At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals in securing stable housing and manage temporary accommodation.
- Company: Worcester City Council, dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to high-quality, person-centred service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them find secure homes.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing support or social care, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 29096 - 35562 £ per year.
Following the award of specialist government funding, we have created several new roles within our Housing & Homelessness Service to deliver our ambitious plans to prevent homelessness, reduce rough sleeping and protect vulnerable tenants. These newly created roles offer an exciting opportunity to make the role your own and help shape how the service is delivered from day one.
Worcester City Council’s Housing & Homelessness Service is committed to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home. We provide a wide range of support, both in-house and through strong partnerships, to help our customers achieve stable and secure housing.
Prevention is at the heart of our approach—we work proactively to help people remain in their homes or move to more suitable accommodation before reaching crisis point. In recent years, we have made significant improvements to our temporary accommodation, enhanced the support we offer, and focused on improving the overall customer experience. We are proud of the high-quality, person-centred service we deliver.
We are a large, dynamic service made up of five teams delivering a broad range of housing functions.
About the Role
You will be joining a well-established local authority housing service committed to supporting vulnerable households and preventing homelessness. The team plays a vital role in helping households living in temporary accommodation access the support, guidance, and services they need to achieve stable, long-term housing outcomes.
As an Accommodation Officer, you will help manage the Council's temporary accommodation portfolio, carrying out sign-ups, inspections, tenancy management and resident support activities. You will work closely with residents and partner agencies to help households address challenges, sustain their accommodation and achieve positive housing outcomes.
The Council has a range of dispersed units and you will need to be able to travel around the city, undertaking some lone working, as well as working from our city centre offices.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have experience supporting vulnerable individuals or families through housing, homelessness, tenancy sustainment, family support, or a similar environment. You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with residents from diverse backgrounds. Strong case management and organisational abilities are essential, along with experience working collaboratively with partner organisations and support services. A commitment to delivering high-quality support and helping households achieve positive outcomes is key.
- Experience: Background in housing, support work, social care, or customer service.
- Knowledge: Understanding of homelessness legislation and safeguarding practices.
- Transport: A valid UK driving licence and access to a car is essential.
- Checks: An Enhanced or Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is typically mandatory.
- Attributes: Positive, proactive approach to supporting people out of homelessness. Friendly and approachable while maintaining professional boundaries. Resilient, adaptable and able to work effectively under pressure. Determined to achieve positive outcomes for residents. Highly motivated with a strong focus on results. Able to remain calm, de-escalate situations, and respond effectively in crises. Strong negotiation, advocacy, case management, record-keeping, and IT skills. Willingness to learn and apply housing and homelessness legislation. Uses initiative and takes a proactive, solutions-focused approach. Able to work effectively under pressure. Flexible, adaptable, and resilient. Experience with welfare benefits, housing benefit, income maximisation, and grant applications.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Interview date: 20th October (21st October as a back up day)
Accommodation Officer in Worcester employer: WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL
Worcester City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and community service. As an LGV Sweeper Driver, you will enjoy stable full-time hours, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the cleanliness and safety of our streets. Join us at Six Ways Depot, where your contributions are valued and recognised in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accommodation Officer in Worcester
✨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 WORCESTER CITY 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 WORCESTER CITY 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 WORCESTER CITY 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 WORCESTER CITY 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 Accommodation Officer in Worcester
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 WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WORCESTER CITY 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 WORCESTER CITY 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.
