Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews WCC624175

Head of Service - Homelessness and Reviews

Salary range: £79,005 - £98,472 per annum. Salary negotiable depending upon experience.

Work location: Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 6QP

Hours per week: 36

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 31 May 2026

Interview date: June 2026

About Westminster City Council

Housing Needs in Westminster City Council is dedicated to supporting and empowering vulnerable communities. Our delivery leaders shape resident centred services that respond to the complex needs of homelessness and housing hardship.

The Role

You will lead the statutory homelessness services, reviews and complaints functions for Westminster. Your responsibilities include:

• Providing senior leadership and strategic direction for the Homelessness and Reviews service.
• Ensuring statutory compliance, service quality and resident experience across all decision points.
• Overseeing frontline managers and teams responsible for homelessness decisions, prevention, relief activities, reviews, enquiries and complaints.
• Developing, managing, and analysing service data and performance indicators to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborating with other Heads of Service, Delivery Leads and senior leaders to promote a joined up, cost effective approach.
• Representing the Council in multi stakeholder forums, including elected members, legal, and external partners.
• Providing visible, confident leadership on site and across the frontline.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Senior strategic level experience within a local authority, government organisation or voluntary sector body focused on homelessness.
• Accountability for lawful decision making, service quality and resident outcomes.
• Proven record of leading demanding, complex services, ensuring fairness, consistency and defensibility of decisions.
• Strong knowledge of local government, homelessness legislation, policy and equality practice.
• Experience managing budgets and resources while driving improvement through data and learning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Formal qualifications related to social care, homelessness or public administration.
• Experience delivering high quality statutory homelessness decision making within a council setting.

What We Offer

Westminster City Council provides a flexible working environment, supportive disability confident policies and equal opportunity commitments. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Care Leavers and global majority candidates. Our inclusive workplace values and supports your personal and professional development.