Housing Advice and Prevention Officer – Asylum Dispersal in Lowestoft

Address: East Suffolk House, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT and Riverside, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term for a period of one year.

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work, delivering essential local services and making a real difference to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.

We currently have an opportunity to join East Suffolk Council's Housing Needs Team as a Housing Advice and Prevention Officer – Asylum Dispersal.

The role involves providing a comprehensive housing options service to customers with varying levels of housing need to enable suitable positive outcomes in line with Part VI (Housing Register and Allocations), Part VII (Housing Advice and Homelessness) and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. This includes responsibility for a caseload of applicants who present to the Council in acute housing need.

This role will support the Council’s involvement in the Asylum Dispersal Scheme by working collaboratively with key partners, agencies and accommodation providers to prevent homelessness, facilitate effective housing pathways and ensure appropriate support for asylum seekers within the district.

You will also be responsible for assessing and verifying applications made under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 in line with the current Allocations Policy. You will promote a customer-centred approach and work with vulnerable customers, their advocates, family, and support networks to ensure that homelessness prevention is maximised and effective first point of contact housing advice is given.

In return, we can offer great opportunities for training and development. We want you to stay with us for the long-term, so we'll give you all the support we can to build a great career with our organisation. There’s also a superb benefits package including flexible working options and a generous leave entitlement, discount scheme, pension scheme and free car parking.

What You Will Need:

• At least three years' experience of working within a similar role and relevant qualification in the sector.
• Ability to explain complex legislation in a clear and precise way.
• Working knowledge of homelessness and current housing legislation.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance to other team members.
• At least 3 GCSE’s (C grade and above) and a relevant Housing Qualification (CIH Level 3).
• A proven track record of working at the required level or equivalent.

Why work for us?

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access:

• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays).
• Local government pension scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.
• Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Callum Dorling on 01502 523132 or by emailing callum.dorling@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.

Closing date: 9am, 30 August 2026.

Interview date: week commencing 14 September 2026.

About Us: East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We hugely value our staff and know that in order for us to remain successful, it is essential for us to recognise talented employees, developing and retaining them within the organisation. We are therefore committed to investing in our staff and providing first-class support to ensure a positive culture and rewarding careers.