About Us

Deputy Manager – Homelessness Prevention and Solutions

Salary: £46,206 – £55,992 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31 March 2028
Location: Housing Customer Centre, 90 Putney Bridge Road, Wandsworth SW18 1HR

Are you passionate about preventing homelessness and driving innovative housing solutions? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, people-focused environment where your leadership can directly impact lives? If so, we invite you to join our dynamic Prevention and Solutions Service as a Deputy Manager. 

Objective of Role

As Deputy Manager, you will lead a team of Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officers to deliver high-impact, person-centred housing advice and support. You will play a key role in preventing and relieving homelessness across Wandsworth and Richmond boroughs, ensuring statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 are met. You will be instrumental in shaping service delivery, driving innovation, and improving outcomes for vulnerable residents.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team of seven officers within a service that is expanding to meet growing demand and is central to the Council’s priorities. You’ll be at the forefront of shaping how we support residents at risk of homelessness—through early intervention, tailored advice, and collaborative working with internal and external partners. 

About the Role

• Lead and manage a team of Homelessness Prevention and Solutions Officers, ensuring high standards of performance, conduct, and customer care.
• Supervise complex casework and ensure compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Use data dashboards and performance indicators to monitor outcomes and drive service improvements.
• Participate in the Duty Manager rota, making key decisions on housing assistance and temporary accommodation.
• Collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies and take the service into the community through housing surgeries and outreach.
• Handle corporate complaints and embed lessons learned into service delivery.

 What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a confident, knowledgeable, and empathetic leader who can:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of homelessness legislation, housing options, and prevention strategies.
• Interpret complex guidance and case law to support robust decision-making.
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and partners.
• Manage and motivate staff, conduct appraisals, and support career development.
• Navigate high-pressure situations and respond to emergencies with professionalism and care.

 Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in housing needs assessment and homelessness prevention.
• Proven ability to lead frontline teams and manage performance.
• Strong organisational, IT, and interpersonal skills.
• Minimum of 2 A Levels (Grade C or above) or equivalent qualifications.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Sunday 07th September 2025

Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 8th September 2025

Interview Date: Week commencing 22nd September 2025

Test/Presentation: May be required as part of the interview process

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Useful Information

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. 

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan. 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils