At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide housing advice and support to individuals in custody, advocating for their needs.
- Company: Join Housing Rights, a leading organisation tackling housing issues in Northern Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and tailored career development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a supportive, inclusive environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while promoting social justice and equality.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, relevant qualifications, and experience in housing advice.
The predicted salary is between 33542 - 34231 £ per year.
Salary: NICSEOI £33,542-£34,231 per annum (under review, pro rata for part time)
Contract: 18.5 hrs - 37 hrs per week, fixed term
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.
About the role
As a Housing Advice Development Partner (Prisons), you will:
- 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.
This role requires empathy, resilience and a strong commitment to social justice. It offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people's lives while contributing to wider systemic change.
About you
You are a motivated and compassionate professional with a strong commitment to social justice, equality and preventing homelessness. You will have:
- a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades AC (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
- demonstrated ability to see cases through to completion in accordance with organisational objectives
- demonstrated experience of achieving positive outcomes via legal, social security benefits or housing casework
- 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.
About Housing Rights
Housing Rights has been helping people in Northern Ireland deal with housing and homelessness problems since 1964. We help people with their housing and homelessness problems through our helplines and advice work. We use their experiences to bring change and improvements with our policy work. We educate and inform others working in the housing and advice sectors to help their clients. All our work helps us to achieve our vision 'when everyone has a home'.
What we can offer you
- hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support life-work balance
- tailored learning and development plans to help you grow in your career
- a generous 25-day annual leave allowance, plus 12 public holidays (pro rata)
- enhanced family-friendly policies to support your journey with us
- a comprehensive employer pension scheme with free life assurance
- free parking and an accessible office location
- fun staff events to foster team spirit and engagement
- employee wellbeing services to support your health
- a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
- a values-driven culture where your contributions truly matter
- eligibility for a Blue Light Card
The closing date for this post is midday on 19 October 2026. CVs and late applications will not be accepted. Diversity is valued at Housing Rights. Applications from all sections of the community are actively encouraged.
Housing Advice Development Partner (Prisons) in Lisburn employer: Housing Rights Service
Housing Rights is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing housing challenges. With a strong commitment to social justice, we offer a supportive and inclusive work environment, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and tailored development plans to foster employee growth. Our generous benefits package, including 25 days of annual leave and enhanced family-friendly policies, ensures that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to systemic change in Northern Ireland's housing landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Advice Development Partner (Prisons) in Lisburn
✨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 Housing Rights Service.
✨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 Housing Rights Service!
✨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 Housing Rights Service, 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 Housing Rights Service 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 Advice Development Partner (Prisons) in Lisburn
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 Housing Rights Service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Housing Rights Service! 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 Housing Rights Service
✨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.
