Homelessness Advice & Prevention Service Assistant
Section
Housing Advice
Location
Town Hall
Salary
£29,542 to £31,015per annum
Post Type
Full Time
Contract Type
Fixed Term- 12 Months
Closing Date
23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 25 October 2026
Reference
DEHH04011
Homelessness Advice & Prevention Service Assistant
Fixed term for 12 Months
37 hours per week
Grade 6Salary £29,542 to £31,015 (per annum)
Help prevent homelessness in Preston. Join a dedicated frontline team providing advice, support and early intervention to people facing housing difficulties. Make a real difference by helping residents access the right support at the right time.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Development & Housing's Homelessness Advice & Prevention Service (HAPS) as a Homelessness Advice & Prevention Service Assistant.
Are you compassionate, organised and committed to supporting vulnerable people?
We are looking for a proactive and customer-focused individual to join our busy frontline service based at Preston Town Hall. You will be the first point of contact for people seeking housing and homelessness advice, helping to identify needs, provide guidance and ensure customers receive timely support.
Working as part of the Homelessness Advice & Prevention Service, you will engage with people who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, including those experiencing complex challenges such as domestic abuse, mental ill health, physical health conditions, substance misuse, offending histories and repeat homelessness. You will play a key role in homelessness prevention, helping residents understand their housing options and access the support available to them.
Duties include:
Responding to enquiries by telephone, email, website and in person.
Assessing housing and homelessness enquiries and identifying when someone may be homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Providing advice, guidance and signposting to internal and external support services.
Supporting customers to access services digitally and encouraging self-service where appropriate.
Processing applications and enquiries relating to the housing register and Select Move.
Recording enquiries and case information accurately on the H-CLIC case management system.
Liaising with partners including housing providers, health services, social care, probation, DWP and voluntary sector organisations.
Promoting homelessness prevention and helping people understand their rights and housing options.
Identifying safeguarding concerns and ensuring these are reported appropriately.
Supporting the wider HAPS team with administrative and operational duties.
About you:
You'll be a positive and approachable individual with:
Experience delivering frontline customer or public services.
Experience working with vulnerable individuals or people with complex needs.
An understanding of homelessness issues and the barriers faced by people experiencing housing difficulties.
Knowledge of, or willingness to develop knowledge of, homelessness legislation including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Excellent communication, interviewing and customer service skills.
The ability to remain calm and effective when dealing with challenging situations.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
Good ICT skills, including experience of using databases or case management systems.
A commitment to empowering customers and delivering a trauma-informed approach to support.
In return, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day while working within a supportive and dedicated team committed to preventing homelessness and improving outcomes for Preston residents.
As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits which may include flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 28 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares, a cycle to work scheme and access to a healthcare insurance scheme.
We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
International Sponsorship: This role is not open to international sponsorship.
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Homelessness Advice & Prevention Service Assistant in Preston employer: Preston Partnership
Preston Partnership is an exceptional employer that values its team members by fostering a supportive work culture and providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Located in the heart of Scotland, employees enjoy generous benefits such as a minimum of 25 days’ annual leave, access to a local government pension scheme, and discounted travel options, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about delivering outstanding customer service.
