Interim Senior Temporary Accommodation

Interim Senior Temporary Accommodation (TA) Housing Officer – Key Requirements

While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required.

• Strong negotiation skills to secure improved TA rates with housing suppliers and to support step-down conversations with households.
• Experience working in local government housing or related homelessness/TA services, with a clear understanding of TA pressures faced by LAs.
• Proven ability to conduct case reviews, identify opportunities for cost reduction, and progress step-down pathways.
• Experience supporting resettlement and PRS move-on, including working with households to overcome barriers and engaging with landlords and agents.
• Ability to actively source and progress Private Rented Sector (PRS) options as part of planned move-on from TA.
• Comfortable working to weekly targets, with a sharp focus on the top 100 highest-cost cases followed by subsequent cohorts.
• Self-starter able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain momentum without close supervision.
• Agile and adaptable, able to switch between negotiation, case review, supplier engagement, and resident-facing work as required.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and work collaboratively with internal teams and external providers.
• Analytical mindset to track progress, identify trends, and contribute to TA cost-reduction strategies.
• Ability to manage sensitive conversations with professionalism and empathy, particularly in relation to move-on and step-down options for households.
• Outcome-focused, pragmatic, and resilient in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. xiskglj
Additional Responsibilities:
• Provide day-to-day guidance and informal supervision to TA Housing Officers, supporting quality, consistency, and pace of delivery.
• Act as a lead on complex or high-cost cases, supporting problem-solving, decision-making, and escalation where required