Housing Options Team Leader

London Borough Of Merton; England; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough Of Merton is seeking a Senior Housing Options Adviser to join the Housing Options Service. You will lead and support a team, handle complex homelessness cases and provide guidance on legislation and policy.

The role focuses on preventing homelessness and delivering a high‑quality front‑line service. You will work in a busy frontline environment, ensuring timely, accurate, and solution‑focused advice, while developing staff and coordinating multi‑agency responses to protect

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of homelessness legislation and policy.
• Experience leading a team of housing options staff.
• Proven ability to assess cases and make robust decisions.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex homelessness and housing options cases.
• Lead and support a team of Housing Options Caseworkers.
• Undertake detailed homelessness assessments and make decisions.
• Develop personalised housing plans and practical options to prevent homelessness.
• Provide guidance on complex cases, legislation, policy and good practice.
• Support the Team Manager with quality assurance and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate day-to-day service delivery and respond to urgent cases.
• Contribute to staff induction, coaching and development.
• Collaborate with internal services, landlords, agencies and voluntary-sector partners.
• Identify opportunities to secure or maintain accommodation in the private rented sector.
• Ensure accurate case records and timely decisions.

Skills

Homelessness law

Team leadership

Case management

Stakeholder liaison

Job description

Housing Options Team Leader

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Housing Options Adviser to join our Housing Options Service.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced housing professional who has a strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and wants to take the next step in their career. You will play a key role in delivering a high-quality homelessness prevention and housing options service, managing complex cases while providing guidance and support to Housing Options Advisers.

Working in a busy frontline environment, you will ensure customers receive accurate, timely and solution-focused advice, with a strong emphasis on preventing and relieving homelessness wherever possible.

Key responsibilities

As a Senior Housing Options Adviser, you will:

• Manage a caseload of complex homelessness and housing options cases, ensuring appropriate and timely action.
• Manage a Team of Housing Options Caseworkers
• Undertake detailed homelessness assessments and make robust decisions in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and Council policies.
• Develop effective Personalised Housing Plans and identify practical options to prevent or relieve homelessness.
• Provide advice and guidance to Housing Options Advisers on complex cases, legislation, policy and good practice.
• Support the Team Manager with case reviews, quality assurance and performance monitoring.
• Assist with the day-to-day coordination of the service, including responding to urgent cases and operational pressures.
• Support the induction, coaching and development of new and existing staff.
• Work effectively with internal services, landlords, accommodation providers, statutory agencies and voluntary-sector organisations.
• Identify opportunities to secure or maintain accommodation within the private rented sector.
• Ensure case records, decisions and correspondence are accurate, comprehensive and completed within required timescales.
• Respond professionally to escalated enquiries and contribute to responses to complaints, councillors and other stakeholders.
• Promote a customer-focused service while managing expectations and making clear, evidence-based decisions.