Temporary, Full Time
£40.00 - £45.00 ph (umbrella)
Location: Braintree
Closing Date: 12th November 2026
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree District Council to recruit a Housing Options Team Leader-Senior Officer on a 3-month temporary basis. Please note that you must be available on short notice and be able to work in the office 3 days per week. Job Purpose To lead the day-to-day delivery of a responsive, customer-focused and legally compliant Housing Options and Homelessness Service, ensuring that households receive timely advice, assistance and interventions to prevent and relieve homelessness wherever possible. The role is responsible for supervising and supporting Housing Options Officers, monitoring service performance, maintaining high standards of casework and decision-making, and ensuring positive outcomes for applicants. The postholder will provide operational leadership, quality assurance and professional guidance across the team. The postholder will deputise for the Housing Options Manager, providing management oversight, representing the service at internal and external meetings, supporting service development and ensuring continuity of service provision in their absence. Accountabilities To assist the Housing Options Manager to ensure that the Council's statutory responsibilities towards people who are homeless/at risk of homelessness are met and have systems in place to ensure that all applications are thoroughly and professionally evaluated and that a consistent approach is applied across the service. Institute quality checks on an agreed number of cases annually. To provide guidance to the Housing Options Officers on the more complex or sensitive cases. To monitor and manage performance of the Housing Options Officers, Triage Officers and other team members. Assist the Housing Options Manager with the development of the monitoring and referral arrangements/protocols with other statutory agencies, housing providers and the voluntary sector. Experience you will bring A proven track record in this area of work combined with an excellent working knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002, Localism Act 2011, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and other relevant legislation. Have the ability to analyse, interpret and apply complex homelessness case law. A hardworking team player, with excellent customer service skills, able to remain calm under pressure. Skills and ability to manage, motivate and supervise a team of staff well. Well-developed communication skills to negotiate with and influence others. Customer focused with a non-judgemental attitude Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative, innovative and forward-thinking approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. What should you do next? If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our Braintree District Council website or apply using the link below Please Note–Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council If you have any queries regarding submitting an application or require anything further, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk
Essex County Council forms one level of local government within the county of Essex. We work with other local authorities, as well as regional, national and international authorities, to deliver services and represent the best interests of the people of the county.
For information about services please visit www.essex.gov.uk.
