At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in finding safe homes and building their confidence.
- Company: YMCA Leicestershire, a values-led charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, free gym access, birthday leave, and more.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on wellbeing and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on young lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and a Level 3 qualification in a related field.
The predicted salary is between 16400 - 20500 £ per year.
Salary: £20,420 pro-rata (£27,227 FTE)
Hours of Work: 30 hours per week (working 1 weekend out of 4)
Location: Leicester city centre - Dispersed properties
Benefits: 33 days of annual leave, including bank holidays (pro-rata), Birthday leave, Service leave (pro-rata), Pension and Health Cash Plan, Company Sick Pay, Free on-site Gym access, Menopause Welfare leave, complimentary Y Theatre tickets and Blue Light discount card eligibility.
At YMCA Leicestershire, we believe that having a safe place to live can change a life, but only when it's paired with kindness, trust and the right support. Many of the young people we work with have experienced homelessness, instability, trauma or displacement. Some are finding independence for the first time, others are re-building their confidence and sense of security. The Housing Officer role exists to ensure young people are never doing that alone. As a Housing Officer at YMCA Leicestershire, you’ll play a vital part in creating homes that feel safe, respectful and empowering, while helping young people move forward at their own pace.
As a Housing Officer, you’ll support young people living in our Move-On and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) accommodation. The Housing Officer role combines practical housing management with relationship-based support. This isn’t about fixing people. It’s about noticing strengths, building confidence and offering steady, practical support when it matters most.
Key duties of the Housing Officer role:
- Supporting young people to settle into their homes
- Providing structured housing-related support (including more intensive support within the UASC provision)
- Managing housing responsibilities such as rent, behaviour, property standards and safeguarding
- Supporting access to education, training, employment and wider services
- Building trusting relationships while maintaining clear professional boundaries closely with colleagues and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes
You will be part of a supportive Housing Officer team where reflection, supervision and wellbeing are built into how we work, not as an afterthought. An enhanced DBS check is required as part of our safer recruitment process.
About you:
You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need to care. You’ll be a Housing Officer who:
- Treats people with dignity and respect
- Understands that behaviour often comes from experience
- Can be warm and human while holding clear professional boundaries
- Stays calm when things feel difficult
You may already be working as Housing Officer, Support Worker, Youth Worker or in a people-focused role, or you may be ready to take the next step into a Housing Officer position. You’ll bring:
- Experience supporting young people or adults in a people focused role
- A Level 3 qualification in Housing, Youth & Community, Social Work, Coaching or a related field (or a willingness to work towards this)
- Confidence working alongside other professionals and agencies
- Emotional resilience, flexibility and good judgement
- A full driving licence, access to a vehicle and business insurance
Why work for YMCA Leicestershire as a Housing Officer?
Because people matter here, including the people who work here. We are a values-led charity supporting young people aged 16-25 through housing, care, wellbeing, sport and culture (including the Y Theatre, Leicester’s oldest theatre). People chose to work here because:
- You are trusted to do meaningful work
- Kindness and professionalism go hand in hand
- Your development and wellbeing are genuinely supported
- You can see the difference you make every single day.
Our vision is simple: every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the support to create lasting change.
Safeguarding:
YMCA Leicestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. All staff are expected to act in line with our safeguarding policies and procedures.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re especially keen to hear from those under-represented in the charity and housing sectors. If you need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, just tell us, we will do our best to support you.
Housing Officer (Supporting Young People) in Leicester employer: YMCA Leicestershire
YMCA Leicestershire is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. With a strong focus on kindness, trust, and professional development, employees enjoy generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, access to a free on-site gym, and opportunities for personal growth within a supportive team environment. Working in the heart of Leicester, you will be part of a values-led charity where your contributions are valued and can truly make a difference every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Officer (Supporting Young People) in Leicester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by YMCA Leicestershire.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like YMCA Leicestershire.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at YMCA Leicestershire.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at YMCA Leicestershire. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Officer (Supporting Young People) in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of YMCA Leicestershire. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Housing Officer (Supporting Young People), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA Leicestershire
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of YMCA Leicestershire. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
