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- Tasks: Help prevent and relieve homelessness while supporting vulnerable households in need.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council's dedicated Homelessness Service team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and contribute to your community.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of homelessness legislation and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and employee volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 43000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Permanent, Full Time, Homelessness Officer (Prevention & Relief) to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Homelessness Service.
About The Team
The post holder must share in the work of the Homelessness Unit, which includes prevention and relief of homelessness, the provision and management of accommodation for homeless households, and the discharge of the duties of the City Council under the Housing Act 1996 / Homelessness Act 2002 Part 7 (Housing the Homeless) and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
About The Role
- Interview and investigate all claims of homelessness under Part 7 Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982 from households applying for assistance to the City Council.
- Obtain detailed information on their housing, financial, social, health and other circumstances, both past and present.
- Ensure authenticity by making appropriate enquiries, visits to addresses and liaison with other agencies.
- Prevent and relieve homelessness, in accordance with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 for households becoming homeless.
- Mediating between customers and their housing providers when at risk of homelessness and take appropriate arrangements to prevent loss or damage to clients’ personal possessions.
- Provide statutory advice and assistance to clients and owner occupiers on matters relating to homelessness, housing advice, landlord/tenancy relations and mortgagee default.
- Issue customers with detailed, accurate written housing plans regarding their housing situation.
- Advise on available options including legislation, financial inclusion and welfare reform, reviewing and evaluating as necessary.
- Record and maintain confidential case notes and client records on IT systems in accordance with professional and Council guidelines.
- Record accurate statistical information associated with homelessness to enable completion of statutory returns on homelessness required by government departments.
- Comply with all legal requirements set out under data protection legislation at all times.
- Write and or contribute to reports, referrals, letters, risk assessments on behalf of clients from meetings, conferences and court and to other departments where necessary to support their clients.
- Ensure that when referring vulnerable clients to move on accommodation, housing providers are fully briefed of those issues.
- Post holder to be fully aware of all safeguarding concerns and report any such concerns using the appropriate referral process.
- Work in partnership with multi‑agency colleagues from statutory and voluntary agencies to meet the needs of clients.
- Travel around the city to access all types of accommodation and ensure when carrying out visits that lone working procedures are fully adhered to.
- Participate in the Emergency Call‑out Rota for Homeless cases on a voluntary basis.
- Maintain a good standard of IT literacy that enables use of self‑service, digital user platforms, applications and MS Office and Council data systems (Northgate, Home‑connections).
About You
- Knowledge of the relevant legislation around Homelessness and Housing.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and keep to statutory targets.
- Skill of mediation and negotiation to avert homelessness.
- Good skill base in administrative duties.
- Experience in lone working across the city and all types of accommodation and ability to keep safe.
- Ability to use manual filing system.
- Telephone skills.
- Communication skills (written and verbal).
- A good appreciation of Customer Care.
- Team‑working experience and skills.
- IT literacy.
What We Can Offer You
- Salary: The salary band for this role is £37,280 – £40,778. The starting salary is £37,280 with annual progression through the salary bands.
- Death in service benefit of 3× salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary 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.
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
Contact Details For Informal Discussion
If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you. Please note: This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Email: Chris Payne – Homelessness Service Manager
Tel: 023 8083 4033
For further information about this role please view the job description.
Homelessness Officer (Prevention & Relief) in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Contact Detail:
Southampton City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Officer (Prevention & Relief) in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the ins and outs of homelessness legislation. Brush up on the Housing Act and the Homelessness Reduction Act. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with professionals in the field through LinkedIn or local events. Building relationships can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals, which can give you a leg up.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills. Mock interviews with friends or family can help you articulate your thoughts clearly. Focus on your mediation and negotiation skills, as these are key for the Homelessness Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Officer (Prevention & Relief) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Legislation: Make sure you brush up on the relevant homelessness and housing legislation before you start your application. It’ll show us that you’re serious about the role and understand what’s at stake!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to highlight your experience in mediation, negotiation, and working under pressure. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of written communication, make sure your application is clear and concise. Use proper grammar and structure to demonstrate your written communication skills – it’s a big part of the job!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your progress!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002, and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you understand the framework within which the role operates.
✨Demonstrate Your Mediation Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully mediated in past situations. Think about specific instances where you helped resolve conflicts or prevented homelessness, as this will highlight your relevant experience and skills.
✨Showcase Your IT Literacy
Brush up on your IT skills, especially with MS Office and any relevant case management systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used technology in previous roles to manage records or communicate effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may involve real-life scenarios related to homelessness prevention and relief. Practise your responses to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and your approach to working with vulnerable clients.