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- Tasks: Provide frontline housing advice and prevent homelessness for clients in need.
- Company: Government organisation dedicated to supporting the community in Barnstaple.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Temporary contract with potential for extension and excellent career development.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and help people secure their housing and stability.
- Qualifications: HND/degree in housing or equivalent experience; knowledge of homelessness prevention.
The predicted salary is between 56000 - 56000 £ per year.
Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Housing Officer for our client, a government organisation in Barnstaple, Devon. The successful post holder will provide timely high-quality frontline housing-related advice and assistance in order to maximise our customers’ housing opportunities. Take action to prevent homelessness occurring, using the organisation's agreed prevention policies. Investigate and make decisions in all aspects of homelessness applications. This role is a temporary contract initially for 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working with 2/3 days in the office per week.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Attend to general service requests regarding advice and assistance.
- Assess the housing needs of our clients by office, telephone and home-based interviews, then provide advice to help them find acceptable solutions to their problems.
- Investigate service requests when clients present themselves as homeless or are threatened with homelessness.
- Use the organisation’s agreed homelessness prevention policies to prevent homelessness.
- Administer and carry out the organisation’s statutory obligations to people threatened with or experiencing homelessness.
- Undertake detailed interviews/enquiries to determine homeless applications and notify applicants in accordance with legislation, performance standards and codes of practice.
- Liaise with Temporary Accommodation Officers over the placement of homeless persons into temporary accommodation.
- Provide advice and financial assistance to help customers remain in their home, or assistance with obtaining accommodation privately.
Personal Requirements:
- Educated to at least HND/first degree level in housing or equivalent by experience.
- Hold full membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing or other appropriate institution.
- Sufficient technical and legal knowledge across the functions of homelessness prevention and homelessness to operate effectively, including mental health, drugs and domestic violence awareness, and understanding of welfare benefits and housing law in relation to immigration and young people.
Working Hours: 36hrs / Monday - Friday
Pay: £28.00 per hr. Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.
Housing Officer (Homelessness Prevention) employer: Positive Employment
Contact Detail:
Positive Employment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Officer (Homelessness Prevention)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing sector, especially those who work in homelessness prevention. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of housing law and homelessness policies. We want you to be ready to discuss how you’d handle real-life scenarios that might come up in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! As a Housing Officer, empathy and communication are key. Be ready to share examples of how you've helped others in tough situations during your interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals like you to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Officer (Homelessness Prevention)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Housing Officer role. Highlight your experience in housing advice, homelessness prevention, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about helping people with housing issues. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase any experience you have with homelessness prevention policies or working with vulnerable populations. We’re keen on seeing how you can apply your knowledge in real-world situations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Positive Employment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key aspects of homelessness prevention and housing law. Familiarise yourself with the organisation's policies and procedures, as well as any recent changes in legislation. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you’re also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Empathy and Understanding
As a Housing Officer, you'll be dealing with vulnerable individuals. During your interview, demonstrate your ability to empathise with clients' situations. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported someone in a similar context. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and commitment to helping others.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential situations you might encounter in this role, such as a client facing eviction or needing urgent assistance. Prepare structured responses that outline how you would approach these challenges using the organisation’s agreed policies.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the support available for new hires, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.