Housing Needs Officer

Job Title: Housing Needs Officer

Contract Type: Temporary / Contract

Organisation: Slough Borough Council

Rate: £28.49 per hour (Umbrella)

Role Purpose

Slough Borough Council is seeking an experienced Housing Needs Officer to deliver a high-quality housing needs and homelessness service. The postholder will assess housing applications, provide housing advice, and make statutory decisions in line with homelessness legislation, ensuring vulnerable residents receive appropriate and timely support.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess housing need and homelessness applications in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (as amended).
• Make statutory homelessness decisions, including prevention, relief, and main duty decisions.
• Complete Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) and provide tailored housing advice and support.
• Manage a caseload of households, including vulnerable clients and those with complex needs.
• Conduct interviews, investigations, and inquiries to determine eligibility, priority need, and local connection.
• Liaise with internal services and external agencies to support homelessness prevention and sustain tenancies.
• Accurately record casework, decisions, and correspondence on housing management systems.
• Issue statutory letters and ensure decisions are legally robust and within timescales.
• Respond to reviews, appeals, and challenges where required.
• Work in line with safeguarding procedures, equality duties, and council policies.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience working as a Housing Needs Officer, Homelessness Officer, or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation, including Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Experience making statutory homelessness decisions and completing PHPs.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and meet statutory deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills with a professional and empathetic approach.
• Confident IT skills and experience using housing case management systems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience working within a local authority housing options or homelessness service.
• Knowledge of Slough Borough Council systems and procedures.
• Experience dealing with complex cases, reviews, or legal challenges.

Additional Information

• Temporary contract role.
• £28.49 per hour (Umbrella).
• Hybrid working may be available, subject to service requirements.
• Enhanced DBS may be required.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.