At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to help prevent homelessness and support vulnerable individuals.
- Company: Be part of an award-nominated Homelessness Intervention Team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and professional development in a dynamic setting.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, problem-solving skills, and experience in challenging situations are essential.
The predicted salary is between 34811 - 37562 £ per year.
Team: Homelessness Intervention Team
Job Family: Advising – CBG9
Salary: £34,811 - £37,562 per annum pro rata
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.
Contract Type: Hybrid – Permanent – 2 positions available
Closing Date: 24th August 2026
Interview Date: w/c 7th September 2026
About the role:
Our Housing Solutions Service are looking for an ambitious individual to join our award nominated and innovative Homelessness Intervention Team as a full-time member of staff to provide an innovative and person centred service aimed at alleviating and preventing homelessness.
To be successful in this Homeless Intervention Officer role, you will be a passionate and self-motivated person with empathy and understanding to build relationships with customers facing homelessness. You will require experience of working in a challenging situation with the ability to remain calm under pressure while delivering the highest levels of customer service. You will have experience of problem solving and working with a diverse clientele within a housing environment.
Reporting to the Senior Homeless Intervention Officer, you will possess excellent negotiating skills and the ability to communicate effectively with customers and other stakeholders. You will carry out assessments of the housing and support needs of vulnerable clientele to determine the statutory duties they are owed, with the ability to make detailed investigations and issue decisions in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Equality Act 2010, Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation)(England) Order 2012) and all other relevant legislation.
Working in a fast-paced and pressurised environment, you will be an effective team player, have good organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines. You will require the ability to use different IT systems to manage caseloads, monitor delivery of targets and drive improved service.
Core duties of the Homeless Intervention Officer will include but not be limited to:
- Conducting full assessment of all eligible applicants who present as homeless or threatened with homelessness and issue notification letters in accordance with the legislation.
- Work collaboratively with applicants to draw up an agreed personalised housing plans and continually review the plan by updating the advice and support provided to the applicants.
- Assist in delivering a comprehensive and proactive homelessness prevention and advice service.
- Liaising with friends and family, landlords, letting agents, General Practitioners, Health Care workers, internal and external partners in the process of preventing or relieving homelessness and determining duties owed to applicants.
- Taking all reasonable steps to relieve homelessness irrespective of priority need.
- Conducting assessment interviews at Council offices and making home visits to homeless applicants.
- Apply and implement homelessness laws and the code of guidance, including the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002, the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and other relevant guidance and legislation whilst carrying out assessments of applicants’ housing and support needs.
- Explain the full range of housing solutions available to customers to help prevent or relieve homelessness as well as mediate to help resolve potentially homeless cases irrespective of tenure (excluding fear of violence).
- Ensure full and accurate recordings of client’s details, all advice and support provided and maintain accurate written and computer records, reports and other monitoring information as required, in connection with the various duties and case management and in line with relevant policies and procedures.
- To manage client’s expectations advising as to potential housing solutions including private rented and hostel accommodation and as to the lower supply of social housing compared to demand. To undertake a holistic assessment of current housing issues and seek out appropriate solutions where possible at an early stage to prevent homelessness and where possible prevent the use of interim accommodation by preventing homelessness.
- You may need to make referrals to the Mental Health or other relevant professional panels and to attend or participate in case conferences as requested.
- To keep up to date with relevant case law particularly in respect of the tests of vulnerability and priority need and with reference to responsibilities under the Equality Act and Care Acts.
- To identify and refer cases to the homeless outreach workers/services, e.g. those with a history of rough sleeping or complex needs where resettlement is needed to enable rehousing by social or other housing providers.
- You will be working closely with the temporary accommodation team to support the client with rehoming to permanent accommodation.
- You will provide information to clients on the operation of the Council’s Housing Register, advice on a household’s position on the register, extending areas of choice and prospects of assistance with housing and update systems as necessary.
- You will be required to complete assessments on suitable accommodation for applicants for temporary or long-term accommodation to end the homeless duty.
Please note this role will require you to participate in an out-of-hours rota.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.
Career opportunities Homeless Intervention Officer in Dunstable employer: Central Bedfordshire Council
Central Bedfordshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values professional development and innovation. Employees benefit from a collaborative environment focused on digital transformation, with opportunities for growth in SAP technologies and a commitment to work-life balance in a vibrant community setting.
Contact Details:
Central Bedfordshire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Career opportunities Homeless Intervention Officer in Dunstable
✨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 Central Bedfordshire Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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We think you need these skills to ace Career opportunities Homeless Intervention Officer in Dunstable
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 Central Bedfordshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire 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.