At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in custody to secure stable housing and reintegrate into their communities.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while preventing homelessness and reducing reoffending.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing support and understanding of homelessness legislation required.
Location: Cardiff
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 13th of July 2026
Are you passionate about preventing homelessness, reducing reoffending and supporting people to achieve lasting change? We're looking for an experienced, positive and solutions-focused Housing Intervention Worker to join our Camau Service, helping people involved with the criminal justice system secure stable accommodation and successfully reintegrate into their communities. This is a rewarding opportunity to work within prisons and alongside probation services, making a real difference to the lives of people preparing for release from custody.
About the Service
The Camau Service is commissioned by His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and delivered across Gwent, South Wales and Dyfed Powys by The Forward Trust. The service supports individuals who have been allocated a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement as part of their community supervision licence, helping them prepare for a successful return to the community. The service also supports unsentenced men on remand awaiting sentencing. We are committed to creating opportunities for everyone and warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of addiction, recovery, previous offending or homelessness.
About the Role
Based primarily at HMP Cardiff, you will work closely with prison and probation colleagues to deliver housing-focused interventions that improve accommodation outcomes and prevent homelessness.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver one-to-one housing advice and interventions for individuals in custody and those preparing for release.
- Complete comprehensive housing needs assessments and develop person-centred action plans.
- Support individuals to access suitable accommodation and reduce the risk of homelessness.
- Source accommodation within the private rented sector, including shared accommodation, HMOs, studio flats and one-bedroom properties.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with landlords, letting agents, local authorities, Registered Social Landlords and other accommodation providers.
- Negotiate tenancy agreements, rental arrangements and property placements.
- Ensure accommodation meets legal, health and safety and housing quality standards.
- Work collaboratively with prison, probation and community partners to support successful resettlement.
- Signpost and refer service users to appropriate specialist support services, including employment, health, substance misuse and welfare support.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute towards achieving service performance targets.
- Work safely and effectively within safeguarding, risk management and lone working procedures.
About You
We're looking for someone who is motivated by improving lives and can build positive relationships with people facing multiple and complex disadvantages. You will have:
- Experience supporting people with housing, homelessness or resettlement needs.
- A good understanding of housing legislation, homelessness prevention and the welfare benefits system.
- Experience providing advice and guidance on housing and welfare benefits.
- Experience completing assessments and developing person-centred support plans.
- Knowledge of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health or involvement with the criminal justice system.
- Experience working with adults with multiple and complex needs.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to work independently while contributing positively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Good organisational and IT skills, with experience maintaining accurate case records.
- An understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and risk management.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important.
Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- BHSF Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.
Housing Interventions Worker - HMP Cardiff employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to break the cycles of crime and addiction, making a meaningful impact in the community. Based in Cardiff, our supportive work culture prioritises employee wellbeing and offers extensive training and development opportunities, alongside flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values diversity and is committed to creating lasting change in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Interventions Worker - HMP Cardiff
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Forward Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Forward Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Forward Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Forward Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Interventions Worker - HMP Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Forward Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
