Housing and Welfare Officer
Location: Walsall (Hybrid – 2 days per week in office)
Contract Type: Temporary – 3 months (possibility of extension)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: £18.00 per hour (PAYE)
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Start Date: ASAP
About the Role
Optima Staffing Solutions is seeking a Housing and Welfare Officer to join Walsall Council’s Customer Engagement Service. This is a hybrid role offering an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in supporting residents across the borough with housing and welfare needs.
The successful candidate will provide a professional, responsive, and effective service on all housing and welfare matters — including homelessness prevention, income maximisation, and the promotion of welfare rights.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide housing and welfare advice and support to residents, ensuring excellent standards of customer care.
* Prevent and resolve homelessness wherever possible, in line with statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII).
* Assess and process homelessness applications, making legally compliant decisions.
* Advise clients on tenancy obligations, housing benefit claims, and welfare entitlements.
* Support customers in securing and maintaining suitable accommodation in both the public and private rented sectors.
* Work closely with internal teams and external agencies to provide holistic support to vulnerable clients.
* Represent customers in tribunals or court hearings relating to housing and welfare matters.
* Maintain accurate case records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with council policies and data protection standards.
* Manage referrals to other services (e.g. mental health, substance misuse, ex-offender support) when complex needs are identified.
* Participate in rota-based standby and out-of-hours emergency cover as required.
Key Skills and Experience
* Proven experience working in Housing and Welfare services within a local authority or similar setting.
* In-depth understanding of homelessness legislation, welfare benefits, housing allocations, and residential tenancy law.
* Strong ability to assess housing needs and make sound decisions based on legislation and guidance.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to represent clients effectively.
* Ability to manage complex caseloads, prioritise workloads, and meet deadlines under pressure.
* A customer-focused approach, with sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable individuals.
* Strong partnership-working skills and the ability to collaborate across multi-agency teams.
Qualifications
* Minimum of 5 GCSEs (Grades A–C) including English and Maths, or equivalent.
* Evidence of continuous professional development in housing, welfare, or related disciplines.
Additional Information
* Must be willing to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends to meet service demands.
* Awareness of and commitment to equality, diversity, confidentiality, and data protection principles.
Why Work with Optima Staffing Solutions
At Optima Staffing Solutions, we partner with local authorities and care providers to deliver meaningful employment opportunities that strengthen communities. You’ll receive dedicated support throughout your assignment, competitive pay rates, and access to future opportunities within the public sector.