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- Tasks: Be the first point of contact for housing advice and support residents in need.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and a supportive environment for your career growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in housing while helping others and gaining valuable skills.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or willingness to work towards Functional Skills Level 2.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values collaboration, efficiency, and making a positive impact.
The predicted salary is between 800 - 1400 £ per month.
You will play a key role as the first point of contact for people seeking housing advice, supporting Homeless Prevention Officers to deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service that helps prevent homelessness and supports residents at times of real need.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role:
- Support Homeless Prevention Officers by providing high-quality administrative and operational assistance, helping to ensure cases are progressed efficiently and accurately.
- Maintain records, update personalised housing plans and assist with enquiries to establish the Council's responsibilities under housing legislation.
Main responsibilities:
- Acting as the first point of contact for customers via telephone, email and face-to-face contact.
- Providing advice, updates and signposting, ensuring all interactions are accurately recorded on internal systems.
- Supporting the management of diaries, appointments, home visits and transport bookings.
- Assisting with case administration, including minute-taking, scanning documents and logging information.
- Updating and monitoring personalised housing plans and review dates.
- Accurately recording the use of emergency accommodation and related payments.
- Working closely with internal teams and external agencies to support effective homelessness prevention.
Alongside your day-to-day duties, you will take part in training, supervision and development activities as part of your apprenticeship, building your knowledge of housing legislation, council procedures and best practice while contributing to a high-quality, cost-effective service.
Candidate profile / Qualifications:
- We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Housing Advice Apprentice to join our Housing Advice and Homeless Prevention team.
- This is an excellent opportunity to start a career in housing, public services, or customer-focused work while gaining a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.
- Enthusiastic about helping others, keen to learn, and able to work in a busy frontline service.
- GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 (or equivalent), or a willingness to work towards Functional Skills Level 2.
- Eligible to apply for a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
- Organised, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
- Willing to learn about housing legislation and council processes.
You will be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you will also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Values and team culture:
- Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency.
- Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Disability Confident:
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.
Benefits:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
Closing Date: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: Initial group activity/ written test followed by individual interviews for successful candidates.
Housing Advice Apprentice in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Advice Apprentice in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Reading Borough Council and their values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when it’s your turn to shine in front of the interview panel.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your passion for helping others! As a Housing Advice Apprentice, showing your enthusiasm for supporting people in need is key. Think of examples from your life where you've made a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Advice Apprentice in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for helping others and your enthusiasm for the role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description. Mention specific responsibilities from the role that excite you and how you can contribute to our team.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role involves a lot of administrative tasks, it’s a good idea to demonstrate your organisational abilities in your application. Share examples of how you’ve managed multiple tasks or projects effectively in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with housing legislation and the role of the council in preventing homelessness. This will not only show your enthusiasm for the position but also help you answer questions confidently.
✨Practice Active Listening
As a Housing Advice Apprentice, you'll be the first point of contact for customers. During the interview, demonstrate your listening skills by summarising what the interviewer says and asking clarifying questions when needed.
✨Show Your Compassion
This role is all about helping others, so be prepared to share examples of how you've supported people in the past. Highlight your empathy and willingness to learn, as these traits are crucial for success in this position.
✨Be Organised
Since you'll be managing various tasks like diary appointments and case administration, showcase your organisational skills during the interview. Bring a notebook to jot down important points and demonstrate your ability to prioritise.
