We are seeking an experienced and committed Homelessness Prevention and Relief Officer to join a busy Housing Needs Service team.You will be responsible for delivering the council's statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 by preventing and relieving homelessness for those who approach the service.

The successful candidate will provide intensive, person-centred housing advice, empowering individuals to find sustainable solutions to their housing crises while minimising the use of temporary accommodation.
 
Key Responsibilities
·Manage a caseload of clients experiencing a housing crisis, delivering timely, tailored interventions.
·Complete Personal Housing Plans (PHPs) and maintain active reviews and updates.
·Provide advice on housing options, the private rented sector, and Local Housing Allowance rates.
·Negotiate with landlords and family/friends to prevent eviction and sustain tenancies.
·Attend court hearings as necessary to support tenants with housing defence cases.
·Maintain detailed records, complete statutory homelessness assessments, and issue relevant decision letters under s.184 Housing Act 1996.
·Work closely with external partners and internal services such as Social Services, Mental Health Services, and Domestic Abuse teams.
·Conduct home visits and outreach work both within and outside the borough.
·Maintain a detailed working knowledge of homelessness legislation, welfare benefits, and relevant case law.
 
About You
·Strong knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996, and related legislation.
·Experience of managing homelessness caseloads and delivering housing advice in a local authority setting.
·Confident in advocacy, mediation, negotiation, and crisis intervention.
·Able to manage a diverse workload with minimal supervision and meet statutory deadlines.
·Excellent written, verbal, and IT communication skills.
·Customer-focused with a commitment to supporting vulnerable households.
·Ability to maintain professionalism when dealing with sensitive or complex cases.
·Willingness to undertake occasional out-of-hours emergency duties if required.

How to Apply
If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please send us your application today. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please click APPLY NOW.

If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.

Footnote
If you feel that this job matches your skills but not the rate, location, or seniority, please feel free to send us your CV anyway. We constantly recruit for similar roles across all levels, UK-wide, and would be pleased to speak with you confidentially about your employment status.
Even if you're currently satisfied in your role, we welcome calls from housing professionals looking to make future connections. Our specialist team at Carrington West has over 100 years of combined experience in this market. For more information, call Zubair at Carrington West on 02393 876065.
By applying for this position, you agree for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will only be shared with third-party clients for roles relevant to your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.