At a Glance
- Tasks: Support homeless households by delivering essential services and assistance.
- Company: Join South Lanarkshire Council, committed to equality and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for further training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing support and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 20081 - 20639 £ per year.
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 23 July 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: Lanark Local Office
Hours: 21 hours per week, Permanent
Work Pattern: to be discussed at interview
Salary / Hourly Rate: £20,081 - £20,639 per year
As a Support Officer you will be responsible for delivering a wide range of services to homeless households. You should have similar experience of working in a housing support service with clients in vulnerable or distressed situations and have an understanding of current issues and legislation in relation to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
You should be able to demonstrate practical knowledge of a variety of IT packages including Academy & Microsoft Office Suite. You should also demonstrate the ability to organise and prioritise workload in an effective way and to respond and adapt to changing priorities required in delivering a quality service. You should possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to liaise effectively with a variety of agencies.
The Council is committed to improving the skills and competence of our housing staff. As part of your duties you will be required to undertake further training and/or qualifications, including those introduced by the Scottish Social Services Council for employees working in the housing support sector.
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'.
- Please explain what experience you have of dealing with vulnerable people.
- Please explain your experience of working in a reactive role managing your own caseload.
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 three 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)
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land H&T 5073 - G2 Support Officer (Homelessness) (604388) - 5073-469921029 in Lanark
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 5073 - G2 Support Officer (Homelessness) (604388) - 5073-469921029 in Lanark
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Lanarkshire! 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
✨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.
