Criminal Justice Homeless Prevention Officer

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 officer to join our Homeless Prevention Team as a Criminal Justice Homeless Prevention Officer.  This is a jointly funded post specifically to prevent homelessness and reduce reoffending.

The Homeless Prevention Team provides help and advice to North Somerset households who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Working in partnership with other organisations we ensure that vulnerable people and families are provided with appropriate advice, accommodation and support

In this role, you will be responsible for carrying out assessments with people who are leaving prison as homeless or ex-offenders who are struggling to maintain accommodation in the community, in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. You will need to be able to problem solve and seek out innovative homeless prevention solutions according to each client’s unique circumstances.

You will also be expected to work in partnership with key frontline partner services such as rough sleeper outreach, emergency accommodation providers, prison and hospital services and other community based statutory and voluntary agencies as part of a housing-led approach to multi-agency solutions to homelessness and related crises

Key Responsibilities:

• Hold and prioritise your own caseload of homeless households
• Develop a Personal Housing Plan according to client’s own circumstances
• Carry out homelessness investigations and make decisions within legislative frameworks
• Work in partnership with the Probation service and carry out prison visits where appropriate
• Provide regular data to measure the effectiveness of the role
• Provide in depth advice regarding housing options
• Represent the client at multi agency meetings including safeguarding
• Recognise safeguarding concerns and make relevant referrals
• Make referrals for emergency and temporary accommodation
• Write legally sound homeless decision letters
• Make referrals to other agencies to support clients and to prevent or relieve their homelessness

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: 

• Flexible Worker
• 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

You must be a confident and resilient person, with excellent communications skills who is able to prioritise a busy and complex case load of homeless applicants. You should have a strong background of homelessness and other housing related work e.g. advice/welfare benefits and experience working in a multi-agency environment. 

You should also be able to use Microsoft Office packages and a bespoke inhouse system to enable you to keep clear and accurate client records

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 values and 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.

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: TBA

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

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.