Placement Officer

Dacorum Borough Council; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Dacorum Borough Council is seeking a Placement Officer within the Housing Options Service. You will coordinate the Accommodation Resourcing Service to provide suitable temporary accommodation for households in priority need under Part 7 of the 1996 Housing Act, reducing B&B use and reviewing services available to customers.

You will support people from identifying temporary accommodation, signing them up to initial interim accommodation, conducting property inspections and then support

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating housing accommodation resources and frontline housing support.
• Knowledge of Part 7 Housing Act and B&B reduction strategies.
• Ability to provide practical housing advice, welfare rights and life skills guidance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Accommodation Resourcing Service within Housing Options Service.
• Assist households in priority need to identify temporary accommodation and initial interim housing.
• Conduct property inspections and guide customers through licence stages and responsibilities.
• Deliver advice on housing, welfare rights, personal finance, life skills and independence.
• Ensure compliance with government legislation and council policies; monitor income collection.

Skills

Driving licence

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference REQ0003289 Application closing date 18/10/2026 Salary £36,719.00 to £40,177.00 per annum (Inclusive of London Fringe Weighting) Package Generous holiday entitlement - outstanding 17.1% employer contribution pension scheme - flexible working patterns - car salary sacrifice scheme Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Placement Officer - Person Specification Final.pdf Placement Officer - Job Description Final.pdf

Fixed Term Contract or Secondment to 31 March 2028

Ref: H7586/H7537

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a vacancy within the Housing Options Service as a Placement Officer.

You will provide support and co-ordinate activity related to the Accommodation Resourcing Service, a high-quality front-line specialist service focused on providing suitable accommodation to households in priority need under Part 7 of the 1996 Housing Act, reducing B&B use and reviewing services available to customers.

You will support people from identifying temporary accommodation, signing them up to initial interim accommodation, conducting property inspections and then support customers through the stages of their licence to help them understand their roles and responsibilities as licensees, how to sustain their accommodation, and to encourage and facilitate their independence, quality of life, health, and wellbeing. This includes delivering practical advice, information, and support on a wide range of issues such as housing, welfare rights, personal finance, life skills, and the promotion of personal independence. You will ensure clients receive appropriate and effective support, enabling strong income collection and recovery in line with legislation, Dacorum Borough Council Housing Services policies, performance standards, and customer satisfaction requirements.

You will act as the key point of contact for households placed in temporary accommodation, providing ongoing advice and assistance to ensure placements comply with government legislation and that the Council’s stock is used effectively. Work closely with Homeless Prevention and the Housing Needs Team to ensure demand is managed efficiently, prevent unnecessary Bed & Breakfast expenditure, and support accurate monitoring of temporary accommodation charges and income.

Applicants must have a driving licence that is valid in the UK.

An Enhanced check will be undertaken with the Disclosure and Barring Service to ensure that the successful candidate has no relevant convictions.

The deadline for applications will be midnight on the closing date shown in the advert details.

Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation

The Council is going through a major change as part of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution. This means that the district and borough councils in Hertfordshire will be replaced by a smaller number of new unitary councils.

The aim is to make local government simpler and more efficient, improve services for residents, and bring decision‑making closer to the communities we serve.

What this means for you

If you join Dacorum Borough Council between now and 31 March 2028, you will move to a new organisation on 1 April 2028. Your role will transfer to the new authority, but the way you work and who you report to may change.

While this may be different from what you are used to, it is also a rare and exciting opportunity to join Dacorum at a time of real change.

You will have the chance to help shape the future of local services and be part of building something new.

The new unitary councils will create opportunities for innovation, growth, and better public services. They will offer a more joined-up and forward-looking working environment for employees.

We are committed to supporting our staff and continuing to deliver high-quality services for residents throughout this change. Together, we are building a better future.