Housing Triage and Support Officer – Sevenoaks District Council
Job Title: Housing Triage and Support Officer
Employer: Sevenoaks District Council
Location: Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HG
Working Pattern: Hybrid
Contract: Fixed Term – 12 months
Hours: 20 hours per week
Salary: £35,162 – £38,009 per year, pro rata
Actual pro-rata salary: £19,006.49 – £20,545.41
Job Category: Housing
Closing Date: 20 September 2026
Interview Date: 30 September 2026
About Sevenoaks District Council
Sevenoaks District Council is recruiting a Housing Triage and Support Officer to join its Housing Options and Solutions Team.
The successful candidate will help people access appropriate housing advice and support while contributing to the Council’s work to prevent and reduce homelessness across the Sevenoaks District.
This is a customer-facing role involving telephone and face-to-face contact with people who may be homeless, threatened with homelessness or experiencing housing difficulties.
About the Role
As a Housing Triage and Support Officer, you will provide an important first point of contact for customers seeking housing advice and assistance.
You will carry out rapid initial assessments of customers’ housing circumstances, needs and support requirements. You will then identify appropriate housing options, interventions or specialist services and ensure customers receive timely advice and support.
The role includes participating in both telephone triage and face-to-face walk-in duties, responding professionally to customers and identifying urgent housing and homelessness enquiries.
You will also work with colleagues, Council services, partner organisations and external agencies to help ensure customers receive coordinated support.
Key Responsibilities
Your duties will include:
- Carrying out initial assessments of customers’ housing needs and circumstances.
- Providing clear and comprehensive housing advice and guidance.
- Identifying appropriate housing options and interventions.
- Supporting customers who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
- Identifying opportunities for early homelessness prevention.
- Making appropriate referrals and signposting customers to partner agencies.
- Supporting mediation and other homelessness-prevention interventions.
- Participating in telephone and face-to-face customer service duties.
- Responding promptly to urgent housing and homelessness enquiries.
- Gathering and recording relevant customer information.
- Maintaining accurate and comprehensive case records.
- Completing administrative and service-related tasks.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners.
- Managing competing priorities within a busy customer-facing environment.
- Ensuring work is completed in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
Requirements / Person Specification
The Council is looking for someone with experience of providing housing advice, guidance or support to customers, ideally within a local authority or housing environment.
You should have:
- Good knowledge and understanding of housing and homelessness issues.
- Experience assessing customers’ circumstances and identifying their needs.
- The ability to provide appropriate advice and assistance.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A customer-focused, empathetic and non-judgemental approach.
- Confidence communicating with customers by telephone and face-to-face.
- The ability to support people who may be vulnerable, distressed or experiencing complex circumstances.
- Good decision-making skills.
- The ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Resilience and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- The ability to work effectively to deadlines.
- The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office and relevant housing or case management systems.
- The ability to maintain accurate records.
- Initiative and sound judgement when identifying appropriate interventions.
Working Pattern
The position is based at Sevenoaks District Council’s offices on Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.
The Council currently operates a hybrid working model for the majority of its roles. For this position, working time will generally be divided between:
- 2–3 days in the office
- 2–3 days working from home
The post is part-time at 20 hours per week.
Salary & Benefits
The advertised salary is £35,162 – £38,009 per year, pro rata for the 20-hour working week.
The actual pro-rata salary is £19,006.49 – £20,545.41.
The role also offers a hybrid working arrangement, combining office-based work with home working.
Visa / Right-to-Work
The vacancy information provided does not state that visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Applicants who require Skilled Worker or other UK work visa sponsorship should therefore check the Council’s current sponsorship and right-to-work requirements directly before applying.
Do not assume that a local authority vacancy automatically includes visa sponsorship.
Application / Selection Process
Applicants should apply online through the vacancy listing.
To give yourself the best chance of being shortlisted, Sevenoaks District Council advises applicants to read the Job Description and Person Specification carefully.
Your supporting statement should clearly explain how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the essential requirements, as applications will be assessed against these criteria.
For an informal discussion about the role, contact:
Rebecca Smith
Housing Advice Team Leader
Telephone: 01732 227000
If you are unable to apply online, contact the HR team at human.resources@sevenoaks.gov.uk to discuss how they can assist with your application.
Deadline
Closing date: 20 September 2026
Interviews: 30 September 2026
The vacancy is currently listed as expiring soon, so applicants should submit their applications before the closing date.
FAQs
What is the salary for the Housing Triage and Support Officer role?
The salary is £35,162 – £38,009 per year, pro rata. For 20 hours per week, the stated actual salary is £19,006.49 – £20,545.41.
How many hours per week is the role?
This is a part-time position of 20 hours per week.
Is the contract permanent?
No. The position is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
Where is the job based?
The role is based at Sevenoaks District Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HG, with hybrid working available.
Can I work from home?
Yes. The Council currently operates a hybrid model for the majority of its roles, with this position expected to involve approximately 2–3 office days and 2–3 home-working days.
What experience is required?
The Council is looking for experience in providing housing advice, guidance or support. Experience within a local authority or housing environment is desirable.
Does this job offer visa sponsorship?
The vacancy information provided does not confirm visa sponsorship. Applicants requiring sponsorship should verify their eligibility and the Council’s current sponsorship position before applying.
When is the closing date?
The closing date is 20 September 2026, with interviews scheduled for 30 September 2026.
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