Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer - 05348

Newbury, England, United Kingdom

8/12/2025

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals and families at risk of homelessness? West Berkshire Council is seeking a dedicated and motivated Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer to join our Housing Service team. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality homelessness prevention and relief services within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority.

The Role

Responsibilities

As a Homelessness Prevention & Relief Officer, you will play a crucial role in providing advice, support, and assistance to individuals seeking help with homelessness. Working under the guidance of the Homelessness Prevention & Relief Team Leader, you will be responsible for:

• Conducting thorough assessments of applicants' needs and determining appropriate courses of action.
• Providing advice and information on housing options, rights, and responsibilities.
• Implementing effective homelessness prevention measures, including negotiation with landlords and securing alternative accommodation.
• Managing a caseload of individuals and families, ensuring timely and accurate record-keeping and decision making.
• Collaborating with external agencies and organisations to facilitate support services.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of homelessness prevention initiatives.
  
  

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness legislation, including the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Housing Act 1996.
• Experience in providing advice and support to individuals facing housing difficulties.
• Strong assessment and case management skills, with the ability to handle complex situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with clients and collaborate with external partners.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

West Berkshire Council Offer Excellent Employment Benefits Such As

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-21.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• 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

For an informal discussion to learn more about the role, please contact Sharon Davis on 01635 503229 or email [email protected]

Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of our residents. Apply now to become part of our dedicated team at West Berkshire Council.

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.

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