Homelessness Prevention Officer in Leicester

Homelessness Prevention Officer in Leicester

Leicester Full-Time 29637 - 36223 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Leicester City Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals to prevent homelessness and improve their lives.
  • Company: Dynamic council dedicated to building a supportive community.
  • Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and training opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a passionate team committed to ensuring everyone has a place to call home.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a healthy work/life balance.
  • Qualifications: Experience in social support or similar fields, with strong interpersonal skills.

The predicted salary is between 29637 - 36223 £ per year.

Play a key role in making a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the city. Our work is extremely challenging, but also extremely rewarding, changing lives for the better by tackling homelessness, building new homes, and strengthening communities. Engaging with people at a local level, we support them by delivering services that improve their lives.

Working on the front line, you will liaise with clients either face-to-face, over the telephone or conduct home visits. You will have to regularly navigate sensitive situations. You will have a large and complex allocated caseload, where you will undertake assessments on customers' support needs, especially regarding housing, employment, and financial needs. With the primary aim to prevent homelessness, you will assist clients to either retain their present accommodation or find suitable alternative housing.

You will provide support to those who may be struggling with substance misuse, break down in relationships, job loss, mental or physical health problems, facing domestic abuse, those being evicted, those who can no longer afford to pay their rent, and much more. Putting the customer needs at the heart of everything you do, you will be proactive, compassionate, and professional, to offer the best housing solutions with understanding and care.

You will need to be resilient, with a high level of maturity and the ability to manage in a very busy environment. You will be able to deal with potentially stressful situations in a calm manner. With excellent interpersonal and listening skills, you will be able to empathise with clients, and build a strong and trusting relationship. Ideally, you will have worked with homeless people or worked in a similar field, undertaking assessments with people facing difficult and complex situations, and providing support in their time of need.

Join us and you will find yourself working in a supportive team who are passionate, dedicated, and dynamic - working incredibly hard to ensure everyone has a place to call home. You will have the opportunity to work from home for a significant part of the week, and otherwise be based either in the office at the Dawn Centre or work from home to suit the needs of your service. However, under our New Ways of Working Policy you will be required to attend the office a minimum of two days a week. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

As well as the satisfaction of helping to improve thousands of lives across Leicester, you can look forward to a work environment that encourages a healthy work/life balance. You will enjoy generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the option of flexible working. We will give you the chance to develop your skills and expertise with a variety of training and development opportunities. In addition, you can choose from a number of flexible benefits, including discounts on city buses and trains and help with relocation to Leicester, where appropriate.

We are committed to recruiting a diverse and highly-talented workforce as we continue to build a council that is fitting and representative of our great city. That is why we have designed our recruitment process to put you at your ease, make you feel welcome and bring the best out of you. We will do all we can to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. Interviews will take place week commencing 28th September 2026.

Homelessness Prevention Officer in Leicester employer: Leicester City Council

Leicester City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Trainee Accountant, you will benefit from a structured training programme, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on real projects while enjoying flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave. With a clear pathway to a permanent qualified accountant role, this position not only provides valuable experience but also fosters ambition and leadership in the finance sector.

Leicester City Council

Contact Details:

Leicester City Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Homelessness Prevention Officer in Leicester

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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Homelessness Prevention Officer in Leicester

Empathy
Interpersonal Skills
Listening Skills
Assessment Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Resilience
Communication Skills

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