Housing Solutions Officer (Homelessness Relief) Ref: 43-25

Job Advert

Salary: Grade 8, starting at £31,645 per annum
Hours: Full time, 37 per week
Basis: Permanent
Place of Work: Working from offices in Dereham and Thetford and some home working

Would you like a job where what you do:

makes a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in your community?
ensures excellent quality of advice and assistance given to people threatened with homelessness as a result of domestic abuse?

We have recently reviewed and changed how we deliver our homelessness services so we are looking for someone to join the team to help continue the steady success we have had in reducing temporary accommodation use and officer caseloads. This role focuses mostly on the relief of homelessness as well as the main decision duty investigation and decision making.

If you have a good understanding of how to interpret and implement legislation and have the qualities we value, then this could be the right role for you.

About you:

The type of person that you are and your attitude is just as important to us as your working experience. People like dealing with you because you make things easy for them to understand and you focus on and listen to what they say. You are empathetic and will do whatever you can to help, which allows you to quickly establish rapport and build strong relationships. You provide fair and accurate feedback to others, helping them to believe in themselves, see what they are capable of achieving and create the conditions for people to grow and develop for themselves. You are quite happy to take responsibility for your own decisions and accountabilities.

You will deal sensitively with situations that may be challenging but require clear and logical decisions to be made. You keep going no matter how difficult things get, and use setbacks as a springboard for greater success. You have an inner composure whatever the situation and are exceptionally well-organised, ensuring that everything you do is accurate and error free. Although you plan your work out in advance, you regularly re-prioritise to manage changing demands. Although you like to work within fixed guidelines you enjoy working out how things can be improved or done better.

You are passionate about providing the best possible service for our residents.

OK, I'm interested... But is it really the job for me?

As a Housing Solutions Officer you will:

Provide customers approaching the Council with timely and comprehensive housing advice and information and support to access services covering a range of housing issues including:
- Housing and tenancy rights in both private and social rented sectors and for homeowners.
- Financial advice including housing and welfare benefits, maximising income and tackling debt
- Housing options including private rented sector, housing register, specialist accommodation such as refuges, low cost home ownership, etc.
- The Council's statutory duties under the homelessness legislation
Give advice on the wide range of housing options available to clients in differing circumstances, including the signposting clients to relevant third parties
Take a proactive approach to the relief of homelessness through the use of a comprehensive toolkit, including applying for Discretionary Housing Payments, negotiating with landlords and applying to charities for assistance to name but a few.
Undertake homelessness relief casework, managing a varied and complex caseload.
Interpret and apply homelessness legislation.
Make robust decisions and write detailed legal decision letters.
Carry out an investigation if the 56-day homelessness relief duty is triggered (as defined by the Homelessness Prevention Act 2017) and make a Main Duty decision.
Carry out a thorough interview to accurately understand the clients' housing and support needs, maintaining accurate and detailed case notes.

Please see the job description and person specification for more a comprehensive list of duties and for the qualities needed.

Closing date - 9am, Monday 27 October 2025