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Why Southwark?

Does the opportunity to provide the right support at the right time and help people remain safely housed appeal to you?

Are you passionate about early intervention, problem-solving and making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents?

If yes, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

At Southwark Council, our Visiting Officers play a key role in preventing homelessness before situations reach crisis point.

This is a frontline role for someone who believes in the power of early action, meaningful conversations and practical solutions that help residents achieve safe, stable and sustainable housing outcomes.

About the Role:

As a Visiting Officer, you will work directly with residents, landlords and partners across the borough to understand challenges, identify risks early and take action when it matters most.

Through home visits, mediation, negotiation and practical problem-solving, you will support residents through some of the most challenging housing situations and help resolve issues before they escalate.

You will join a forward-thinking service that values innovation, partnership working and professional judgement. Working alongside colleagues across the council, voluntary sector organisations and wider community partners, you will help deliver a coordinated “no wrong door” approach, ensuring residents receive timely, effective and personalised support.

What You'll Be Doing

You will deliver a proactive, resident-focused service that identifies housing risks early and provides practical interventions to support housing stability.

Your role will include:

• Visiting residents in their homes and communities to understand their circumstances, assess risks and provide tailored housing advice.
• Responding quickly when homelessness is a risk, particularly in situations involving family and friends’ exclusions, eviction threats and housing instability.
• Using mediation and negotiation skills to resolve disputes between residents, landlords, families and support networks.
• Working with landlords and agents to understand concerns, negotiate solutions and support tenancy sustainment wherever possible.
• Developing personalised housing plans that provide clear actions, support and sustainable housing pathways.
• Supporting residents to maximise their income and access appropriate financial assistance, including prevention tools such as discretionary housing payments.
• Managing a varied and complex caseload, applying sound judgement to make effective decisions and meet statutory responsibilities.
• Working collaboratively with internal services, enforcement teams, voluntary organisations and external agencies to provide coordinated support.
• Using local knowledge and intelligence to identify emerging risks, strengthen prevention activity and contribute to service improvements, including changes linked to Renters’ Rights reforms.

Every day will bring new challenges. You will use your communication skills, resilience and ability to find solutions to make a real and lasting difference to residents’ lives.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about prevention and motivated by helping people find solutions before they reach crisis point.

You will be someone who:

• Builds trust quickly and communicates confidently with residents, landlords, families and partner organisations.
• Can manage challenging conversations with empathy, professionalism and a clear focus on achieving positive outcomes.
• Has experience handling complex situations and making balanced decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Is confident working independently in the community while contributing positively as part of a wider team.
• Understands the importance of mediation, negotiation and early intervention in preventing homelessness.
• Can assess complex housing circumstances, identify risks and take timely, effective action.
• Is committed to delivering a resident-centred service that promotes dignity, choice and sustainable solutions.

Above all, you will share our commitment to preventing homelessness and supporting stronger, more resilient communities.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Information:

To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact our dedicating Housing Needs inbox via email at HNASapplications@southwark.gov.uk

Additional Information

• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Location: 25 Bournemouth Road, Peckham, London, SE15 4UJ
• Type of contract: Permanent

Benefits and more information:

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Friday 14th August 2026

Shortlisting date/s: 17th - 19th August 2026

Interview date/s: Week commencing 7th September 2026

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans

Are currently in care, or have previously been in care

If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

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Attachments

• Housing Solutions Visiting Officer