At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide housing advice and prevent homelessness for vulnerable individuals.
- Company: Dorset Council’s Housing Service, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible remote work, and valuable experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enhance your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of those in need.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing services and strong knowledge of housing legislation.
The predicted salary is between 30 - 30 £ per hour.
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Housing Caseworker to join Dorset Council’s Housing Service on a temporary 12-week contract. This is a remote role, offering an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing comprehensive housing advice and homelessness prevention services. If you have a strong understanding of housing legislation and a passion for supporting vulnerable individuals, we encourage you to apply.
Contract Type: Temporary (12 weeks)
Location: Remote
Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Salary: £25–£30 per hour
Responsibilities
- Providing tailored housing advice and homelessness prevention services in line with current housing legislation.
- Managing a caseload of customers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, ensuring accurate and up-to-date case records.
- Conducting homelessness investigations, making statutory decisions, and arranging temporary accommodation when necessary.
- Developing and maintaining Personal Housing Plans to prevent or relieve homelessness.
- Collaborating with landlords, attending court, sourcing alternative housing options, and working with partner agencies to prevent homelessness.
- Offering advice on welfare benefits, debt management, income maximisation, and employment, while signposting to specialist agencies as needed.
- Building strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, including Adult and Children’s Services, health services, probation, police, and housing providers.
- Supporting vulnerable individuals, including 16–17-year-olds, care leavers, and clients with complex needs, in line with established protocols.
Qualifications
- Previous experience working within a local authority housing service or registered housing provider.
- Strong knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2018.
- Proven ability to prevent homelessness using a variety of practical tools and techniques.
- Experience managing a complex caseload independently in a confidential and fast-paced environment.
- Up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing options.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and collaborate effectively.
- Strong problem-solving, organisational, and IT skills, with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
- An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
- A CIH Level 4 qualification is desirable but not essential.
Day-to-Day
- Engaging with customers to assess their housing needs and risks of homelessness.
- Developing and updating Personal Housing Plans tailored to individual circumstances.
- Conducting thorough investigations and making informed statutory decisions.
- Liaising with landlords, attending court hearings, and sourcing alternative housing solutions.
- Collaborating with internal teams and external agencies to provide holistic support.
- Maintaining detailed case records and ensuring compliance with housing legislation.
Benefits
- Competitive hourly rate of £25–£30.
- Flexible remote working arrangement.
- Opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals.
- Gain valuable experience working within a dynamic and supportive housing service team.
- Enhance your knowledge and skills in housing legislation and homelessness prevention.
If you are a proactive and compassionate professional with a strong background in housing services, we would love to hear from you. Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Apply today!
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Caseworker in Dorchester
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
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We think you need these skills to ace Housing Caseworker in Dorchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of SOUTH WEST RECRUITMENT. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
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Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at SOUTH WEST RECRUITMENT. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOUTH WEST RECRUITMENT
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with SOUTH WEST RECRUITMENT.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Housing Caseworker role at SOUTH WEST RECRUITMENT, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show SOUTH WEST RECRUITMENT that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
