Homelessness & Prevention Officer

3 months Contract with a Local Authority

Job Purpose

As a Homelessness & Prevention Officer, you will work directly with individuals and families who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, delivering housing advice, prevention activities, and statutory homelessness assessments. You will help customers secure sustainable housing solutions while ensuring compliance with the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002, and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Interview customers and assess their housing circumstances and needs.
  
  
  


• Provide tailored housing advice and homelessness prevention support.
  
  
  


• Carry out homelessness assessments under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
  
  
  


• Manage homelessness applications from initial enquiry through to decision.
  
  
  


• Complete statutory decision-making and issue formal decisions.
  
  
  


• Create and monitor Personal Housing Plans (PHPs).
  
  
  


• Work proactively to prevent and relieve homelessness.
  
  
  


• Undertake mediation, negotiation, and reconciliation with landlords, family members, and other parties.
  
  
  


• Conduct home visits where required.
  
  
  


• Arrange suitable temporary accommodation when necessary.
  
  
  


• Assist customers in accessing private rented accommodation and social housing.
  
  
  


• Assess Housing Register applications.
  
  
  


• Administer Homelessness Prevention Grants and Loans.
  
  
  


• Liaise with external agencies, support providers, health professionals, landlords, and partner organisations.
  
  
  


• Maintain accurate case records and complete HCLIC reporting requirements.
  
  
  


• Support vulnerable clients and make referrals to support services.
  
  
  


• Represent the Council at meetings, case conferences, tribunals, and court proceedings where required.
  
  
  


• Work collaboratively across Housing Advice and Benefits services.
  
  
  

Essential Experience Required

• 
  

  Strong experience working within a Homelessness Prevention or Housing Options team.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Extensive knowledge of:
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
    
    
    
  
  
  • Housing Act 1996 (Part VI & Part VII)
    
    
    
  
  
  • Homelessness Act 2002
    
    
    
  
  
  • Homelessness Code of Guidance
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  

  Experience assessing homelessness applications.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience conducting customer interviews and housing needs assessments.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience carrying out statutory homelessness decision-making.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience preventing homelessness through negotiation and housing options interventions.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience managing complex homelessness caseloads.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience creating and managing Personal Housing Plans.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience arranging temporary accommodation.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience working with vulnerable clients.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Experience liaising with external agencies and partners.
  
  
  

  
  


• 
  

  Strong report writing, communication, and case management skills.
  
  
  

  
  

Essential Qualifications Required

• Full UK Driving Licence.
  
  
  


• Access to a vehicle for undertaking home visits.
  
  
  


• Basic DBS Check.
  
  
  


• Right to Work in the UK.
  
  
  

Additional Information to Note

• Working hours: 37 hours per week.
  
  
  


• Monday to Friday.
  
  
  


• 09:00 – 17:30.
  
  
  


• Location: Town Hall, Rugby Borough Council.
  
  
  


• Hybrid working available.
  
  
  


• Minimum 2 days per week office attendance required.
  
  
  


• Remaining days can be worked remotely.
  
  
  


• Initial contract expected to be at least 3 months.
  
  
  


• Interview process will assess homelessness legislation knowledge and decision-making experience.
  
  
  


• Supplier Submission Deadline: 19st October 2026.
  
  
  


• We work on bi-weekly payment schedule.
  
  
  


• Apply ASAP.