Senior Housing Options & Prevention Lead

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible & hybrid working

Health & wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Senior Prevention, Tenancy and Support Officer to support homelessness prevention and housing services across Somerset. You will lead on complaints, provide expert guidance on complex cases, and drive service improvements within the Housing Options team.

The role involves case management, quality assurance, mentoring colleagues, and deputising for the Service Manager when required. Hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of homelessness legislation, landlord and tenant law, welfare benefits and housing allocations.
• Experience managing complex housing cases applying housing legislation.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building including handling complaints.
• Experience collaborating with internal teams and external partners to deliver effective services.
• Ability to coach, support and guide colleagues while maintaining high standards of performance.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A-Level qualifications or substantial frontline housing experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead on investigation and resolution of Stage 1 complaints with timely, high-quality responses.
• Identify lessons learned from complaints and case reviews to drive service improvements.
• Provide expert advice on complex and high-risk housing cases.
• Conduct case audits and quality assurance to ensure compliance with legislation and procedures.
• Mentor Prevention, Tenancy and Support Officers and Triage Officers.
• Assist with induction, training and ongoing upskilling of team members.
• Deputise for the Service Manager and represent the service at meetings.
• Oversee workload, service planning and performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitor trends and data to identify opportunities for service development.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver housing solutions.

Skills

Homelessness legislation knowledge

Complex housing case management

Communication & negotiation

Collaborating with internal/external

Coaching and mentoring

Analytical & organisational skills

A-Level or equivalent experience

Education

A-Level qualifications or equivalent

Job description

Somerset Council is seeking a Senior Prevention, Tenancy and Support Officer to support homelessness prevention and housing services across Somerset. You will lead on complaints, provide expert guidance on complex cases, and drive service improvements within the Housing Options team.

The role involves case management, quality assurance, mentoring colleagues, and deputising for the Service Manager when required. Hybrid working is available.