Housing Reviews and Visiting Officer

We’re committed to preventing homelessness and ensuring safe, sustainable housing solutions for everyone in our community.

Our Housing Options and Solutions team plays a vital frontline role, providing practical support, expert advice and timely interventions to help people remain in their homes or secure alternative accommodation when they need it most.

As a Housing Reviews and Visiting Officer, you’ll be part of a dedicated and compassionate team working directly with residents across the Sevenoaks District. Your work will help prevent homelessness, support some of our most vulnerable residents, and ensure the Council meets its legal duties under housing legislation.

Everything you need to know:

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines casework, investigation, and extensive face-to-face work with customers in their homes and other settings, including hospitals. Based at the Council Offices in Sevenoaks, you’ll travel widely across the district carrying out visits, gathering information, and providing practical housing advice.

What you will be doing:

• Assisting with homelessness reviews under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, including carrying out investigations and gathering evidence.
• Keeping applicants informed of progress on their homelessness reviews within statutory timescales.
• Carrying out accommodation suitability and property condition assessments, considering affordability, overcrowding, location, and any risk of violence.
• Visiting customers in a range of settings, including hospitals, to support safe and timely discharge planning.
• Providing high-quality housing advice, mediation and realistic housing options to individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
• Supporting Housing Advice Officers by verifying applicant details, recording findings from visits, and making clear recommendations.
• Maintaining accurate, timely case notes and records on Council databases.
• Identifying safeguarding concerns and ensuring vulnerable adults and children are referred to the right services at the right time.
• Detecting and reporting suspected fraud and liaising with internal teams such as Benefits, Legal and Fraud.
• Working collaboratively with internal services and external partners, including Private Sector Housing and voluntary agencies.
• Participating in the duty rota and working occasional evenings or weekends where required.

What you will bring to the role:

• Knowledge of housing legislation and guidance, particularly the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and mediation skills, including the ability to manage challenging or emotional situations.
• A strong commitment to customer care and achieving positive outcomes for residents.
• Confidence working independently in the community, including undertaking lone visits safely.
• Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to record keeping and deadlines.
• IT literacy, including the ability to use databases and Microsoft Office applications.

Why work with us?

We’re proud to be a high-performing local authority that values innovation, collaboration and people-first service. You’ll be joining a team that cares deeply about its work and is committed to learning, development, and continuous improvement. You’ll be supported to make decisions, take initiative, and grow your career in housing.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll join a dynamic and forward-thinking team delivering services that matter. Every day is different, and the impact you’ll have on people’s quality of life is immediate and rewarding.

We are one of the few local government authorities to hold Platinum Investors in People accreditation – our commitment to supporting and developing you is genuine and ongoing.

Other benefits include:

• Enhanced annual leave of 28 days (excluding bank holidays)
• Additional leave after 5 years of service
• Extra Christmas closure day
• Hybrid working
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Opportunities to join in with social activities
• Free parking
• Employee benefits including discounts on shopping, travel, days out and more,
• Tusker car salary sacrifice scheme and discounts with your MOT
• Access to BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, a free, 24/7, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service

Want to find out more?

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact: Stephen Tring: stephen.tring@sevenoaks.gov.uk, +441732227184

Closing date: Sunday 18 January 2026

Interview date: Wednesday 28 January 2026