At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality legal services and challenge unfair housing practices.
- Company: Join Shelter, a passionate team fighting for housing justice.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, family-friendly policies, and travel loans.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to systemic change in housing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the housing crisis and defend people's right to a safe home.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with a passion for social justice and housing law.
The predicted salary is between 33700 - 43000 £ per year.
Location: Rochdale, linked to Manchester Hub. This can be a hybrid role based on service demands.
Salary: Grade 5 - £37,739 or Grade 6 - £43,338 depending on experience.
Hours: Full time - 35 per week.
Contract: Permanent.
Closing date: Thursday 26th March 2026 at 11.30 pm.
Join Shelter as a Housing Solicitor, in our mission to drive systemic change and fight for justice. If you are a dedicated Solicitor with a strong commitment to addressing the housing crisis, we welcome you to apply for this role. At a time when the housing emergency continues to deepen, your experience could help transform lives and challenge the systems that perpetuate injustice. Come and play a central role in our mission as a Solicitor to defend the right to a safe and secure home.
Working with Shelter means being part of a passionate team that believes a safe home is a fundamental right. Here, your legal skills don’t just change lives—they shape a fairer housing system.
About the role
Based with one of our partner organisations in Rochdale, you will ensure you deliver high quality legal services through casework and ensuring Legal Aid contract requirements and performance targets are met. You will be able to identify test case opportunities to address systemic bad practice and achieve change for a greater number of people and will work closely with the Managing Solicitor and the Hub.
About You
In this role, you will:
- Be a qualified Solicitor - we are open to newly qualified candidates with a demonstrable interest in social justice, as well as those who have 3+ years PQE and a strong track record in housing law and Legal Aid work.
- Deliver high-quality legal advice and representation under our work as part of the Housing Loss Prevention Service, which provides free legal advice and court representation to anyone at risk of losing their home.
- Challenge unfair housing practices and systemic causes of homelessness through strategic casework and litigation.
- Work closely with our Greater Manchester team to strengthen housing rights awareness across the region.
- Support Trainee Solicitors and Legal Advisers, ensuring high professional standards and compliance.
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
Our legal Teams (Managing Solicitors, Solicitors, Legal Advisors and Trainees) are based throughout the England hubs, currently based in London, Plymouth, Bristol, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Sheffield and Newcastle. Our teams are enthusiastic, driven and champions for fighting housing injustice. Our teams, whilst generating an income, also address the housing crisis.
You will be part of an existing multi-disciplinary team that offers housing and homelessness advice and support across Greater Manchester. It consists of a solicitor led legal team providing advice and representation, and an advice service providing advice, support and guided self-help to people with housing, debt or welfare benefit issues. There is also a committed and skilled team of volunteers that offer peer support, mentoring and more general volunteering adding significant value to our core service offer.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day 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.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV with a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points outlined in the job description of no more than 1000 words. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses: We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset.
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.
Recruitment Agencies
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Housing Solicitor - Outreach in Rochdale employer: Shelter
Contact Detail:
Shelter Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Solicitor - Outreach in Rochdale
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those involved in housing law. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and mentors who share your passion for social justice.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Shelter's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals of fighting housing injustice. Show them you're not just a solicitor, but a passionate advocate for change!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your casework experiences and how you've tackled challenges in housing law. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our mission to defend the right to a safe home.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Solicitor - Outreach in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Housing Solicitor. Highlight your relevant experience in housing law and any work you've done with Legal Aid. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use the STAR format to provide specific examples that demonstrate your commitment to social justice and your ability to challenge unfair practices. We love seeing your passion come through!
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We’re all about collaboration here at Shelter. Make sure to mention any experience you have working in teams, especially in legal settings. We want to know how you can contribute to our passionate team fighting for housing rights.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to defend the right to a safe home.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shelter
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on housing law and the current housing crisis. Familiarise yourself with Shelter's mission and values, as well as recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact your role. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to social justice.
✨STAR Method is Your Friend
When preparing for questions about your experience, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you provide clear and concise examples of how you've tackled challenges in your previous roles, especially in legal settings.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your passion for fighting housing injustice. Share personal stories or experiences that have shaped your commitment to this cause. This will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in making a difference.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how they measure success in their legal services. It shows that you're engaged and thinking critically about how you can contribute to their mission.