Homelessness Prevention Officer

Job Introduction This role has a starting salary of £36,873 per annum , based on working 36 hours per week and is offered as a f ixed term contract opportunity until March 31st 2027, due to time limited funding for the role. We offer hybrid working with an expectation that we are in the office for 2 days per week. The office base for this position is Dakota in Weybridge. Our Offer to You 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave A generous local government salary related pension Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year Paternity, adoption and dependents leave An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents. At Surrey County Council we are on a mission to make a lasting impact in the lives of young adults aged 18 – 25 who are transitioning out of local authority care. We believe that every young person deserves a stable foundation as they embark on their journey to adulthood. As a Homeless Prevention Officer, you will play a vital role in helping to achieve this vision and make a significant difference. Our vision is clear: we are committed to supporting young people who have ceased to be looked after by the local authority and may now be eligible for services as per the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and/or The Children and Social Work Act 2017. This includes providing assistance to asylum-seeking young people, referred to as Relevant and Former Relevant young people. Your role as a Homeless Prevention Officer is to guide and support these young people as they secure long-term housing, addressing any challenges that may arise in maintaining their tenancy. About The Role This role comes with a strong sense of purpose and a real opportunity to make a difference for the communities we serve. As our Homeless Prevention Officer you will be involved in the following: Collaborating with housing partners in the statutory and private sectors to secure housing for young people in Surrey Leading and chairing housing needs reviews, ensuring eligibility criteria are met in accordance with statutory requirements Offering support to Personal Assistants and Social Workers to prevent young people from losing their tenancy Contributing to a collective effort to create the conditions for success and actively participating in the development and success of our service Potentially representing the Leaving Care Service at various working groups, such as participation events and Care Council meetings, addressing housing-related issues As a Homeless Prevention Officer you will be able to recommend services that the local authority maybe required to pay for, and while you would hold no direct budget responsibilities, you would be required to have an understanding of the finance policy to ensure efficient management of the Homeless Prevention budget. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours : Your ability to establish and maintain strong, meaningful relationships with young adults, including those who may be disengaged Your ability to work to the reporting standards of the department, ensuring that reports are structured, evidence based and in accordance with the Directorate Quality Assurance Standards An awareness of current issues relating to socially excluded young people including young people claiming asylum and/or subject to immigration control Knowledge of relevant legislation related to housing, particularly concerning care leavers, including the Housing Act 1996, Housing Act 2004 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Some familiarity with the Children Act 1989, Children Leaving Care Act 2004, and the Children and Social Work Act 2017 would be helpful Familiarity with housing legislation, Department of Work and Pensions Benefits, and Immigration Policy. An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role. To apply, we request that you submit a CV and personal statement. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. Contact Us Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Gerald Buckley via email at Gerald.Buckley@surreycc.gov.uk . The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/05/2026 with interviews planned to follow. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.