Housing Options Officer - 37 Hours in Torquay

Application Deadline: 2 February 2026

Department: Adults & Community Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £31,537 - £34,434 / year

Are you passionate about helping people facing homelessness? Can you work in a fast-paced environment? The demand for the Housing Options Service is increasing and we think it will continue to do so for some time to come. An increasing number of people are finding themselves at risk of homelessness, often through no fault of their own. The housing market and lack of affordable options are making it increasingly challenging to help people find the homes they need.

We recognise the need to develop our service in response to increased demand and are committed to developing creative and innovative ways to prevent and relieve homelessness. Determined to change the culture of our response to homelessness in Torbay, we aim to shift from a reactive offer of help when people are in crisis to one of proactive prevention activity that empowers and enables our clients and the people working with them to find resolutions to the situations they face.

We are investing in additional resources to ensure deliverability of our aims and we have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Housing Options Officer. We are seeking people who have either a proven track record of working within a challenging frontline housing service or people with transferable skills, particularly in customer service settings. Based in the Housing Options Team, they will provide focused casework to try and prevent homelessness and where not possible, issue robust and complex decisions under the homeless legislation.

What we are looking for:

• Excellent communicators who will give clear and concise advice to customers and landlords.
• Good listeners who will be empathetic when helping customers facing challenging personal circumstances.
• Team players with a good attitude who can adhere to Torbay Council’s core values and behaviours.
• People with great case management skills who have an eye for detail and who can prioritise their work in a demanding environment.
• Natural problem solvers who can think creatively to offer resolutions.

In your response, you must refer to the person specification and give examples of how you meet the essential criteria; you will be shortlisted according to this criteria. For those people who do not meet all of the shortlisting criteria but can demonstrate they have transferable skills, if successful, you will be offered a Trainee Housing Officer Position with a training and development plan. Trainee Housing Officers will receive grade F £28,598 - £31,022. Upon successful completion of the trainee and development plan, the post holder will transition to grade G.

Benefits:

In return, you can expect amazing benefits including a pension scheme, annual increments subject to performance reviews, employee discount scheme, parking permit allowing parking in Council car parks for £1 per day, flexible hybrid working, generous annual leave and continual professional development.

Security Checks:

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

Contact:

For an informal chat please contact Peter Shuttleworth on 01803 208723 or peter.shuttleworth@torbay.gov.uk.

Interview:

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 23rd February 2026.

Other:

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there’s a published deadline - so if you’re keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills Essential:

• Ability to interpret and apply relevant Homeless, Housing and Health legislation to ensure that statutory duties are maintained.
• To undertake interviews, this may also include those under legal caution, to undertake an assessment of need and compliance with legislation.
• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Knowledge Essential:

• Current and in-depth knowledge of homelessness legislation, case law, codes of practice.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies to ensure safeguarding and data breaches do not occur.

Experience & Qualifications Essential:

• Significant relevant experience of interviewing/dealing with the public.
• Experience of managing complex case work in a multi-agency environment and working in partnership.