Housing Advocate (Beyond the Gate)

Housing Rights; Belfast; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Northern Ireland is seeking a Housing Advocate to support vulnerable individuals transitioning from prison to prevent homelessness. This frontline role involves collaborating with various agencies to provide tailored housing advice and advocacy. The ideal candidate will have experience in case management, knowledge of issues faced by prior inmates, and a commitment to improving clients’ access to essential services. This position involves significant travel across Northern Ireland and requires security clearance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A to C, including English and Maths.
• Relevant experience in case management and challenging public body decisions.
• Ability to broker support and influence change.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with prisons and agencies to identify and support clients.
• Provide housing advice and representation to help clients access accommodation.
• Contribute to policy development by identifying barriers faced by clients.

Skills

Case management

Advocacy

Knowledge of addiction and homelessness challenges

Effective communication

IT skills (Microsoft Office)

Education

5 GCSEs at grades A to C (including English and Maths)

Relevant qualification in housing, law, or advice

Job description

We are seeking a Housing Advocate (Beyond the Gate) to support some of the most vulnerable people leaving the Northern Ireland prison system. This is a frontline, client-focused role that plays a vital part in preventing homelessness and improving access to accommodation and support services at the point of release.Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with prisons, statutory bodies and voluntary organisations to ensure individuals are identified early and supported through coordinated referral pathways
• Deliver specialist housing advice, advocacy and representation, helping clients to overcome barriers to accessing and sustaining accommodation, and supporting their engagement with wider support services
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements
• Support service planning and evaluation
• Represent the organisation externally, contribute to media work, and promote good practice across statutory and voluntary sectors
• Respond effectively to the complex, time-sensitive and changing demands of the service
• Act as a key point of contact within prison settings
• Contribute to partnership working across agencies
• Support the development of policy and practice by identifying systemic barriers faced by people leaving custody

Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A to C (or equivalent), including English and Maths
• Experience of managing cases and challenging decisions of statutory agencies or public bodies
• Ability to broker support with other key agencies and bodies
• Knowledge or experience of the challenges faced by people who have experienced addiction, offending, the Northern Ireland care system and homelessness
• Skills in the use of I.T. Systems e.g. Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to find innovative ways to work with clients to identify and find informed solutions to the challenges
• Evidence of partnership or collaborative working to achieve shared goals
• Ability to influence, persuade and change what is often viewed as the norm
• A full valid driving licence or ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post as a great deal of travel will be required regularly across Northern Ireland and often at various locations on a single day
• Appointment to this post is subject to satisfactory Northern Ireland Prison Service security clearance and an Enhanced Access NI check
• Evidence of relevant qualification in relevant discipline e.g. housing, law, advice
• At least one year’s full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience of providing housing advice to the public in a social welfare context
• Training in relevant areas relating to client group such as POCVA, suicide awareness, substance misuse, lone working

Further Information

Diversity is valued at Housing Rights. Applications from all sections of the community are actively encouraged.

Area: All of Northern Ireland
Closing date: 09 Jan 2026

Area: All of Northern Ireland
Closing date: 16 Jan 2026