Temporary Accommodation Visiting officer

BBS Recruitment specialises in housing recruitment, supplying skilled, experienced and reliable professionals tailored to your organisation’s needs. From housing officers and tenancy management professionals to experienced leasehold and housing support staff, our flexible staffing solutions help reduce vacancies, minimise recruitment costs, improve service coverage and maintain continuity of service—enabling your organisation to operate efficiently while delivering consistently high standards of customer care and housing services.

We are currently recruiting for a Temporary Accommodation Visiting officer for our client based in Slough.

Responsibilities for Temporary Accommodation Visiting officer:

Conduct regular visits to temporary accommodation placements, including bed and breakfast, nightly paid accommodation and out-of-borough placements.
Undertake suitability assessments in accordance with homelessness legislation, statutory requirements and Council policies.
Inspect accommodation to assess safety, suitability, cleanliness, overcrowding, disrepair and overall living conditions.
Identify health and safety risks, safeguarding concerns, poor property management and accommodation that fails to meet required standards.
Escalate concerns and take appropriate action to ensure accommodation providers address identified issues.
Engage sensitively and professionally with households living in temporary accommodation, demonstrating an understanding of the impact on wellbeing, mental health, family life and children’s education.
Identify vulnerable households and safeguarding concerns, making appropriate referrals to relevant services where necessary.
Verify occupancy, household composition and accommodation arrangements during property visits.
Identify, prevent and report potential housing-related fraud, working collaboratively with internal teams to protect public funds.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of property visits, suitability assessments, household circumstances and inspection findings.
Prepare detailed reports and documentation to support housing decisions, compliance monitoring and enforcement action where required.
Liaise with internal Housing Services teams, accommodation providers and external stakeholders to resolve issues and improve accommodation standards.
Provide advice and guidance to households regarding their temporary accommodation arrangements and relevant housing services.
Monitor accommodation standards and contribute to service improvements, including initiatives to reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation.
Manage a varied caseload, prioritising visits and assessments in line with service requirements and statutory deadlines.
Undertake independent field-based visits across Slough and surrounding areas, including out-of-borough placements.
Requirements Temporary Accommodation Visiting officer:

Experience working within housing, homelessness services or a related field.
Experience conducting property visits, inspections or assessments involving service users.
Experience working with vulnerable individuals and households, demonstrating empathy, professionalism and sensitivity.
Knowledge of homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Understanding of temporary accommodation suitability requirements and the statutory responsibilities of local authorities.
Knowledge of welfare benefits and their relevance to households experiencing housing difficulties.
Understanding of the impact of temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast accommodation, on individuals, families, mental health and children’s education.
Awareness of housing standards, health and safety requirements, safeguarding procedures and housing-related fraud prevention.
Strong communication and assessment skills, with the ability to engage effectively with residents, accommodation providers and internal stakeholders.
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to prepare accurate reports, maintain records and document assessment findings.
Ability to identify risks, assess accommodation suitability and recognise when concerns require escalation.
Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently, manage a varied workload and meet deadlines.
High levels of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality and empathy when dealing with sensitive information and vulnerable households.
Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, external agencies and accommodation providers.
Full, clean UK driving licence.
Access to a suitably insured vehicle for undertaking property visits, including out-of-borough placements.
Ability to travel independently across Slough and surrounding areas.
Working Hours: 37/week

Working Pattern: 2 days visits, 1 day in office and 2 days WFH