Contents

  1. Career development and progression with Bexley Council
  2. Place Directorate - Neighbourhoods, Housing and Strategic Planning
  3. E-learning – mandatory training
  4. Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure
  5. Environmental services
  6. Economic development and skills
  7. Libraries and communities
  8. Strategic planning: Transport and development, planning policy, place making and building control
  9. Planning and regulations
  10. Housing services
  11. Leisure, parks and open spaces
  12. Parking services

10. Housing services

This learning and development offer within Bexley Housing Services provides a comprehensive range of training opportunities to enhance skills in customer service, conflict resolution, case management, and leadership. It also fosters collaboration through key partnerships and interagency initiatives, while promoting personal and professional growth through coaching, mentorship, and structured development programs tailored to the housing sector.

Customer service and conflict resolution

  • Customer service skills workshops, including effective communication, active listening, and empathy.
  • Training sessions on conflict resolution techniques, de-escalation strategies, and handling difficult situations professionally.
  • Specialist training on working with vulnerable people, covering safeguarding procedures and crisis intervention best practices.

Case management

  • Supervision and training available on managing housing cases, from initial assessment to resolution and follow-up.
  • Support for multi-agency collaboration, enhancing coordination between housing providers, social services, and other support organisations.
  • Guidance on developing personalised support plans to ensure comprehensive case management and long-term stability for clients.

Learning through Partnerships and Interagency Collaboration

Housing Services actively participate in several regional and national groups, fostering collaboration, improving service delivery, and addressing complex housing challenges.

Key Partnerships and Forums

London and regional forums

  • London Housing Directors Group
  • London Housing Needs and Homeless Group
  • Southeast Regional Rough Sleeping Forum
  • Asylum/Resettlement Meetings, such as:
    • London Asylum Working Group
    • RLAN
    • Refugee Resettlement Coordinators Meeting

Rough sleeping and homelessness initiatives

In collaboration with:

  • The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
  • Greater London Authority (GLA)
  • Thames Reach
  • St Mungo's
  • No Second Night Out

Our key providers

  • The Salvation Army
  • Bexley Winter Shelter
  • Oxleas Mental Health Services
  • Peabody
  • Moat
  • Orbit
  • L&Q

Strategic interagency coordination

Together with:

  • Police
  • NHS Hospital Discharge Teams
  • Community Safety
  • Autism Board
  • Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA)
  • Modern Slavery Groups
  • MARAC
  • Safeguarding Panels

Learning through Operational Committees and Subgroups

Operational committees and subgroups play a critical role in ensuring structured collaboration and effective decision-making across various areas. These committees address key operational aspects, including temporary accommodations, development planning, governance, and asylum and resettlement coordination.

Temporary accommodation committees

  • Quarterly meetings with emergency accommodation providers.
  • Regular liaison meetings with providers (e.g., Peabody / Spire Lesnes Facilitation).

Development and planning

  • Homeleigh Project Group and S.106 Planning Meetings.
  • Ad-hoc meetings for project-specific planning and consultant work.

Internal and ICT governance

  • Internal ICT Group
  • Civica User Group
  • Performance Management Committee
  • Budget Management Committee

Asylum and resettlement coordination

  • London Asylum Working Group
  • Delivery Model Assessment Workshops

Other engagement opportunities

New initiatives and affordable housing solutions

  • Engagement with providers to explore innovative affordable housing strategies.

Specialised panels

  • Self-Neglect Panel
  • Adult Safeguarding Board
  • Learning from Practice Initiatives

By fostering these partnerships and participating in interagency efforts, Housing Services ensures a robust and collaborative approach to addressing local housing challenges.

Coaching and mentorship offer

  • Coaching- Bexley Council's coaching offer is available to all staff. Coaches from our internal coaching pool typically provide up to six sessions to support individuals in self-improvement and reflection on a variety of topics.
  • Mentorship, Buddy, and Work Shadowing - This initiative is available for entry-level roles. New starters will have the opportunity to shadow senior colleagues, gain insights from complex cases, and observe the day-to-day workings of experts in the field.

Annual focus on personal development and career objectives

Our council emphasises personal growth by focusing on your Personal Development Plan, linked to the key objectives of your role each year through the Performance and Wellbeing scheme. Where relevant, we use a Competency Matrix to evaluate your progress and identify areas to prioritise, ensuring that your development aligns with your career aspirations.

Opportunity to lead learning initiatives

As part of your growth, you’ll have the chance to take the lead on learning and development initiatives within your department, particularly during team meetings. This will enhance your leadership skills and help foster a culture of continuous learning within the team.

Leadership development through Bexley leadership academy

Our Bexley Leadership Academy is open to current and new staff, as well as aspiring leaders.

  • Leadership Essentials 1:These modules cover technical systems, Bexley Council processes, and operational procedures, equipping participants with essential managerial skills.
  • Leadership Essentials 2: These modules focus on leadership behaviours that align with Bexley Council’s values, culture, and long-term strategy, helping professionals develop soft skills and strategic thinking.

Career paths

Career paths in housing services are dynamic and diverse, often involving movement between teams to gain varied experiences and expertise. These roles require agility and adaptability, as professionals work with external funding, tackle reactive challenges, and employ skills like quick thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and public-facing interaction to address community needs.

Relevant apprenticeships

  • Level 2: Housing and Property Management Assistant
  • Level 3: Housing and Property Management
  • Level 3: Compliance and Risk Officer
  • Level 3: Surveying Technician
  • Level 4: Senior Housing and Property Management (including CIH)
  • Level 6: Chartered Surveyor (Degree) (RICS Membership)

Find out more on apprenticeships