Strategic Housing Specialist in Wigan

Overview

This is a permanent, non-operational Strategic Housing Specialist role within the Prison Group Director (PGD) management structures.

The post holder will typically split time between 1–3 prisons, with travel as required, and will not have line management responsibilities.

The role focuses on improving housing outcomes for prison leavers and people in prison, integrating housing work with stakeholders, and supporting senior leaders with data use and quality to drive sustainable change.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Coordinate the strategic housing response for 1–3 prisons to improve housing outcomes for prison leavers and people in prison.
• Strengthen and support partnership working between the prison, housing stakeholders, and other key resettlement agencies.
• Identify existing structures/partnerships to address homelessness from custody and develop new solutions.
• Champion delivery of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) and Duty to Refer (Dt R) and related pathways within the prison, including:
• Collaborate with partners to ensure Dt R referrals are efficient and effective.
• Design and deliver training related to homelessness, HRA, and Dt R for staff across relevant agencies.
• Promote HRA and Dt R among prisoners to address myths and set realistic housing expectations.
• Develop pre-release assessments with Local Authorities in response to Dt R, including remote and in-person methods.
• Promote the work of Accommodation Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) within the prison and support embedding CRS into prison operations.
• Identify and address practical delivery challenges and clarify CRS roles with staff groups; act as an enabler without duplicating CRS efforts.
• In Probation Regions delivering the Community Accommodation Service – Tier 3 (CAS3) temporary accommodation, ensure Duty to Refer is discharged and all options are explored before CAS3 referrals; work with regional teams to maximize interim accommodation access at release.
• When CAS3 is not in delivery, work with Heads of Reducing Reoffending and the Resettlement Team to ensure strategic and operational links with the Regional Homelessness Prevention Team.
• Upskill and support staff (including CPPs and POMs) to identify accommodation needs, understand referrals, and troubleshoot issues.
• Promote tenancy readiness training and awareness of prisoners’ housing rights to prepare leavers for community accommodation, aligned with government targets.
• Support prisons, PGDs, and partner agencies (e. g., HPTs) to improve data quality and use for research and service design related to housing outcomes.
• Contribute to embedding CRS work within prisons and represent the prison in joint engagements with external partners (local authorities, HPTs, homelessness boards).
• Maintain flexibility, accepting reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level as required.

Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme, with discussion with the post holder.

• Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Candidate Requirements (Experience & Knowledge)
• Experience in housing and/or homelessness, particularly supporting those at risk of homelessness into accommodation within the region.
• Experience working with prisoners or those engaged in the criminal justice system.
• Experience working with key agencies including prisons, probation, and local authorities; history of developing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in a multi-agency operational setting to achieve mutual outcomes.
• Understanding of the justice system, including the roles of prisons and probation, housing legislation (Homelessness Reduction Act and Dt R), and accommodation options for those leaving prison.
• Knowledge of the benefit system/Universal Credit and resettlement pathways related to prisoner housing needs.
• Working Arrangements

The Department offers hybrid working where possible, with arrangements discussed and agreed on appointment.

Some roles may not be suitable for hybrid working.

Location will be discussed and agreed at appointment, with consideration for base location and travel needs.

Additional Information (Key References)

Security checks: DBS Standard.

The role involves working across regional and local authorities and housing stakeholders to deliver resettlement services.

Applicants should be prepared for a probationary period where applicable and to undergo standard civil service recruitment checks.

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