At a Glance
- Tasks: Help prevent homelessness and support vulnerable residents in crisis.
- Company: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive annual leave, generous pension, training support, and local discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in front-line housing services and knowledge of housing legislation.
The predicted salary is between 29723 - 36329 £ per year.
This is a frontline post in the housing team at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, working to prevent homelessness and to relieve it where it has already happened.
The officer manages their own caseload, investigates cases in detail and issues statutory decision letters under homelessness legislation.
The role is largely Town Hall based with visits to residents across the borough, alongside rota duties.
Part VII Housing Act 1996 knowledge and front-line housing experience decide fit.
- What the job involves
- Manage own caseload of households facing homelessness or at risk of it
- Carry out detailed casework investigations
- Issue statutory decision letters under homelessness legislation
- Interview clients, assess their circumstances, decide what statutory duties may be owed and identify housing options
- Provide comprehensive housing advice to households with a range of circumstances
- Support vulnerable residents in crisis to resolve their threat of homelessness
- Work with partners including housing associations, domestic abuse services, private landlords, police, social services and substance treatment agencies
- Visit residents across the borough
- Provide high standards of customer service
- Cover daily Town Hall operational duties
- Staff the homeless duty officer rota and assist with housing advice emails and the Housing Advice phone line
- Undertake other duties on a rota basis
Experience
- Experience of working in a busy front-line housing service
Skills & knowledge
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Detailed knowledge of Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended)
- Working to deadlines across a varied workload
- Working well as a team player and on own initiative
- Positive, supportive, flexible and innovative approach with households in housing need
- Nice to have
- Familiarity with relevant housing legislation
- Knowledge of the benefits system
- Experience of providing housing advice and/or tenancy support
- What’s offered
- Competitive annual leave
- LGPS pension with employer contribution of 22.10%
- Training and career development support
- Discounts at local and high street stores
- Salary sacrifice schemes including a cycle lease scheme
- Better leisure centre membership
- Some hybrid working, if agreed with the Homeless Relief Team Leader
Homeless Prevention and Relief Officer in Reigate employer: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development, particularly in housing services. Employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community by assisting vulnerable residents. The council values teamwork and collaboration, providing a stable career path in public service.
Contact Details:
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homeless Prevention and Relief Officer in Reigate
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Homeless Prevention and Relief Officer in Reigate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
