Group Leader, Housing Options Team

Barnsley Council; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in South Yorkshire seeks an experienced Group Leader for its Housing Options Team. This full-time role focuses on leading a dedicated team to provide effective support for individuals at risk of homelessness. Candidates should possess proven leadership in related services, comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, and strong partnership skills. The position comes with a competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth, making a significant impact within the community.

Benefits

Flexible working

Employee discounts

Health and wellbeing support

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in homelessness/housing advice or related services.
• Expert knowledge of Housing Act 1996 and HRA 2017.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Housing Options teams.
• Manage 24-hour temporary accommodation service.
• Deliver statutory duties under the Housing Act.
• Lead Barnsley’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy.

Skills

Leadership in homelessness

Expert knowledge of homelessness legislation

Performance and data confidence

Partnership skills

Job description

Barnsley Council have an exciting opportunity for a Group Leader, Housing Options Teamto join the team based in Barnsley. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £55,946 - £59,907.

We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.

We’re looking for an experienced, compassionate leader to head up our Housing Options Team. You’ll make sure people at risk of homelessness get timely, trauma?informed support. In this pivotal role, you’ll uphold statutory responsibilities with fairness and respect, using your vision and leadership to prevent homelessness and enhance housing outcomes for Barnsley’s most vulnerable residents.

About the Group Leader, Housing Options Team role :

You will :

• Lead and develop the Homelessness Prevention & Relief / Housing Options teams, setting clear standards and nurturing a supportive, high?performing culture.
• Manage Queens House overseeing its 24-hour temporary accommodation service for individuals with complex needs
• Deliver our statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, ensuring robust decision-making, casework quality and compliance with the Code of Guidance.
• Improve outcomes through prevention, early intervention and personalised housing plans, reducing rough sleeping and repeat homelessness.
• Lead the delivery of Barnsley’s Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy, ensuring effective interventions and partnerships that prevent homelessness and support those most in need.
• Own performance and assurance : oversee national data returns, case audit, complaints / learning, and service risks; use data to drive continuous improvement.
• Work in partnership with internal teams, registered providers, health and social care, voluntary sector and people with lived experience.
• Manage budgets and contracts, including commissioned services and temporary accommodation, achieving value for money and safe, legal practice.
• Safeguard adults and children, champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and embed trauma?informed, strengths?based practice.
• Represent the council at local and regional forums; prepare concise reports and briefings for senior leaders and elected members.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a strategic thinker, a skilled communicator, and a passionate public service leader. You’ll need :

• Proven leadership in homelessness / housing advice or closely related services, including line?management of multi?disciplinary teams.
• Expert knowledge of homelessness legislation (Housing Act 1996, HRA 2017), the Homelessness Code of Guidance, Domestic Abuse Act duties, and allocations policy.
• Quality casework experience (personalised housing plans, reasonable steps, priority need, intentionality, local connection).
• Partnership skills that build trust and deliver joint solutions, including with people with lived experience.
• Performance and data confidence, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Values-led practice :

empathetic, inclusive, strengths-based, and committed to safeguarding.

Ready to Lead?

If you’re excited by the opportunity to lead transformational housing work in a dynamic council, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications : Friday 16th January 2026

Interviews are scheduled to take place on W / C 26th January 2026

If you feel you have the necessary skills and abilities to join our ambitious team as ourGroup Leader, Housing Options Team??????, Click "apply" we’d be delighted to receive your application