Housing Assistant (Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team) - Various Locations - 17180_1793783068

Housing Assistant (Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team) - Various Locations - 17180_1793783068

Full-Time 27257 - 29850 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support Housing Officers in preventing homelessness and managing cases effectively.
  • Company: The City of Edinburgh Council, dedicated to tackling homelessness.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team focused on creating an inclusive workplace.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
  • Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and resilience in a busy environment.

The predicted salary is between 27257 - 29850 £ per year.

The City of Edinburgh Council's Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team is at the frontline for tackling and preventing homelessness in Edinburgh. An exciting opportunity has arisen for full-time HP&HOT Housing Assistants to support Homeless Housing Officers with the prevention and statutory duty requirements for households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness in Edinburgh.

All posts will be based in any of the following locations at any given time:

  • 249 High Street, Edinburgh
  • North West Office - 8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh
  • North East Office - 101 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh
  • South East Office - 40 Captains Road, Edinburgh
  • South West Office - 10 Westside Plaza, Edinburgh

Working from home may also be required. Please note that at any point in your employment with the Council, you may be required to work in any location across Edinburgh, and therefore the above locations may change at short notice.

The HP&HOT Housing Assistant will work in a statutory service supporting Housing Officers to provide advice and support to customers to prevent and resolve homelessness by helping them remain in their home or, where this is not possible, secure a home. They will assist with ongoing case management, ensuring homeless applicants access appropriate support, consider their full housing options, and bid appropriately to secure permanent accommodation. The role will be administrative with ongoing customer contact, maintaining records and closing cases timeously. This will enable Housing Officers to focus on providing high-quality, person-centred casework to help households resolve their homelessness.

The HP&HOT Housing Assistant will fulfil the Council's duties by working to legislative and good-practice requirements and in collaboration with other statutory services and partner organisations. Successful candidates need resilience and excellent organisational skills, as they will work in a busy service area with competing demands. They must be able to take ownership and responsibility for their tasks and have a proven track record of working within a challenging frontline service.

This post is subject to a basic disclosure check. We're committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits that a diverse workforce with different values, beliefs, experience, and backgrounds brings to us as an organisation.

Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and increases annually until it reaches the top of the range. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

As part of our goal to improve organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure we're recruiting the best people. We're interested not only in your skills and experience but also in your approach to work. Therefore, part of our interview process will be an assessment of how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.

Happy to talk flexible working.

Housing Assistant (Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team) - Various Locations - 17180_1793783068 employer: City of Edinburgh Council

Stockbridge Primary School is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where Early Years Practitioners can thrive. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on diversity, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to a nurturing atmosphere for children. Located in Edinburgh, the school promotes flexible working arrangements and values the unique perspectives of all staff members, making it a rewarding place to build a career in early years education.

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Contact Details:

City of Edinburgh Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Housing Assistant (Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team) - Various Locations - 17180_1793783068

✨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 City of Edinburgh 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 City of Edinburgh 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 City of Edinburgh 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 City of Edinburgh 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 Housing Assistant (Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team) - Various Locations - 17180_1793783068

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Time Management
Organisational Skills
Empathy

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 City of Edinburgh Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to City of Edinburgh 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 City of Edinburgh 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.