Bracknell Forest Council
Housing Options Officer (12 months Fixed Term Contract) (pay award pending)
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Housing Options Officer (12 months Fixed Term Contract) (pay award pending)
Housing Options Officer (12 Months Fixed Term Contract)
Employer: Bracknell Forest Council Location: Time Square, Bracknell (Hybrid Working) Salary: £37,092 – £41,506 per year (inclusive of London Weighting) Contract: Temporary (Full-Time – 37 hours/week) Closing Date: 12/07/2026 at 23:59 Reference: People/26/340456
About the Role
Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to live.
As a Housing Options Officer, you will play a critical role in preventing homelessness and supporting individuals and families at some of the most challenging stages of their lives. This rewarding role empowers you to make a meaningful difference by offering expert guidance, practical advice, and compassion—helping residents navigate housing transitions with confidence.
Your work will directly impact lives, from helping someone stay in their home to securing safer accommodation or connecting them with essential support. In return, the council provides:
- Professional support, ongoing training, and mentorship to develop expertise in housing advice, homelessness prevention, and casework
- Opportunities to grow within a supportive council environment, enhancing skills in housing law and case management.
Note: Successful internal candidates will be offered this role as a secondment, subject to consultation with their line manager (refer to Bracknell Forest’s Secondment Policy for further details).
The Work Environment & Benefits
Bracknell Forest Council fosters a stable, well-managed culture where employees thrive. Key features include:
- Flexible and supportive work arrangements, with hybrid options (office attendance typically required once weekly at Time Square)
- A commitment to a healthy work-life balance, partnering with voluntary alternative accommodation plans where appropriate.
Key Team Dynamics
You’ll work within a collaborative team that prioritises:
- Practical problem-solving in housing and homelessness prevention
- Coordinate closely with partner agencies, including:
- Children’s Services
- Adult Social Care
- Probation
- Local voluntary organisations
- Share a common goal with the Rough Sleeper and Single Homelessness Team to reduce and prevent rough sleeping in the district.
Responsibilities
Your core duties will include:
- Supporting Residents
- Provide high-quality housing advice to households at risk of or experiencing homelessness, aiding them in sustaining tenancies or securing alternative accommodations
- Conduct housing needs assessments and create Personal Housing Plans tailored for each client
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- Legal Compliance & Case Management
- Assess homelessness applications in line with:
- The Housing Act 1996 (Part VII)
- The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
- Statutory obligations under housing law policies
- Ensure timely completion of statutory notifications, case records, and quality assurance compliance
- Proactive & Client-Focused Approach
- Initiate early interventions through assessment, advice, and resolution of housing challenges
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date caseload records ensuring adherence to policies and service standards.
About You
To excel in this role, you need:
- A strong foundation in housing legislation, particularly:
- Housing Act 1996 (Part VII)
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
- Relevant housing and homelessness experience
- Exceptional communication skills, including empathy, active listening, and clear advice-giving
- Resilience, trust-building abilities, and ability to manage varied caseloads effectively
- Knowledge of working with partner organisations and coordinated advice frameworks.
Ideal candidates: ✔ Are motivated by helping people ✔ Enjoy problem-solving with genuine empathy and compassion ✔ Are adept at negotiation, organisation, and collaboration.
Benefits
Bracknell Forest Council offers a competitive package, including:
- 37 hours/week flexible hours, as well as:
- 28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ tenure.
- Optional arrangements to buy and sell additional leave (up to 5 days sold, 10 purchased)
- Hybrid work policies, with options for remote or home-based arrangements depending on operational needs.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme
- Comprehensive pension benefits via the Local Government scheme, including life insurance cover
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (subject to eligibility).
- Support for career development, with internal and external training available
- Enhanced parental and carer provisions: enhanced adoption, maternity, paternity, and fostering leave
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support wellbeing and mental health needs.
- Inclusive workplace culture, with structured staff networks, sports and social clubs, and social inclusion initiatives.
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N.B. Benefits may have specific conditions; a full candidate pack is available upon request.
Bracknell Forest Values
Our core values shape who we are and how we serve our communities:
🌐 Inclusive – Celebrating diversity and championing equality. 🚀 Ambitious – Continuously striving for excellence. 💡 Always Learning – Embracing growth through mentorship and development.
Recruitment Policy & Commitment to Inclusion
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to an inclusive, accessible recruitment process, ensuring all applicants have equal opportunity.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you require support at any stage for reasons such as disability, long-term conditions, or other impairments, contact recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk in advance. We will work with you to meet your needs.
Disability Confident & Veterans Strategy
Applicants declaring: 🔹 A disability 🔹 Care leaver status, or 🔹 Being a military veteran
…will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the minimum essential criteria.
Prohibitive Al Policy
AI tools (excluding crime checks) are not permitted during interviews. Candidates complicit with AI use are disqualified.
Nationality Requirements
Only applicants currently residing in the UK may apply.
Politics Sponsorship Reminder
Sponsorship through a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) may be available for eligible UK residents, though not guaranteed due to standard eligibility and budget considerations.
Ready to Apply?
Interview dates: Week commencing 20th July 2026 (in-person).
Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit applications early, as recruitment reviews may close advertisements early upon identifying suitable candidates.
Contact for Queries
📞 Michele Keegel, Housing Options Team Leader: 01344 351355 📞 Emma Thomas, Housing Options Team Leader: 01344 351352
The council adheres to safeguarding principles and expects everyone working with them to uphold child protection, young person safety, and support for vulnerable adults.
Equal opportunities statement: Bracknell Forest Council embraces working for equality. Applications are actively welcomed from all communities. Applicants are assured unbiased consideration.
Apply Online: [Link to Job Application] ↗
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Curious before applying? Explore our Candidate Pack & Job Description for further details.
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