Early Intervention Housing Officer

Early Intervention Housing Officer - Children Services - Croydon Council

Salary: Grade 9 £40,755 - £42,324

Fixed Term (18m) until October 2026 - 36 hours per week

Job Purpose

The Asylum Seekers and Displaced People team is a new service that has developed to support the needs of displaced people in Croydon. Working within the Future Croydon plan and its commitment to connect with residents and transforming services, the service coordinates the Council's cross cutting response to support for displaced people in Croydon who have arrived through Visa or Resettlement Schemes or are accommodated in Home Office (NASS) accommodation.

Displaced people arrive in Croydon through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Afghan Humanitarian Schemes, ARAP and ACRS which are funded routes and other legal routes such as family reunification and sponsored visas. People also arrive at Croydon who are seeking asylum. All those arriving have experienced war or persecution that has meant they have had to leave their home country and as such they have, and continue to experience trauma often affecting their physical and mental health and wellbeing To date Croydon has welcomed over 700 people through the Homes for Ukraine Programme, 40 People through the Afghan resettlement Schemes and is home to 1200 asylum seekers at any one time, who are living in Home Office accommodation.

About You

Knowledge of Landlord & Tenant Legislation, the Housing Act 1985, and the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Detailed working knowledge of homeless prevention initiatives and their application and effectiveness.

Detailed working knowledge of the welfare benefits system and its application.

Knowledge of the UK Visa Schemes and rights of displaced people.

Ability to be proactive and creative in preventing homelessness and resolving complex customer problems.

Educated to a degree level or have significant experience working in a customer-driven service that works for the best customer outcome and strives for continuous improvement.

Experience and knowledge of housing case law, homelessness, tenancy relations and good practice.

Experience in managing complex situations including where clients have or are experiencing trauma and to be able to manage challenging behaviour effectively.

Experience of engaging hard to reach and vulnerable families.

Benefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:

Highly competitive compensation package

29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more

A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%

Continuing Professional Development - genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career

Management development programmes

Investment into your wellbeing

Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)

We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance

To view the Early Intervention Housing officer role profile click here

Closing date Sunday, 11 May :59pm

Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check.