Why Southwark?
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
What You'll Be Doing
Southwark Housing Needs Service has 4 x permanent opportunities for Housing First Officers within our established in-house Housing First Team. We are a small, multidisciplinary team dedicated to supporting people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness. The team is able to draw upon the council's position as the largest social landlord in London to help people who have experienced rough sleeping move into permanent, independent accommodation.
Importantly, our focus is on understanding that the needs of our clients extend beyond housing alone and into a more wide-ranging and open-ended engagement.
We are also involved in research to help improve services for people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage. We are part of the NIHR-funded HOME research project, which looks at how stable housing and long-term support can help people achieve better outcomes.
People who use our service play an important role in shaping how we work. Through our Experts by Experience Advisory Board, clients with lived experience of homelessness help influence both service delivery and research activity.
These roles involve working closely with a small number of Housing First clients, providing intensive and personalised support. You will be confident in managing cases, assessing risks and support needs, developing support plans with clients, and working alongside other services and professionals to help people achieve positive outcomes.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for people who are passionate about supporting individuals who have experienced homelessness, rough sleeping and multiple disadvantage.
You will have experience of working with people facing complex challenges and be able to build trusting, positive relationships. You will be confident working independently while also collaborating with colleagues and partner organisations to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
Successful applicants will be skilled in managing a caseload, assessing support needs and risks, developing support plans, and helping people sustain their accommodation and work towards their goals.
You will also have a good understanding of safeguarding, welfare benefits and effective record keeping. Most importantly, you will be committed to a strengths-based, person-centred approach that empowers people to make positive changes in their lives.
Additional Information
This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.
Benefits and more information:
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment Timeline:
Advert close date: 11:59pm on 5 November 2026
Shortlisting date/s: 9 November 2026
Interview date/s: week commencing 16 November 2026
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
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