Head of Service – Homelessness and Reviews

Westminster Council
Salary up to £98,472
Hackney

Westminster is reshaping the way it supports residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. At a time of unprecedented demand and rising complexity, this role offers the opportunity to lead one of the Council’s most critical services and play a defining part in delivering fairer, more effective housing outcomes for communities across the city.

THE ROLE

As Head of Service for Homelessness and Reviews, you will provide senior leadership for the council’s statutory homelessness functions, ensuring services are safe, compliant and genuinely centred on the needs of residents. You will oversee a significant frontline team responsible for our homelessness duties and the team conducting statutory and non-statutory reviews, complaints and enquiries across the service. You will work closely with Delivery Leads, fellow Heads of Service and partners to improve decision-making, ensure we are implementing learning and deliver a consistent and compliant service for people in housing need.

This is a role that combines operational oversight with strategic influence. You will help shape the future direction of the Housing Solutions Service, aligning day‑to‑day delivery with the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and wider ambition to create a Fairer Westminster. Using data, insight and feedback from residents, you will drive continuous improvement, embed best practice and ensure learning is built into how the service operates.

Strong leadership sits at the heart of the role. You will foster a culture of high standards, accountability and collaboration, developing managers and teams who are confident, resilient and motivated by public service. You will also build and maintain strong partnerships across the Council, with community and voluntary sector organisations, and with key statutory partners, helping to create coordinated solutions that prevent homelessness wherever possible.

We are looking for an experienced and values‑driven leader with deep knowledge of homelessness legislation and a proven track record of improving complex, demand‑led services. You will be confident working in a political environment, skilled at navigating challenge and ambiguity, and committed to delivering services that put residents first in everything they do.

If you’re motivated by the opportunity to lead meaningful change, improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable residents, and help shape a modern, compassionate homelessness service, this is a role where your impact will be felt every day.

INFORMATION

For further details, please click on the role profile and supporting information tab, or for more information please contact Sunita Patel (sunita.patel@starfishsearch.com / 07561 708023) or Tom Ripley (tom.ripley@starfishsearch.com / 07701 217520)

Role Profile     Structure Chart    
Timeline

Closing Date: 31st May 2026

Shortlisting: w/c 8th June 2026

Final and Stakeholder Panel Interviews: Between 15th – 26th June 2026

Useful Links
Agenda for Cabinet on Monday 15th July, 2024, 6.30 pm VIEW
Agenda for Cabinet on Monday 15th September, 2025, 6.30 pm VIEW
Context – Housing Solutions Service at Westminster City Council. VIEW
How to apply

To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:

  • Your CV (no more than three sides of A4).
  • A supporting statement (no more than three sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.

If our client is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you would like to apply under the scheme, please state that clearly at the top of your supporting statement, along with any adjustments you require to be made if invited for interview.

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