Graduate Trainee Housing Needs

Develop skills in housing needs and homelessness services by supporting housing options, client services, and council-led housing initiatives across North Yorkshire.

We have an exciting opportunity for 2 graduate trainees to join our Housing Needs Team, covering locations throughout North Yorkshire from September 2026. If you have a passion to learn and develop a wide range of skills, this may be the role for you. 

The Council’s Housing Needs responsibilities include the management of the Housing Options and Homelessness Teams across the Localities. Overseeing the provision of an efficient and effective housing options service and ensuring the Council meets its statutory obligations under the Housing Act 1996 Part 7, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and related legislation. Complying with the prevention, relief and main housing duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

The provision of an effective Homelessness and Refugee Support service and the operational management of temporary accommodation and supported accommodation used for homeless prevention initiatives. Contributing to and delivery of the Council’s Housing Strategy and development and implementation of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy.

About the Role

The role offers the opportunity to gain experience of all aspects of Housing Needs work including:

• Support the Housing Options Manager in delivering an efficient and effective housing needs service

• Support the Housing Options Manager to review risk assessments for the service

• Assist with HR processes as and when required

• Assist with file management for the service and data cleansing in line with GDPR responsibilities

• Assist with the collecting of data and responses to FOI/SAR requests

• Assist with updating literature, website and intranet updates

• Assistance with the day to management of temporary accommodation when required

• Assisting with the submission of bids for government funding and grant programmes

• Support for data collection, reports for homelessness, rough sleeper work, support services and service delivery changes

• Provide low level support with clients on North Yorkshire Home Choice applications, assistance with benefits, budgeting to support the team

• Website and IT system testing to assist with configuration and development

• Shadowing front line officers to develop knowledge of Housing Act and Homelessness legislation

• Organise stationery orders and management of post

• Internal and external communications

• Attending internal and external partnership meetings where appropriate

Benefits of working and learning in the service:

• Experience of working in a busy Council service

• Opportunity for graduates from a Housing or related discipline to apply and develop technical knowledge and skills

• Learning from highly experienced Housing Options Officers and other specialists

• Opportunity to take responsibility for your own caseload where appropriate

• Developing confidence in your own judgment 

• Improving your communication and negotiation skills

• Experience of working in partnership with other organisations, such as Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Care, Police, Registered Providers, Voluntary organisations

These positions will be fast-paced and will require individuals who can demonstrate resilience and an ability to develop creative solutions to help shape services of the future.  

Working for us

When you join us, you are entitled to our outstanding benefits and wellbeing plan as part of your position. Our holiday entitlement starts at 28 days rising to 34 days (pro-rata) after 5 years service, plus public holidays.

Pension: save for your retirement with our generous local government pension scheme.

Fitness & Rewards: Fitness discounts with various Gyms across the county. Stay on top of your game and save £££.

Lifestyle Savings: explore a huge range of discounts to help you save money across hundreds of the UK’s favourite high-street and online retailers. Plus lots more…