Homeless Prevention Officer

Job title: Homeless Prevention Officer
Location: Town Hall, Reigate
Salary: £29,733 - £37,902 per annum, dependant on experience
Basis: Permanent, Full time - 36 hours per week

About the Role
In this fast paced and exciting role, you will make a difference for our residents at risk of homelessness and in housing need. Homeless Prevention Officers work closely with our Homeless Prevention & Relief Officers within our very successful Housing Team. Prevention Officers are on the frontline in proactively working with households facing homelessness to sustain their accommodation where possible or assist with securing alternative accommodation.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload and providing excellent customer service to our residents. You will support some of our most vulnerable residents at a time of crisis, working with and empowering them to resolve their threat of homelessness.

You will be working with a friendly, supportive, positive and diverse housing team.  We will provide you with a wealth of training opportunities. At Reigate & Banstead we work in partnership with professionals where we aim to prevent homelessness at the earliest opportunity. 

The work is fast paced, and no two days are the same. We are proud to be an innovative and forward-thinking team who constantly strive to develop best practice to support residents. 

About the Person
You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be an outstanding team player and be able to work on your own initiative. A commitment to providing high standards of customer service, with the skill and discipline to deliver this across a varied workload and to work to deadlines are essential.

We are looking for a positive, supportive, flexible and innovative person that can engage well with households experiencing housing need. You will be a colleague with an outstanding commitment and enthusiasm in supporting our most vulnerable residents. 

You will work within the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) up to the end of the ‘Prevention’ stage of the Homelessness Reduction Act. You will provide comprehensive housing advice to households with a range of circumstances. You will interview clients, assess their circumstances, decide what statutory duties may be owed, and identify their housing options. You will work collaboratively with other partners including housing associations, domestic abuse support services, private landlords, police, social services, substance treatment agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

The role is largely Town Hall based at our modern offices in Reigate as well as visiting residents in the borough.  Some hybrid working, if agreed with the Housing Register & Homeless Prevention Team Leader. 

Applicants will be familiar with the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), The Renters Rights Act 2025, welfare benefit entitlement and will have experience of working in a role providing housing advice and/or tenancy support.

Staff Benefits
In exchange for your expertise, experience and enthusiasm, we will offer support in continuing your personal and career development, in addition to providing a wide range of employment linked benefits. 

We provide you with competitive annual leave, and contribute 15% towards the LGPS pension scheme. You will also have access to a range of discounts including local and high street stores, and salary sacrifice schemes including a cycle lease scheme, and ‘Better’ leisure centre membership.

Additional Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please call Chris Malone, Homeless Prevention Team Leader on 01737 276368 or email chris.malone@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

We are proud to support the guaranteed interview schemes for those meeting the essential criteria for the role, under the Disability Confident employer scheme for disabled candidates, and the ‘Veteran’s scheme’ for ex-armed forces candidates.  

Closing date: Tuesday 26 May at 23:59    
Interview dates:  Wednesday 17 June 2026 and Thursday 18 June 2026 

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications.
All submitted information—whether supported by AI or not—must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications.
Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.

Values and Behaviours
Our great working environment and the values and behaviours of every individual and team in the Council, help to evolve the culture of our organisation to become more commercial, innovative and embracing of change. Successful applicants to our career opportunities will be able to demonstrate they share the values and behaviours we seek in our organisation.

Local Government Reorganisation 
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is part of the government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) scheduled to take place in April 2027. This means the current two-tier system, where services are split between Surrey County Council and district and borough councils like Reigate, will be replaced with two unitary councils made up of East and West Surrey, which will handle all local services. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council will form part of the new East Surrey unitary authority.  

Although this may lead to some uncertainty for anyone considering a role with us, this process will take some time and during that time we still need to provide services. When local government is reorganised, most staff will transfer to the new council(s) which may offer additional opportunities for career development and variety as part of a larger organisation.

Further information on LGR can be found here: Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and Devolution | Reigate and Banstead