Homelessness Officer; Prevention & Relief

We have an exciting opportunity for a Permanent, Full Time, Homelessness Officer (Prevention & Relief) to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Homelessness Service.

The post holder must share in the work of the Homelessness Unit, which includes prevention and relief of homelessness, the provision and management of accommodation for homeless households, and the discharge of the duties of the City Council under the Housing Act 1996 / Homelessness Act 2002 Part 7 (Housing the Homeless) and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

• Interview and investigate all claims of homelessness under Part 7 Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982 from households applying for assistance to the City Council. Obtain detailed information on their housing, financial, social, health and other circumstances, both past and present. Ensure authenticity by making appropriate enquiries, visits to addresses and liaison with other agencies.
• Prevent and relieve homelessness, in accordance with the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 for households becoming homeless. Mediate between customers and their housing providers when at risk of homelessness and take appropriate arrangements to prevent loss or damage to clients’ personal possessions.
• Provide statutory advice and assistance to clients and owner occupiers on matters relating to homelessness, housing advice, landlord/tenancy relations and mortgagee default. Issue customers with detailed, accurate written housing plans regarding their housing situation. Advise on available options including legislation, financial inclusion and welfare reform, reviewing and evaluating as necessary.
• Record and maintain confidential case notes and client records on IT systems in accordance with professional and Council guidelines. Record accurate statistical information associated with homelessness to enable completion of statutory returns on homelessness required by government departments. Comply with all legal requirements set out under data protection legislation at all times.
• Write and or contribute to reports, referrals, letters, risk assessments on behalf of clients from meetings, conferences and court and to other departments where necessary to support their clients.
• Ensure that when referring vulnerable clients to move on accommodation, housing providers are fully briefed of those issues.
• Post holder to be fully aware of all safeguarding concerns and report any such concerns using the appropriate referral process.
• Work in partnership with multi‑agency colleagues from statutory and voluntary agencies to meet the needs of clients.
• Travel around the city to access all types of accommodation and ensure when carrying out visits that lone working procedures are fully adhered to.
• Participate in the Emergency Call‑out Rota for Homeless cases on a voluntary basis.
• Maintain a good standard of IT literacy that enables use of self‑service, digital user platforms, applications and MS Office and Council data systems (Northgate, Home‑connections).

• Knowledge of the relevant legislation around Homelessness and Housing.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and keep to statutory targets.
• Skill of mediation and negotiation to avert homelessness.
• Good skill base in administrative duties.
• Experience in lone working across the city and all types of accommodation and ability to keep safe.
• Ability to use manual filing system.
• Telephone skills.
• Communication skills (written and verbal).
• A good appreciation of Customer Care.
• Team‑working experience and skills.
• IT literacy.

Salary: The salary band for this role is £37,280 – £40,778. The starting salary is £37,280 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Death in service benefit of 3× salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
• Flexible working options (role‑dependent).
• Family‑friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off…