Job Description
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
An opportunity has arisen within the Housing Solutions Service for the role of Homeless Prevention Officer. The role is part-time (18.5 hours per week) on a permanent contract.
Reporting to the Housing Solutions Team Leader, you will work with customers with complex needs, including ex-offenders, customers with significant mental ill health and customers who are in hospital but cannot be safely discharged home. You will carry out homeless assessments and ensure the local authority fulfils its statutory duties.
You will work in partnership with partner agencies, including probation, health and social care services, providing effective service access to housing and support services for vulnerable people who are at risk of homelessness.
We offer a full induction programme, including:
- In-house training delivered by our management team
- A buddy system, pairing you with more a experienced officer
- Bitesize 90-minute training modules delivered by the housing charity, Shelter
- Shadowing of other relevant teams to see how you would interlink with them
You will have a strong commitment to excellent customer care, equality, diversity and inclusion.
You will be dealing with people face to face in potentially difficult situations, and managing and prioritising a complex caseload. You will be able to work with vulnerable people and non-judgemental in your outlook and approach.
What you'll get to do.
• To assist in the provision of a comprehensive homeless & housing advice service in order to give comprehensive and consistent information on housing solutions in Gateshead. The focus of this advice will ensure customers are helped to obtain or sustain suitable accommodation
• To investigate cases of homelessness and potential homelessness and arrange placements into temporary accommodation as required. To ensure that the Authority’s statutory duty towards vulnerable homeless people is met • To work closely with community-based mental health teams and other services to prevent homelessness by enabling customers to remain in their current homes or by assisting them in obtaining alternative accommodation. This could include attending MDT meetings
• To work closely with hospital discharge teams and other services to ensure seamless transition from hospital to home or alternative accommodation, including attending discharge planning meetings
• Acting as a point of contact for professionals from health and social care organisations to access Gateshead’s Housing Department and for other teams within housing to access health and social care organisation. Promotion of the service to other services and professionals
• To identify barriers to gaining suitable housing and working in a problem-solving way to remove those barriers. To identify gaps in service provision and advising managers and commissioning of these so that they can be addressed, where possible
• To ensure clients access practical support and services or advice to reduce the risk of homelessness and promote sustainable independent living. This includes referrals to supported accommodation and floating or outreach support providers • To use effective risk assessment tools to identify risks and undertake appropriate actions
• To work with other services to safeguard vulnerable customers, attending multi agency and complex case meetings, where appropriate
• To work within a multi-agency framework, communicating effectively with other professionals, family members and clients ensuring that there is a co-ordinated response to support. This may include attending MDT Meetings and ensuring accurate and complete information is shared, as appropriate, within GDPR guidelines
• To adhere to performance and monitoring requirements, complying with systems to monitor data and outcomes to ensure records are up to date and provide quarterly case studies when required by the Homelessness Prevention and Pathway Manager
• Adhere to policies and procedures regarding working practices and service delivery. This will include; Safeguarding Children and Adults, Health and Safety, General Data Protection Regulations, Equality and Diversity and Code of Conduct • Any such responsibilities allocation which are appropriate to the grade of the post
What you'll bring.
• Homelessness, housing, health and social care
• Equality and Diversity
• Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
• Data input & Microsoft office packages
• Working in a customer focused environment
• Working with vulnerable clients with complex needs
• Dealing with people face to face in potentially difficult situations
• Working within a multi-agency framework
• Managing a complex caseload
• Effective time management
• Full UK driving license
What’s in it for you
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience. Salary £32,061 - £34,434 pro rata to hours worked
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
- Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
How to apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.