Housing Needs Officer - Rough Sleepers

Adecco are recruiting for an experienced Housing Needs Officer to support a busy Housing Needs service within a South London local authority. This role focuses on rough sleepers and individuals at risk of rough sleeping, combining statutory housing duties with proactive outreach and intensive casework.

You will play a key role in assessing, preventing, and relieving homelessness, delivering a person-centred service in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and supporting vulnerable individuals into sustainable accommodation and long-term independence.

• Housing Needs Officer - Rough Sleepers
• Public Sector - Local Authority - Croydon Council
• Full Time - Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week
• Grade 9 - £22.41 per hour PAYE / £29.72 per hour Umbrella
• Hybrid Working - 2 to 3 days per week in office, remainder at home
• Temporary Role - current sign off to March 2027
• IT equipment provided
• ASAP Start

Casework & Assessments

• Manage a caseload of rough sleepers and single homeless applicants
• Conduct detailed housing needs assessments and determine statutory duties
• Develop and maintain Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs)

• Work alongside outreach teams to identify and verify rough sleepers
• Engage with individuals with complex needs (e.g. mental health, substance misuse, offending history)
• Build trust through flexible, proactive approaches

• Take action to prevent homelessness (e.g. mediation, tenancy sustainment)
• Source suitable accommodation including:
  • Temporary accommodation
  • Private rented housing
  • Supported housing pathways
• Support clients to move from the streets into settled housing

• Collaborate with partners including:
  • Health services
  • Probation and criminal justice agencies
  • Drug and alcohol services
  • Voluntary sector organisations
• Coordinate support plans for individuals with complex needs

• Help clients understand and maintain tenancies
• Support with benefits, utilities, and budgeting
• Liaise with landlords to resolve issues and prevent evictions

• Maintain accurate case records on housing systems (including NEC)
• Ensure decisions comply with:
  • Housing Act 1996 (as amended)
  • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• Prepare decision letters, reports, and legal documentation

Essential:

• Experience within housing options, homelessness, or rough sleeping services
• Strong knowledge of housing legislation and statutory duties
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals with complex needs
• Working knowledge and experience using the NEC housing system
• Excellent communication and case management skills

Desirable:

• Previous experience within a local authority housing team
• Understanding of London housing pathways and Rough Sleeper Initiative work
• Experience working in multi-agency environments

Key Competencies

• Empathy and resilience when working with vulnerable groups
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to manage a high caseload under pressure
• Effective partnership working and negotiation skills

What's on Offer

• Long-term contract opportunity through to March 2027
• Hybrid working (2-3 days in office)
• IT equipment provided
• Opportunity to make a tangible impact supporting vulnerable individuals off the streets into stable housing

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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