Housing Support Officer

Carrington West; Essex; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional housing service provider is seeking an experienced Housing Support Officer to support vulnerable households and improve housing outcomes. The role involves conducting interviews, managing cases, and ensuring effective temporary accommodation. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and familiarity with housing management systems, especially Abritas. A proactive approach and a good understanding of homelessness legislation are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Housing Advice or Homelessness within a local authority.
• Strong communication and ability to engage effectively with customers.
• Experience with housing management systems, particularly Abritas modules.
• Good understanding of homelessness legislation and case management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with individuals facing housing issues.
• Monitor and update homelessness prevention cases accurately.
• Liaise with accommodation providers to coordinate placements.
• Prepare risk assessments and notices to quit.
• Attend meetings and support record-keeping.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Tools

Abritas

Excel

Job description

We're recruiting an experienced and motivated Housing Support Officer. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional with experience in housing advice, homelessness prevention, or temporary accommodation management to make an immediate impact supporting vulnerable households and improving housing outcomes. You'll play a key role in providing frontline advice and assistance to residents, managing homelessness prevention and relief cases, and ensuring temporary accommodation is effectively managed. Working across a varied caseload, you'll liaise with tenants, landlords, and partner agencies to resolve issues, maintain compliance, and support the delivery of an efficient and responsive housing service.

The Role

• Conduct initial interviews with individuals presenting with housing-related issues, both in person and remotely.
• Monitor and update homelessness prevention and relief cases, ensuring assessments and documentation are completed accurately and promptly.
• Maintain accurate records of temporary accommodation occupancy and update housing systems (e.g., Abritas).
• Liaise with accommodation providers to coordinate placements and avoid delays.
• Prepare essential paperwork such as occupation agreements, risk assessments, and notices to quit.
• Work with internal finance teams (e.g., Sundry Debtors) regarding invoices, repayments, and charges for temporary accommodation.
• Hold weekly meetings with Housing Benefit teams to resolve outstanding documentation and ensure claims are processed efficiently.
• Provide monthly data on temporary accommodation placements, including household numbers and nights stayed.
• Assist with signing up tenants, compiling inventories, and explaining tenancy conditions.
• Attend and support meetings such as the Joint Referral Panel, including preparation and note-taking.
• Undertake general administrative duties such as copying, uploading documents to Abritas, and preparing duty rotas when required.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience working within a Housing Advice, Homelessness, or Housing Solutions Service in a local authority setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with customers and partner agencies.
• Experience using housing management systems – knowledge of Abritas (Civica) modules is highly desirable.
• Good understanding of homelessness legislation, case management, and statutory processes.
• Ability to accurately record and monitor data using databases and Excel.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a varied caseload.
• A positive, flexible approach to problem‑solving and delivering high‑quality service outcomes.

What You Need to Do Now

If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please click APPLY NOW and send us your application today.

If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.