Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable residents with housing solutions and manage applications effectively.
- Company: Join a local authority in North London dedicated to preventing homelessness.
- Benefits: Enjoy a compassionate work environment focused on empathy and customer care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing services and a commitment to safeguarding required.
- Other info: Opportunity to collaborate with various internal and external partners.
Are you passionate about preventing homelessness and making a tangible difference in people\’s lives?
Ensure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity.
Do you believe in delivering housing services with empathy, integrity, and a focus on the individual?
We\’re looking for a committed and experienced Inquiries and Decisions Officer to join a local authority in North London, supporting vulnerable residents with housing solutions that put compassion and customer care first.
As an Inquiries and Decisions Officer, you will be at the heart of the homelessness prevention agenda, delivering clear, lawful, and empathetic decisions under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Your role will involve managing and progressing applications-particularly those in existing backlog-by carrying out detailed assessments, making legally sound decisions, and ensuring every applicant feels supported and informed throughout the process.
You will take a trauma-informed approach to your work, recognising the impact of trauma and adversity on individuals and adapting your communication and service delivery accordingly. With a clear focus on safeguarding, you\’ll work closely with internal services like Children\’s and Adult Social Care, as well as external partners such as hospitals, probation services, and voluntary organisations.
Key Responsibilities:
·Conduct homelessness inquiries and make main duty decisions for both singles and families.
·Help reduce the Council\’s backlog of homeless applications through timely and robust casework.
·Build and maintain effective working relationships across council departments and with external stakeholders.
·Attend case conferences and multi-agency meetings to advocate and advise on housing duties.
·Identify safeguarding risks and make appropriate referrals to support services.
·Support rough sleepers, survivors of domestic abuse, care leavers, asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ residents and other vulnerable groups.
·Prepare detailed responses to complaints, Councillor enquiries, and LGSCO investigations.
·Make onward referrals and ensure joined-up support for every applicant.
·Carry out occasional home visits as part of your investigative duties.
What We\’re Looking For:
·Strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation (especially HRA 2017).
·Experience making formal homelessness decisions in a local authority setting.
·Excellent communication, time management, and organisational skills.
·Empathy, resilience, and a person-centred mindset.
·Commitment to delivering services that are inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please send us your application today. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please click APPLY NOW.
If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.
If you feel that this job matches your skills but not the rate, location, or seniority, please feel free to send us your CV anyway. We constantly recruit for similar roles across all levels, UK-wide, and would be pleased to speak with you confidentially about your employment status.
Even if you\’re currently satisfied in your role, we welcome calls from public sector professionals looking to make future connections. Our specialist team at Carrington West has over 100 years of combined experience in this market. For more information, call Cheryl at Carrington West on (phone number removed).
By applying for this position, you agree for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. xiskglj Your data will only be shared with third-party clients for roles relevant to your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us
Inquiries and Decisions Officer employer: Carrington West
Contact Detail:
Carrington West Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Inquiries and Decisions Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Understanding the legal framework and recent changes will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the housing and social care sectors. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with others who share your passion for homelessness prevention, as they may provide valuable insights or even job leads.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've demonstrated empathy and problem-solving skills. Think of examples that highlight your ability to support vulnerable individuals, as this will resonate well with the values of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the local authority's current initiatives and challenges regarding homelessness. Being knowledgeable about their specific context will allow you to tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Inquiries and Decisions Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of an Inquiries and Decisions Officer. Highlight your understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and how it relates to the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience in housing services, particularly in homelessness prevention. Emphasise any roles where you demonstrated empathy, integrity, and customer care.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for preventing homelessness. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to make compassionate and legally sound decisions.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills such as trauma-informed communication, assessment capabilities, and collaboration with social care and external partners. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly articulated.
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
Make sure to express your genuine passion for preventing homelessness and helping vulnerable residents. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as it will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Understanding
Since the role requires a trauma-informed approach, be prepared to discuss how you would handle sensitive situations. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully supported individuals facing adversity, highlighting your empathetic communication style.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Legislation
Brush up on the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and other relevant housing laws. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you are well-prepared and understand the legal framework within which you will be working.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Skills
This role involves working closely with various internal and external partners. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different stakeholders in the past, showcasing your ability to build relationships and work as part of a team.
