At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness with personalised, intensive assistance.
- Company: Largest local authority social landlord in London, committed to tackling inequalities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to social justice and community empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting individuals facing complex challenges and building positive relationships.
The predicted salary is between 47367 - 55080 £ per year.
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality, underpins all that we do.
Southwark Housing Needs Service has 4 x permanent opportunities for Housing First Officers within our established in-house Housing First Team. We are a small, multidisciplinary team dedicated to supporting people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness. The team is able to draw upon the council's position as the largest social landlord in London to help people who have experienced rough sleeping move into permanent, independent accommodation. Importantly, our focus is on understanding that the needs of our clients extend beyond housing alone and into a more wide-ranging and open-ended engagement. We are also involved in research to help improve services for people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage. We are part of the NIHR-funded HOME research project, which looks at how stable housing and long-term support can help people achieve better outcomes.
People who use our service play an important role in shaping how we work. Through our Experts by Experience Advisory Board, clients with lived experience of homelessness help influence both service delivery and research activity. These roles involve working closely with a small number of Housing First clients, providing intensive and personalised support. You will be confident in managing cases, assessing risks and support needs, developing support plans with clients, and working alongside other services and professionals to help people achieve positive outcomes.
We are looking for people who are passionate about supporting individuals who have experienced homelessness, rough sleeping and multiple disadvantage. You will have experience of working with people facing complex challenges and be able to build trusting, positive relationships. You will be confident working independently while also collaborating with colleagues and partner organisations to achieve the best outcomes for clients. Successful applicants will be skilled in managing a caseload, assessing support needs and risks, developing support plans, and helping people sustain their accommodation and work towards their goals. You will also have a good understanding of safeguarding, welfare benefits and effective record keeping. Most importantly, you will be committed to a strengths-based, person-centred approach that empowers people to make positive changes in their lives.
This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.
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. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £47,367 - £55,080
Housing First Officer in London employer: Southwark
As the largest local authority social landlord in London, Southwark offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. With a strong commitment to diversity and community engagement, our Housing First Officers benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to collaborate with passionate colleagues dedicated to tackling inequalities. Join us in shaping a fairer future for Southwark's residents while enjoying a supportive workplace culture that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing First 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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 First 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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark! 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
✨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.
