Homelessness Prevention Officer

Carrington West; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority is seeking an experienced Homelessness Prevention Officer in Barnstaple to deliver high-quality housing advice and manage homelessness investigations. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and demonstrated experience in case management and client engagement. This role includes providing proactive assistance to customers and collaborating with partner agencies. The ideal candidate will have a degree in housing or substantial equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working within Housing Advice or Prevention services.
• Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and guidance.
• Experience in making statutory decisions related to homelessness.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality housing advice and assistance to customers.
• Carry out homelessness investigations and take proactive action.
• Manage a varied caseload and make informed legal decisions.

Skills

Housing Advice

Homelessness Prevention

Strong Communication

Legal Decision Making

Case Management

Education

HND / Degree in Housing or equivalent experience

Job description

We’re recruiting an experienced and committed Homelessness Prevention Officer to join a busy Housing Advice & Homelessness service within a local authority. This is an excellent opportunity for a housing professional with strong frontline experience to make a real impact by preventing homelessness and supporting customers to secure and sustain suitable accommodation.

You’ll provide high-quality housing advice, carry out homelessness investigations, and take proactive steps to prevent homelessness wherever possible. The role involves managing a varied caseload, making informed legal decisions, and working closely with partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for households in housing need.

The Role

• Provide frontline housing advice and assistance to customers, responding to general service requests in a timely and professional manner.
• Assess customers’ housing needs through office‑based, telephone and home visits.
• Deliver early, proactive homelessness prevention through comprehensive housing and welfare advice.
• Investigate homelessness applications and make decisions in line with legislation, codes of guidance and council policy.
• Take action to prevent homelessness, including negotiation, mediation and the use of financial assistance where appropriate.
• Liaise with private landlords, letting agents, mortgage lenders and debt advisers to support sustainable housing solutions.
• Work closely with internal teams and external agencies to ensure a coordinated, multi‑agency approach.
• Provide advice to third parties acting on behalf of customers.
• Support customers through court proceedings where required.
• Liaise with Temporary Accommodation teams regarding placements where prevention is not possible.
• Carry out the council’s statutory duties to households threatened with or experiencing homelessness.
• Promote the service through initiatives, projects and partnership working.
• Support staff development through peer reviews, mentoring and training activity.
• Represent the service on project groups, specialist panels and multi‑agency task teams.
• Supervise contractors engaged by the service when required.
• Participate in emergency and out‑of‑hours on‑call arrangements as necessary.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience working within Housing Advice, Homelessness Prevention or Housing Options services.
• Strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation and guidance.
• Experience completing homelessness assessments and making statutory decisions.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload and work autonomously.
• Experience negotiating with landlords, agents and partner organisations to prevent homelessness.
• Understanding of welfare benefits, housing law and related support services.
• Awareness of issues including domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse and safeguarding.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with customers in difficult circumstances.
• Strong written skills, including preparing professional correspondence and decision letters.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgement in line with policy and legislation.
• Educated to HND / degree level in housing or equivalent experience.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (or working towards) is desirable.
• Ability to travel locally for home visits and partnership meetings.

What You Need to Do Now

If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please click APPLY NOW and send us your application today.

If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.