At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents facing housing difficulties and help them access vital services.
- Company: Join North Tyneside Council's dedicated Homeless Prevention Team.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to preventing homelessness and promoting community well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable residents every day.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in customer-focused roles are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
North Tyneside Council is looking for a motivated and customer-focused individual to join our Homeless Prevention Team. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital role in supporting residents who are facing housing difficulties or at risk of homelessness. As the first point of contact for many customers, you will provide an efficient and compassionate service, helping people access the right support at the right time.
Working within a busy and dedicated team, you will undertake triage assessments, arrange appointments, signpost residents to appropriate services and provide essential administrative support that helps our homelessness and temporary accommodation services operate effectively. Every day is different, and you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution towards preventing homelessness and improving outcomes for some of our most vulnerable residents.
In this varied and rewarding role, you will undertake initial triage assessments to identify customers' housing and support needs, ensuring they receive timely advice and access to the most appropriate services. You will manage appointment bookings and referrals, helping residents navigate support pathways at what can often be a challenging time in their lives.
The role also involves providing comprehensive administrative and clerical support to the Homeless Prevention and Temporary Accommodation Teams, maintaining accurate records on relevant ICT systems, and ensuring customer information is recorded promptly and effectively. You will process invoices and financial transactions relating to homelessness prevention and temporary accommodation services, support the production of performance data, and take minutes at meetings when required.
Working closely with colleagues and partner organisations, you will contribute to delivering positive outcomes for residents and support the Council's commitment to preventing homelessness across North Tyneside.
The successful candidate
We are looking for an organised, motivated and customer-focused individual who is passionate about delivering high-quality services to residents. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to build positive and effective relationships with customers, colleagues and partner organisations. The successful candidate will be able to manage competing priorities within a busy environment, demonstrate strong organisational skills and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
You will be empathetic and professional when supporting vulnerable residents, understanding the importance of delivering services with sensitivity and respect. Strong ICT skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently, use initiative and contribute positively as part of a team. You will also understand the importance of confidentiality and be trusted to handle sensitive information appropriately.
Experience of working in a customer-focused administrative environment is essential, and experience within housing, homelessness, local government or other public-facing support services would be an advantage. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, flexible and committed to making a positive difference to the lives of North Tyneside residents through the prevention of homelessness and the delivery of excellent customer service.
Contact:
For an informal conversation regarding the vacancy, please contact: Lauren Berry, Senior Housing Options Manager, 07816 084598, lauren.berry@northtyneside.gov.uk
Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.
Why North Tyneside Council?
Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.
As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well-being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.
Together, we're crafting a workplace that's built on our values and a shared commitment to making a difference. If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.
Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody's business.
Require a reasonable adjustment? If you feel a reasonable adjustment will provide additional support in both the recruitment process and within the workplace, please indicate this to the hiring manager on your application. Declaring a reasonable adjustment will not subject you to any form of discrimination when determining which applicants are successful for interview and employment with us.
Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan
In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency. This declaration set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of the council's operations, and the borough, by 50% by 2023 and to align to the Government’s net zero target of 2050. We recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, but we can't do this alone; we need help from all our residents, businesses, voluntary and community sectors and of course all those who apply and work for us. Together we can make North Tyneside a sustainable place to live and work for everyone in the borough.
To learn more about Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan, click here.
Applying
To view more information about the role and view the Job Description please click "Apply" you will be taken to the North Tyneside Careers Portal.
Learn More
For further information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, candidate support, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “work for us" page.
Want to keep up to date with the latest vacancies and colleague experiences at North Tyneside Council? Keep informed on our social media channels.
Homeless Support Officer employer: North East Ambition
Centurion Multi-Academy Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its staff while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a competitive salary and a commitment to operational excellence, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the educational outcomes of pupils and the wider community. Located in a supportive environment, the Trust offers unique opportunities for leadership development and strategic involvement in shaping the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homeless Support Officer
✨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 North East Ambition.
✨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 North East Ambition!
✨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 North East Ambition, 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 North East Ambition 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 Homeless Support Officer
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 North East Ambition:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Ambition! 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 North East Ambition
✨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.
