Temporary Accommodation Out of Borough (OOB) Welfare Officer

Temporary Accommodation Out of Borough (OOB) Welfare Officer

Temporary 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support vulnerable residents with accommodation and welfare needs in a dynamic, frontline role.
  • Company: Join the London Borough of Hounslow, a progressive council committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and access to employee benefits.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in homelessness support and knowledge of relevant legislation is essential.

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

Full time, 36 hours per week, Fixed term / Secondment - 12 Months

About us

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. 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 ensure our residents can manage their accommodation and that their welfare and wellbeing needs are met. To assess the suitability of households placed in TA out of the borough and participating in the Council's private rented sector access scheme (direct lettings) based on their present housing situation, income, support needs and other circumstances. You will offer practical support and guidance for families with children placed in accommodation out of the borough, i.e. registering for Schools, GPs, Hospitals and other support networks. You will work across our accommodation to actively assist and encourage our residents to maintain and adhere to their accommodation agreement and manage behavioural and personal risks. Preparing for a successful move on and living independently. You will have knowledge of both property tenancy management, undertaking property inspections to identify Damp and Mould and hold managing agents accountable for carrying out remedial works as requirements of Awaab’s Law.

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 the Role

Basic DBS check is required for the role. If the points below resonate with you, we’d love you to put in an application:

  • Are you an experienced homelessness professional?
  • Are you looking to work in a forward thinking and progressive housing department?

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: Paul.Nally@hounslow.gov.uk Interviews for this job will be held during week commencing 9th March 2026. Closing date – 27th February 2026. To apply please visit our website using the button provided.

Temporary Accommodation Out of Borough (OOB) Welfare Officer employer: London Borough of Hounslow

The Heathland School in Hounslow is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. Employees benefit from a dynamic environment where they can develop their skills while contributing to the educational success of students. With a focus on meaningful work and community engagement, this role as Executive PA to the Headteacher provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within the school.

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Contact Details:

London Borough of Hounslow Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Temporary Accommodation Out of Borough (OOB) Welfare Officer

✨Get Engaged in Local Politics

Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.

✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment

Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.

✨Leverage Online Job Portals

Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.

✨Tap Into Your University Resources

If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.

We think you need these skills to ace Temporary Accommodation Out of Borough (OOB) Welfare Officer

Knowledge of Housing Act 1996
Knowledge of Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Experience working with vulnerable people
Multi-disciplinary teamwork
Understanding of complex legislative frameworks
Communication Skills
Influencing and Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!

Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.

Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.

Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!

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

✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service

In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from London Borough of Hounslow.

✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions

Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.

✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend

Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show London Borough of Hounslow that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.

✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills

In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.