At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable residents by identifying home safety risks and providing practical solutions.
- Company: Join Somerset Council, a progressive organisation dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and a secure pension scheme.
- Other info: Work in beautiful Somerset with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26640 - 32560 £ per year.
Salary: Grade 11 - £33,673 to £37,563
Contract: Full Time - Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: This role involves travelling across Somerset to visit residents in their homes and can be based from Shape Mendip, Taunton, Bridgwater or Yeovil, depending on your location.
About The Role
The Home Safety Support Team helps vulnerable residents across Somerset remain safe, well and independent in their own homes. Working closely with health services, housing providers, voluntary organisations and local communities, the team delivers practical support that improves lives and prevents housing-related crises.
As a Home Safety Officer, you'll make a real difference to some of Somerset's most vulnerable residents. You'll work directly with people facing complex housing, health or hoarding challenges, identifying risks within their homes and finding practical solutions that help them live safely and independently. This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll combine property knowledge, problem-solving and compassionate support to achieve positive outcomes. Joining Somerset Council means becoming part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team committed to improving wellbeing, reducing preventable harm and helping people maintain their independence for longer.
How You'll Make a Difference
- Support vulnerable residents to live safely and independently by identifying risks within their homes and developing practical, person-centred solutions.
- Manage complex home safety and hoarding cases, working collaboratively with individuals, families and partner agencies to achieve sustainable outcomes.
- Assess properties, identify essential repairs and improvements, and oversee works through to completion to create safer living environments.
- Help prevent hospital admissions, support timely hospital discharge and reduce the risk of homelessness through targeted interventions.
- Build strong partnerships across housing, health and community services to coordinate support and deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.
What You'll Bring
- Experience working with vulnerable people, including those with complex needs, mental health challenges or hoarding behaviours, using a sensitive and person-centred approach.
- Strong communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with residents, families, landlords and partner agencies.
- Experience assessing properties, identifying risks or repair needs, and managing improvement works or related projects.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and develop practical solutions that meet individual needs.
- The ability to manage a varied caseload, maintain accurate records and work independently while meeting deadlines.
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.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced 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.
Further Information
This role is primarily home and community based and involves travelling across Somerset to visit residents in their homes. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required. An enhanced DBS check is also required for this position. 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, you can contact Heather Brunt, Home Safety Support Service Manager heather.brunt@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.
Home Safety Officer in Bridgwater employer: Somerset County Council
Somerset County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the welfare of children and families in Yeovil. With a strong commitment to continuous professional development and flexible hybrid working arrangements, employees are empowered to manage complex caseloads while contributing to meaningful service improvements. Join us to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, all within a collaborative and nurturing environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Safety Officer in Bridgwater
✨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 Somerset County 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 Somerset County 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 Somerset County 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 Somerset County 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 Home Safety Officer 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 County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Somerset County 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 Somerset County 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.
