Homeless Prevention Team Manager

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Homeless Prevention Team Manager to join our Housing Service. The Homeless Prevention Team Manager is responsible for leading a team of professionals who are responsible for working closely with customers to proactively prevent and alleviate homelessness.

The post holder reports to the Head of Housing and will be responsible for the management and development of the Homeless Prevention and Housing Advice service ensuring the Council adheres to relevant legislative requirements and to safeguard vulnerable homeless households including rough sleepers.

Key Responsibilities:

The key responsibility is to ensure that an effective homelessness and housing advice service is delivered on behalf of the Council. This is through early intervention and advice to meet the requirements of the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and relevant case law in order to prevent homelessness wherever possible and to provide accommodation for the most vulnerable customers.

In this role, you will ensure statutory duties are met, relevant legislation is complied with and high standards of recognised professional practice are delivered in alignment with North Somerset Councils Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeper Strategy.

Ensure operational staff and supervisors work effectively to deliver the statutory homeless function, working closely with partners from other agencies to support homeless individuals and families in order to prioritise and meet community needs

To provide professional leadership, decision making advice, supervision and support the team to ensure appropriate decision making in line with legislation and government guidance.

Implement the Council’s policies in relation to HR issues including equalities, discrimination, sickness absence, disciplinary.

Manage and supervise a team of staff, being responsible for the appropriate allocation of work and manageable caseloads.

Be responsible for recruitment and retention of staff ensuring a high-quality staff group through appropriate training and development.

Provide management and supervision to colleagues and support individuals professional development through performance appraisal, coaching and mentoring etc.

Promote good attendance, conduct and professional standards within the service area ensuring compliance with information security, confidentiality and accurate record keeping.

To investigate complaints, disciplinary allegations as required in conjunction with departmental or corporate guidelines and legal requirements, ensuring the appropriate senior managers are kept informed, where necessary.

Undertake team planning ensuring links with the Council’s vision and priorities with the aim of improving performance and service delivery and to provide greater customer care and satisfaction.

To continually monitor and develop services ensuring that they embed new ways of working in line with research, new legislation and evidence based good practice; to extend the knowledge base of professionals within the team and to make improvements to service delivery.

Manage delegated budget and additional grant funding within agreed financial limits and authorise, monitor and control expenditure of team budget in order to ensure effective provision of service.

Develop and maintain partnerships with other professionals and agencies to ensure compliance of statutory time scales and to provide clear understanding of each others priorities.

Develop joint initiatives and contracts to meet service user needs, including leading on rough sleeper initiatives and funding bids including outreach support, Housing Led and Housing First.

Monitor contacts and outcomes for commissioned services.

Communicate effectively with colleagues, elected members and the public both verbally and in writing through the appropriate use of notes and other record keeping within information sharing protocols and record keeping policies.

Deputise for the Head of Housing for high level meetings including scrutiny panel, Exec member briefings and Full Council.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based at our Town Hall Offices in Weston-Super-Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about making a difference to the community in which they work and preventing homelessness through proactive, compassionate leadership and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Approved professional qualification relevant to area of work (i.e Chartered Institute of Housing)
• Significant experience in relevant work area to give knowledge and understanding equivalent to an advanced qualification in the service area
• In depth knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Housing Act 1996.
• Understand Safeguarding principles
• Proven working experience as a Manager.
• People management including experience of HR processes.
• Experience of producing and analysing reports using Microsoft suite and internal IT systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of budgets
• Ability to lead and manage staff through significant change, an ability motivate staff and an ability to supervise/appraise
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive stakeholder relations that generate confidence, respect, and trust
• Excellent communication skills in person, by phone and in writing

Desirable Criteria:

• Working knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989, Equalities Act 2010, Immigration Act 2002 and Renters Rights Act 2025
• Approved management qualification
• Experience using Housing Jigsaw IT system

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Sarah Stillwell, Head of Housing at sarah.stillwell@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07469 406093.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.