Housing Advice Assistant

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working options

Support for caring responsibilities

Job summary

Sheffield City Council is hiring for a front-line Housing Advice Service role in Sheffield. The post focuses on triaging customers, giving housing options advice and early homelessness prevention, and supporting Housing Register applications, bidding and reviews.

The role requires familiarity with the Allocations Policy, safeguarding checks, and working closely with internal teams and partner organisations. Flexible working is considered, and the post is 37 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in busy, customer-focused environments.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Capable of working to policies and deadlines.
• Good IT skills with basic Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Ability to work with diverse groups and partner organisations.

Responsibilities

• Triage customers and identify appropriate actions.
• Advise on housing options and early homelessness prevention.
• Support Housing Register applications, bidding and reviews.
• Maintain accurate customer records and manage workload.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners.
• Assist safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Skills

Clear communication

Empathy with clients

Organisation

IT literacy

Problem solving

Tools

Word

Excel

SharePoint

Job description

A front-line role in the Housing Advice Service at Sheffield City Council, which handles general housing advice as well as cases of homelessness and risk of homelessness. The post centres on triaging customers, advising on housing options and early homelessness prevention, and supporting Housing Register applications, bidding and reviews. It is a 37-hour post working closely with internal teams and partner organisations, with flexible working considered. Applicants need an awareness of the Allocations Policy and must pass relevant safeguarding checks.

What the job involves

• Work with customers to understand their circumstances, identify housing needs and give clear, accurate advice
• Triage customers and identify the right action for their circumstances
• Give advice and practical help on housing options and early homelessness prevention
• Support customers with Housing Register applications and bidding
• Apply legislation and the Allocations Policy when deciding Housing Register eligibility
• Discuss realistic housing options, including the private rented sector
• Support Housing Register updates and annual reviews
• Maintain accurate customer records and manage own workload
• Work with internal teams and external partner organisations
• Support the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults

What’s required

Experience

• Experience of working in a busy, customer-focused environment

Skills & knowledge

• Communicating sensitively with people in difficult or challenging circumstances
• Comfortable handling sensitive and emotive information
• Following policies and procedures to make decisionsOrganised, managing competing priorities to tight deadlines
• Good IT skills, including Word, Excel and SharePoint
• Providing a non-judgemental service to customers from diverse backgrounds

Checks & eligibility

• Relevant safeguarding checks

Other

• Awareness of the Council's Allocations Policy
• Basic understanding of housing and homelessness legislation and welfare benefits
• Working independently and as part of a team
• Taking a proactive, problem-solving approach
• Building positive working relationships with colleagues and partner organisations

What’s offered

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Flexible working options, including reduced hours, part time or job share
• Support for staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly
• Starting at the bottom of the grade, or at the minimum advantage point with payslip evidence