At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in moving from the streets to stable accommodation and prevent homelessness.
- Company: Join Canterbury City Council and make a real difference in your community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and employee perks.
- Other info: Work in a supportive team with excellent training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital initiative that transforms lives and supports vulnerable individuals.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of homelessness laws and experience with vulnerable adults required.
The predicted salary is between 36291 - 36291 £ per year.
- Fixed Term
- Full Time
- Canterbury, Kent
- Posted 3 days ago
- Closes: 26 July 2026
- Website Canterbury City Council
- Make a difference - work for your local council
An exciting opportunity to join the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Canterbury, Kent.
What’s in it for you?
- Cost of living pay award negotiated annually as a salary increase
- Flexible, hybrid working – we understand the importance of a good work-life balance
• Generous annual leave entitlement!
You’ll receive 23 days annual leave which increases with service, plus bank holidays, plus 3 given days over the Christmas period when our main offices are closed.
You’ll also have the option to buy more annual leave.
- We do not work on Bank Holidays
- A fantastic local government pension scheme
- Excellent opportunities for training and development, as well as covering your Professional Body Membership fees where essential to the role
- Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts
- An easier commute: free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride, flexi bus tickets, reduced train season ticket loans, and a cycle to work scheme
- Stay healthy: Access to free counselling, advice and webinars through our employee assistance programme, as well as contributions to the cost of Flu Jabs
- About The Single Persons Homeless Officer Role
This role supports clients in moving away from the streets into accommodation and preventing street homelessness.
Due to the nature of this role an enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.
- Here’s What You’ll Get Up To
- You will provide comprehensive advice, information, and advocacy on all matters related to housing and supporting individuals to end their rough sleeping.
- You will work within a small team, building fast and strong working relationships with clients and external partners.
- You will complete a range of shifts including working late at night, early in the morning.
- You will maintain a caseload of clients, offering them assertive, consistent ongoing guidance & support until they are in a position to move from the street into accommodation and/or other appropriate support services.
- You will ensure that all options to prevent or relieve the homelessness of an applicant are explored and make decisions on homeless applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and subsequent legislation where necessary.
- Working Pattern
- Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays
- Full‑Time
• Generous annual leave entitlement!
You’ll receive 23 days annual leave which increases with service, plus bank holidays, plus 3 given days over the Christmas period when our main offices are closed.
You’ll also have the option to buy more.
- Hybrid working: flexible, with a mix of on‑site and remote work
- Contract type: Fixed term (12 months)
- Your knowledge
- Must have working knowledge of the legal framework governing homelessness and allocations
- Knowledge of the current housing market and the environment in which the local authority operates
- Knowledge of local and national agencies who can assist our customers
- Your experience
- Experience of promptly assessing, planning, and completing actions with homeless and/or vulnerable adults in very complex situations
- Your skills
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills both on the phone and face to face
- Problem solving, influencing, and negotiating
- Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of people
- Ability to manage, organise, and prioritise a demanding workload
- Emotional resilience
- Adaptable and flexible
- Listening and questioning skills to establish facts
- Ability to work with some autonomy as well as being an effective team player
- Ability to form strong partnerships with external/internal agencies
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Canterbury City Council.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included, and respected.
Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work.
To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Single Persons Homeless Officer in Canterbury employer: Local Government South East
Reading Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives in Adult Social Care while enjoying hybrid working arrangements and generous benefits, including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, this role provides a meaningful career path in a vibrant community setting.
Contact Details:
Local Government South East Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Single Persons Homeless Officer in Canterbury
✨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 Local Government South East.
✨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 Local Government South East!
✨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 Local Government South East, 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 Local Government South East 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 Single Persons Homeless Officer in Canterbury
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 Local Government South East:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Local Government South East! 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 Local Government South East
✨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.
