Social Work Assistant

Borough of Brent; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant London borough is seeking passionate individuals for a role focused on supporting families without recourse to public funds. This unique opportunity involves assessing client needs, identifying sustainable solutions, and collaborating with partners to aid those intentionally homeless. The ideal candidate will be customer-focused with excellent communication skills and a proactive approach. Flexible working options, including the ability to work from home two days per week, are offered along with generous leave policies and additional benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Employee Assistance programme for free confidential counselling

Cycle to work scheme

Access to My Brent Rewards for discounts

Qualifications

• Knowledge of working with families with no recourse to public funds is desirable but not essential.
• Strong interest in immigration and housing issues.
• Willingness to travel within and outside of London.

Responsibilities

• Assess circumstances and needs of clients without public funds.
• Identify sustainable accommodation solutions.
• Work collaboratively with partners to support homeless families.

Skills

Compassion

Customer-focused mindset

Excellent communication skills

Proactive problem-solving

Job description

Salary range: £37,692 - £39,276 p.a. incl. London weighting (plus fantastic benefits!)

Contract: Permanent

Hours of work: 36 hours per week

Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time (the role requires frequent travelling within and outside of London to areas like the Midlands)

An exciting opportunity…

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.

The Post

We’re looking for passionate, resilient individuals to join our specialist service, helping families with no recourse to public funds and intentionally homeless families to the support they need and enabling them to live in a cohesive community and gain the voice to contribute to service delivery.

In this fast‑paced and dynamic role, you will:

• Assess the circumstances and needs of clients without recourse to public funds, intentionally homeless and those with failed habitual residency test.
• Identify realistic and sustainable accommodation and subsistence solutions.
• Work collaboratively with partners to support families with no recourse and those who are intentionally homeless.

You’ll be based at our office in Wembley on a rota basis, with the flexibility to work from home on some days.

Knowledge and experience of working in the no recourse to public funds, housing, citizen’s advice and Section 17 (Children Act 1989) support is desirable; this is not essential as full training will be provided.

If you thrive under pressure, are eager to learn, and have a strong sense of purpose, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

The Person

The ideal candidate will have:

• Compassion, determination, motivation and drive.
• Have a strong interest in No Recourse to public funds, citizens’ advice, immigration and housing issues.
• The ability to learn quickly – full training will be provided.
• A customer‑focused mindset with excellent communication skills and willingness to travel within and outside of London.
• A proactive problem‑solving attitude and resilience in a fast‑moving environment.

This is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to change lives, make a difference, and build a meaningful career.

Take the first step toward a rewarding future and apply today!

Our Offer to You

In addition to your salary, you will also get to enjoy the following benefits:

• Flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home 2 days per week (laptop provided).
• 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing to 31 days plus 8 bank holidays after 5 years continuous service.
• A wide range of family‑friendly policies such as parental leave.
• Access to our Zipcar scheme.
• Access to our Employee Assistance programme for free confidential counselling.
• Season ticket loan for public transport.
• Cycle to work scheme and good onsite facilities.
• Access to affordable parking nearby.
• Access to My Brent Rewards for big brand discounts, local offers and money off for travel, cinema and shopping vouchers.

Additional Information

If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the criteria on the Person Specification. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourages applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self‑identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.

The information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas and your data protection rights, can be found here.

Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.

As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.

Locations: Brent Civic Centre, HA9 0FJ, GB