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Job description

We are looking for the right person to join our Prisons team as a Housing Advice Development Partner, either on a part time or full time basis. The successful candidate will work between 18.5 and 37 hours per week (hours negotiable on appointment) on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. The role will be based within Northern Ireland Prisons (Maghaberry, Magilligan, Hydebank Wood College and Women's Prison) and the Skainos Centre, Belfast, with hybrid working arrangements available following induction.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with people in custody who have complex housing needs, providing a confidential, impartial specialist housing advice, advocacy and representation service for people entering and leaving Northern Ireland prisons.
• Provide a specialist casework support and consultancy service on housing, homelessness and related issues to those working in the resettlement disciplines within the prison system.
• Work closely with staff within the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), and other prison-based colleagues and staff to encourage coordination and facilitating partnership working.
• highlight strategic areas of your work which identify systemic barriers in housing policy and practice affecting people leaving custody

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A to C (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Evidence of relevant qualification in relevant discipline, for example, housing, law, advice.
• At least 12 months full time (or equivalent part time) experience gained in providing telephone, written and face-to-face housing or debt advice to the public in a social welfare context.
• At least 12 months full time (or equivalent part time) experience providing advocacy and representation, in the context of handling a challenging caseload i.e. beyond advice only, signposting, referrals.
• The ability to see cases through to completion in accordance with organisational objectives.
• Skills in the use of Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Teams, Outlook, Word).
• Appointment to a post is subject to satisfactory Northern Ireland Prison Service security clearance and an Enhanced Access NI check.

Desirable Skills

• Evidence of having completed additional relevant accredited qualifications, for example, housing, debt, social security benefits.
• At least 24 months full time (or equivalent part time) experience gained in providing telephone, written and face-to-face housing or debt advice to the public in a social welfare context.
• At least 6 months experience of providing personal representation to clients, for example, Chancery Division of the High Court, social security appeal tribunal.
• Skills in the use of computerised case management systems, for example, Advice Pro.

Further Information

Salary: £33,542 - £34,231 per annum, pro rata.