Homelessness Caseworker - SO2

As a Homelessness Caseworker - SO2 in Hillingdon, you will deliver prevention, relief, and housing advice services within the Housing Needs and Homelessness Service. Managing a varied caseload, you will conduct statutory assessments, develop Personalised Housing Plans, and manage prevention, relief and main duty cases. Your work will support residents to secure sustainable housing and facilitate move-on from temporary accommodation. This temporary role, based at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, pays £32 per hour umbrella.

Strong casework, communication, and advisory skills are essential, alongside a proactive, person-centred approach to resolving housing challenges for local residents.

Job Title :
Homelessness Caseworker Salary :£32 Umbrella per hour Location :
Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1UW
Role Purpose The Caseworker plays a key role in delivering high-quality homelessness prevention, relief and housing advice services to residents. Working within the Housing Needs and Homelessness Service, the postholder will manage a varied caseload, providing proactive, person-centred support to prevent homelessness, relieve homelessness where prevention is not possible, and help residents secure sustainable housing solutions. The role involves carrying out statutory homelessness assessments, developing Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs), managing prevention, relief and main housing duty cases, supporting move-on from temporary accommodation, and providing specialist housing advice.

The Caseworker will work collaboratively with internal departments, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), landlords, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies to deliver positive outcomes for residents while ensuring compliance with housing legislation and Council policies.

• Deliver comprehensive housing advice and homelessness prevention services in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and associated legislation.
• Manage a diverse caseload from initial enquiry through to case closure, ensuring timely and legally compliant case management.
• Conduct statutory homelessness assessments and determine duties owed to applicants.
• Develop and review Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs), agreeing practical and achievable reasonable steps with applicants.
• Work proactively to prevent homelessness through negotiation, mediation and early intervention.
• Support applicants to access housing options including social housing, the private rented sector, low-cost home ownership and supported accommodation.
• Provide advice on tenancy rights, security of tenure, welfare benefits and financial assistance, including Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs).

• Deliver prevention, relief, main housing duty and move-on casework to a high professional standard.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive case records using the Council's case management systems, ensuring GDPR compliance.
• Prepare statutory decision letters, reports and legal documentation within required timescales.
• Support homelessness reviews and prepare documentation for legal proceedings where required.
• Manage complex cases involving multiple agencies and competing priorities.

• Support residents to move from temporary accommodation into suitable, sustainable long-term housing.
• Identify and secure housing solutions through effective partnership working with landlords, letting agents, Registered Social Landlords and housing providers.
• Promote effective use of the Council's Housing Allocations Policy and private rented sector options.
• Investigate cases involving abandoned, sub-let or misused temporary accommodation where appropriate.

• Deliver an excellent customer-focused service that reflects the Council's commitment to putting residents first.
• Empower residents to make informed housing decisions and improve their long-term housing independence.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with residents, elected members, colleagues and external organisations.
• Manage challenging situations with empathy, professionalism and resilience.

• Contribute to service improvements,…