At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Housing Officers in preventing homelessness and managing cases effectively.
- Company: City of Edinburgh Council, dedicated to tackling homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and resilience in a busy environment.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options Team is at the frontline for tackling and preventing homelessness in Edinburgh. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time HP&HOT Housing Assistant to support Homeless Housing Officers with the prevention and statutory duty requirements to households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness in Edinburgh.
All posts will be based in any of the following locations at any given time:
- 249 High Street, Edinburgh
- North West Office – 8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh
- North East Office – 101 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh
- South East Office – 40 Captains Road, Edinburgh
- South West Office – 10 Westside Plaza, Edinburgh
Please note that at any point in your employment with the Council you may be required to work in any location across Edinburgh and therefore the above locations may change at short notice.
The HP&HOT Housing Assistant will work in a statutory service supporting Housing Officers to provide advice and support to customers to prevent and resolve homelessness by helping them remain in their home or, where this is not possible, secure a home. They will provide assistance with ongoing management of cases, ensuring that homeless applicants are accessing appropriate support, considering their full housing options and bidding appropriately to enable them to secure permanent accommodation.
The role will be administrative with ongoing customer contact, maintaining records and closing cases timeously. This will enable Housing Officers to focus on the provision of high quality and person-centred case work to assist households to resolve their homelessness.
The HP&HOT Housing Assistant will fulfil the Council’s duties by working to legislative and good practice requirements and in collaboration with many other statutory services and partner organisations. Successful candidates require resilience and excellent organisational skills as they will be working within a busy service area with competing demands. They must be able to take ownership and responsibility for their tasks and have a proven track record of working within a challenging frontline service.
This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
As part of our goal to improve organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure we're recruiting the best people. We’re interested not only in your skills and experience but also in your approach to work. Therefore, part of our interview process will be an assessment of how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.
You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page. Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range. Happy to talk flexible working.
Housing Assistant - Multiple Locations across City in Edinburgh employer: The City of Edinburgh Council
At Fox Covert Primary School, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values diversity and inclusivity within our team. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our annual salary increases and flexible working arrangements, ensuring a supportive environment for all staff. Join us in delivering high-quality catering services while making a meaningful impact in the lives of our students.
Contact Details:
The City of Edinburgh Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Assistant - Multiple Locations across City in Edinburgh
✨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 The City of Edinburgh 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 The City of Edinburgh 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 The City of Edinburgh 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 The City of Edinburgh 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 Housing Assistant - Multiple Locations across City in Edinburgh
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 The City of Edinburgh Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The City of Edinburgh 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 The City of Edinburgh 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.
