Homelessness Prevention Team Leader

Reading Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced individual to lead their Homeless Prevention Team. The role involves managing a team of officers and overseeing complex casework to provide high-quality support to families facing housing challenges. Candidates should have a strong understanding of housing legislation and experience in staff management. This position offers a supportive environment with competitive benefits including generous holiday entitlement and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life Assurance

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Proven experience in frontline housing services.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Homeless Prevention Team.
• Monitor service delivery and compliance with statutory duties.
• Chair multi-agency meetings and develop tailored housing solutions.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of housing legislation

Experience managing staff

Strong organisational skills

IT literacy

Ability to interpret complex regulations

Job description

12 months fixed term

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated individual to lead our Homeless Prevention Team for families. This is a key role in delivering high‑quality advice and support to families facing housing challenges, ensuring effective prevention and relief of homelessness in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

You’ll manage a team of officers, oversee complex casework, and work closely with internal and external partners to develop tailored housing solutions. This is an opportunity to make a real difference to vulnerable families while shaping the future of homelessness prevention services.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You’ll take responsibility for the day‑to‑day supervision of the Homeless Prevention Families Team, ensuring high standards of service delivery and compliance with statutory duties.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and motivating the team to deliver customer‑focused outcomes.
• Providing detailed guidance on complex issues such as security of tenure, welfare rights, landlord harassment, and illegal eviction.
• Developing and maintaining a toolkit of prevention and relief options for families.
• Monitoring performance against targets and implementing action plans to address service challenges.
• Authorising placements into temporary accommodation and ensuring move‑on plans are in place.
• Chairing multi‑agency meetings and case conferences for complex cases.
• Leading on service development, policy implementation, and contributing to the Council’s Homelessness Strategy.

About you

You’ll be passionate about preventing homelessness and have the ability to lead a busy team in a challenging environment. You’ll combine strong leadership skills with a thorough understanding of housing legislation and best practice.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• In‑depth knowledge of housing legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience of managing staff and delivering frontline housing services.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and communicate advice clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise in a pressurised environment.
• Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and chairing case conferences.
• IT literacy and confidence in using systems for case recording and reporting.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

Values and behaviours

• Work Together as one team – champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading.
• Drive Efficiency – create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively.
• Be Ambitious – aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential.
• Make a Difference to Reading – inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

Competitive salary and benefits

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

Closing Date

Sunday 1st February 2026

Interview date

To be confirmed

Interview process

To be confirmed