At a Glance
- Tasks: Help rough sleepers find housing solutions and provide essential support.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with on-the-job training provided.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while tackling homelessness.
- Qualifications: Awareness of housing legislation and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 42912 - 42912 £ per year.
Hybrid working full time one-year fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.
About Us
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked on our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose,’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability.
About the Borough
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London’s largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.
About the Team
The Homelessness Prevention Service is the Council’s frontline response to alleviating homelessness in the borough. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably motivated and skilled individual to join the team working to reform the response to homelessness. The team manages a varied case load in a busy and often challenging environment and prevent or relieve homelessness through the provision of advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation. Our proactive housing options approach prevents homelessness by finding real solutions for people in housing difficulties. The postholder will work closely with the Supported Housing Commissioning Team.
About the Role
The postholder will work closely with the Supported Housing Commissioning Team, especially the Rough Sleeping co-ordinator, to identify rough sleepers in need of a housing assessment and locations where those assessments might take place if not at the council premises. This is likely to be a variety of locations such as day centres, supported housing schemes or short term emergency hotel accommodation. The post forms part of the Council’s approach to reducing homelessness in the borough. Your role will be to prevent and relieve homelessness for those who are rough sleeping in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice. You will be responsible for carrying out in depth interviews with the aim of relieving homelessness for those who are rough sleeping. You will advise customers of the housing options available to them and complete Personal Housing Plans. You will also investigate complex housing situations and issue decisions in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Although not essential, experience of working with rough sleepers would be desirable. We welcome applications from recent graduates and those that have transferable skills and the ability to develop any gaps in knowledge. On the job training will be provided to all successful applicants.
To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence:
- Awareness of legislation relating to housing advice, homelessness, housing management and the allocation of housing, with a good practical understanding of the range of housing problems people may experience.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the housing and support needs of homeless and housing applicants and tenants.
- Experience of providing quality advice and information to members of the public and of handling complaints and enquiries.
- Excellent knowledge of negotiation and mediation techniques and their practical application.
You will be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found here.
We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement. Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Fabienne Jones at fjones1@lambeth.gov.uk.
Recruitment Timelines
Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 23rd August 2026.
Shortlisting: w/c 24th August 2026.
Interviews will be held w/c 7th September 2026.
At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Housing Advisor – Rough Sleepers employer: London Borough Of Lambeth
Lambeth Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the vibrant community of South London. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. The Families First Team provides a dynamic environment where you can contribute to innovative solutions for families in need, all while enjoying the rich cultural and recreational offerings of Lambeth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Advisor – Rough Sleepers
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at London Borough Of Lambeth.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from London Borough Of Lambeth!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like London Borough Of Lambeth, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at London Borough Of Lambeth or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Advisor – Rough Sleepers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to London Borough Of Lambeth:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough Of Lambeth! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough Of Lambeth
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
