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Job description: Social Housing Officer
For those who need help with finding a home, you would be responsible for assisting them, allocating the right residences for the right tenants. You'd have to make sure properties are kept in good condition and well maintained and that all applicants are vetted and approved for social housing status.
The day-to-day running of rented properties is also in your hands. Next to arranging the exchange of properties, you'd be interviewing applicants, discussing benefit needs, providing welfare advice, overseeing rent and taking control with issues regarding payment.
You'll meet with a number of organisations, including housing associations, local authority housing departments, social services departments, welfare rights organisations and the citizens advice bureaux. During these meetings it would be your job to keep records, write reports, attend and organise meetings, and process statistical information.
Often you would specialise in one area of work such as homelessness, housing finance or welfare benefits.
Hours/Environment
Like most Social Housing Officers, you would tend to work from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Depending on your needs, some work can be flexitime, and part-time work is possible. There may be evening work included too.
Your work would be office-based for most of the time, but some travel would be necessary when visiting tenants, inspecting properties and attending meetings. Due to this, a driving license would be useful.
Skills and interests
To be a good Social Housing Officer, you must:
- be organised, able to work under pressure and have good negotiation skills
- have well-developed communication skills
- have some awareness of different cultures and backgrounds
- have good problem-solving and analytical skills
- be computer literate
- have some understanding of budgetary control
- have a sympathetic, yet firm approach to deal with clients who may be angry or abusive
Entry
You'll need a good general level of education to become a Social Housing Officer, but there are no minimum entry requirements. It is possible to start in an administrative role with GCSEs/S-grades in maths and English, and then progress to a housing officer post after having gained some knowledge of the role.
In some cases, previous experience is an advantage. It can come from arranging a work placement in a local authority housing department or a housing association, or by volunteering with an organisation such as Shelter.
Most direct entrants, however, have a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification such as housing, housing management or housing policy. Entry requirements for a degree course are five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A Levels/three Highers. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.
For details of qualification equivalents see:
- Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Scottish Qualifications Authority
If you have an Access to Higher Education qualification, this may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. If experienced in a related field, you can gain recognition of skills through Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
Training
Training would usually be given to you by employers. This is coupled with part-time study for a relevant qualification such as a BTEC higher national qualification or a degree. If you hold a degree in a subject other than housing, you could take a graduate foundation course in housing or a postgraduate qualification.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) offers a range of professional qualifications to you if you're working in the sector. These include:
Level 2 Certificate in Housing - a short introductory course at GCSE level and suitable for new entrants;
Level 3 Certificate in Housing - for those with some experience, leading to Practitioner Membership of CIH;
Level 4 Certificate in Housing - there are four specialist options at higher national certificate level;
Level 4 Diploma in Housing;
Professional Diploma in Housing.
To obtain corporate membership of CIH, you'd need a qualification equivalent to the Professional Diploma such as degree or postgraduate qualification, plus a portfolio showing your experience. This would be followed by a formal interview.
NVQs/SVQs at Levels 3 and 4 in Housing or Special Needs Housing are available.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24.
For details see: MAPPs (England); Skillseekers MAPPs (Scotland); National Traineeships MAPPs (Wales); and MAPPs (Northern Ireland).
Opportunities
You'll find local authorities are the largest employers of Social Housing Officers, although housing associations also provide an increasing amount of employment. A number of other options are open, including working for government departments, charitable trusts, voluntary organisations, property companies and private landlords.
Promotion in local authority housing departments is possible, but structures within other organisations vary. For more experience and higher salaries, one common route you could take would be to move between various employers.
Annual income
Starting as a Social Housing Officer, your salary would range from £18,000 to £21,000 a year. With experience, your pay would rise to between £20,000 and £23,000. Once in a senior position, you can start earning up to £33,000. Those in senior managerial positions may earn up to £33,000 and at a managerial position it can near £50,000.
If you work in London or the South-East, your salary would tend to be higher.
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