At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals by providing housing solutions and crisis prevention.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hounslow, a progressive and inclusive council.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse workplace, and access to employee benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing legislation and working with diverse client groups.
About us at Hounslow
We’d love you to join us at the London Borough of Hounslow! Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. We are an outstanding council, serving an outstanding borough. With brilliant, visionary leadership, a dynamic Cabinet and a can-do culture, we’ve built strong partnerships which have transformed how we serve one of London’s most diverse boroughs. Hounslow is the world in one place and full of potential. We are stepping up for our residents like never before.
About our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We live by five core values: Lead with Heart, Do New, Pass on the Power, Harness the Mix and Be a Rock. All our work has equality, diversity and inclusion at its very heart, best articulated in “Harness the Mix”. It's about breaking down barriers between our parts and people and unlocking the problem-solving power of our amazing mix of minds. We serve a diverse community, we have a diverse workforce, and we are committed to being an inclusive employer.
We work hard to create representation across our workforce and leadership community, we have thriving employee network groups and our learning and development programmes help us lead, model and breathe ways of working that eliminate inequality, inequity, injustice and bias. As part of this and under our commitments as a Disability Confident Employer, we make reasonable adjustments to accommodate our candidates. There’s space for you to tell us what you need within our application form.
Our Benefits
If you join us, you’ll have access to a range of employee benefits.
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Homelessness, Independence and Preventative Services which adopts a preventative approach across the housing, health and social care agendas. You will be a frontline professional delivering a first class, modern and flexible service to some of the most vulnerable people in the Borough.
About The Team You’ll Be Working In
This is an exciting and busy role that is at the centre of the Councils response to homelessness. The service is developing and progressing our agenda to reduce the use of temporary accommodation and achieve more upstream prevention outcomes.
- If you want to work in the public sector and be part of a progressive team, this is a unique opportunity for you as we are interested in what you can bring to help us improve and develop our services for our customers.
- This role is to fulfil the council’s statutory homelessness assessment and decision-making function, with particular focus on those in emergency and temporary accommodation. You will proactively prevent and resolve crisis across the housing, health and social care agendas, utilising support services, discretionary funds and assistance and ensuring that accommodation is affordable.
- You will complete detailed holistic assessments of housing and support needs and devise and progress personalised housing plans, and you will provide interventions, support and referrals to minimise the time spent in temporary accommodation.
About You
You have extensive knowledge and experience of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, working with vulnerable people, and experience of working within multi-disciplinary housing teams and work involving complex needs and diverse client groups and an expert knowledge of homelessness and associated legislation.
You have experience of multi-disciplinary working involving complex and diverse client groups and an understanding of complex legislative frameworks including homelessness, social care, mental health, immigration and welfare benefits.
You are a great communicator to engage effectively with a broad range of people to influence, negotiate and persuade and you quickly build trusting relationships with complex individuals to develop a comprehensive understanding of issues faced by vulnerable people.
You act with integrity, take personal responsibility and handle stress effectively while maintaining high levels of motivation and enthusiasm to achieve successful corporate preventative outcomes, using proactive and creative solutions.
You work independently, proactively and flexibly, being an expert problem solver demonstrating excellent analytical skills, to seek out and implement bespoke solutions to complex issues and make decisions confidently.
You are a high performing individual who works collaboratively with others, adapting to meet a range of changing needs while achieving targets and service objectives and make the team the very best it can be.
You can travel independently around the Borough to carry out home visits and meet other professionals in community settings.
Essential For This Role
Basic DBS is required for this Role.
When Interviews Will Be Held And Who To Contact
The key information you need about the role should be in the Role Profile, but if you have any further questions about the role, please contact:
Email: Interviews for this job will be held during August 2026.
Temporary Accommodation and Hostels Officer in London employer: London Borough of Hounslow
The Heathland School in Hounslow is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and fosters professional growth. With a commitment to the development of its staff, the school provides numerous opportunities for training and advancement, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in education while working in a vibrant community.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Hounslow Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Temporary Accommodation and Hostels Officer in London
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to London Borough of Hounslow, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Accommodation and Hostels Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of London Borough of Hounslow. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at London Borough of Hounslow. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hounslow
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with London Borough of Hounslow.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Temporary Accommodation and Hostels Officer role at London Borough of Hounslow, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show London Borough of Hounslow that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
