At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults in housing, helping them build life skills and maintain their homes.
- Company: Wellington YMCA, a historic community-focused organisation with over 165 years of service.
- Benefits: £12.60 per hour, flexible hours, additional annual leave, and employee support programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young adults while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Positive attitude, effective communication, tech-savvy, and a full UK driving licence.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for personal growth and international experiences.
Hours: 25 hours a week – we’ll agree the days and hours with the successful candidate.
Pay: £12.60 per hour (pending pay review April 2026)
About us: Wellington YMCA was founded in 1859 and we are proud to have continuously served our community for over 165 years. We’ve delivered all kinds of services during those 165 years – playgroups, gym and leisure facilities, a cafe, hosted WW2 evacuees. In the 1990s, there was a need for housing for homeless young adults and that’s been our core service ever since. We currently offer 40 units of fully furnished supported housing in a mix of self-contained and shared properties. This 24/7 service is staffed by a team of Enablement Officers, Housing Officers, Maintenance Officers, Night Concierges and Day Concierges. Many of our young people have experienced trauma or have very complex backgrounds. At any one time, around a third of our people in this service are care experienced, and around a quarter have a neurodiversity.
Additionally, we run the Holly Project, a service for local survivors of CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) and their families, delivered by people with lived experience of CSE. The first CSE project of its kind, The Holly Project was YMCA Family Project of the Year in 2019, and finalist for YMCA Support and Advice Project of the Year in 2025. It’s served as a blueprint for other services across the country.
Developed in partnership with Y Housing, we also have 28 move-on apartments at the former New College/Wellington Girls High School site. This is a transitional scheme where the expectation is that people move on to something permanent within two years. These flats are let on affordable rents (80% of the local market rate) to young adults aged 18-30 who are in work and need good quality, low-cost housing as a stepping stone to a more permanent home.
About the role: You’ll be working with 16-25 year olds in our Short Term Supported Accommodation (STSA) service, across a number of sites. Each of our residents has a named Enablement Officer, providing intensive support for a range of non-housing issues. You’ll work alongside them, providing housing-related support to help them sustain their home whilst they work through their support plan. Our aim is to empower residents to be ready to move on from us and live independently within two years.
Day to day responsibilities: Day to day you’ll be involved in assessing referrals, resolving anti-social behaviour, monitoring rent accounts and working collaboratively to ensure residents don’t get into debt. You’ll check health and safety standards are being met in properties each week. When issues are discovered, you will demonstrate innovative and non-judgmental ways to teach practical life skills to help our residents maintain their home safely. When things don’t work out, you’ll have the confidence to issue warnings and to elevate matters when necessary. Working closely with our maintenance officers, you’ll support the Senior Housing Officer to ensure voids are kept to a minimum, manage customers’ expectations around repairs as well as fail to raise any property maintenance issues. You will provide housing advice and information to individuals and small groups. You’ll have a holistic customer approach and build good relationships with tenants and colleagues.
Ideal candidate profile:
- Has a positive attitude and genuine desire to make a difference to the young adults in our service
- Is calm, engaging, and able to communicate effectively
- Is confident with using technology and has great admin skills
- Is non-judgemental, open minded and not afraid to get their hands dirty!
- Has the ability to teach practical life skills in a safe and engaging way
- Can manage or de-escalate anti-social behaviour, in a confident and fair way when necessary
- Demonstrates inclusivity, respect, and a commitment to equality and diversity
Other requirements: This role requires an enhanced DBS check paid for by YMCA Wellington. This role requires the post holder to have a full UK driving licence and own transport to move between sites quickly. Flexibility to cover additional shifts may be required, and we’ll always aim to give as much notice as possible.
Information: Please see our website for more information.
WHY JOIN US? We’re more than just a song! YMCA is one of the ‘Big Six’ youth organisations globally – our staff and residents have had the opportunity to take part not just in national YMCA events, but also visits to India, Denmark and Thailand over the last few years. Additional annual leave after 3, 5 and 10 years’ service. Our weekly ‘Praise Prize’ to recognise the little things that our team members do to support each other. We have been finalists at the YMCA Youth Matters Awards multiple times (and the Holly Project is a Youth Matters Awards winner). Access to our Wisdom Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 for advice and support on a range of issues including in-person counselling if needed. Access to a range of discounts and offers via BrightExchange.
STSA Housing Officer in Harrogate employer: YMCA Wellington and District
Contact Detail:
YMCA Wellington and District Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land STSA Housing Officer in Harrogate
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Wellington YMCA. Understand their history, values, and the services they provide. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses! Think about the key skills and experiences that relate to the Housing Officer role. Prepare examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to handle anti-social behaviour or teach practical life skills. This will help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for helping young adults! During the interview, share why you want to work with 16-25 year olds and how you can make a positive impact on their lives. Your enthusiasm will resonate with the interviewers and set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role or the team dynamics. This shows that you’re engaged and eager to learn more about how you can contribute to the YMCA's mission. Plus, it gives you a chance to see if the role is the right fit for you!
We think you need these skills to ace STSA Housing Officer in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for helping young adults and your unique experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Housing Officer. Mention specific examples that show your ability to support young people and manage housing-related issues.
Show Your Commitment: We love candidates who are genuinely interested in making a difference. In your application, express your commitment to inclusivity, respect, and equality, as these values are at the heart of what we do at YMCA.
Check Your Details: Before hitting send, double-check your application for any typos or errors. A polished application shows attention to detail, which is super important in this role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA Wellington and District
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Housing Officer and the specific needs of the young adults you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with the services provided by Wellington YMCA, especially the STSA service, and think about how your skills can contribute to their mission.
✨Show Your Empathy
This role requires a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of young adults. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated empathy and support for individuals facing challenges. Highlight your non-judgmental approach and ability to connect with people.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially around managing anti-social behaviour or teaching practical life skills. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated similar situations and be ready to discuss your thought process.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready. Inquire about the team dynamics, the training process for new hires, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.