Rough Sleeper Prevention Officer

Overview

West Suffolk Council, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU, United Kingdom

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Temporary until 31 March 2026. Required as soon as possible

Reference: 0386

Are you confident around those exhibiting very demanding and complex needs? Have you the ability to work as part of a busy team with enthusiasm for change? Are you passionate about homelessness and focused upon high quality service delivery?

West Suffolk Council is providing an exciting opportunity to play a significant role in reducing rough sleeping.

We are looking for a highly motivated Rough Sleeper Prevention Officer who has the skills to support people who find it difficult to sustain a home. You will be working within the multi-disciplined Rough Sleeper Service, part of Housing Solutions, and will be skilled in a multi-agency environment where complex customers, vulnerabilities and safeguarding are everyday occurrences.

This role provides practical and holistic support to customers who have been provided with accommodation following a history of rough sleeping. Predominantly an in-reach role, you will need to deliver support in a variety of accommodation settings across West Suffolk; assisting customers to attain the skills required to successfully maintain a tenancy and to live independently in the community. You will perform street-based out-reach functions including the verification of rough sleepers.

Knowledge of the key issues involved in homelessness and drug and alcohol misuse is desirable but not essential; therefore we welcome applications from those with less experience but who can demonstrate the right attitude, strong skills and abilities, and a genuine desire to learn.

Although there are common themes running through rough sleeping, each case is a unique challenge and rewarding when quality of life is improved. You need to be resilient and adaptive and not be defeated by minor setbacks. You will understand the pressures on services but remain focussed upon being part of a support mechanism that successfully transitions people from the street into sustainable accommodation and a pathway to independence.

Responsibilities

• Be confident to work with clients with complex needs and factors such as addiction and/or mental health issues.
• Be able to lone work and work as part of a multi-skilled team.
• Have well-developed and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Be able to respond flexibly to the needs of clients and demonstrate willingness to work unsociable hours when required.
• Be able to travel throughout the area.

Please refer to the job description and person specification online for full details of this exciting opportunity.

Qualifications

• Experience or willingness to work with clients with complex needs, including factors such as addiction and/or mental health issues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-skilled team.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Flexibility to meet client needs and willingness to work unsociable hours when required.
• Willingness to travel across the West Suffolk area.

Benefits

• Holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 29 days after 5 years (pro rata if part time) plus bank holidays (with an option to buy up to 10 extra days each year subject to approval).
• Generous pension scheme – employee contribution between 5.5% and 6.8% (depending on salary) with Council contribution of 26%.
• Life assurance – payment of three times annual salary.
• Flexible working options to enable work/life balance.
• Agile working – ability to work in the office and from home.
• Access to employee benefits package including discounts and cashback on supermarkets, high street shops, holidays, mobile phones, electrical goods, savings and loan schemes and more.
• Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle to Work, Tusker Leased Car Scheme, and SmartTech.
• Discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres.

Please note, we are unable to accept CVs; please follow the online application process to apply.

Interview date: 3 October 2025.

West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 councils for climate action and, as a member of UK100, has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2030.

More Information

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