Overview
The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a dedicated and proactive professional to take on the role of Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer within the Housing Services Division.
This vital position is at the forefront of preventing and relieving homelessness for households in housing need. You will provide intensive, specialist support to individuals and families, helping them sustain existing accommodation or secure suitable housing solutions. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will conduct statutory homelessness assessments, negotiate with landlords and other stakeholders, and develop personalised housing plans to prevent homelessness wherever possible.
A core focus of the role is empowering households to find sustainable solutions to their housing crisis, while ensuring compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and other relevant legislation. You will provide practical advice on housing options, welfare rights, and tenancy support, and work collaboratively with internal teams, external agencies, and landlords to deliver positive outcomes. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication, and the ability to manage complex cases under pressure.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, or substantial relevant work experience.
- Comprehensive knowledge of core legislation, including the Housing Act 1985, Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Homelessness Act 2002, and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, as well as related case law.
- A good working knowledge of housing benefit rules and the supply and demand issues related to public and private housing in a London borough.
- Detailed understanding of the private rented sector, the council’s statutory function to protect citizens from illegal eviction, county court possession proceedings, and prevention tools and options.
- Expert knowledge of homelessness policy and practice, and a deep understanding of national and local welfare and housing systems.
- Outstanding customer service skills, including the ability to explain technical information simply and provide sensitive, effective support to vulnerable customers.
- Experience of giving advice and information in a busy, front-line customer-focused environment.
- Strong negotiation, advocacy, and mediation skills, with experience of interviewing homeless applicants and handling sensitive information.
- Ability to gather and interpret complex information quickly, think creatively about problems, and identify practical solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write detailed technical letters and reports, and devise Personalised Housing Plans.
- Ability to organise and monitor workload, prioritise competing demands, and work effectively under pressure to meet statutory deadlines and performance targets.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening and the ability to maintain positive working relationships with customers and stakeholders.
This post will require a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, travel for business purposes, and occasional work outside normal office hours.
Related Documents
For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria
