Homeless Prevention Officer x 2

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Homeless Prevention officer to join our Homeless Prevention Team. The Homeless Prevention team.

The key responsibility is to ensure that an effective homelessness and housing advice service is delivered on behalf of the Council. This is through early intervention and advice to meet the requirements of the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and prevent homelessness wherever possible. This involves working with vulnerable clients and multi-agency partners to address housing need and with private landlords and letting agents to secure private rented accommodation at an affordable rent.

In this role, you will ensure that an effective homelessness and housing advice service is delivered on behalf of the Council. This is through early intervention and advice to meet the requirements of the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and prevent homelessness wherever possible. This involves working with vulnerable clients and multi-agency partners to address housing need and with private landlords and letting agents to secure private rented accommodation at an affordable rent.

Key Responsibilities:

Preventing homelessness through advice,

Referrals and case management,

Taking lead for a specific area e.g. domestic violence, young people etc., representing the service at multi- agency meetings

Keeping accurate customer records to inform monitoring and reporting,

Carrying out homeless investigations and making homeless decisions within legislative frameworks

To take responsibility for service delivery under the general direction of a qualified professional, applying knowledge and skills to developing a range of activities and events demonstrating understanding of the service area, relevant procedures and guidelines. For a HPO this includes case management and working with other colleagues, stakeholders and other agencies to prevent homelessness wherever possible and/or finding solutions for homeless households

Give information and advice to the community about housing services available through the council and how to access them. Establish & maintain appropriate links between the community and other professionals to encourage a clear understanding of each other’s priorities and ways of working

Ensure information is given in a format that is suitable to meet an individual’s needs and make appropriate referrals to other agencies that may be able to support the household, e.g. CAB, tenancy support etc

Manage and maintain customer records to inform performance monitoring and reporting and to ensure compliance with the HRA 2017, this includes the use of ICT for records management.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

Flexible Worker

• 2-3 days in the office after completing a satisfactory probation period
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about housing, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

Knowledge of Homelessness legislation. (Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002, Suitability Order 2012, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017).

Knowledge of options available to someone that is homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Experience of working with the public and vulnerable applicants.

Experience of managing a caseload with competing deadlines where detailed and complex investigations are required, working with precision and attention to detail

Experience of working with external agencies to prevent homelessness

Experience of effective partnership working which has led to positive solutions.

Excellent communication skills using a range of techniques (listening, presentation, consultation, negotiation, influencing, persuasion) to ensure effective interaction with customers, colleagues, management, partners, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of colleagues, partners and contacts.

Good analysis and decision-making skills and ability to communicate these with others.

Ability to adapt, responding to change as required.

Ability to prioritise workload, manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

Good organisational and administrative skills.

Ability to establish and manage realistic applicant expectations.

Resourceful, solution focused and skilled in problem solving and overcoming barriers.

Ability to deal sensitively with a wide range and spectrum of people in varying circumstances

Desirable Criteria:

An understanding of the role of Adult services and Children’s services within the community.

Relevant degree or CIH or similar qualification or significant experience of delivery of a housing advice and prevention lead homelessness service.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Mal Edington Homeless Prevention manager, malcolm.edington@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 426242

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: TBC

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.