Homelessness Partnerships Officer

12 Months Maternity Cover

Secondment for internal staff available

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

Flexible working arrangements: We support hybrid working and believe that flexible arrangements help our employees thrive. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle. The team primarily works from home, with some time required in our Reading office and undertaking meetings in the Reading area.

About the role

As the Homelessness Partnerships Officer, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating and enhancing services for single homeless households. Your responsibilities will include:

• Service coordination: Support the delivery of Homelessness Support Services, including chairing the Access Panel and facilitating all its relevant functions and administration, to ensure services are responsive, effective, and aligned with local housing priorities. This includes managing all referrals and decisions on priorities for vacancies that arise.
• Casework and advocacy: Provide casework support and act as a single point of contact for internal and external partner services, working closely with case holding Homelessness Prevention Officers to effect positive supported housing referrals and outcomes for those approaching Homelessness Prevention Services.
• Partnership liaison and oversight: Ensure housing needs are represented in multi-agency forums such as MAPPA, MARAC, and Integrated Offender Management panels. Provide oversight and coordination rather than direct casework support.
• Emergency protocols: Support with the effective operation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), reviewing annually with stakeholders to align with national best practice.
• Service development: Support service reviews and improvement planning for all Access Panel functions and the development of effective case management systems and referral mechanisms for supported housing referrals.
• Commissioning and procurement: Contribute to the development of service specifications, support the assessment of contract bids/tenders.
• Stakeholder engagement: Support collaboration with internal teams and external partners – such as voluntary sector organisations, registered social landlords, and commissioned services – by contributing to the development of joint protocols and helping improve service outcomes.
• Data analysis and reporting: Support with the analysis of trends and performance data to inform service delivery and assist in preparing reports with insights and recommendations.
• Strategic input: Contribute to the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan.
• Quality assurance: Assist in monitoring service quality by carrying out client file checks, gathering feedback through service user consultations, and supporting unannounced provider visits.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in housing, homelessness services, or commissioned services.
• Strong project management and partnership working skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to assess and manage complex cases, partners, and influence service delivery.
• Knowledge of housing legislation, homelessness, and rough sleeping issues.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax.

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Verena.Hutcheson@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: 23rd November 2025

Interview Date: 16th and 18th December 2025

Expected start date: Mid-March 2026

Interview Process: To be confirmed.