West Suffolk Council – Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU £28,624 - £31,586 per annum 37 hours per week Full Time Temporary until 31 March 2026 Reference: 0158 Required as soon as possible About the role West Suffolk Council has secured funding to provide additional support and accommodation for rough sleepers and are looking to recruit a Rough Sleeper Prevention Officer. We are looking for someone who is passionate about the prevention of homelessness, focussed upon high quality service delivery and a capable communicator. This role will provide practical and holistic support to service users who have been provided with accommodation following a history of rough sleeping. Predominantly inreach, you will need to be able to provide support in a variety of accommodation settings across West Suffolk; assisting those to attain the skills required to successfully maintain a tenancy and to live independently in the community. As you will be engaging with rough sleepers you will require a highly developed understanding of the needs of vulnerable customers together with strong negotiating and influencing skills when liaising with local accommodation providers and partners. Knowledge of the key issues involved in homelessness and drug and alcohol misuse is desirable but not essential therefore we would welcome applications of those with less experience with the right attitude, ability and desire to learn. You will: be confident to work with clients with complex needs and factors such as addiction and/or mental health issues be able to lone work and work as part of a multi-skilled team be able to travel throughout the area. have well-developed and creative problem-solving abilities be able to respond flexibly to the needs of clients and demonstrate willingness to work unsociable hours when required Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of this exciting opportunity. Why work for us? Our benefits include: Holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 29 days after 5 years (pro rata if part time) plus bank holidays (with an option to buy up to 10 extra days each year subject to approval) Generous pension scheme – contribute between 5.5% and 6.8% (depending on your salary) and the council will contribute 26% Life assurance – a payment of three times your annual salary flexible working options to enable work/life balance agile working - ability to work in the office and from home access to a unique employee benefits package which includes discounts and cashback on supermarkets, high street shops, holidays, mobile phones, electrical goods, savings and loan schemes and many other products and services Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle to Work scheme, Tusker Leased Car Scheme and SmartTech (buy the latest tech products interest free and repay through your monthly salary) Rail and bus staff discounts A range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives including an employee assistance programme Discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres A culture of learning inspiring staff to focus on continuous learning Modern office accommodation For more information For an informal discussion and further information please contact Sophia Stennett, Senior Support Officer by emailing sophia.stennettwestsuffolk.gov.uk. How to apply To apply, please complete your application by visiting our website (jobs.westsuffolk.gov.uk). Please note, we are unable to accept CVs. Closing date: 5 May 2025 Interview date: 13 May 2025 Previous applicants need not apply. West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 councils for climate action and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2030.