Location
London Borough of Tower Hamlets, based at the new Whitechapel award-winning building with excellent transport links.

Hours
Full Time - Hours not specified

Salary
£44,235 per annum

About the Role
The HOST Team is seeking a committed and experienced Homelessness Officer to join the Housing Options and Homelessness Service. This frontline role within the HOST Complex Team supports single clients with complex needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The successful candidate will primarily work from the office delivering face-to-face homelessness assessments and providing tailored housing advice and support. Flexibility to work in the community, including with hostel providers, health professionals, and other key partners, is essential.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small, supportive team that values collaboration, shared responsibility, and high standards of customer care. The HOST Complex Team plays a vital role in preventing homelessness and helping vulnerable residents access safe and sustainable housing solutions.

Purpose of the Role
To provide a specialist homelessness prevention and housing options service to single clients with complex support needs. The postholder will carry out statutory homelessness assessments, issue s184 decision letters, and work collaboratively with internal and external partners to identify sustainable housing solutions.

Key Responsibilities
- Conduct statutory homelessness assessments in line with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
- Issue legally compliant s184 decision letters and provide clear, written advice outlining housing options and next steps.
- Support vulnerable residents with complex needs including mental health, substance misuse, and offending history.
- Develop and agree housing pathways with clients, including referrals to supported accommodation and other housing options.
- Liaise with hostel providers, social care, probation, health services, and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support and placements.
- Represent the council at multi-agency meetings, including hospital discharge planning and case conferences.
- Maintain accurate, timely casework records and contribute to the achievement of HOST KPIs and service improvement targets.
- Support the delivery of homelessness prevention initiatives and participate in service development activities.

Working Environment
Based at the new Whitechapel building, the role requires working on-site and flexibly in the community as needed. The postholder will be part of a small, supportive team that values collaboration, shared responsibility, and high standards of customer care.

Values and Culture
The postholder is expected to embody the council’s TOWER values:
- Together – working across boundaries and with partners to achieve the best outcomes.
- Open – transparent and inclusive in communication and decision-making.
- Willing – to challenge, innovate, and take accountability.
- Excellent – going the extra mile to deliver high-quality services.
- Respect – for all communities, recognising diversity and promoting inclusion.

Experience
- Demonstrable experience working in homelessness services or a closely related field.
- Strong understanding of housing legislation, homelessness duties, and prevention strategies.
- Experience issuing s184 decision letters and managing statutory casework.
- Familiarity with the Care Act, Equality Act, and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals and managing complex cases.

About you
- Excellent communication skills, able to engage sensitively and effectively with clients and stakeholders.
- Strong negotiation and advocacy skills, able to broker housing solutions and navigate complex systems.
- Ability to work independently, manage a caseload, and meet deadlines.
- Flexibility to work across the community and adapt to changing service needs.
- Collaborative approach to team working and partnership engagement.
- IT proficiency, including use of case management systems and Microsoft Office.

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated; however, relevant experience and knowledge of housing legislation and homelessness services are essential.

Training and Development
Tower Hamlets is committed to professional development, offering ongoing training in housing law, safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and customer care. Staff have access to internal and external development programmes and support to progress within the Housing Options service and wider council.

Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
- Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years’ service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.
- Staff money-saving schemes such as rent deposit loans and season ticket loans.
- Learning and development opportunities through the Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.