us and would like to discuss different working patterns, please do get in touch.
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Contract: Fixed Term until 31st March 2029
Salary: £38,510 - £43,150 per annum (City Pay Band 5), pro rata for part time.
Location: This is flexible – working in Cambridge on site or at one of our offices or working from home. You will be able to balance your work location accordingly.
Application Process: To be considered for this role, please click ‘Apply Online’ and submit an application. If you are an internal candidate you can apply by logging in to your Employee Self-Serve (ESS) and access the ‘Useful Links’ (top right of the dashboard, under the person icon) and click on ‘CCC Job Opportunities’. Cambridge City Council recognises the value of digital badges in evidencing skills, knowledge and competencies, and welcomes their inclusion within job applications as verifiable indicators of achievement and capability. Cambridge City Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and embraces diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Homeless Prevention Officer - Cambridge employer: Cambridge City Council
Cambridge City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Customer Service Advisor, you will have access to a variety of learning opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including a Local Government Pension Scheme and annual leave purchasing options. Working in the heart of Cambridge, you'll play a vital role in assisting residents while enjoying a collaborative environment that values resilience and adaptability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homeless Prevention Officer - Cambridge
✨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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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 Homeless Prevention Officer - Cambridge
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 Cambridge City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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.
