Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer (East Somerset)

Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer

Salary: £29,542 - £33,119 per annum.

Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week.

Contract: Permanent

Location: Shepton Mallet, East Somerset.

Closing date: 22/11/2026

Role Purpose

You’ll be helping to prevent homelessness and support tenants to sustain their tenancies, working closely with the Rough Sleeping Team and Housing Options Officers to achieve positive outcomes.

You will do this by providing practical assistance and advice to vulnerable individuals and families, helping them to overcome barriers to securing and maintaining accommodation. You’ll be working closely with tenants to address issues such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, and other factors that may jeopardise their housing stability.

By offering tailored support and intervention, this role aims to enhance the tenants’ ability to live independently and integrate into the community. You’ll be required to have a proactive approach to identifying at-risk tenancies and implementing preventative measures to ensure long-term housing security. The role also involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including housing providers, social services, and community organisations, to deliver comprehensive support services.

Somerset is committed to supporting the Government’s Ending Rough Sleeping campaign, and you will a key part of this. Your success in this role will help to achieve positive housing and outcomes residents across Somerset, underlying Somerset Council’s commitment to a fairer, better future.

Key responsibilities

• Provide practical support to tenants to help them establish and sustain their tenancies.
• Identify and address barriers to housing stability, such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, and financial difficulties.
• Develop and implement personalised support plans for tenants at risk of losing their accommodation.
• Liaise with housing providers, social services, and other relevant organisations to coordinate support services.
• Conduct regular home visits to monitor tenants’ wellbeing and housing conditions.
• Offer advice and assistance with budgeting, accessing benefits, and managing household responsibilities and rent accounts.
• Maintain accurate records of all interactions and interventions with tenants.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in a housing support or similar role.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing support plans.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals, particularly those experiencing homelessness.
• Comprehensive understanding of housing legislation and tenancy rights.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits and financial support systems.
• Awareness of issues affecting vulnerable tenants, such as mental health and substance abuse.
• Qualified to A Level standard or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trust and rapport with vulnerable and complex individuals.

About the team

The Rough Sleeping Team forms part of Somerset Council’s Homelessness and Housing Options Service. Our Rough Sleeping Team works to prevent and reduce rough sleeping across Somerset, helping people access accommodation, support services, and pathways away from homelessness. We work closely with a range of partners, including housing providers, NHS services, substance misuse services, and voluntary sector organisations, to provide coordinated and effective support. Together, we are committed to delivering compassionate, person-centred services that help people move away from homelessness and achieve lasting housing stability.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most generous and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Additional information

• This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week. This will require unsociable hours to be worked, including early morning outreach and spotlight counts.
• 28 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
• An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
• Interviews are anticipated to take place in the first two weeks of December.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role in Shepton Mallet, you can contact Claire Bray, Client Services Manager, via email at Claire.bray@somerset.gov.uk.

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here:  TR0295 Rough Sleeping Prevention Officer.pdf