Housing Adviser

Join our busy Housing Options team and make a real difference every day, helping people facing homelessness to find safe, stable homes and achieve lasting, positive outcomes.

Job Description

We would like to hear from you if you have experience in a housing, homelessness or advice role and would enjoy working with people to help them resolve their housing problems.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual who will work with a caseload of clients who are threatened with homelessness.

Once training is complete the postholder will be based at City Hall, with the opportunity to work from home for up to two days per week, dependent upon service demands.

Interviews will be held at City Hall, Norwich.

Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Effectively manage a caseload of households who are threatened with homelessness, ensuring timely action in line with statutory duties.
• Undertake assessments under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017), including eligibility, homelessness status, and associated duties.
• Develop, agree, and regularly review Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs), identifying reasonable and tailored steps to prevent homelessness.
• Take proactive, outcome-focused action to prevent homelessness within statutory timescales.
• Undertake statutory reviews of homelessness decisions under s.202 Housing Act 1996, carrying out detailed legal assessments and issuing well-reasoned, robust decision letters capable of withstanding challenge.
• Identify and secure appropriate accommodation solutions, including access to the private rented sector, supported housing, and alternative housing pathways.
• Deliver clear, accurate, and practical housing advice, enabling customers to make informed decisions and sustain accommodation.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies (e.g. landlords, support services, health professionals, voluntary organisations) to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Identify vulnerability and safeguarding concerns, making appropriate referrals and co-ordinating support for customers with complex needs.
• Ensure all casework adheres to current legislation, statutory guidance, and local policy, maintaining clear records.
• Contribute to service objectives by achieving prevention outcomes and meeting targets
• Maintain accurate, timely case records in line with GDPR, audit standards and service requirements.
• Maintain regular, professional contact with customers, managing expectations and responding promptly to enquiries.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying service issues, sharing good practice, and keeping up to date with legislative changes.
  
  

Skills Required

The successful applicant will need:

• The ability to interpret and apply complex housing and homelessness legislation to real-life situations and make robust, defensible decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting detailed reports and decision letters suitable for legal scrutiny.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and build trust with a diverse and challenging client group.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with a creative and solution-focused approach.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• The ability to handle difficult and high-pressure situations calmly and professionally.
• The ability to assess complex needs and communicate options clearly and sensitively.
• The ability to manage an individual caseload independently while contributing effectively to team working.
• Good IT literacy and ability to maintain accurate records and case management systems.
  
  

Educational Requirements

• Degree, CIH qualification, or equivalent professional qualification; or
• Significant relevant experience within housing or a related field demonstrating transferable skills and knowledge.
  
  

Why work for us

Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.

To find out more about working and living in Norwich Home | Work in Norwich.

The council has a long and proud history of being a council that is keen to push the boundaries of what a district can achieve, to find out more about what it is like to work in local government visit Working in local government - #LocalGov Careers - Youth Employment UK

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

Norwich City Council offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about promoting Norwich and the services the council provides. We also offer good career prospects with competitive rates of pay, generous holidays and working arrangements to suit all lifestyles.

Equal Opportunities Policy

The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.

Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore it is important to give as much detail as possible including information about experience gained outside employment.

Benefits

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package and are proud to have the Living Wage accreditation. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

• All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum. This is pro rata for part-time employees
• In addition to the statutory public holidays, we grant an additional statutory day leave at Christmas
• Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support