Housing Assessor - Homelessness

About the role

We're looking for an empathetic, organised and confident individual to join our Homelessness Prevention, Advice and Resettlement Team as a Housing Assessor. As the first point of contact, you'll play a vital role in helping people facing housing difficulties across Dorset.

In this fast-paced, customer-focused role, you'll carry out detailed assessments, gathering essential documentation and evidence to support people under the Homelessness Reduction Act. You'll manage sensitive and complex cases with professionalism, always aiming to prevent homelessness wherever possible.

Your responsibilities will include:

• conducting thorough interviews to assess housing need
• identifying appropriate homelessness prevention tools and support
• working closely with customers and partner agencies
• gathering and verifying key documentation
• making sound, legally-informed decisions under pressure
• maintaining accurate and timely case records

This is a rewarding and meaningful role where you'll be supported to grow your skills and knowledge in housing legislation and prevention. You'll be working as part of a team that genuinely changes lives, with training and support every step of the way.

You’ll benefit from:

• full-time role with flexible hybrid working
• a supportive team committed to making a difference
• comprehensive training in housing legislation and practice
• opportunities to develop professionally in a specialist field
• generous leave and pension entitlements
• job security and a clear purpose in your work

• experience in a customer-focused or confidential environment
• strong communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• ability to gather and analyse information quickly and objectively
• understanding of housing and homelessness legislation (or a willingness to learn)
• a calm and professional approach under pressure

If you care about helping others and want to support people at one of the most challenging points in their lives, this could be the role for you.

This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a Basic Criminal Records Check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders. See our adult safeguarding policy.

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

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At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you're passionate about making a difference, we'd love you to join us.