At a Glance
- Tasks: Help prevent homelessness and support tenants in maintaining their tenancies.
- Company: Join Somerset Council, dedicated to improving lives and communities.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, health support, and a secure pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and contribute to ending rough sleeping.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing support and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
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Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer (North Somerset)
You’ll be helping to prevent homelessness and support tenants to sustain their tenancies, working closely with the Rough Sleeping Team and Housing Options Officers to achieve positive outcomes.
You will do this by providing practical assistance and advice to vulnerable individuals and families, helping them to overcome barriers to securing and maintaining accommodation.
You’ll be working closely with tenants to address issues such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, and other factors that may jeopardise their housing stability.
By offering tailored support and intervention, this role aims to enhance the tenants’ ability to live independently and integrate into the community.
You’ll be required to have a proactive approach to identifying at-risk tenancies and implementing preventative measures to ensure long-term housing security.
The role also involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including housing providers, social services, and community organisations, to deliver comprehensive support services.
Somerset is committed to supporting the Government’s Ending Rough Sleeping campaign, and you will a key part of this.
Your success in this role will help to achieve positive housing and outcomes residents across Somerset, underlying Somerset Council’s commitment to a fairer, better future.
Key responsibilities
- Provide practical support to tenants to help them establish and sustain their tenancies.
- Identify and address barriers to housing stability, such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, and financial difficulties.
- Develop and implement personalised support plans for tenants at risk of losing their accommodation.
- Liaise with housing providers, social services, and other relevant organisations to coordinate support services.
- Conduct regular home visits to monitor tenants’ wellbeing and housing conditions.
- Offer advice and assistance with budgeting, accessing benefits, and managing household responsibilities and rent accounts.
- Maintain accurate records of all interactions and interventions with tenants.
- What you’ll bring
- Proven experience in a housing support or similar role.
- Proven track record in developing and implementing support plans.
- Experience working with vulnerable individuals, particularly those experiencing homelessness.
- Comprehensive understanding of housing legislation and tenancy rights.
- Knowledge of welfare benefits and financial support systems.
- Awareness of issues affecting vulnerable tenants, such as mental health and substance abuse.
- Qualified to A Level standard or equivalent.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trust and rapport with vulnerable and complex individuals.
- About the team
The Rough Sleeping Team forms part of Somerset Council’s Homelessness and Housing Options Service.
Our Rough Sleeping Team works to prevent and reduce rough sleeping across Somerset, helping people access accommodation, support services, and pathways away from homelessness.
We work closely with a range of partners, including housing providers, NHS services, substance misuse services, and voluntary sector organisations, to provide coordinated and effective support.
Together, we are committed to delivering compassionate, person-centred services that help people move away from homelessness and achieve lasting housing stability.
Why Join Us?
At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities.
Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most generous and secure pension schemes.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
- Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
Find out more about working at Somerset Council
- This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week. This will require unsociable hours to be worked, including early morning outreach and spotlight counts.
- 28 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
- An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
- Interviews are anticipated to take place in the first two weeks of December.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.
For an informal chat about the role in Taunton or Bridgwater, you can contact Stacey Tizzard, Service Manager – Rough Sleeping, via email at Stacey. tizzard@somerset. gov. uk .
We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.
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Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer (North Somerset) in Bridgwater employer: Somerset-Council-1
Join a dynamic and values-driven team at the Hospital Interface Service in Yeovil, where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of adults with complex needs. With a competitive starting salary, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on professional development, this role offers an excellent work culture that champions collaboration and innovation. Embrace the chance to lead and support others while working in a supportive environment that prioritises reflective practice and continuous growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer (North Somerset) in Bridgwater
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer (North Somerset) in Bridgwater
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 Somerset-Council-1:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Somerset-Council-1! 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 Somerset-Council-1
✨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.
