At a Glance
- Tasks: Help residents overcome housing challenges and prevent homelessness.
- Company: Southwark Council, dedicated to making a meaningful difference.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, 36 hours per week, with competitive benefits.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team focused on positive outcomes for residents.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives and support your community.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of homelessness legislation and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Why Southwark? 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.
About The Role
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 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
Prevention and Relief Officer 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.
