Job title: Housing Advisor - Temporary Accommodation Outreach
Salary: C3 £31,067 - £32,654
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Various
As a Housing Advisor Outreach Worker, you’ll thrive on working with vulnerable adults across the community and supporting them to improve their housing situation. You will enjoy partnership working and play an active role in achieving positive outcomes for our customers.
The Outreach Housing Advisor will be responsible for delivering targeted, personalised housing advice to individuals living in Temporary Accommodation, hotels, dispersed accommodation, and other community settings. You will support people with a range of housing needs to understand their options, access appropriate services, and progress towards sustainable, independent living.
A key part of the role is supporting move‑on work, ensuring that residents in temporary or supported accommodation can transition into suitable long‑term housing. You will help remove barriers, promote throughput within the system, and work proactively with partners to secure appropriate accommodation. The post holder will also assist individuals to access mainstream housing services, helping reduce blockages and improving customer journeys across the service.
Application guidance
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The post will also be on the Leeds City Council site. The post holder will contribute to providing integrated packages of housing advice and support to people to enable them to live independent, safe, and fulfilling lives in the community using a strengths-based approach. The post holder will be customer focused and motivated to give the best possible service to the people we support. Within this role you will have the opportunity to build and develop excellent partnership skills by working with a range of independent and 3rd sector organisations and building connections with supported accommodation providers securing suitable accommodation for individuals who are ready to move on. You will be responsible for managing your own caseload, including completing housing applications and referrals for support and accommodation and creating move on from Temporary Accommodation provisions. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Housing Advisor Outreach worker, you will bring to the role:
passionate about partnership working, working with vulnerable clients Building pathways from Temporary Accommodation. Customer focused and motivated to give the service to the people we support Knowledge of general housing advise.
About the role
Provide appropriate housing advice and support to people in temporary accommodation provisions, support there move on and standards of TA – working on any temporary accommodation leasing schemes, supporting with referrals for furnishings and move on of furnishings from provisions. Home visits would be carried out, working with private landlords, RSL, LCC and supported provisions.
Support individuals who are will be moving on from Temporary accommodation provisions to progress along their housing pathways to move to mainstream housing, working closely with partners commissioned and none commissioned. Working closely with private sector, housing manager supported providers within commissioned services, and none commissioned services, private landlords through leasing schemes. Adult social service and children’s social services. Understand the needs of and work with people who are being supported by multiple agencies and contribute to the package of support in relation to housing to promote independence in a safe environment. Promote the support and development of tenants by the provision of practical, social, support services.
Link in effectively with wider support services supporting individuals throughout the housing process and transition into secure accommodation. Facilitate tenants with housing applications and housing related appointments, such as viewings, and signups. On rehousing, support tenants to make links with other housing services for ongoing support to ensure maximum resettlement success. Liaise with other agencies children services and adult social care. Creating move on options and solutions for families and singles to longer term secure housing solutions. Organise and attend professionals’ meetings where appropriate. Accurately complete all necessary documentation and log these in the systems.
Respect the confidential nature of the work and ensure that tenants are aware of the Councils policies relating to customers access to files and to work within the appropriate information sharing protocol and the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR). Mobilise outside resources where appropriate, i.e., family, recreational, educational, cultural, occupational, legal, physical aids, and adaptations, medical, psychiatric, benefit payments, volunteer services, and day opportunities services. Support people to access funding streams for furnishing and decorating their new property. Carry a caseload of individuals/ properties/ hotels.
As our next Housing Advisor Outreach worker, you’ll be integral to our Leeds Housing Options Team, working alongside temporary accommodation team the wider Leeds housing options service.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience,
with benefits including:
1. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
2. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
3. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
4. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
5. a range of to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact (Principle Housing managers – Charlotte Monier
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least
£41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
The post holder will take lead responsibility for managing a portfolio of approximately 150 emergency access and other supported housing units commissioned by the Council as temporary accommodation for homeless people. The post holder will be responsible for the timely and appropriate move-on from these units, taking lead responsibility for all aspects of the re-housing process, to ensure that homeless people can be rehoused as swiftly as possible, placements are minimised and the cost to the Council of temporary accommodation placements is closely controlled. The post holder will also be responsible for liaising with commissioned services to determine the suitability of referrals to the temporary Accommodation units.
In addition to the above, the post holder will also undertake the standard Housing Advisor functions including offering housing advice to prevent or relieve homelessness and carrying out assessments of housing need/duty in accordance with the statutory framework.
The post holder will be based with the Leeds Housing Options Service.
Responsibilities:
Take lead responsibility for case managing a portfolio of approximately 150 emergency and temporary accommodation units commissioned by the Council Take lead responsibility for delivering swift move on from the commissioned temporary accommodation including all aspects of the re-housing process Lead on the day to day contact with the commissioned temporary accommodation service providers Be responsible for providing regular updates to service management on placements made, move-ons achieved and total number of placements Deliver a face to face housing options service, in accordance with Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended) to people who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or in some of housing need, at a variety of locations including the Leeds Housing Options Service at Merrion House. Deliver a telephone based, or using other mediums such as email, housing options service Take responsibility for caseload of homeless and housing need cases Carry out homeless and other additional need assessments in accordance with Part VI and Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended) Write homeless decision letters in accordance with the legal framework Liaise with supported housing and other temporary accommodation providers to secure suitable temporary accommodation for people owed such a housing duty Help people to secure private rented options through the Private Sector Lettings scheme and through other routes such as requesting a Homeless Prevention Fund payment Help people to access mediation services as required Help young people to access youth mediation services as required Help people to access Sanctuary scheme funding as required Help deliver a mortgage and tenancy advice service as required Prepare Homeless Prevention Fund applications as Required Assist service managers in the quality assurance of service delivery by providing case work information held in case files or IT systems, decision letters and financial payments Help develop partnering arrangements between the Leeds Housing Options Service and other public, private and third sector organisations Work flexibly to help deliver an effective Housing Options Service Attend meetings and forums as required relating to the delivery of the Housing Options Service Undertake any other duties as required commensurate with the responsibilities and grade of the post Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and Equality & Diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Qualifications:
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the
Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements
Skills Required
6. Demonstrate evidence of problem solving, analytical and social skills required to provide a housing options service to vulnerable people
7. Demonstrate excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing Ability to use a range of ICT applications including Word and email and to be able to word process reports Ability to extract and analyse information sourced from different ICT systems
8. Ability to work as part of a team Ability to work in partnership with a range of public, private and third sector organisations
9. Ability to identify support needs
10. Ability to identify safeguarding concerns and escalate them appropriately
11. Ability to deal with people who are displaying challenging behaviour
Knowledge Required
12. Awareness of housing options law and policy
13. Awareness of the needs of homeless people and others in housing need
14. Awareness of services in Leeds for homeless people and others in housing need
15. Knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities law and policy
16. Awareness of safeguarding policy and practice
Experience Required
17. Experience of working in a busy team environment
18. Experience of working in a multi-agency partnership environment
19. Experience of writing and reports Experience of working with homeless and other people in housing need
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
20. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
21. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
22. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
23. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
24. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
25. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
26. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
27. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
28. Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
29. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
30. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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