Homelessness prevention officer

Homelessness prevention officers give advice and practical help to people who are homeless, or who are at risk of becoming homeless. They also try to find ways of preventing homelessness.

Also known as:

Homeless persons officer
Housing officer (homelessness)

Work activities

Homelessness prevention officers meet with people in their homes or at local council offices. They help families and single people by giving information, advice and practical help, where appropriate. At an initial interview, the officer talks with the client to find out their housing situation. The action taken will depend on the needs of the client. The officer’s intervention can prevent people from becoming homeless. Where relevant, they contact and work with those who can help. This could include family and friends, private landlords and mortgage companies.

Homelessness prevention officers aim to offer both short-term and long-term solutions. While people are living in temporary accommodation, the officer provides advice and information about permanent housing and other tenancy matters. Prevention of homelessness through raising awareness is another aspect of an officer’s role. This can include producing leaflets and posters and giving public talks on housing issues.

Officers sometimes represent their service or council at public meetings. They can also be involved in the development of the council’s homelessness strategy, through their hands-on work and research.

Some officers travel locally, to inspect council and other temporary accommodation, and to carry out follow-up visits to people the council has rehoused. Homelessness prevention officers are usually involved in the council’s out-of-hours emergency service, meaning some evening and/or weekend work is likely.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

Good communication and interviewing skills, to find out the information you need to make accurate assessments.
To be able to work on your own initiative and manage your own caseload.
Good people skills and a non-judgmental attitude, as you’ll be working with a wide range of people, who are experiencing difficulties.
Strong writing ability to be able to produce accurate and easily understood reports.
To be able to prioritise, where appropriate, to meet deadlines.
Awareness and understanding of the law relating to housing issues.
Most employers require you to hold a full driving licence.

A number of key skills have been identified by employers in the sector:

Good customer service skills.
An ability to work in teams.
Good management and leadership skills.
The ability to deal with conflict.
The ability to understand government policy in areas related to benefits.
Good communication skills.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Homelessness prevention officers earn in the range of £21,000, rising to £35,000 with experience.

Homelessness prevention officers work a 37-39 hour week, normally with some evening and weekend work. Flexible work patterns and part-time work are available.

Local authorities continue make spending cuts due to Government austerity. Some services might be shared between councils. This might mean a freeze on recruitment in most areas.

Employers are local authority housing departments, housing associations and voluntary/charitable organisations. Opportunities for homelessness prevention officers occur with housing organisations in towns and cities throughout the UK. More opportunities occur in larger cities, where homelessness is more likely.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the LG jobs website, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

Different local authorities’ requirements vary, although most will ask that you have specific housing-related knowledge. Some local authorities will ask for a minimum of four GCSEs at grades 9-4. This should include English and maths. However, there will be some authorities which ask for higher level qualifications such as A-levels, or even degrees.

A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship programme is available in the role of housing and property management assistant. This could be a good way to enter this career path. You’ll mostly train on the job and complete work-based qualifications at the same time.

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) would be useful, as would knowledge of housing legislation. The CIH offers a number of courses at different levels, some of which can be studied by distance learning.

Within local authorities, there are fixed progression routes for people working in housing. For officers/managers, the next step would be to senior officer positions.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Jobs that involve working with children, disabled people and the vulnerable are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements for entry vary, ranging from four GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English and maths, to A-levels or equivalent, and relevant qualifications in housing studies. Some entrants are graduates.

For entry to a relevant degree course, the usual minimum requirement is:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English and maths.

Other qualifications are often acceptable as alternatives to A-levels, for example:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, entry requirements for different courses vary, so check university prospectuses for more details.

To do a relevant HNC, HND or foundation degree, you will usually need:

One A-level or equivalent
A GCSE or equivalent at grades 9-4 in your A-level subject
A further three to four GCSEs at grades 9-4.

To get onto an intermediate apprenticeship programme, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Applicants are expected to have working knowledge of housing legislation, and understanding of homelessness issues. Experience in a housing advice or housing support role is normally essential.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) offers relevant courses at a number of levels. All are available by distance learning.

A range of colleges and universities offer degrees in housing studies, including at Master’s level. This subject is often studied in combination with social policy. Study can be part time/flexible or via distance learning.

Related careers

Housing assistant
Housing officer
Social worker