At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families with housing challenges and ensure stable home environments for children.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council's Building Bridges Team, dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and excellent pension contributions.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training, development, and community volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your skills in social care.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing or social care and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 32061 - 36362 £ per year.
We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved.
We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve been on a journey that has seen Ofsted has our Children’s Services as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding Leadership’, and more recently has inspected our SEND provision (Area full SEND inspection) and how we work with partner agencies (Joint Target Area Inspection). In every inspection Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families.
But we’re ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.
We have a new opportunity for a Permanent Part Time (0.5) Housing Support Officer to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Building Bridges Team.
About the team:
The Building Bridges Team comprises a dedicated group of professionals who collaborate with other Children’s Social Care teams to assist families engaged at Early Help, Child in Need, and Child Protection levels. The team offers targeted support during periods of increased need, including expert parenting advice, intervention to prevent family or placement breakdowns, and direct engagement through practical assistance.
The Housing Support Officer position is a new addition to our team. This role is designed to enhance our capacity to assist families with housing-related challenges and to help maintain secure and stable home environments for children. This post requires a strong understanding of housing legislation and effective communication skills, capable of working collaboratively with families to identify and implement optimal solutions for their housing needs.
About the role:
In this role, duties include:
- Advising families on housing rights, responsibilities, options, and access to services, as well as assisting with housing applications.
- Conducting home visits and risk assessments to assist families in securing safe and suitable accommodation.
- Collaborating with multi-agency teams to provide support to children and their families.
- Communicating with landlords to address housing matters, manage disputes, and work towards maintaining stable housing for families.
About you:
- Experience working within housing, social care, or family support environments.
- Knowledge of housing legislation and familiarity with Southampton’s local housing sector and frameworks are required.
- The role involves working with families and communicating within a multi-professional setting; therefore, effective interpersonal and communication skills are necessary.
- The ability to focus on solutions and apply problem-solving strategies is also essential for this position.
Essential Skills:
- Understanding of challenges faced by families in need, particularly those at risk of homelessness or complex needs.
- Knowledge of housing legislation, welfare benefits, safeguarding, and child protection procedures.
- Strong communication and advocacy skills.
- IT literacy and record-keeping skills, maintaining accurate, up-to-date records.
- Ability to travel across Southampton to perform this post.
Desirable Skills:
- Relevant professional qualification in housing, social care, or equivalent (e.g., CIH, NVQ Level 3 or above).
- Experience working in multi-agency or partnership settings.
- Knowledge of Southampton’s local housing sector and statutory frameworks.
What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is £32,061 - £36,362 (pro rata if part time). The starting salary is £32,061 (pro rata if part time) with annual progression through the salary bands.
We offer a range of benefits, including:
- Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution.
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
- Flexible working options (role-dependent).
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
Please note: We are not able to offer Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship on this role, at this time.
For further information about this role, please contact Stephanie Bollon. For recruitment contact details, please email recruitment@southampton.gov.uk or call 023 8083 4033.
Housing Support Officer in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community through its Building Bridges Team. With a strong focus on employee well-being, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme, flexible working options, and extensive training opportunities, we foster a supportive work culture that values every team member's contribution. Join us in our mission to support families and create stable home environments for children, while enjoying a fulfilling career in a vibrant city.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Officer in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Housing Support Officer in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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.
