Summary
We have an excellent opportunity to join our friendly Housing Solutions Team. As a level 2 apprentice, you will assist the Homelessness Accommodation team in delivering temporary accommodation services.
Wage
£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 8.45am – 5.15pm, Friday 8.45am – 4.45pm.
37 hours a week
Start date
Monday 2 March 2026
Duration
1 year 3 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The role involves handling public contact via telephone, emails and face-to-face, as well as undertaking administrative and operational tasks to support the effective and efficient operation of the Council’s temporary accommodation.
Respond to queries on behalf of the team by providing information, or direct clients to the appropriate officer as required.
Carry out administrative duties including:
* Recording accommodation placements within a client’s homeless application
* Collating and updating databases accurately
* Accompanying officers on site visits and inspections as appropriate
* Arranging client appointments for completing housing benefit forms
Develop knowledge of Council services to respond effectively to customer queries.
Attending training sessions and team meetings, contributing to the development of the team.
Build strong community links and partnerships with relevant agencies.
Where you'll work
88-90 Pier Avenue
Clacton-On-Sea
CO15 1TN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL
Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Use a range of questioning skills, including listening and responding in a way that builds rapport, determines customer needs and expectations and achieves positive engagement and delivery.
* Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
* Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
* Depending on your job role and work environment: Use an appropriate ‘tone of voice’ in all communications, including written and digital, that reflect the organisation’s brand.
* Provide clear explanations and offer options in order to help customers make choices that are mutually beneficial to both the customer and your organisation.
* Be able to organise yourself, prioritise your own workload/activity and work to meet deadlines.
* Demonstrate patience and calmness.
* Show you understand the customer’s point of view.
* Use appropriate sign-posting or resolution to meet your customers needs and manage expectations.
* Maintain informative communication during service recovery.
Training schedule
The Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard at Level 2 combines the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of the standard and includes functional skills in maths and English.
Delivery will be in the workplace with an assessor or coach through a combination of assessing, coaching, training and mentoring.
The minimum duration on the apprenticeship is 12 months, with an additional 3 months for an externally assessed end point assessment. A total of 15 months plus functional skills if required. Prior learning and experience will also be taken into consideration.
Further information on the standard can be viewed here -
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4)
* maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Administrative skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Empathy
Other requirements
This apprenticeship will be based in our offices in Pier Avenue, Clacton. However, there will be a requirement to work intermittently at Spendells House, Walton on Naze.