Contract and Partnership Officer – Housing (Temporary)Inside IR35 | 16 Weeks | Full-Time
Ribble Recruitment is assisting Southern Housing with the appointment of a Contract and Partnership Officer to provide cover during a period of long-term sickness absence.
This role sits within Operations – Care & Independent Living and focuses on delivering high-quality, customer-focused housing management services across supported housing schemes and community-based homes.
Assignment Details*Start date: 23 February 2026
*Duration: 16 weeks
*Hours: 35 hours per week
*IR35: Inside IR35
*Location: Croydon, with travel across London, Kent, Hampshire and Sussex
*Work pattern:
*Minimum 4 days per week working from office or schemes
*Up to 1 day per week working from home
*Rates:
*PAYE: £20.82 per hour
*Umbrella/Ltd: £27.15 per hour
*Interview date: 18 February 2026 (online via MS Teams)
A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential, as the role requires frequent travel between sites.
About the RoleThe Contract and Partnership Officer will provide intensive housing management services across Southern Housing’s supported housing portfolio. You will act as the principal point of contact for managing agents and partners, ensuring services are delivered to a high standard and that vulnerable residents are supported to sustain their tenancies.
The role requires strong visibility across schemes, effective partnership working, and a proactive, resident-focused approach aligned with Southern Housing’s values.
Key Responsibilities*Deliver a customer-focused housing management service aligned with organisational values, policies, and statutory requirements
*Provide intensive housing management to residents with identified support needs, working closely with support providers, commissioners, and partner agencies
*Act as the primary relationship manager for managing agents and partners, overseeing contracts and service performance
*Manage voids end-to-end, including inspections, referrals, risk assessments, affordability checks, sign-ups, CORE completion, and system updates
*Investigate and manage tenancy breaches, including ASB, debt, nuisance, and crime, using informal and formal interventions
*Prepare and manage court actions, including notices, liaison with solicitors, court attendance, and eviction processes
*Carry out regular property inspections across supported housing schemes, including health and safety checks, fire drills, legionella testing, and compliance inspections
*Work collaboratively on complex cases including safeguarding, capacity concerns, and tenancy sustainment
*Attend and contribute to quarterly liaison meetings with support providers and commissioners to review SLAs and performance
*Facilitate access for compliance activities including gas, electrical, PAT testing, FRA actions, repairs, and planned works
*Respond to complaints and resident feedback, supporting service improvement and positive resident outcomes
Essential Experience and Knowledge*Demonstrable experience working within a supported housing or housing-related support environment
*Strong background in customer-facing housing services
*Experience managing contracts and partnerships, including performance monitoring and negotiation
*Knowledge of housing-related legislation, health and safety, and property management
*Experience managing or supporting projects
Skills and Attributes*Excellent communication skills across face-to-face, phone, and written formats
*Strong negotiation and influencing skills
*Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
*Comfortable working under pressure with minimal supervision
*High attention to detail and quality
*Proactive, flexible, and solution-focused approach
*Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders
*Willingness to engage in ongoing learning and professional development