At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the council's homelessness services and drive impactful change for vulnerable residents.
- Company: Westminster Council, dedicated to creating fairer housing outcomes.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real difference in the community and develop leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong partnerships across various sectors.
- Why this job: Shape a compassionate homelessness service and improve lives every day.
- Qualifications: Experienced leader with knowledge of homelessness legislation and service improvement.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Westminster is reshaping the way it supports residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. At a time of unprecedented demand and rising complexity, this role offers the opportunity to lead one of the Council’s most critical services and play a defining part in delivering fairer, more effective housing outcomes for communities across the city.
THE ROLE
As Head of Service for Homelessness and Reviews, you will provide senior leadership for the council’s statutory homelessness functions, ensuring services are safe, compliant and genuinely centred on the needs of residents. You will oversee a significant frontline team responsible for our homelessness duties and the team conducting statutory and non‑statutory reviews, complaints and enquiries across the service. You will work closely with Delivery Leads, fellow Heads of Service and partners to improve decision‑making, ensure we are implementing learning and deliver a consistent and compliant service for people in housing need.
This is a role that combines operational oversight with strategic influence. You will help shape the future direction of the Housing Solutions Service, aligning day‑to‑day delivery with the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and wider ambition to create a Fairer Westminster. Using data, insight and feedback from residents, you will drive continuous improvement, embed best practice and ensure learning is built into how the service operates.
Strong leadership sits at the heart of the role. You will foster a culture of high standards, accountability and collaboration, developing managers and teams who are confident, resilient and motivated by public service. You will also build and maintain strong partnerships across the Council, with community and voluntary sector organisations, and with key statutory partners, helping to create coordinated solutions that prevent homelessness wherever possible.
We are looking for an experienced and values‑driven leader with deep knowledge of homelessness legislation and a proven track record of improving complex, demand‑led services. You will be confident working in a political environment, skilled at navigating challenge and ambiguity, and committed to delivering services that put residents first in everything they do.
If you’re motivated by the opportunity to lead meaningful change, improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable residents, and help shape a modern, compassionate homelessness service, this is a role where your impact will be felt every day.
Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews in London employer: Westminster City Council
Contact Detail:
Westminster City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to homelessness services. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and partners – it’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Westminster's current strategies and challenges in homelessness. Show us that you’re not just a candidate, but someone who genuinely understands the landscape and is ready to make a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! You’ll need to demonstrate how you can foster a culture of high standards and collaboration. Think about examples from your past where you’ve led teams through challenges and improved services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Service role. Highlight your leadership experience and knowledge of homelessness legislation, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your previous roles, focus on the outcomes you achieved. Use data and examples to illustrate how you’ve improved services or led teams effectively. We want to see how you can make a difference in our community!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value genuine passion for public service and a commitment to making a positive impact. Share your motivations and why you’re excited about this opportunity with us.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Westminster City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on homelessness legislation and the council's strategies. Being able to discuss specific policies and how they impact residents will show that you're not just familiar with the role, but genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in challenging environments. Highlight your experience in fostering collaboration and accountability, as this role is all about strong leadership and motivating others to deliver high-quality services.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data and insights to drive improvements, come ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to inform decision-making. This could be anything from improving service delivery to enhancing resident feedback mechanisms.
✨Engage with the Community
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of partnerships with community organisations. Share any experiences where you've successfully collaborated with external partners to create solutions for vulnerable populations, as this will resonate well with the council's goals.