Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer

LB RICHMOND UPON THAMES & LB WANDSWORTH; London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in London is seeking a Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer to assist families facing homelessness. You will manage your own caseload, work collaboratively to find housing solutions, and provide vital housing advice. Candidates should have knowledge of homelessness issues and effective organizational skills. This role offers a fixed term until March 2028 and a salary range of £38,976 to £45,852 per annum.

Benefits

40 days annual leave including Bank Holidays

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Qualifications

• Knowledge of reasons for homelessness and housing options.
• Good knowledge of services and support for housing concerns.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation.
• Experience in interviews and negotiations.
• Resilience to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Assist households facing homelessness in sustaining housing.
• Manage a caseload to agree practical steps for preventing homelessness.
• Provide comprehensive housing advice to applicants and agencies.
• Conduct home visits to assess housing situations.

Job description

Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officer

Fixed Term until 31/03/2028

Salary Range: £38,976 to £45,852 per annum

Location: Richmond

Overview

Objective of role

We are looking for a capable and ambitious individual keen to help families and individuals facing homelessness to help support them in their homelessness journey and adhere to legislative guidance as well as policy and procedures.

Who are we looking for?

We are especially interested in your transferable skills in particular your ability to assess information, understand and accurately apply the assessment criteria, problem solve and communicate effectively with applicants, colleagues and agencies.

Whilst previous experience of working in a homelessness or other busy front-line public-sector role would be advantageous, it is not essential. What we would like you to be is:

• To be emotionally mature and confident to work with people facing homelessness for various reasons.
• Be a good listener and able to apply what you hear to the legal framework in which we work.
• Be organised in your work and able to keep on top of changing priorities.
• Be able to engage and work collaboratively with families and individuals who require housing assistance.
• Be able to discuss, negotiate and persuade families and their landlords to prevent and relieve homelessness.
• Be able to write reasoned decision letters, carry out interviews and produce case notes and assessments of a high standard.
• Be a motivated and engaged team player.

About the role

You will be working proactively and collaboratively with households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness to assist them to sustain their current housing where possible, or to secure alternative, suitable and affordable accommodation.

You will hold a personal caseload of households, to agree practical and reasonable steps for the Council and the household to take to prevent and/or relieve homelessness. Households will include private or social tenants, homeowners, those evicted by family members or facing relationship breakdown, and may be vulnerable and/or have complex needs.

You will provide a flexible and responsive service for applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness ensuring comprehensive housing advice is available for customers, staff and partner agencies whilst managing expectations.

You may need to carry out home visits to assess homelessness and the sustainability of the applicant’s current housing.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of why people become homeless and relevant housing options to prevent or relieve homelessness.
• Good knowledge of services, benefits and support available to households with housing concerns
• Able to interpret and put into practice complex legislation and guidance.
• Experience of carrying out interviews, investigations, negotiations
• Be resilient and able to work in a busy fast paced service including working with customers with complex needs.
• Strong organisational and effective record keeping skills with experience of working successfully to performance targets and deadlines

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Sunday 28 September 2025

Shortlisting Date: Week commencing Monday 29 September 2025

Interview Date: TBC

Useful Information

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, if you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan. For more details, please click here