Home Safety Officer

Somerset Council; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Home Safety Officer to help vulnerable residents stay safe and independent at home across Somerset. You will assess risks and coordinate repairs, working with health, housing, and community partners to deliver practical solutions.

The role requires a full driving licence, willingness to travel region-wide, and a compassionate, problem-solving approach. A DBS check is required and sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable people, including complex needs or hoarding, with a person-centred approach.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to work with residents, families, landlords and agencies.
• Experience assessing properties and identifying risks or repair needs.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and keep accurate records.
• Willingness to travel across Somerset as required.

Responsibilities

• Identify risks in residents' homes and develop practical, person-centred safety solutions.
• Manage complex home safety and hoarding cases with partner agencies.
• Assess properties and oversee essential repairs to completion.
• Support timely hospital discharge and reduce homelessness risk through targeted interventions.
• Build partnerships across housing, health and community services.

Job description

Salary:

Grade 11 - £33,673 to £37,563

Contract:

Full Time - Permanent

Hours:

37 hours per week

Location:

This role involves travelling across Somerset to visit residents in their homes and can be based from Shape Mendip, Taunton, Bridgwater or Yeovil, depending on your location.

About The Role

The Home Safety Support Team helps vulnerable residents across Somerset remain safe, well and independent in their own homes. Working closely with health services, housing providers, voluntary organisations and local communities, the team delivers practical support that improves lives and prevents housing-related crises.

As a Home Safety Officer, you'll make a real difference to some of Somerset's most vulnerable residents. You'll work directly with people facing complex housing, health or hoarding challenges, identifying risks within their homes and finding practical solutions that help them live safely and independently. This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll combine property knowledge, problem-solving and compassionate support to achieve positive outcomes. Joining Somerset Council means becoming part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team committed to improving wellbeing, reducing preventable harm and helping people maintain their independence for longer.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Support vulnerable residents to live safely and independently by identifying risks within their homes and developing practical, person-centred solutions.
• Manage complex home safety and hoarding cases, working collaboratively with individuals, families and partner agencies to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Assess properties, identify essential repairs and improvements, and oversee works through to completion to create safer living environments.
• Help prevent hospital admissions, support timely hospital discharge and reduce the risk of homelessness through targeted interventions.
• Build strong partnerships across housing, health and community services to coordinate support and deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.

What You'll Bring

• Experience working with vulnerable people, including those with complex needs, mental health challenges or hoarding behaviours, using a sensitive and person-centred approach.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with residents, families, landlords and partner agencies.
• Experience assessing properties, identifying risks or repair needs, and managing improvement works or related projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and develop practical solutions that meet individual needs.
• The ability to manage a varied caseload, maintain accurate records and work independently while meeting deadlines.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Further Information

This role is primarily home, and community based and involves travelling across Somerset to visit residents in their homes. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

An enhanced DBS check is also required for this position.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Heather Brunt, Home Safety Support Service Manager [e-mail]

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here: SCG1405 Home Safety Officer (1).pdf

Job Ref:1526/EF