Home Safety Officer

Somerset Council; Shepton Mallet; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Hybrid working arrangements

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Home Safety Officer to assess homes, identify risks and develop practical, person-centred solutions that help vulnerable residents live safely and independently. You will work with health services, housing providers and communities to prevent crises and improve wellbeing.

This role is primarily home- and community-based, involves travelling across Somerset, and requires a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Qualifications

• Experience assessing homes and identifying risks to safety.
• Ability to manage complex home safety and hoarding cases.
• Strong communication and negotiation with residents and agencies.
• Empathetic, person-centred approach to vulnerable people.

Responsibilities

• Identify risks in residents' homes and develop practical solutions.
• Manage complex home safety and hoarding cases with partner agencies.
• Assess properties, oversee essential repairs and improvements.
• Support hospital discharge and reduce homelessness risk through interventions.
• Travel across Somerset; maintain records and work independently.

Skills

Home safety assessment

Risk assessment

Hoarding case management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Job description

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., 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.
  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.
  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.