Trainee Housing Advisor/Housing Advisor - Hybrid Role
£32,925 - £39,264 per annum (based on experience)
*** Excellent terms and conditions including flexi time and working from home up to 4 days a week after initial 2 week introduction ***
Housing Advisors work on the frontline of the London Housing crisis. Your role will be to work as part of a team taking applications for those in housing need and determining what assistance the Authority is able to give.
Homelessness in London is a big problem with more than 6500 households approaching London Borough of Newham alone last year. Homelessness is as a result of private sector evictions, it’s the result of overcrowded families, it’s the result of domestic abuse.
The role can be challenging but also rewarding. The right candidates have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of hundreds of residents across Newham.
This is an excellent role for starting a career in housing, with clear opportunities for progression.
Interesting, challenging, fulfilling and never boring.
About the job
Newham Homelessness Prevention & Advice Service (HPAS) is undergoing a continued programme of improvement as we seek to meet the high level of demand whilst providing an excellent service to our residents.
As part of this programme, Newham HPAS has recruited a housing advice training manager and we are seeking to recruit and train the next generation of Housing Advisors. Within this team you will be supported by a team leader and two senior officers, to progress from making initial enquiries to becoming a fully trained and experienced housing advisor, opening the door to significant possibilities of progression.
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who have some background either in housing, homelessness or a relevant public sector field. You need to demonstrate that you have taken some time to understand the causes of homelessness, the responsibilities that the Local Authority has and the difficulties for Local Authorities in addressing the problem.
Starting as a trainee, you will undergo a tailored training programme with direct peer support. As a Trainee you will triage homeless applicants, getting to understand the challenges faced by residents through experience whilst being supported by the training team. Progression will be based on your abilities with the possibility of becoming a Housing Advisor starting at £37,443 within a year.
For candidates who are already experienced Housing Advisors you will be able to start at the experienced trainee (SO1) or full officer (SO2) level. Job offers will be made on either a fixed term or permanent basis and will be discussed with you if invited to an interview.
What Newham can offer
You do not need to have prior PVII homeless experience although it is preferred. If you do not have experience you need to demonstrate an ability to seek out relevant legislation with the ability to explain it to the panel.
We will provide you with relevant training to undertake the role and start your career in housing and homelessness.
We offer flexible working, with the possibility of working from home up to 4 days a week.
Your skills
You should have experience of:
1. dealing with a diverse and vulnerable clientele, either face-to-face, on the phone or through email.
2. working in a service within a pressurised and high profile environment within a multi-disciplinary team, providing a quality service.
3. achieving performance targets and meeting departmental objectives
4. providing quality advice and information to members of the public and of handling complaints and enquiries
5. producing high quality written communications to a corporate standard
Closing date 13/05/2024
To Apply (Please Read!)
You must submit a supporting statement through our recruitment portal. The supporting statement must demonstrate how you meet the relevant requirements listed in the person specification section of the job description. This should be no more than 2 sides of A4.
If you do not currently understand the homelessness legislation you must demonstrate that you have sought to understand the basics doing research with the large amount of resources available. Applications which demonstrate no attempt to understand the legislation or make no reference to the legislative framework are unlikely to be successful. Applications which do not contain a personal statement, do not reference the legislation or are longer than 2 sides are likely to be dismissed.
For those who wish to learn more about these roles, what the team does, how the training programme works and who will be supporting you, a 1 hour online meeting will be arranged. The team will take FAQs and introduce themselves to you. If you are interested in joining this, please contact us
.