Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer (Early Help Team

Job Title:

Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer (Early Help Team)

Salary Range: £38,976 to £47,229 per annum

Four Fixed Term- 18 Months

Fulltime – 36 hours

Location:

Housing Customer Services Centre, 90 Putney Bridge Road, SW18 1HR

We are looking for a capable andambitiousindividualkeen to help families and individuals facing homelessness to helpsupportthem in their homelessness journey and adhere to legislative guidance as well as policy and procedures.

Wandsworth is changing the way it tackles homelessness. We are building an Early Help service that reaches people before they reach crisis – and we are looking for Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officers who want to be part of it. This is frontline work that matters. You will be one of the first people a resident speaks to when they are worried about losing their home: someone served notice by a private landlord, a young person told to leave the family home, or a family fleeing abuse.

Some will already be on the street; many we can help to stay where they are, or move on safely, if we act early enough. You will work proactively and creatively with each person to find a real solution – not simply process an application – while keeping them informed and having honest, sometimes difficult conversations about what is realistic.

Within the Prevention and Solutions Service you will give tailored advice and information, arrange interim accommodation where it is needed, and keep the focus firmly on our residents. You will take a holistic view, spotting the complex needs that are not always obvious and making the right referrals at the right time. Whether the outcome is helping someone stay in their current home or find a new one, your skill, persistence and good judgement will make the difference.

You will thrive on partnership working and collaboration and bring real motivation to meet objectives and deliver for the people in front of you.

In this role, you will be expected to:

Assist clients who present as homeless or threatened with homelessness, using excellent social skills to help them navigate stressful and complex challenges. You will demonstrate a customer-centred approach and be committed to working in a joined-up way to alleviate homelessness, providing clients with relevant advice and housing options.

Manage a caseload of homelessness presentations, act early, and aim to resolve issues before they escalated. Where prevention is not possible, you will ensure a smooth and timely transition through the housing journey.

Have a good understanding of homelessness legislation and be able to issue statutory homelessness decision letters in line with the relevant legislation and guidance, within appropriate timescales.

Have the ability to thrive in a busy and demanding setting.

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships.

Show exceptional ability to manage tasks effectively and maintain accurate records.

Have experience of working with individuals who have diverse and complex needs.

Work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating adaptability and perseverance.

• Understand – or be able to quickly build an understanding of – why people become homeless, and a working knowledge of the prevention techniques and options that can help to alleviate it.
• Have an ability to interpret and explain complex legislation and guidance.
• Be able to work in a busy fast paced environment.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have strong organisational and record keeping skills.
• Have experience of supporting people through difficult or stressful situations – in housing, social care, advice, charity or another frontline service – and an empathetic understanding of their needs.
• Be resilient and possess the ability to work as part of a team as well as individually.

Closing Date:
Sunday…