Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? West Berkshire Council is seeking a dedicated and motivated Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer to join our Housing Service. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the prevention and relief of homelessness, working within a supportive and collaborative environment.

The Role

Responsibilities

As a Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer, you will report to the Homelessness Prevention & Relief Team Leader and play a vital role in delivering high-quality housing advice and support to individuals and families at risk of homelessness. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting thorough assessments of housing needs and providing appropriate advice and assistance.
• Implementing homelessness prevention measures to help individuals maintain their current accommodation.
• Working collaboratively with external agencies and organisations to secure suitable housing options.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and maintaining accurate case records.
• Providing support and guidance to individuals throughout the homelessness relief process.

We are looking for a candidate with the following skills and attributes:

• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness legislation, including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience in providing housing advice and support to individuals facing homelessness.
• Strong assessment and intervention skills, with the ability to identify and implement effective prevention measures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with clients and external stakeholders.
• Organisational skills and the ability to manage a diverse caseload effectively.

If you are passionate about supporting individuals in need and have the skills to make a positive impact, we would love to hear from you.

Why Work for West Berkshire Council?

West Berkshire Council is committed to being an employer of choice and offers a range of excellent employment benefits, including:

• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance.
• Access to a wide range of relevant training and professional development opportunities.
• Local government pension scheme for financial security in the future.
• Family-friendly policies to support your personal and professional commitments.
• A range of local discounts, offering great savings on shopping, dining, and leisure activities.
• 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.

In addition to these benefits, you will be working within a supportive and inclusive organisation that values collaboration and community engagement.

If you would like to learn more about this role, please contact Sharon Davis, Homelessness Prevention & Relief Team Leader, on [insert phone number] or email ***email_hidden***

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

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