Senior Homelessness Prevention Officer

At Reading Borough Council, we're committed to supporting residents at some of the most challenging times in their lives. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Homelessness Prevention Officer to join our Housing Needs team and play a key role in preventing homelessness, supporting vulnerable residents, and delivering excellent customer-focused housing services.

This is an exciting opportunity for a housing professional with strong homelessness prevention experience and expert knowledge of housing legislation to make a real difference to the lives of Reading residents.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

As a Senior Homelessness Prevention Officer, you will manage a complex caseload of individuals and families who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. You will work proactively to prevent homelessness through negotiation, advice, support planning and partnership working with a range of agencies and stakeholders.

You will take a leading role in resolving complex housing situations, undertaking homelessness assessments, making decisions under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, conducting Section 202 reviews, and supporting colleagues within the team.

The role involves working closely with landlords, families, support agencies, statutory services and community organisations to identify sustainable housing solutions and achieve positive outcomes for customers.

• Manage a varied and complex homelessness prevention caseload.
• Develop and maintain personalised housing plans with customers.
• Prevent homelessness through negotiation and mediation with landlords, family members and support networks.
• Make robust homelessness decisions in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and relevant case law.
• Conduct Section 202 reviews and provide high-quality decision-making.
• Support Team Leaders and provide mentoring, training and guidance to colleagues.
• Chair multi-agency meetings and work collaboratively with internal and external partners.
• Investigate landlord and tenant disputes and provide specialist housing advice.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and help shape future service delivery.
• Support the council's objective of reducing temporary accommodation and bed and breakfast usage.

• Experience of delivering frontline housing advice or homelessness services.
• Significant experience of making homelessness decisions under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Thorough knowledge of homelessness legislation, housing law and related welfare legislation.
• Strong understanding of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and the Renters Rights Act 2025.
• Experience of interpreting complex legislation and applying it in practice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working effectively with partner agencies and within multi-disciplinary environments.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong report writing, decision-making and case management skills.
• Experience of supporting, coaching or mentoring colleagues.

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary…