Head of Homelessness Services

About the role

Lead with purpose. Transform services. Change lives.

Hillingdon Council is seeking an outstanding Head of Homelessness Services to lead one of our most complex and high-impact frontline services.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the centre of the housing system, managing demand, driving prevention and delivering outcomes for residents at risk of homelessness. You will lead a large operational service, improve performance and play a key role in delivering our Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), reducing reliance on temporary accommodation and strengthening the overall homelessness system.

We are modernising our services, strengthening governance and reshaping how we respond to demand. This is your opportunity to lead at scale, drive transformation and deliver meaningful change for residents and communities.

As Head of Homelessness Services, you will lead the service end-to-end, spanning prevention, assessments, casework, pathways and move-on services, ensuring a high-performing, accountable and resident-focused service.

You will:

• Lead homelessness prevention and relief activity across the borough
• Drive service transformation, performance improvement and operational delivery
• Reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and improve resident outcomes
• Lead large operational teams within a fast-paced and complex environment
• Oversee governance, compliance, safeguarding and service quality
• Manage budgets, demand pressures and delivery against MTFS objectives
• Strengthen partnership working and improve pathways across the wider housing system
• Embed a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and resident-focused practice

This is a senior leadership role requiring strong operational grip, strategic thinking and the ability to deliver results within a demanding frontline environment.

About You

We are looking for a confident and credible leader with:

• Significant senior leadership experience within homelessness or housing services
• A proven track record of driving service improvement, transformation and performance
• Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation, governance and safeguarding responsibilities
• Experience managing operational demand, financial pressures and organisational risk
• The ability to lead large teams and influence effectively across systems and partnerships
• Strong communication, leadership and decision-making skills

We want leaders who:

• Take ownership and act decisively
• Thrive within complex and high-pressure environments
• Lead with purpose and deliver measurable outcomes
• Are passionate about improving services for residents

What You Can Expect:

• A senior leadership role with real impact across the borough
• The opportunity to reshape and modernise homelessness services
• A key role in delivering transformation and MTFS objectives
• Strong corporate support and collaborative leadership
• Flexible working arrangements and development opportunities

Why Hillingdon

Hillingdon is a well-led and ambitious council committed to investing in housing services and leadership to deliver better outcomes for residents.

If you are ready to lead change, drive performance and make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact:

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here's a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours - We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits - Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services - Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support - Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership - The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees' freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a 'per application' basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• 2 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.