At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents facing homelessness by providing housing advice and securing accommodation.
- Company: Rochdale Borough Council, dedicated to community support and housing solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, potential remote work, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a frontline team making impactful changes in people's lives every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in homelessness prevention and strong understanding of housing legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35360 £ per year.
Homelessness Prevention Officer
Location
Rochdale Borough Council – Number One Riverside, Rochdale
Rate
Contract
Full-Time, 37 Hours per Week
Working Pattern
Predominantly office-based. Potential for 1 day per week working from home once fully embedded within the service.
About the Role
Rochdale Borough Council is looking for an experienced
Homelessness Prevention Officer to join its Homelessness & Prevention Service.
This is a frontline role supporting residents who are homeless or threatened with homelessness by providing housing advice, carrying out statutory assessments and securing suitable accommodation.
You will manage your own caseload from initial contact through to resolution, ensuring the Council meets its statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced homelessness practitioner who can work independently and make informed decisions from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of homelessness prevention and relief cases from initial assessment through to accommodation outcomes.
- Conduct Housing Needs Assessments and determine statutory homelessness duties.
- Develop and manage Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) with customers.
- Assess eligibility, homelessness, priority need, intentional homelessness and local connection in accordance with housing legislation.
- Take reasonable steps to prevent and relieve homelessness.
- Arrange interim and temporary accommodation where appropriate.
- Provide comprehensive housing advice on homelessness prevention, private rented accommodation, social housing and housing options.
- Liaise with landlords, Registered Providers and partner agencies to secure sustainable housing solutions.
- Complete referrals to internal and external support services.
- Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings including safeguarding, MARAC, MAPPA and Child Protection meetings where required.
- Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with statutory guidance and council procedures.
- Keep up to date with changes in housing legislation, case law and best practice.
Essential Experience
- Previous experience working as a
Homelessness Prevention Officer, Housing Options Officer or Homelessness Officer within a Local Authority.
- Experience managing homelessness cases from assessment through to accommodation placement.
- Experience carrying out statutory homelessness assessments and making legal decisions.
- Strong understanding of homelessness prevention and housing options.
- Experience working with vulnerable customers and complex housing needs.
- Ability to manage a busy caseload with minimal supervision.
Essential Knowledge
- Housing Act 1996 (Part VII).
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
- Homelessness Code of Guidance.
- Housing Needs Assessments.
- Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs).
- Temporary and interim accommodation processes.
- Safeguarding principles and partnership working.
- Systems
- Experience using
LOCATA is highly desirable.
- Confident using housing management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Skills
- Excellent customer interviewing and assessment skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication.
- Sound decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to interpret and apply housing legislation.
- Excellent case management and organisational skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, landlords and external agencies.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be an experienced Local Authority homelessness practitioner with strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and statutory case management.
You will be confident managing your own workload, making legally sound decisions and delivering positive outcomes for customers with minimal supervision.
Experience using LOCATA will be a significant advantage.
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Homelessness Prevention Officer – AR employer: Carrington Blake Recruitment
As a leading employer in Harrow, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and engagement. Our commitment to professional growth is evident through tailored training programmes and leadership opportunities, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to the Council's strategic objectives. With a focus on diversity and community impact, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents while enjoying a supportive and dynamic workplace.
Contact Details:
Carrington Blake Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Prevention Officer – AR
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Prevention Officer – AR
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 Carrington Blake Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Carrington Blake Recruitment! 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 Carrington Blake Recruitment
✨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.
