Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer - 04810

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals and families at risk of homelessness? West Berkshire Council is seeking a dedicated and motivated Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer to join our Housing Service, working within the Homelessness Prevention & Relief Team. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality homelessness prevention and relief services within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority.

The Role

As a Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the Homelessness Prevention & Relief Team Leader in the effective operation of the homelessness service. Your main responsibilities will include:

• Providing advice, support, and assistance to individuals and families seeking homelessness prevention and relief
• Conducting thorough assessments of housing needs and risks of homelessness
• Implementing appropriate interventions to prevent homelessness, including negotiation with landlords and securing alternative accommodation
• Ensuring accurate and timely recording of case information and maintaining comprehensive files
• Collaborating with external agencies and organisations to provide holistic support to clients
• Contributing to the development and delivery of homelessness prevention initiatives
• Attending court hearings and representing clients when necessary

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness legislation, including the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011
• Experience in providing advice and support to individuals facing homelessness
• Strong assessment and intervention skills, with the ability to identify and address housing needs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with clients and collaborate with external partners
• Organisational skills and the ability to manage a caseload effectively
• Empathy and compassion, with a genuine desire to help others
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Why Work for West Berkshire Council?

West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-21.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 29 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sharon Davis, Homelessness Prevention & Relief Team Leader, on (01635) 503229 or email Sharon.Davis@westberks.gov.uk

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply

Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council https://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications

AI in Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.