Housing Options Specialist Manager

Waverley Borough Council; Godalming; Hybrid; GBP 16,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is seeking a proactive leader to head the Specialist Housing Options Team. You will oversee assessments of homelessness applications, guide the team to discharge duties lawfully, and work to minimise reliance on emergency accommodation.

The role requires knowledge of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Housing Act Parts VI and VII, and strong frontline homelessness experience. This is a job-share 14.5 hours per week, with hybrid or office-based working.

Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of domestic abuse and homelessness legislation, and housing need.
• Experience in leading a team that provides housing options advice to domestic abuse, tenancy sustainment and managing debt collection.
• Experience in frontline homelessness services and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Knowledge of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and Housing Act Part VI and VII.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Specialist Housing Options Team's assessments of homeless applications and determine statutory duties.
• Guide the team to discharge homelessness duties lawfully while minimising emergency accommodation.
• Participate in the team’s duty rota and act as Safeguarding Lead for Housing Needs.
• Represent the Council at stakeholder meetings (MARAC, CHaRRM, Child in Need Core Group, Child Protection Conference).
• Oversee sustainable debt collection from Housing Options clients via the deposit scheme.

Job description

£43,993 pro rata to 14.5 hours per week - £17,240.50 per annum

Location:

Contract:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

Part Time

Hours:

14.5 hours per week.

DBS Check:

Yes

Closing Date:

31/08/2026 at 09:00

Reference:

HCE/26/342848

Vacancy Description

Do you want to lead an experienced, successful and enthusiastic team?

Are you looking for a role with variety, where you can be relied on for your expertise and experience?

Do you have detailed knowledge of domestic abuse and homelessness legislation, and housing need?

Do you have experience in leading a team that provides housing options advice to domestic abuse, alongside providing tenancy sustainment and managing debt collection?

We are looking for a highly motivated team player to lead our Specialist Housing Options Team following growth of the team to respond to increasing demand. The Specialist Housing Options Team prevents and relieves homelessness working with survivors of domestic abuse.

You will manage the team’s assessments of homeless applications to determine what statutory duties are owed to customers. You will then guide the team as needed to ensure the effective and lawful discharge of the Council’s homelessness duties, whilst minimizing the number of households in emergency accommodation. You will have a caseload of complex clients, and will also participate in the team’s duty rota.

Working as the Safeguarding Lead for the Housing Needs team, you will also represent the Council at key stakeholder meetings including MARAC, CHaRRM, Child in Need Core Group and Child Protection Conference.

You would be responsible for managing sustainable debt collection from Housing Options clients who have been assisted through the Council’s deposit scheme.

The role requires excellent management and communication skills together with strong technical knowledge, initiative and the ability to think outside the box. Your experience of working in front line homelessness services will help you to remain calm under pressure and to enable the team to continue to deliver the highest levels of customer service.

You will have a good understanding of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and the Housing Act Part VI and VII (as amended) as well as having excellent IT skills and the ability to keep run reports, submit data, keep accurate records and meet deadlines.

This is a job-share opportunity for 14.5 hours per week. We welcome applications from candidates seeking different working patterns and are happy to discuss how the contractual hours could be worked across the week. The final working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate, taking account of individual preferences alongside the operational requirements of the service and the need to ensure effective coverage and continuity.

Waverley is an ambitious, dynamic, and innovative local authority, proud of being one of the highest performing Councils in the country. Key to our success is our commitment to team working and ongoing development of our high performing, highly engaged workforce, who all share in the delivery of the organisation’s values and corporate objectives.

Waverley is a beautiful place, consistently rated as one of the best places in the Country to live and to work. The borough is within easy reach of London and the south coast.

Waverley takes a robust approach to thoroughly checking anyone who wants to work with children or vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure at the Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further information can be obtained fromwww.disclosure.gov.uk .

The working pattern agreed with the successful applicant will determine whether this part time opportunity is performed on a hybrid or office basis.. The successful applicant will have a valid driving licence and a vehicle available for work purposes.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Elizabeth Donaldson, Housing Needs Manager, on 01483 523452.

Closing date - 9am on the 31st August 2026

Interview date: 8th September 2026 and there will be a short, paper-based exercise prior to each interview

Equality and Inclusion Statement

The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here -Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here -Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.

Information -

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications.

All submitted information, whether supported by AI or not, must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications.

Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.

From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, following the government’s confirmed plans for local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, with West Surrey taking responsibility for the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking.

As we move towards this transition, our focus remains firmly on delivering high‑quality, value‑for‑moneyservices and staying true to our shared organisational values of Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism.

We recognise that any period of organisational change can bring questions, particularly regarding future structures and working arrangements. Throughout this process, we are committed to supporting our colleagues with transparency and care prioritising wellbeing, maintaining a trustedand open dialogue, and ensuring continued access to learning and professional development opportunities.

While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaborationthrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalismand delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.