Housing Options Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Ringmer; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited advertises a 3 month contract with a local authority to deliver housing options and homelessness prevention services. The postholder will assess homelessness applications, provide housing advice, develop Personal Housing Plans and work with customers and partners to prevent homelessness wherever possible.

Applicants should have knowledge of Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, plus strong case management and partnership-working skills to

Qualifications

• Experience working in Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention or Housing Advice Services.
• Strong knowledge of Housing Act 1996 Part VII and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience completing homelessness assessments and statutory decisions.
• Experience undertaking affordability and financial assessments.
• Experience negotiating with landlords and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Assess homelessness applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Conduct prevention and relief duty assessments and make statutory homelessness decisions.
• Develop and maintain personalised housing solutions for individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
• Prepare and implement Personal Housing Plans (PHPs).
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings including MARAC, MATAC, Section 47 Meetings and Case Conferences.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to support a One Council approach to service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with housing legislation, policies and procedures.

Skills

Housing options

Homelessness prevention

Housing Act 1996 Part VII

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

Housing register processes

Affordability assessments

Case management

Partnership working

Domestic abuse cases

Job description

Bracknell South, United Kingdom | Posted on 03/11/2026

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.
Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide a comprehensive housing options and homelessness prevention service, ensuring the Council meets its statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

The postholder will assess homelessness applications, provide housing advice, develop Personal Housing Plans and work proactively with customers and partner agencies to prevent homelessness wherever possible. The role requires effective case management, housing law knowledge and strong partnership-working skills to secure positive outcomes for vulnerable households.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess homelessness applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Conduct prevention and relief duty assessments and make statutory homelessness decisions.
• Work proactively with clients to prevent homelessness and sustain existing accommodation wherever possible.
• Develop and maintain personalised housing solutions for individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
• Prepare and implement Personal Housing Plans (PHPs).
• Negotiate with:
  • Landlords
  • Family Members
  • Friends
  • Housing Providers
  • Statutory and Voluntary Agencies
• Assist clients in securing alternative accommodation where homelessness cannot be prevented.
• Undertake comprehensive affordability and financial assessments.
• Work closely with Welfare Services and other support teams to maximise household income and benefit entitlement.
• Provide specialist housing advice on:
  • Homelessness
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Tenancy Rights
  • Eviction
  • Housing Register Applications
  • Housing Options
• Assess and review housing register applications.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer records and case management information.
• Carry out home visits where required, including visits involving homelessness presentations from family or relationship breakdowns.
• Work with Housing Management Officers to complete risk assessments for temporary accommodation placements.
• Make referrals to support services and safeguarding agencies where appropriate.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings including:
  • MARAC
  • MATAC
  • Section 47 Meetings
  • Case Conferences
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to support a One Council approach to service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with housing legislation, policies and procedures.
• Maintain high standards of customer care and professional practice.

Requirements

• Experience working within Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention or Housing Advice Services.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Housing Act 1996 Part VII
  • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
  • Homelessness Prevention Duties
  • Housing Register Processes
  • Temporary Accommodation Procedures
• Experience completing homelessness assessments and statutory decisions.
• Experience undertaking affordability and financial assessments.
• Experience negotiating with landlords and external agencies.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits and housing affordability issues.
• Experience working with vulnerable households and complex cases.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent case management and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and statutory deadlines.
• Experience working in partnership with external agencies and support services.
• Experience attending MARAC, MATAC or safeguarding meetings.
• Experience working with domestic abuse cases.
• Knowledge of housing management and temporary accommodation services.
• Experience conducting home visits and tenancy sustainment work.
• Local Authority Housing experience.

Additional Information

• Location: Bracknell Forest - Hybrid Working (Office Attendance Required Once Per Week)