At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness and provide tailored housing advice.
- Company: Waverley Borough Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, training opportunities, generous leave, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives during their toughest times.
- Qualifications: Empathy, understanding of housing issues, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 32920 - 40236 £ per year.
Help Change Lives at Waverley Borough Council. Are you passionate about supporting people through some of the most challenging times in their lives? Do you have the knowledge, resilience and compassion to help people facing homelessness, domestic abuse or complex housing issues? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Role
As a Specialist Housing Options Officer, you’ll play a vital role in helping residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with a particular focus on those affected by domestic abuse. Working as part of our dedicated Housing Options team, you’ll provide practical housing advice, and tailored interventions to prevent or relieve their homelessness. No two days are the same.
- Assess homelessness applications, complete personalised housing plans and determine the Council’s statutory duties.
- Work closely with partners including Social Services, the Police, Domestic Abuse services, health professionals, DWP, schools, landlords and voluntary organisations to achieve the best outcomes for residents.
- Attend multi-agency meetings.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference to people’s lives while developing your expertise within a supportive and experienced team.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines empathy with professionalism and can remain calm and effective when supporting people in crisis. You’ll have:
- A good understanding of homelessness, housing legislation and the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness or domestic abuse.
- Experience of providing housing advice that helps people maintain stable accommodation.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and sensitively.
- Experience of working collaboratively with statutory, voluntary and community partners to deliver positive outcomes.
- The resilience, emotional intelligence and sound judgement needed to manage a varied caseload and make informed decisions in challenging situations.
What We Offer
In return for your valued contribution, we offer a competitive benefits package which includes:
- Hybrid and agile working policies
- Training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
- Generous annual leave and flexi time
- An employee assistance programme
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
The closing date for application is 9am on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 and we anticipate interviews being held on Tuesday 8th September 2026.
Equality and Inclusion Statement
The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit.
Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time. Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.
Specialist Housing Options Officer employer: Waverley Borough Council
Waverley Borough Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. As a Specialist Housing Options Officer, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values empathy and collaboration, alongside competitive benefits such as hybrid working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities. Join us in a role where every day brings the chance to change lives while growing your expertise in a diverse and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Housing Options Officer
✨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 Waverley Borough 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 Waverley Borough 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 Waverley Borough 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 Waverley Borough 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 Specialist Housing Options Officer
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 Waverley Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waverley Borough 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 Waverley Borough 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.
