At a Glance
- Tasks: Help families prevent homelessness and provide essential housing advice.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking council dedicated to tackling homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in housing solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in homelessness prevention and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for a motivated, creative and committed individual to join the Housing Advice Team. You should have a keen interest in helping families and individuals at risk of homelessness to find solutions and remain in their current home. You must have experience working within a statutory homelessness prevention service. The successful candidate will have detailed knowledge and experience of working with the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) and a proven track record of preventing homelessness, providing detailed housing advice to residents with housing issues and be able to empathise with clients facing homelessness and understand the Council’s legal duties to those clients.
In addition, you must be able to demonstrate experience of managing complex cases, providing support to junior staff, working in a busy environment and meeting tight deadlines. Your ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a wide variety of people and to provide concise advice both in written and verbal form is crucial.
This is an exciting and busy role that is at the centre of the Council’s response to homelessness. The service aims to develop and progress our agenda to reduce, assess, identify housing needs and look for solutions to prevent homelessness.
- Prevent homelessness by providing housing advice and assistance to people facing homelessness and carrying out homelessness prevention work.
- Provide customers with housing prevention advice supporting them to sustain their current accommodation or to secure alternative accommodation through personal housing plans.
- Issue good quality notification letters such as 184 decisions in line with the council’s duty under the Housing Act 1997 and the HRA 2017 in a timely manner.
- Work jointly with other services and partners to prevent homelessness and lead, attend and manage multi‑professional meetings when appropriate.
- Enable the delivery of a more efficient and effective homeless prevention and assessment service and assist in the development of policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the legislative frameworks and statutory requirements relating to the Housing Solutions Service and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Code of Guidance.
Good understanding of safeguarding for vulnerable residents and the ability to work with external and internal partners to support them. Understanding of current issues affecting social housing and private housing provision, and various housing options and homelessness prevention approaches.
Experience of managing a varied caseload effectively, ensuring cases are up to date. Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to negotiate and work collaboratively with other services and partners.
Passion about customer services. Experience as a homelessness professional. Desire to work in a forward‑thinking and progressive housing department.
Senior Housing Solutions & Independence Officer employer: London Borough of Hounslow
Join a forward-thinking Council dedicated to tackling homelessness and making a real difference in the community. As a Senior Housing Solutions & Independence Officer, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, alongside competitive benefits. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, this role offers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders while contributing to meaningful solutions for those in need.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Hounslow Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Housing Solutions & Independence Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the housing sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Housing Act and Homelessness Reduction Act. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed complex cases in the past – real-life examples will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for helping others during interviews. Share stories about how you've made a difference in clients' lives, and demonstrate your commitment to preventing homelessness. This will resonate with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making an impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Housing Solutions & Independence Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for helping those at risk of homelessness shine through in your application. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in people's lives, so share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to customer service.
Know Your Stuff:Make sure to demonstrate your knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act. We’re looking for candidates who can clearly articulate their understanding of these laws and how they apply to preventing homelessness, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Be Clear and Concise:Your written communication skills are crucial for this role, so ensure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, we want to see how effectively you can convey important information!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and how you can contribute!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hounslow
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you understand the legal framework you'll be working within, which is crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Prepare examples of how you've helped individuals facing homelessness in the past. Highlight your ability to empathise with clients and provide tailored advice, as this will demonstrate your commitment to customer service and understanding of their needs.
✨Demonstrate Case Management Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience managing complex cases. Share specific instances where you successfully navigated challenges and met tight deadlines, as this will illustrate your organisational skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Effective Communication is Key
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Whether it's written or verbal communication, being able to convey your ideas effectively will be essential, especially when collaborating with other services and partners.
