At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver and improve homelessness services in South Lanarkshire.
- Company: Join South Lanarkshire Council, a progressive local authority dedicated to community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing services and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 54783 - 59911 £ per year.
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 21 August 2026 at 11:55PM. Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE.
Location: Council Headquarters, Hamilton
Hours: 35 hours per week, Permanent
Work Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4.45pm, Friday 8.45am - 4.15pm
Salary / Hourly Rate: £54,783 - £59,911 per year
South Lanarkshire Council is one of the largest and most progressive local authorities in Scotland. Housing Services deliver a range of quality services to almost 26,000 tenants and other customers across the South Lanarkshire area. Our local housing and central support teams provide a wide range of services directly and in partnership with others.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Central Homelessness Service for an Adviser (Homelessness). This is a key senior management role supporting the delivery, development and continuous improvement of homelessness services across South Lanarkshire.
The successful candidate will lead and support a motivated team delivering housing advice, homelessness prevention, assessment of housing and support needs, decision making and casework services. The postholder will also lead and support service planning, service development, quality assurance, performance monitoring, temporary accommodation planning, commissioned services, resource management and partnership working.
The postholder will play a key role in ensuring statutory homelessness services are legally compliant, person-centred, trauma-informed and focused on positive outcomes. This will include using performance information, customer insight and partnership working to prevent homelessness wherever possible and respond effectively when homelessness occurs.
Do you have:
- Experience of delivering, developing or improving homelessness, housing or related services;
- Detailed knowledge of homelessness legislation, policy, guidance and good practice;
- Experience of performance management, data analysis, quality assurance, service improvement or compliance activity;
- Experience of working collaboratively with partners, including housing, health, social work and the third sector;
- The ability to lead, support and develop staff within a busy and complex service environment;
- Effective communication, analytical and relationship-building skills;
- A commitment to excellent customer care, trauma-informed practice and positive outcomes for homeless households;
- Experience of engaging with people with lived experience and using their views to inform service improvement.
Experience of strategic planning, commissioning, temporary accommodation planning, service user engagement and partnership working would be advantageous.
You will be a self-motivated and confident professional with a proven track record of delivering results in a complex service environment, strong leadership and senior management skills, and the ability to support continuous improvement.
You will preferably be qualified to Housing Degree or Diploma level, or hold an equivalent qualification and/or have relevant professional experience.
If you have the knowledge, skills and experience to support high-quality homelessness services and contribute to South Lanarkshire’s work to prevent and reduce homelessness, we would welcome your application.
In return, you will be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values its staff and customers and supports personal and professional development.
View the Homelessness Adviser job profile.
Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents. Please provide evidence of your experience and achievements in the five specific behaviours framework: 'Efficient, Flexible, Leading, Working with Others and Performing’.
If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.
Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address.
Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.
Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.
Legislative Information: This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020. This post is considered a Regulated Role with Adults, in respect of the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with Adults. Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made. Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.
Overseas Criminal Records Check: An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of 12 months in the past 10 years. Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement: The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position. As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile.
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
- Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
- To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
- Up to 33 days annual leave
- Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
- Occupational sick pay
- Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
- Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
- Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support).
H&T 5273 - G4 Homelessness Adviser (604363) employer: South Lanarkshire Council
South Lanarkshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises equality and inclusivity. With flexible working hours and a commitment to employee well-being, including a local government pension scheme and family-friendly policies, this role provides meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth in the community-focused environment of Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land H&T 5273 - G4 Homelessness Adviser (604363)
✨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 South Lanarkshire 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 South Lanarkshire 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 South Lanarkshire 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 South Lanarkshire 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 H&T 5273 - G4 Homelessness Adviser (604363)
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 South Lanarkshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Lanarkshire 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 South Lanarkshire 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.
