Emergency Accommodation Officer in London

Emergency Accommodation Officer in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
London Borough of Haringey

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support residents in temporary housing, manage admissions, and ensure safety and compliance.
  • Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation celebrating diversity and creativity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy up to 31 days leave, hybrid working options, health support, and discounts on leisure activities.
  • Other info: Applications may close early if enough candidates apply, so act fast!
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic team environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in housing legislation, customer service, and strong communication skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

About Haringey

Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture. Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.

About the Role

As an Emergency Accommodations Officer, you will play a central role in delivering safe, effective, and supportive temporary housing services to residents in Haringey’s accommodation lodges. Acting as a key link between residents and other council services, you’ll be responsible for creating a secure and welcoming environment during a time of transition and vulnerability.

Your day-to-day duties will include managing admissions and departures, overseeing room allocations, and ensuring all administrative procedures are carried out accurately. You’ll enforce accommodation rules with empathy and authority, assist with housing and benefit issues, and support residents as they work towards permanent rehousing through their Personalised Housing Plans. You’ll be at the forefront of maintaining safety, conducting fire risk assessments, managing fire drills, and ensuring all necessary inspections are completed. You’ll also play a vital safeguarding role, protecting vulnerable adults and children and responding effectively to instances of anti-social behaviour.

This is a varied and rewarding role where your good customer service skills, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and commitment to community wellbeing will have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Working for Haringey

At Haringey Council we are 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 of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community.

Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement up to 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and well-being support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money-saving discounts.

Please note: we reserve the right to end this advert before the noted deadline if we receive sufficient applications. If you wish to apply for this role, please ensure that you do so as soon as possible. Additionally, we are aware that automated emails may be diverted through to junk email folders. Please continue to check these through the application process. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact (url removed).

About You

You’re a confident and skilled professional with a firm grasp of housing legislation, fire safety, and safeguarding issues, ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of homeless and vulnerable individuals. With deep knowledge of homelessness law, welfare reform, and adult and social care, you understand the complex challenges faced by those in temporary accommodation and know how to guide them with empathy, clarity, and consistency.

You’re highly organised, computer literate, and confident using systems like Word and Excel to maintain accurate records and clear written communications. Whether you’re managing anti-social behaviour, handling emergency situations, or navigating sensitive safeguarding issues, you remain calm, decisive, and compassionate.

You will have previous experience in customer focused settings, shaping you into a trusted problem-solver who works well both independently and as part of a team. You communicate effectively across diverse communities, with tact and professionalism—able to engage with people in distress or conflict while maintaining confidentiality and upholding equality, diversity and safety standards.

About the Team

Our Emergency Accommodations Team is a dedicated group of housing professionals committed to creating safe, well-managed spaces for vulnerable residents in temporary accommodation. With expertise in housing legislation, fire safety, welfare support and safeguarding, the team works collaboratively to deliver responsive services that put dignity and care at the forefront. We thrive in high-pressure environments, handle sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy, and take pride in supporting residents’ journeys toward secure and sustainable housing.

Emergency Accommodation Officer in London employer: London Borough of Haringey

Haringey Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, where every team member is valued and empowered to make a difference in the community. With generous benefits including up to 31 days of leave, health and well-being support, and opportunities for hybrid working, employees can thrive both personally and professionally. The Emergency Accommodations Team is dedicated to fostering a safe environment for vulnerable residents, offering meaningful growth opportunities and the chance to contribute to the borough's vibrant and diverse community.

London Borough of Haringey

Contact Details:

London Borough of Haringey Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Emergency Accommodation Officer in London

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Haringey's community values and the specific challenges faced by residents in temporary accommodation. Understanding the local context will help you connect better with the team and demonstrate your commitment to community wellbeing during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Highlight any previous experience you have in customer service or housing support roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled sensitive situations or provided support to vulnerable individuals, as this will showcase your empathy and problem-solving skills.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your knowledge of housing legislation and safeguarding issues. Being able to articulate your understanding of these topics will show that you're not only qualified but also genuinely interested in making a positive impact in the lives of residents.

Tip Number 4

Network with current or former employees of Haringey Council if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach and stand out as a candidate who truly understands the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Emergency Accommodation Officer in London

Knowledge of Housing Legislation
Understanding of Fire Safety Regulations
Experience in Safeguarding Vulnerable Individuals
Strong Customer Service Skills
Excellent Interpersonal Skills
Attention to Detail
Ability to Manage Anti-Social Behaviour

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Emergency Accommodation Officer. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, such as knowledge of housing legislation and customer service.

Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to reflect the specific skills and experiences that Haringey is looking for. Emphasise your organisational skills, ability to handle sensitive situations, and any previous experience in housing or social care.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for community wellbeing and your commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you embody the values of Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative, and Community-focused.

Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Haringey

Understand the Role

Make sure you have a solid grasp of what an Emergency Accommodation Officer does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as managing admissions and departures, enforcing accommodation rules, and supporting residents with their housing plans.

Showcase Your Empathy

Given the sensitive nature of the role, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to empathise with vulnerable individuals. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported someone in distress or managed a difficult situation with compassion.

Highlight Relevant Experience

Be ready to discuss your previous experience in customer-focused settings. Share specific instances where you've navigated complex challenges, particularly those related to housing legislation, safeguarding, or fire safety, to show that you're well-prepared for this role.

Prepare Questions

Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges faced by the Emergency Accommodations Team, and how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.