Specialist Housing Options Officer

Help Change Lives at Waverley Borough Council

Are you passionate about supporting people through some of the most challenging times in their lives? Do you have the knowledge, resilience and compassion to help people facing homelessness, domestic abuse or complex housing issues?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Specialist Housing Options Officer, you’ll play a vital role in helping residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with a particular focus on those affected by domestic abuse. Working as part of our dedicated Housing Options team, you’ll provide practical housing advice, and tailored interventions to prevent or relief their homelessness.    

No two days are the same. You will -

* Assess homelessness applications, complete personalised housing plans and determine the Council’s statutory duties.

* Work closely with partners including Social Services, the Police, Domestic Abuse services, health professionals, DWP, schools, landlords and voluntary organisations to achieve the best outcomes for residents.

* Attend multi-agency meetings,

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference to people’s lives while developing your expertise within a supportive and experienced team.

About You

We’re looking for someone who combines empathy with professionalism and can remain calm and effective when supporting people in crisis.

You’ll have - 

* A good understanding of homelessness, housing legislation and the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness or domestic abuse.

* Experience of providing housing advice, that help people maintain stable accommodation.

* Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and sensitively.

* Experience of working collaboratively with statutory, voluntary and community partners to deliver positive outcomes.

* The resilience, emotional intelligence and sound judgement needed to manage a varied caseload and make informed decisions in challenging situations. 

What We Offer 

In return for your valued contribution, we offer a competitive benefits package which includes: 

* Hybrid and agile working policies 

* Training and development opportunities including apprenticeships 

* Generous annual leave and flexi time 

* An employee assistance programme 

* Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme 

You can find out more about working at Waverley and our benefits by visiting: Jobs | Waverley Borough Council 

 Ready to join us? 

We’d love to hear from you - for more information or to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact Chloe Spicer – 01483 523057 Chloe.spicer@waverley.gov.uk

The closing date for application is 9am on Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 and we anticipate interviews being held on Tuesday 8th September 2026

 Equality and Inclusion Statement 

The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council  

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council 

Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time.  

Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process. 

Information -

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.

From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, following the government’s confirmed plans for local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, with West Surrey taking responsibility for the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking.

As we move towards this transition, our focus remains firmly on delivering high‑quality, value‑for‑money services and staying true to our shared organisational values of Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism.

We recognise that any period of organisational change can bring questions, particularly regarding future structures and working arrangements. Throughout this process, we are committed to supporting our colleagues with transparency and care prioritising wellbeing, maintaining a trusted and open dialogue, and ensuring continued access to learning and professional development opportunities.

While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.