At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support individuals experiencing homelessness and manage temporary accommodation.
- Company: Join Manchester City Council, a vibrant local authority dedicated to community transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a strong pension, and perks like discounts and volunteering leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong people skills, and a passion for ending homelessness are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with occasional late finishes and weekend work.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 £ per year.
About The Role
Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week (Monday-Friday with occasional late finishes and weekend work)
Contract Type: 1 x Full Time, Permanent (Broom Lane) and 1 x Full-Time, Temporary (Etrop, 5 Months)
Additional Payments: 6.7% Flexibility Payment
Closing Date: 10 July 2025
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
This role is subject to:
- 2 References
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance
This is a rewarding role which involves managing a highly motivated staff team and the smooth running of a temporary accommodation. We are recruiting both a permanent Homeless Lead Officer for the Broom Lane and a 5 month Homeless Lead Officer for Etrop:
Broom Lane is a mixed accommodation for high needs individuals experiencing homelessness. Staff support residents with accessing universal credit, bank accounts, drug and alcohol referrals, mental health referral, budgeting, getting formal ID, creating personalised support plans, listening to their concerns and needs and eventually moving them on to suitable medium to long term accommodation. The HLO will monitor, train and support staff to do this work, as well as assisting the Team Leader with the efficient running of the hostel to Manchester City Council aims and objectives. Broom Lane has 10 Accommodation Support Workers.
Etrop Grange is Manchester City Council’s rough sleeper accommodation, taking residents straight off the street. The 69 bed accommodation is fast paced with residents generally staying for up to 28 days as staff support clients transition to coming indoors and then look to move them on to other accommodation. As with Broom Lane, the HLO will monitor, train and support staff to do this work, as well as assisting the Team Leader with the efficient running of the hostel to Manchester City Council aims and objectives. Etrop has 14 Accommodation Support Workers and a cook.
Both roles are highly rewarding, helping to manage motivated teams to achieve strong results for some of Manchester’s most underprivileged people. Homeless Lead Officers receive an additional 6.7% on their wage as a flexibility payment for occasional weekend work and late finishes.
About the Candidate
The successful candidate for this role will be empathetic, have strong people skills and be passionate about ending homelessness. You will be a flexible and motivated worker who can deal with rapidly changing situations and enjoy working in a fast paced environment. You will use a holistic approach to support our clients and manage our staff team effectively.
About Us
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your newborn or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
- Current or former care leavers
- Have a disability or long-term condition
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.
What we will need from you if you’re successful:
- In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
- Pre-Employment Checks: If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:
- Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
- References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
- Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
- Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
- Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information.
- Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other relevant information: We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
Homeless Lead Officer employer: Old Moat
Contact Detail:
Old Moat Recruiting Team
jobs@manchester.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Homeless Lead Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by homeless individuals in Manchester. Understanding local issues will help you demonstrate your empathy and commitment during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the homelessness sector. Attend local events or workshops to connect with others who work in this field, as they may provide insights or even referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions in your interview by thinking of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a team or supported vulnerable individuals.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Manchester City Council's initiatives and values. Being able to discuss how your personal values align with their mission will show your genuine interest in the role and the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Homeless Lead Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Homeless Lead Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in managing teams, working with vulnerable populations, or in social services. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to handle the challenges mentioned in the job description.
Highlight Soft Skills: The role requires strong people skills and empathy. Make sure to include instances where you've successfully communicated with diverse groups or resolved conflicts, showcasing your interpersonal abilities.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a compelling cover letter that reflects your passion for ending homelessness and your understanding of the holistic approach required for this role. Address how you can contribute to the Manchester City Council's vision and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Old Moat
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Homeless Lead Officer, empathy is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've supported individuals in challenging situations. This will demonstrate your understanding of the role and the people you'll be working with.
✨Highlight Your Team Management Skills
This role involves managing a team, so be ready to discuss your experience in leading and training staff. Share specific instances where you successfully motivated a team or improved their performance.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Given the fast-paced nature of the role, it's important to show that you can adapt to changing situations. Prepare to discuss times when you've had to think on your feet and adjust your approach to meet the needs of clients or your team.
✨Understand the Local Context
Familiarise yourself with the homelessness issues in Manchester and the services available. Showing that you have researched the local context will reflect your commitment to the role and the community you'll serve.