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- Tasks: Help prevent homelessness by providing tailored advice and support to individuals and families.
- Company: Join a London borough dedicated to tackling homelessness with a busy statutory advice service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of homelessness, excellent communication skills, and experience with complex customers required.
- Other info: Two fixed-term contracts available, with a commitment to equality and diversity in recruitment.
The predicted salary is between 33766 - 44430 £ per year.
About Us
We are a London borough providing a very busy statutory homelessness advice service who are looking to recruit two Prevention and Solution Officers to work with us. In this role you will work with all types of people who approach us as homeless or are about to be. They may have become street homeless, or perhaps an individual has been asked to leave home. Maybe someone is being evicted from their tenancy and cannot remain there any longer or you may find that a family must leave their home due to violence.
In this role you will work proactively with individuals and families to help support them in their homelessness journey and adhere to legislative guidance as well as policy and procedures set out for you to conduct your role effectively. Within the Prevention and Solutions Service, you will provide tailored advice and information to customers and provide interim accommodation where required. You will work within a hybrid model keeping a focus on the needs of our customers and supporting your work life balance. In addition to this, you will also provide a holistic approach and make the relevant referrals for clients who have complex needs that are not always immediately apparent. Your contribution and support will help those clients to stay in their current home or find a new home by delivery of key prevention techniques and options whilst managing expectations. You will enjoy partnership working, collaboration and have a keen motivation to meet objectives and importance of working towards targets.
About the role
In this role, you will need to do the following:
- Prevent and alleviate homelessness by providing housing advice and options to those who present as homeless.
- Conduct and review homelessness needs assessments and complete personalised housing plans to help empower individuals to sustain and secure accommodation.
- Work collaboratively with various stakeholders and manage expectations.
- Demonstrate an excellent customer centred approach and participate in Duty rotas.
- Be able to issue out statutory homelessness decision letters aligned with Homelessness legislation in a timely manner.
- Ability to take on a caseload and manage this effectively.
- Utilise IT systems to accurately update and record information.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Understanding of Homelessness & Prevention: Strong knowledge of the causes of homelessness and effective prevention techniques.
- Legislative Expertise: Ability to interpret and explain complex laws and guidance clearly.
- Fast-Paced Work Environment: Capability to thrive in a busy and demanding setting.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication with strong relationship-building abilities.
- Organisational & Record Keeping: Exceptional skills in managing tasks and maintaining accurate records.
- Experience with Complex Customers: Extensive background in working with individuals who have diverse and complex needs.
- Resilience & Teamwork: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating adaptability and perseverance.
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd June (23.59)
Shortlisting Date: W/C 23rd June
Interview Date: TBC
Test/Presentation: A written test will form part of the interview process.
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Salary Starting Salary from £37,766 pa based on Skills Knowledge and experience
Frequency Annual
Job Reference randw/TP/134693/8354
Contract Type Fixed Term – Full Time (36 hours)
Closing Date 22 June, 2025
Job Category Housing
Business Unit HRD - Housing Services
Location Housing Customer Services Centre, 90 Putney Bridge Road, United Kingdom
Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer employer: Wandsworth Co
Contact Detail:
Wandsworth Co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest homelessness legislation and prevention techniques. Understanding the legal framework will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the housing and homelessness sector. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with others who work in similar roles, as they can provide valuable insights and potentially refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for scenario-based questions that may arise during the interview. Think about how you would handle various situations involving clients with complex needs, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and empathy.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific challenges faced by the borough you are applying to. Understanding local issues related to homelessness will allow you to tailor your responses and show that you are genuinely interested in making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience you have in homelessness prevention, housing advice, or working with complex customer needs. Use specific examples to demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to showcase your communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed caseloads, collaborated with stakeholders, or navigated complex legislation in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread it carefully. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wandsworth Co
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the responsibilities and objectives of the Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks such as conducting needs assessments and providing tailored advice to clients.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Given the nature of the job, excellent communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse individuals in the past, especially those with complex needs. This will demonstrate your ability to build relationships and manage expectations.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Legislation
Be ready to discuss relevant homelessness legislation and how it impacts your work. Showing that you can interpret and explain complex laws clearly will highlight your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Prepare for the Written Test
Since a written test is part of the interview process, practice writing clear and concise responses to potential scenarios you might face in the role. This will help you feel more confident and prepared on the day of the interview.
