Assistant Housing Solutions Officer

Could you be the person who helps someone find stability when they need it most? Do you believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a safe and secure home? Are you passionate about helping people overcome challenges and want a career where your work can make a genuine difference? If yes, this could be the opportunity you have been looking for!

Southwark Council is looking for motivated, compassionate and organised individuals to join our Housing Needs and Support service as Assistant Housing Solutions Officers.

About the Role:

This is an opportunity to play a key role in helping residents through some of the most challenging moments in their lives. You will contribute to preventing homelessness, providing practical advice and supporting residents to achieve positive and sustainable housing outcomes. Southwark is an ambitious and diverse borough with a strong commitment to resident-focused services, early intervention and preventing housing difficulties from escalating. Our approach is centred on understanding each resident’s circumstances, providing effective advice and assistance and working collaboratively to achieve lasting solutions. As part of our team, you will work within a service built on fairness, respect, openness and accountability. You will be supported to develop your skills, expand your knowledge of housing services and gain valuable experience across areas including housing options, homelessness prevention, applications and accommodation solutions.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Providing high-quality housing advice, assistance and administrative support across Housing Needs and Support services.
• Supporting residents and preventing homelessness.
• Acting as an initial point of contact for residents seeking housing advice and assistance.
• Listening to residents, gathering relevant information, and helping identify appropriate housing options and solutions.
• Providing clear, sensitive, and professional communication to residents who may be experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Supporting early intervention approaches that help residents sustain accommodation and avoid homelessness.
• Delivering effective housing services.
• Assisting with housing applications by processing information, checking documentation, maintaining accurate records, and supporting case progression.
• Supporting accommodation processes, including assisting with offers, liaising with internal teams and providers, and ensuring information is recorded accurately.
• Updating systems and completing administrative tasks to support effective decision-making and high-quality service delivery.
• Working within agreed timescales while ensuring compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and statutory requirements.
• Building effective working relationships with colleagues across Housing Needs and Support and wider council services.
• Working alongside external partners, including health services, children’s services, and voluntary sector organisations, to provide a coordinated approach to resident support.
• Contributing ideas and feedback to improve services and enhance the resident experience.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience across housing services while contributing to a team that places residents at the heart of everything it does.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for individuals who are committed to delivering excellent services and understand the importance of treating every resident with dignity, empathy, and respect. You will be someone who:

• Has excellent communication skills and can engage confidently with residents, colleagues, and partner organisations.
• Can listen effectively, understand individual circumstances, and provide clear and appropriate information.
• Is organised, detail-focused, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy.
• Works effectively as part of a team and contributes positively towards shared goals.
• Can follow processes and procedures while using initiative to achieve positive outcomes.
• Is adaptable, willing to learn, and interested in developing knowledge of housing legislation, policy, and local procedures.
• Is committed to continuous improvement and delivering services that make a difference.

Experience in housing, customer service, administration, or a similar environment would be beneficial. However, we are equally interested in your approach, values and commitment to supporting residents.

Contact Information:

To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact our dedicating Housing Needs inbox via email at HNASapplications@southwark.gov.uk

Additional Information:

• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Location: 25 Bournemouth Road, Peckham, London, SE15 4UJ
• Type of contract: Permanent

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities.