Housing Options Officer-Displaced People

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave + bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Flexible and hybrid working

Health & wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Retention allowance

Job summary

Somerset Council’s Refugee Housing Team is seeking a dedicated caseworker in a fixed‑term role to support residents at risk of homelessness. You will help households explore options, sustain or source accommodation, and connect with specialist services in finances, wellbeing, and support needs.

Experience in housing or complex casework will help you prioritise tasks, manage deadlines, and work with partners to prevent homelessness.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing, homelessness, or complex casework settings.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, keep records, and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support residents facing homelessness to explore options and create practical housing plans.
• Collaborate with landlords, support agencies and partners to prevent homelessness and achieve housing outcomes.
• Make informed decisions on housing and homelessness applications with timely, fair support.
• Connect residents with specialist services on finances, wellbeing, domestic abuse and support needs.
• Identify sustainable, long‑term housing solutions to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.
• Provide practical housing advice and tailored support to help households move forward confidently.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Decision making

Job description

This fixed-term post, running to 31 March 2028, sits in Somerset Council's Refugee Housing Team, which supports people from displaced backgrounds arriving through resettlement and refugee schemes. The work centres on helping households at risk of homelessness explore options, sustain or find accommodation, and connect with specialist services. Casework is built around a specific client group, where changes to resettlement and asylum dispersal are driving rising demand. Sponsorship is not offered, so candidates must already hold the right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Support residents facing homelessness to explore options and build practical plans to secure or keep accommodation
• Work with landlords, support agencies and community partners to prevent homelessness and achieve positive housing outcomes
• Make informed decisions on housing and homelessness applications, ensuring timely and fair support
• Connect residents with specialist services on finances, wellbeing, domestic abuse and support needs
• Identify sustainable, long-term housing solutions to reduce the need for temporary accommodation
• Give practical housing advice and tailored support so households can move forward with confidence

What’s required

Experience

• Experience supporting people in housing, homelessness, customer-focused or other complex casework settings, particularly those facing challenging circumstances
• Experience managing competing priorities, keeping accurate records and working to deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Skills & knowledge

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with residents, colleagues and partner organisations
• Ability to assess complex situations, make sound decisions and find practical solutions
• Good understanding of homelessness, housing or related legislation and services, or the ability to develop this quickly through relevant experience

Checks & eligibility

• Valid driving licence and use of a vehicle for work
• Right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship

What’s offered

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the 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 £4451 until 31/12/28