At a Glance
- Tasks: Help residents prevent homelessness and build secure futures through personalised support.
- Company: Southwark Council, dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the community.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, 36 hours per week, with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team focused on early intervention and positive outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting residents during challenging times.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of homelessness legislation and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Does the idea of preventing someone from losing their home tomorrow appeal to you? If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference, supporting residents through challenging times and finding solutions that create lasting change, we have an exciting opportunity for you.
Southwark Council is looking for a Prevention and Relief Officer to play a key role in helping residents overcome housing challenges, prevent homelessness and build more secure futures. You will work as part of the Housing Needs and Support service, with a dedicated team focused on early intervention, homelessness prevention and delivering high‑quality services that achieve positive outcomes.
What You Will Do
- Carry out statutory homelessness assessments and make fair, legally robust decisions in line with the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
- Develop, implement and review personalised housing plans, agreeing realistic actions that support residents to achieve positive outcomes.
- Provide high‑quality advice and guidance, helping residents understand their rights, responsibilities and available housing options.
- Work creatively with residents, landlords, internal services and external partners to prevent homelessness, sustain tenancies and secure suitable accommodation.
- Support residents experiencing complex challenges, including financial hardship, health needs, safeguarding concerns, domestic abuse, mental health issues and other vulnerabilities.
- Connect residents with wider support services, including employment, income, health and wellbeing support.
- Maintain accurate case records, produce quality documentation and contribute to a service committed to accountability, learning and improvement.
What We’re Looking For
We want confident, compassionate and solution‑focused professionals who are committed to preventing homelessness and improving residents’ experiences.
You Will Bring
- Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and the ability to apply it confidently.
- Experience managing complex housing casework and making sound professional decisions.
- A prevention‑focused approach, with the ability to identify risks early and take meaningful action.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and supportively.
- The confidence to manage challenging conversations while treating residents with dignity, respect and understanding.
- Strong partnership‑working skills and the ability to build effective relationships with residents, colleagues, landlords and external agencies.
- The ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and deliver high‑quality work in a busy frontline environment.
Contact Information
To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact our Housing Needs inbox via email.
Additional Information
- Working hours: 36 hours per week
- Location: 25 Bournemouth Road, Peckham, London, SE15 4UJ
- Type of contract: Permanent
Benefits And More Information
Recruitment Timeline
- Advert close date: 11:59pm on Friday 14th August 2026
- Shortlisting date: 17th – 19th August 2026
- Interview date: Week commencing 7th September 2026
Prevention and Relief Officer in London employer: Southwark Council
As a leading organisation in public health, we offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment where your contributions directly impact the health and wellbeing of the Southwark community. With a commitment to professional development, our employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, fostering a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that address health inequalities. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in public health through collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prevention and Relief Officer in London
✨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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Prevention and Relief Officer in London
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 Southwark Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark 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 Southwark 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.
