Housing Options Officer - Rough Sleeper specialist (vulnerable females) - 12 month FTC

BCP Council; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Housing Options Officer to join their Rough Sleeping Prevention team. The role involves supporting individuals at risk of homelessness by providing expert advice and managing a caseload. Key responsibilities include effective communication to assess housing situations, collaborating with partner agencies, and applying relevant legislation to protect the vulnerable. The position requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. A Level 4 diploma or equivalent experience is essential. Salary is estimated at £45,407 per year, with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive training programs

Qualifications

• Significant experience providing excellent customer service.
• Experience advising people in housing need or a related field.
• Experience working with vulnerable clients including victims of domestic abuse.
• Ability to manage a caseload and develop support plans.
• Fluency in English is essential.

Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively to help resolve housing challenges.
• Apply legislation for housing assessments and decisions.
• Manage a caseload while addressing competing demands.
• Collaborate with colleagues to find lasting housing solutions.
• Lead case meetings for complex support needs.

Skills

Customer service excellence

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Negotiation skills

Conflict resolution

Organizational skills

Understanding of safeguarding issues

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Level 4 diploma or equivalent experience

Tools

Case-work management systems

Job description

Are you passionate about finding solutions to homelessness and supporting people who are rough sleeping or who have experienced rough sleeping? An opportunity has opened for a Housing Options Officer within BCP housing Rough Sleeping Prevention team. You will be joining our existing dynamic and specialist team, our aim is to prevent rough sleeping wherever possible and where it is not possible ensure it is rare, brief and non‑recurring.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively to really understand how to help people resolve their housing situation.
• Apply relevant legislation to make decisions based on quality investigations and assessment.
• Manage a caseload effectively within competing demands.
• Collaborate with other services and your colleagues to help them find a lasting solution to their problem.
• Understand homelessness prevention and support, proactively working to prevent housing crisis; provide specialist advice on a range of complex housing options and homeless prevention initiatives.
• Hold a caseload and carry out detailed legal assessments of applications for housing under Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended), making decisions on all aspects of housing or homelessness applications.
• Determine the support needs of households in housing need and refer to specialist providers where appropriate.
• Participate in Housing Options Duty Rota, providing excellent customer service in respect of a range of complex and contentious housing enquiries, through a range of communication channels, online, face to face & in the community.
• Lead multi‑agency case meetings for households with complex support needs.
• Act as housing lead in response to serious domestic abuse, child protection, adult safeguarding etc. where clients have identified housing needs.
• Work closely with BCP commissioned Rough Sleeping service and other relevant partner agencies to provide wrap‑around support to people rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.
• Contribute to BCP's multi‑agency delivery of Severe Weather Provision (SWEP) when triggered to safeguard and protect people who are rough sleeping.
• Participate in supporting clients within various community hubs across BCP to prevent rough sleeping.
• Develop strong relationships with all housing providers and promote multi‑agency initiatives in the prevention of rough sleeping and homelessness.
• Maintain continuous professional development and up‑to‑date knowledge of related legislation, such as landlord and tenant, family, welfare benefits, child and adult safeguarding.
• Effectively manage a caseload through personal housing plans, communication strategies and effective record keeping.
• Provide affidavit evidence in cases where legal review is triggered.
• Apply client confidentiality procedures to investigations undertaken and follow guidance in relation to lone working where there are potential risks to personal safety.
• Constructively participate in one‑to‑one supervision, case reviews and case conferences, employee appraisals and training sessions; assist in providing induction and/or training programs to other officers as required.
• Respond to and initiate routine and non‑routine correspondence with a wide range of agencies including Councillors and Members of Parliament.
• Produce and analyse statistical reports as appropriate.
• Respond to emergency situations where appropriate, attending cover at externally located rest centre(s).
• Maintain a record of all training and development undertaken throughout employment.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time commensurate with the level of the post.
• Comply with all decisions, policies and standing orders of the Council and any relevant statutory requirements, including Equality and Diversity legislation, the Health and Safety at Work Act and Data Protection Act.

Experience and Qualifications

• Level 4 diploma or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience of providing excellent customer service.
• Experience of providing professional advice or support to people in housing need or a relevant sector.
• Experience of working with a range of different vulnerable clients (e.g. victims of domestic abuse, mental health, offenders, substance misuse, young people, learning or other disabilities).
• Experience of managing a caseload and developing support plans.
• Experience of team working and ability to work in partnership with internal teams and external agencies.
• Ability to understand and impart information and legislation through face‑to‑face interviews and in writing.
• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Ability to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour and have strategies to deal with this.
• Ability to problem‑solve and make decisions using professional judgement and intuition in a complex environment.
• Ability to organise a diverse workload without close supervision and manage competing demands.
• Recognition of issues related to adult safeguarding, child protection and domestic abuse.
• Ability to effectively use case‑work management systems.
• Ability to support vulnerable households in a trauma‑informed and strengths‑based manner.
• Enjoy working in a supportive team & high‑pressure, rapidly changing environment dealing calmly & effectively with a wide range of challenging client behaviours.
• Understanding and commitment to diversity and equal opportunities.
• Fluency in English is essential (post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016).
• Experience and passion for working with female clients often experiencing complex challenges and vulnerabilities in an advice or problem‑solving capacity.

Additional Requirements

• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is preferred.
• You must be able to evidence your right to work and commit to the duration of the contract.
• Take note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with an existing right to work in the UK.

Benefits & Compensation

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world‑renowned coastline. We offer career‑defining roles to transform and improve services.

£45,407 per year - estimated (full‑time); for part‑time the pay range is £33,699 – £39,152 (pro‑rata).

New contract and refreshed framework of pay, terms and conditions. Starting salary fixed with opportunity for growth and meaningful contribution.