At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape homelessness services, ensuring quality and compliance while supporting vulnerable residents.
- Company: Westminster City Council, committed to social justice and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to creating a fairer Westminster.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and lead a purpose-driven team.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in homelessness services and a passion for community support.
The predicted salary is between 79005 - 98472 £ per year.
Salary range: £79,005 - £98,472 per annum. Salary negotiable depending upon experience.
Work location: Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 6QP.
Hours per week: 36.
Contract type: Permanent.
Closing date: 31 May 2026.
Interview date: June 2026.
About Us
Housing Needs in Westminster City Council is a world of extraordinary stories. For leaders like Marleen, leadership is felt most clearly through the people they support and the service they help shape. Marleen joined Westminster with a background in homelessness casework, temporary accommodation and supported accommodation. With experience across housing and social care, they developed a strong understanding of the different ways people can become homeless, and the importance of responding with empathy, flexibility and sound judgement.
The Role
As Head of Services for Homelessness and Reviews, you can make a powerful contribution. Westminster City Council’s vision is to build a Fairer Westminster – a city that supports and celebrates its communities through social justice, effective leadership and high‑quality services. We have created a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, which you will deliver on a day‑to‑day basis. This is your opportunity to take senior leadership responsibility for one of the Council’s most critical statutory services. You will lead Westminster’s statutory homelessness functions, reviews and complaints service. This will entail taking accountability for service quality, legal compliance and resident experience.
About You
You’ll bring strong leadership and professional expertise in statutory homelessness and customer experience to this role. You have built this through working at a senior strategic level within a local authority, government organisation or voluntary sector body focused on homelessness, where you’ve held accountability for lawful decision‑making, service quality and resident outcomes. You have a proven track record of leading complex, demand‑led services, ensuring decisions are fair, consistent and defensible, even in highly pressured and politically sensitive environments.
What We Offer
Westminster is an amazing place. We are home to more than 200,000 residents from all backgrounds, over 50,000 vibrant and vital businesses and three‑quarters‑of‑a‑million people work in Westminster. Westminster City Council is one in which our communities are at the heart of our decision‑making and help to determine the city’s future. By working directly with our communities and other partners, we can build a more inclusive city that celebrates our diverse communities, and where residents, workers and visitors from all backgrounds will feel welcome and safe.
Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews WCC624175 employer: CIH International Housing Group
Westminster City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises the wellbeing of its staff and the communities they serve. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees are encouraged to grow into future leaders while working collaboratively in a dynamic setting that values empathy and innovation. Located in the heart of Westminster, this role offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable residents, all while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a culture that champions diversity and inclusion.
Contact Details:
CIH International Housing Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews WCC624175
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working at Westminster City Council. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in homelessness services. Show us you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the challenges we face and how you can help tackle them.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you’ve made tough decisions or led a team through challenges. Be ready to share how you’ve empowered others and improved services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to create a Fairer Westminster.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews WCC624175
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role inside out. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help us see how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Be Yourself:We want to get to know the real you! Use your own voice in your application. Share your experiences and how they relate to the role. Authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application. Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Service role. Show us how your unique skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at CIH International Housing Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of homelessness legislation, policy, and the specific challenges faced by Westminster City Council. Brush up on recent developments in the sector and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role is all about leadership, prepare examples that highlight your ability to develop teams and support multidisciplinary managers. Think about times when you've empowered others or navigated complex situations with empathy and sound judgement.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life scenarios related to homelessness services. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations, demonstrating how you balance statutory compliance with compassionate service delivery.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Westminster City Council's vision of a Fairer Westminster. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to building inclusive communities and improving housing outcomes, showing that you share their commitment to social justice and resident-centred practice.
