At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with housing advice and homelessness assistance in a frontline role.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Newham, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 37134 - 37134 £ per year.
Job Description x1 Permanent position
This is a frontline customer-focused role within the Housing & Homelessness Service, acting as the first point of contact for residents seeking housing advice, homelessness assistance, and support with their housing circumstances.
- Housing & Homelessness Support Assistant
- £35,520 - £37,134 per annum x1 Permanent position
This is a frontline customer-focused role within the Housing & Homelessness Service, acting as the first point of contact for residents seeking housing advice, homelessness assistance, and support with your housing circumstances.
The role is responsible for triaging homelessness applications, assessing housing enquiries, providing high-quality advice, and ensuring residents are directed to the most appropriate service pathway.
The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering an efficient and customer-centred service, helping vulnerable residents access support at the earliest opportunity.
This is not a specialist case management role.
It requires strong communication skills, sound judgement, and the ability to work within a fast-paced environment while managing customer expectations and service demand.
The post holder will work closely with Housing Advisors, Homelessness Prevention Officers, Temporary Accommodation Teams, Social Care, Children's Services, Adult Services, Registered Providers, and a variety of voluntary and statutory agencies.
About The Role
Homelessness and housing need continue to present significant challenges across London, with increasing numbers of residents requiring advice, support and accommodation assistance.
The Housing & Homelessness Support Officer plays a vital role in ensuring residents access the right support at the right time.
- The Housing & Homelessness Support Officer Will
- Act as the first point of contact for residents approaching the Council for housing and homelessness assistance.
- Work from Housing Hubs and other community locations as required by the service rota, delivering housing advice, homelessness triage, and customer support to residents in accessible local settings
- Conduct initial triage assessments of housing applications and homelessness enquiries.
- Gather relevant information and supporting documentation to determine the appropriate service pathway.
- Provide accurate housing advice and information in accordance with housing legislation, policies and procedures.
- Assess applications and referrals to identify urgency, vulnerability, safeguarding concerns and housing need.
- Create and maintain accurate case records on the Council's housing management systems.
- Signpost residents to internal and external support services where appropriate.
- Manage customer enquiries received via telephone, email, online systems and face-to-face appointments.
- Support Housing Advisors and senior officers by preparing cases for assessment and decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure residents receive timely assistance.
- Maintain high standards of customer care while dealing with challenging situations and vulnerable residents.
- Contribute to service performance targets, including response times, application processing and customer satisfaction measures.
This role is customer-service focused and requires the ability to deliver a professional, empathetic and efficient service while managing competing priorities and service demand.
- What We Are Looking For
- Delivering excellent customer service within a housing, homelessness, local authority, public sector or similar environment.
- Handling high volumes of enquiries and managing competing demands effectively.
- Assessing customer needs and identifying appropriate solutions or referral pathways.
- Working with vulnerable individuals and households in a sensitive and professional manner.
- Maintaining accurate records and case information using electronic systems.
- Working within established procedures, policies and service standards.
- Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Building positive working relationships with colleagues, partner organisations and stakeholders.
- Managing difficult conversations and resolving customer queries effectively.
Desirable Experience Includes
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness services.
- Understanding of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
- Experience of housing options, homelessness prevention or customer access services.
- Experience using housing management or casework systems.
- Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and supporting vulnerable residents.
- What You'll Bring
You will be empathetic, organised and resilient, with a genuine commitment to helping residents access housing support.
You will have excellent interpersonal skills and be confident dealing with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those facing crisis situations.
You will be able to gather and analyse information quickly, make informed decisions regarding service pathways, and deliver a consistently high standard of customer service in a busy operational environment.
Information
We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all.
When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation.
If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.
The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About Us
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London.
It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east.
It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR.
When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London.
The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock.
Newham has the youngest overall population in the country.
It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium.
It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family.
There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock.
It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.
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Housing & Homelessness Support Assistant in London employer: London Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Senior Educational Psychologists. With a strong commitment to professional development and flexible working arrangements, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in East London. The competitive salary and additional allowances further enhance the appeal of this rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing & Homelessness Support Assistant in London
✨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 Newham.
✨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 Newham!
✨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 Newham, 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 Newham 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 & Homelessness Support Assistant in London
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 Newham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Newham! 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 Newham
✨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.
