Public Sector

4 RECRUITMENT SERVICES LTD; Halifax; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

4Recruitment Services is seeking a Homelessness Prevention Officer for our client’s Housing Options team in Halifax. You will work directly with individuals and families who are homeless or at risk, providing practical advice, advocacy and hands-on support to secure and maintain suitable accommodation.

You will assess households, develop personalised housing plans, liaise with landlords and agencies, and contribute to multi‑agency work to prevent homelessness.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of housing options available to clients at risk of homelessness.
• Experience working with individuals and families who are homeless or at risk to secure or sustain accommodation.
• Experience working with vulnerable people in various settings.
• Knowledge of the benefits system.
• Proven ability to use IT packages including standard Microsoft Office software.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and support to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk.
• Interview customers and offer tailored advice on homelessness prevention and accommodation options.
• Assess eligibility and housing needs to develop personalised housing plans.
• Prepare and issue written documentation, housing plans and letters.
• Manage a caseload and undertake hands-on homelessness prevention work.
• Negotiate with landlords and other parties to identify housing solutions.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with housing providers and services.
• Visit clients to assess accommodation circumstances and future needs.
• Build relationships with clients, agencies and partners.
• Assist clients with paperwork and online forms to secure accommodation.
• Attend case conferences and multi‑agency meetings as appropriate.
• Develop referral pathways and partnerships with local housing and support organisations.
• Provide Housing Advisers with clear information for informed decisions.
• Support colleagues during periods of high demand.

Skills

Housing knowledge

Homelessness experience

Vulnerable people experience

Benefits knowledge

IT skills

Driving licence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

4Recruitment Services

Homelessness Prevention Officer

Job Description

4Recruitment Services are seeking a Homelessness Prevention Officer to join our clients Housing Options team based in Halifax.

This is an important role working directly with individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, providing practical advice, advocacy and hands‑on support to help them secure and maintain suitable accommodation.

As a Homelessness Prevention Officer, you will work closely with households presenting to the Housing Options Service, assessing their circumstances, identifying solutions and taking practical steps to prevent or relieve homelessness.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Provide professional advice, information and support to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Interview customers presenting to the Housing Options Service and provide tailored advice on homelessness prevention, accommodation options and available support.
• Assess customers who are eligible and homeless, identifying their needs and developing effective, personalised housing plans.
• Prepare and issue appropriate written documentation, including personal housing plans and decision letters.
• Manage a caseload and undertake comprehensive, hands‑on homelessness prevention work.
• Negotiate with landlords, family members and other parties to identify sustainable housing solutions.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with housing providers, statutory services, voluntary organisations and other agencies.
• Visit clients in their homes, offices or other appropriate locations to understand their accommodation circumstances and future housing needs.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with clients, colleagues, landlords, advice agencies, social services, health services, community groups and other partners.
• Assist clients with relevant paperwork, applications and online forms to help them secure and sustain accommodation.
• Attend case conferences and multi‑agency meetings where appropriate.
• Develop effective referral pathways and maintain strong partnerships with local housing and support organisations.
• Provide Housing Advisers with clear and detailed information where homelessness cannot be prevented, enabling fully informed homelessness decisions to be made.
• Support colleagues and contribute to maintaining a high‑quality Housing Options service, including during periods of high demand.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Knowledge of the housing options available to a range of clients at risk of homelessness
• Experience of working with individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure or sustain accommodation
• Experience of working with vulnerable people in a variety of settings
• Knowledge of the benefits system
• Proven ability to use IT packages including standard Microsoft Office software
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purpose
• Enhanced DBS check

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.