Job Description
Post:
Housing Specialist
Responsible to:
Centre Manager
Hours:
16 hours per week (over 3/4 days, Monday-Friday)
Contract:
Fixed-term – 30th January 2027
Remuneration:
£12.74 per hour, payable monthly
Location:
Holiday: Northampton Women’s Centre
28 days pro rata + bank and statutory holidays
About C2C Social Action
C2C is a Christian charity working across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, supporting people at risk of or involved in the criminal justice system. Our mission is to bring hope, restoration and long-term change by addressing root causes of offending and walking alongside individuals through tailored, person-centred support.
Role Purpose
The Housing Specialist will provide trauma-informed, practical and emotional housing-related support to women accessing Northampton Women’s Centre. The role focuses on preventing homelessness, supporting women to secure and sustain safe accommodation, and advocating on their behalf with housing providers and statutory agencies.
The post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to reduce housing instability and the risks associated with homelessness, particularly for women experiencing multiple disadvantages.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Support & Casework
- Provide one-to-one housing advice and support to women, including those at risk of homelessness or in unstable accommodation.
- Support women to explore housing options, including social housing, private rented accommodation, supported housing and temporary accommodation.
- Assist with housing applications, homelessness assessments, bids, appeals and supporting evidence.
- Support women to understand their housing rights and responsibilities.
Advocacy & Multi-Agency Working
- Advocate on behalf of women with local authorities, housing associations, private landlords and other agencies.
- Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings as required.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with local housing providers and support services.
Trauma-Informed Practice
- Deliver all support in a trauma-informed, strengths-based and non-judgemental way.
- Recognise the impact of trauma, abuse and inequality on women’s housing experiences.
- Promote empowerment, choice and independence.
Risk Management & Safeguarding
Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, in line with organisational policies.
- Complete risk assessments and safety plans where required.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
Monitoring, Recording & Reporting
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case notes and records.
- Collect monitoring data and contribute to reports as required.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and organisational policies.
Organisational Responsibilities
- Work in line with the values, policies and procedures of Northampton Women’s Centre.
- Participate in supervision, training and team meetings.
- Contribute positively to a collaborative and supportive team culture.
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience providing housing advice, advocacy or related support.
- Knowledge of homelessness legislation, housing pathways and local authority processes.
- Experience working with women facing multiple disadvantages (e.g. homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health, substance use).
- Ability to work in a trauma-informed, person-centred way.
- Strong communication and advocacy skills.
- Ability to manage a small caseload and prioritise effectively.
- Good IT skills and ability to maintain accurate records.
- Understanding of safeguarding principles.
Desirable
- Experience working within a women-only or specialist support service.
- Knowledge of the local housing landscape in Northamptonshire.
- Relevant qualification or training in housing, advice work or social care.
- Experience of partnership or multi-agency working.
Condition of Employment
- Subject to Adult Workforce Regulations, satisfactory DBS check, references, and further vetting as required
- Ongoing employment subject to funding
- Staff must inform their line manager immediately of any personal involvement with criminal justice services
What we will do to support you in this role
- A chance to be part of a pioneering, values-led team making a real difference
- On-going and targeted learning and development that will support and enable you to deliver the role to a high standard
- A full induction
- Continuous support and supervision including reflective practice to develop your learning and skills
- A fully supportive team environment with regular and ongoing supervision
- 28 days (pro rata) annual leave plus bank holidays
- Pension Scheme with employer contribution
- Wellbeing sessions
#J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Specialist in Northampton
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like C2C Social Action.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like C2C Social Action? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit C2C Social Action's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Housing Specialist role at C2C Social Action, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at C2C Social Action
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where C2C Social Action operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to C2C Social Action. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at C2C Social Action.
