Temporary Accommodation Assistant
Temporary Contract - 26 Weeks
Job Details
Somerset Council
Service Area: Adults Services & Housing / Homefinder & Temporary Accommodation
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern:
Hybrid working
2 days in the office
3 days remote
Start Date: 31 August 2026
Duration: 26 weeks
Number of Roles: 1
Location
Office Base:
King Square
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3AR
PAYE Rate: £13.47 per hour
Job Overview
Somerset Council is seeking a Temporary Accommodation Assistant to support the Housing Directorate in ensuring the most effective use of temporary accommodation across the county.
The role will involve coordinating temporary accommodation allocations and bookings, liaising with service users, housing providers and internal teams, administering Housing Benefit claims linked to temporary accommodation placements, maintaining accurate records and supporting vulnerable service users.
This role requires strong housing administration, temporary accommodation, customer service, stakeholder communication, record keeping, Housing Benefit administration and organisational skills.
Important – Please Read Carefully
This is a Temporary Accommodation Assistant role within the Housing Directorate.
Candidates must be confident coordinating accommodation placements, working with service users and housing providers, maintaining accurate records and supporting Housing Benefit claim administration.
The role involves supporting vulnerable people, handling enquiries and complaints, monitoring temporary accommodation use, coordinating inspections and ensuring compliance with council policies and relevant legislation.
Candidates without housing, homelessness, temporary accommodation, Housing Benefit, customer service, administration or casework support experience are unlikely to be considered.
A Basic DBS is required for this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate the allocation of temporary accommodation to service users
- Work closely with the Temporary Accommodation Officer
- Manage temporary accommodation bookings
- Liaise with service users, housing providers and internal teams
- Ensure applicants complete Housing Benefit applications before entering temporary accommodation
- Ensure emergency Housing Benefit applications are completed by the next working day
- Notify Housing Benefits of moves within temporary accommodation
- Maintain accurate records of all temporary accommodation placements
- Monitor whether service users are regularly using their allocated accommodation
- Liaise with housing providers on accommodation availability and suitability
- Coordinate regular inspections of temporary accommodation
- Ensure temporary accommodation standards are met
- Provide support and guidance to service users about their housing options
- Handle enquiries from service users
- Handle complaints and resolve issues promptly
- Collaborate with internal teams to support seamless service delivery
- Monitor and report on temporary accommodation usage
- Monitor and report on effectiveness of temporary accommodation services
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation
- Ensure compliance with council policies and procedures
- Provide administrative support across the temporary accommodation service
Essential Experience & Skills
- Housing, homelessness or temporary accommodation experience
- Housing administration or casework support experience
- Experience supporting vulnerable service users
- Experience coordinating bookings, placements or appointments
- Experience maintaining accurate records
- Experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience dealing with enquiries and complaints
- Customer service experience
- Good written communication skills
- Good verbal communication skills
- Strong organisational skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks
- Ability to work accurately with records and data
- Ability to work with housing providers
- Ability to support Housing Benefit claim administration
- Ability to follow policies and procedures
- Ability to work sensitively with vulnerable people
- Ability to work hybrid from Bridgwater
- Ability to complete a Basic DBS
Desirable
- Temporary accommodation service experience
- Local authority housing experience
- Homelessness service experience
- Housing Benefit administration experience
- Experience coordinating property inspections
- Experience monitoring accommodation usage
- Experience working with housing providers or landlords
- Experience resolving service user complaints
- Knowledge of housing legislation and council housing policies
Additional Information
Interview will be held online.
The interview will take approximately 30 minutes and will be a one-stage question and answer interview with 2 members of management staff on the panel.
Questions will be based on skills, experience, knowledge and behaviours.
Candidate submission deadline is 30 August 2026.
Disclaimer
On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.
I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
OR109030
Pay: £13.47 per hour
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience working in housing, homelessness, temporary accommodation, housing options, supported housing or a similar service supporting vulnerable people?
- Have you coordinated temporary accommodation placements, bookings, property availability, service user moves or housing provider/landlord communication?
- Do you have experience supporting Housing Benefit applications, rent-related administration, accommodation records or notifying benefit teams of placement changes?
- Are you confident handling service user enquiries and complaints, providing housing-related guidance and working sensitively with vulnerable people?
- Can you work hybrid from Bridgwater, maintain accurate records, support inspections/compliance, and complete a Basic DBS?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bridgwater TA6
