New Inclusion Tenancy Sustainment Officer helps residents keep their homes

Dorset Council’s Inclusion Tenancy Sustainment Officer (TSO) is helping residents at risk of losing their homes. The role gives practical, tailored support to help people keep their current homes and, for those in temporary accommodation, move on into permanent housing - with most effort focused on the latter.

We’re one of the early councils to use this kind of preventative role as part of our early help approach. Introduced in September, the officer works with our Housing Options and Tenancy Sustainment teams. They help navigate through problems that can make finding a home more challenging and help those to retain their existing accommodation.

Support includes job coaching, CV and interview help, budgeting advice, help to get online, stopping smoking, and better links into health and community services. The officer works with Housing Options, Public Health, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local partners so support is joined up around each person.

Since launch, the service has supported 27 residents, with 35 referrals and an average caseload of around 20. The impact is clear. One resident living with severe anxiety and agoraphobia moved into part‑time work after coaching, a refreshed CV and interview practice. Confidence grew, finances improved, and the household moved closer to long‑term stability.

A rough sleeper brought indoors under our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol was at risk of crisis and had stopped engaging with services. Within hours, the officer made contact, met face‑to‑face, and set up simple check‑ins with a practical plan agreed with partners. Their risk reduced, they re‑engaged with support, and they are now successfully housed in permanent accommodation as a result of our intervention and persistence.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said:

“Keeping a roof over your head is fundamental to health and stability. This new officer is already making a difference - intervening early, joining up support and helping residents overcome the barriers that put their homes at risk. It’s practical, human‑centred work that prevents crisis rather than reacting to it”

By helping residents keep their homes, we’re reducing pressure on temporary accommodation and delivering services the prevention‑first way set out in the Council Plan.

If you’re worried about becoming homeless, contact Dorset Council’s Housing Options team now.

Visit here or call 01305 221000 if you need urgent assistance. The earlier you get in touch, the more we can do to help.