At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing housing challenges and help them secure stable homes.
- Company: Join Shelter, a leading organisation fighting for housing rights.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, family-friendly policies, and more.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to systemic change in housing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and tackle the housing emergency.
- Qualifications: Experience in support work and effective communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 32585 - 32585 £ per year.
Contract: Fixed term until 31st December 2027
Salary: £32,585 per annum pro rata for part time
Hours: Part time – 31.25 per week
Location: Newcastle/South Tyneside
Closing date: Monday 4th May 2026 at 11.30pm
Do you have a good level of knowledge and experience of supporting people with multiple disadvantage in a housing setting? Then join Shelter as a Housing First Engagement Worker and you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.
About the role
As an Engagement Worker, you will be pivotal in delivering Shelter’s purpose to defend the right to a safe home by enabling those we assist to enforce their housing rights. You will be a key member of the Housing First team in South Tyneside, delivering intensive support to a small number of individuals with multiple disadvantage, to move from homelessness to sustaining a tenancy. You will need to form links with partner organisations and agencies and your role will be fundamental in supporting someone on their journey through Housing First, supporting up to seven clients at any one time.
About you
You will need experience of support work, a proven ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, especially substance misuse services, health and probation and people with lived experience of homelessness. You will have an awareness of working in a trauma informed, strengths based approach to help people with multiple disadvantage, as well as having experience of writing and implementing person centred support plans and writing detailed case-notes. Also, you have flexible time management skills and are comfortable collaborating with people from other teams and organisations.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
About the team
Shelter North East has been based in Newcastle, covering advice across 12 Local Authorities, for over 25 years and is made up of teams delivering housing advice and support, administration, legal casework and DIY Skills. We also have colleagues covering Community Fundraising and Organising, Client Involvement and Business Development. One of our main focuses is systemic change, which we achieve through offering direct advice to clients, as well as training to partners and volunteers to build capacity across the housing sector. We aim to positively influence procedural and policy changes that will improve the experience and outcomes for all those with housing needs in the North East.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency. We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything. We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
How to apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should include your responses to the points in the ‘About You’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:
- We learn from our experiences and are open to risk
- We work together to achieve a shared purpose
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Housing First Engagement Worker in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Shelter
SHELTER is an exceptional employer that prioritises a positive workplace culture and employee well-being, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive. With a focus on meaningful change initiatives and strong support from senior leadership, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills in a collaborative environment. The competitive salary and generous benefits further enhance the appeal of joining this dedicated team in the United Kingdom.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing First Engagement Worker in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Shelter.
✨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 Shelter!
✨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 Shelter, 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 Shelter 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 First Engagement Worker in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Shelter:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Shelter! 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 Shelter
✨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.
