Homeless jobs in BeckenhamCreate job alerts

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Benefits Officer to support a busy Local Authority Revenues & Benefits team. You will be responsible for the accurate assessment and processing of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims, ensuring compliance with current legislation and delivering a high-quality service to residents. This is a fully remote position with an immediate start available. Key Responsibilities • Assess and process claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, • Administer Discretionary Financial Support schemes, including Homeless Prevention Grants, • Ensure all work is completed in line with relevant legislation and local policies, • Maintain accurate records and case notes on the system, • Calculate entitlements and verify supporting documentation, • Handle customer queries across multiple channels (phone, email, written correspondence), • Work to performance targets and turnaround times ✅ Requirements • Minimum 3 years’ experience assessing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims, • Strong working knowledge of relevant Benefits legislation and procedures, • Experience using Northgate / NEC Revenues & Benefits system (essential), • Ability to manage a high-volume caseload accurately and efficiently, • Strong numerical and analytical skills, • Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse customers

Single Homeless Project has an opportunity for a Project Worker to join our experienced and committed teams based in Lewisham. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. In return, you will receive a competitive salary starting at £29,822.41 and rising incrementally to £32,034.46 per annum. We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done. In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind. About the Project Worker role: Join us at Single Homeless Project (SHP) as part of our Lewisham Vulnerable Adults Accommodation Service (LVAAS), delivering accommodation-based support across our properties in Brockley and New Cross. This is hands-on, day-to-day work alongside people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, where no two days are the same. You’ll build real relationships with clients, supporting them to stabilise, develop life skills and move towards greater independence, while navigating the challenges that can come with housing, health and wider support needs. As a Project Worker, you’ll be at the centre of the service; working closely with colleagues and partner agencies to coordinate support that genuinely moves people forward. Alongside your client work, you’ll play a key role in keeping the service running safely and smoothly, from maintaining a secure, welcoming environment to staying on top of health and fire safety standards across the properties. At SHP, this role is a starting point for growth. You’ll gain exposure to complex work, build confidence in your practice and be supported to develop your career in a way that works for you. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a tangible difference every day while growing your skills, you’ll find that here. About you: You build trust quickly and genuinely, working alongside people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage with warmth, consistency and clear boundaries You stay calm and practical in busy or challenging moments, able to balance competing demands without losing sight of what matters for clients You’re confident working in a property-based service, taking responsibility for creating a safe, well-run environment for both clients and colleagues You work well with others, whether that’s your immediate team or external partners, and know how to keep things moving forward You’re open to learning, reflective in your approach and motivated to grow your skills in a role that will stretch you Our attractive benefits package includes: A salary increase after successfully completing six month's probationary period A 37.5 hour working week including flexible working hours (core hours are 10am – 4pm) in non-accommodation services 25 days annual leave, increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (plus paid Bank Holidays), A contributory pension scheme: Single Homeless Project will contribute the equivalent of 5% of your annual salary Staff Health Cash Plan and discounts scheme Comprehensive and integrated training programme designed specifically to develop the skills and knowledge involved in our work Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to join the Single Homeless Project team – please click ‘apply’ now to become our Project Worker - we'd like to hear from you! Closing date: Sunday 19th July at midnight Interview date: Tuesday 28th July online via Microsoft Teams A second stage interview will be arranged for suitable candidates in service in Lewisham. This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. Single Homeless Project is actively committed to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity and inclusion, in all of our services and workplaces. We are also Disability Confident Committed and are IIP Silver accredited

Please note that candidates will be rejected straight away if they do not have the relevant experience, e.g. if they just have Housing management, or TA officers, and people with less than a year of working in Housing Options” Main Purpose of Job To prevent homelessness in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice. To undertake a housing needs assessments for people seeking housing assistance and create housing plans tailored to the individual�s needs and circumstances. To manage a complex and demanding case load in a busy and often challenging environment and prevent or relieve homelessness through the provision of advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation. To ensure that all housing options have been thoroughly explored to ensure best efforts to prevent homelessness. To undertake the assessment and investigation of homeless applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 where prevention/relief is not possible, and inform clients of their assessment outcome. Key Areas of Responsibility To provide a front of house service for customers seeking housing advice and assistance, ensuring that both priority and non priority customers are directed to the appropriate part of the service. Provide an advice and mediation service for households who live with families of friends and have been asked to leave, conducting home visits if required in order to help them to remain in their current accommodation and to avoid them having to move into temporary accommodation To deliver a customer-facing service via drop in and appointments and work occasional evening meetings where required to accommodate the demand and flow of customers. To deliver a customer-facing service via a telephone advice-line providing a full casework service for callers, as required. Assess the temporary accommodation needs of customers as required and follow established placement and sign-up processes in order to provide a seamless service Manage a caseload of priority and non-priority need customers in housing need and maintain accurate and detailed casework records identifying priorities and meeting individual and service performance targets. Manage conflicting priorities between case work, face to face interviews and operate an effective telephone service to ensure all customers can speak to housing advisers on the day of enquiry To use a range of housing options to provide alternatives to temporary accommodation, assessing the suitability of private renting as an option, working closely with the Lettings service. To provide private sector advice and casework to prevent the loss of private rented and owner-occupied accommodation and to ensure that accommodation is affordable and in a fit state of repair. To gather, record and verify information in relation to housing and homeless applications and assist those customers or who need support to bid for permanent council or registered provider properties. To provide advice and support to tenants affected by welfare reform. The post holder will actively engage private tenants and other residents affected by benefit changes and prevent homelessness by negotiating with landlords, increasing incomes, helping tenants to move to more affordable accommodation or supporting them into work and engaging with other support services. To respond effectively to prevent homelessness through advice, negotiation, mediation or conciliation, or by securing immediate access to alternative accommodation and generally promoting a housing options approach to service delivery to a full range of customers, including people who are challenging and demanding To assess the housing-related support needs of single people and arrange access to appropriate housing related support services (Pathways services) via agreed referral procedures. To assist customers living in supported housing to move to suitable and appropriate accommodation when they are ready to move into general needs accommodation. To assess clients under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and recommend outcome for approval by the Homeless Assessment Manager To maintain and develop an excellent knowledge of housing options, homelessness law and practice and related fields including housing benefit and welfare rights Generic Responsibilities Be a champion for excellent customer service delivery and customer care and contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated service. Be self serving with respect to administration, case record keeping and other related duties and utilise IT systems to update and record information required according to guidance and established procedures. Participate in appraisals, one to ones, objective settings, personal development plans and working group meetings and take a full and active role in service development, including service reviews. To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. To carry out the duties of this post with due regard to the Council�s Equal Opportunities Policy and to actively promote and uphold the Council�s FRESH values. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post, for ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures aimed at promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and adults. Take responsibility, appropriate to the post for promoting diversity including tackling racism and good race, ethnic & community relations. To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, that may be required. These may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the service

Housing Options Officer Location: Lambeth, London Pay Rate: £30.67 per hour (Umbrella) Contract: Full-Time | Temporary/Agency Start Date: ASAP Help Prevent Homelessness and Change Lives We are currently recruiting for an experienced Housing Options Officer to join a busy Housing Needs team in Lambeth. This is an excellent opportunity to play a vital role in preventing and relieving homelessness, supporting vulnerable residents, and delivering high-quality housing advice in line with current homelessness legislation. Working in a fast-paced local authority environment, you'll manage a diverse caseload, carrying out housing needs assessments, developing personalised housing plans, and helping residents secure sustainable housing solutions. Key Responsibilities • Undertake comprehensive housing needs assessments and create personalised housing plans in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017., • Manage a complex caseload of households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness., • Deliver effective homelessness prevention and relief through advice, negotiation, mediation, and advocacy., • Assess homelessness applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and make recommendations on statutory duties., • Provide housing advice through face-to-face appointments, telephone enquiries, and customer drop-in services., • Assess temporary accommodation needs and arrange placements where appropriate., • Work closely with private landlords, registered providers, support agencies, and internal teams to secure sustainable housing outcomes., • Support residents affected by welfare reform, helping them access affordable housing options and maximise their income., • Maintain accurate, detailed case records and ensure compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and local authority procedures. About You To be successful in this role, you will have: • Previous experience working as a Housing Options Officer, Homelessness Prevention Officer, or in a similar local authority housing role., • Strong knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996 (Part VII), and current homelessness legislation., • Experience managing a busy and complex homelessness caseload., • Excellent negotiation, mediation, and problem-solving skills., • Experience working with vulnerable individuals and families in challenging situations., • Strong communication and customer service skills with the ability to build positive relationships., • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands., • Experience using housing management and case management systems. What's on Offer? • £30.67 per hour (Umbrella)., • Full-time agency contract., • Immediate interview and quick start available., • Opportunity to work within a busy and supportive Housing Needs team., • Gain valuable experience in a high-performing London local authority., • Make a meaningful difference by helping residents avoid homelessness and secure sustainable accommodation. If you have the experience, knowledge, and commitment to delivering high-quality homelessness prevention services, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today for immediate consideration. For more information contact Natasha Haddon