Housing Options Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave plus bank hols

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Housing Options Officer to support residents at risk of homelessness. The role focuses on assessing caseloads, exploring housing options and preventing homelessness, with personalised plans built alongside residents.

It offers hybrid working where service needs allow and requires the right to work in the UK. You will collaborate with landlords, support services and partner agencies to secure positive outcomes, develop tailored plans for stability, and provide expert

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people facing complex or difficult circumstances.
• Professional, empathetic and customer-focused approach to service delivery.
• Good knowledge of homelessness, housing and tenancy legislation, or ability to apply it quickly in practice.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, building positive relationships with residents, colleagues and partners.
• Managing a busy caseload, prioritising competing demands and making sound, evidence-based decisions.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach with resilience to overcome barriers.

Responsibilities

• Support residents at risk of homelessness to find practical solutions to remain in or secure accommodation.
• Work directly with residents to explore housing options and secure positive outcomes.
• Manage a varied caseload, carrying out assessments and making informed decisions.
• Work with landlords, support organisations and partner agencies to achieve positive housing outcomes.
• Develop personalised plans with residents towards long-term housing stability and independence.
• Give expert housing advice and guidance while maintaining customer service and safeguarding standards.

Skills

Experience with difficult situations

Empathetic customer-focused

Communication and negotiation

Job description

The Housing Options Officer post sits in Somerset Council's Housing Options Team, which supports people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home across the county. The work centres on assessing caseloads, exploring housing options and preventing homelessness, with personalised plans built alongside residents. The role relies on partnership working with landlords, support services and community partners, with flexible and hybrid working offered where service needs allow. Visa sponsorship is not available, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Support residents at risk of homelessness to find practical solutions to remain in or secure accommodation
• Work directly with residents to explore housing options and secure positive outcomes
• Manage a varied caseload, carrying out assessments and making informed decisionsWork with landlords, support organisations and partner agencies to achieve positive housing outcomes
• Develop personalised plans with residents towards long-term housing stability and independence
• Give expert housing advice and guidance while maintaining customer service and safeguarding standards

Experience

• Experience of working with people facing complex or difficult circumstances
• Professional, empathetic and customer-focused approach to service delivery

Skills & knowledge

• Good knowledge of homelessness, housing and tenancy legislation, or ability to apply it quickly in practice
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, building positive relationships with residents, colleagues and partners
• Managing a busy caseload, prioritising competing demands and making sound, evidence-based decisions
• Proactive, solution-focused approach with resilience to overcome barriers

What’s offered

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with option to purchase additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities
• Retention allowance of £4,451 paid until December 2028