At a Glance
- Tasks: Help families at risk of homelessness find solutions and stay in their homes.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking housing department dedicated to preventing homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team focused on innovative housing solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Experience in homelessness prevention and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ 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 & Prevention Officer employer: London Borough of Hounslow
Join a forward-thinking and progressive housing department dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable residents. Our team fosters a collaborative work culture, offering opportunities for professional growth and development while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a strong commitment to employee well-being and a focus on customer service, we provide a supportive environment where your skills and passion can truly shine.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Hounslow Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Housing Solutions & Prevention 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 be able to 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 and how you can bring that experience to our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for customer service during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've helped individuals facing homelessness and how you empathise with their situations. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨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 forward-thinking housing department.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Housing Solutions & Prevention 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 you demonstrate your knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act. We’re looking for someone who understands the legal frameworks and can apply them effectively, so don’t shy away from mentioning specific examples of how you've used this knowledge in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Your written communication skills are crucial for this role, so keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see that you can communicate effectively with a variety of people, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there, making it easier for you to tailor your application to what we’re looking for.
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 have the necessary knowledge and experience to handle complex cases effectively.
✨Empathy is Key
Prepare to demonstrate your ability to empathise with clients facing homelessness. Think of examples from your past work where you successfully supported individuals or families in crisis, as this will highlight your commitment to customer service.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might be asked to provide written advice or explain complex issues verbally, so being able to communicate effectively is crucial for this role.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Be ready to discuss your experience working collaboratively with other services and partners. Highlight any instances where you led multi-professional meetings or worked in a busy environment to meet tight deadlines.
