Housing and homelessness jobs

Team Leader 

£26,021 - £28,912 

Southampton 

Permanent, Full Time  

37 hours per week 

Must be a driver with own car and business insurance, willing to use for role. Applicants will not be interviewed for the post if a non-driver, as it is essential 

Generally Monday to Friday, possibly some occasional weekend support as and when client or service requires it 

Will need to be part of the 'on call' rota once settled in post 

Week 1 - 9am to 5pm 
Week 2 - 10am to 6pm 

No night work 
No bank holidays 

Southampton Housing First supports individuals aged 16 and over, who have high support needs and a history of entrenched or repeat homelessness, to have a home of their own where they can regain stability, safety, and support. We work in partnership with the council and various housing association to deliver intensive person-centred support and accommodation choices. 

Our priority is to find safe, permanent housing that’s suitable for the client. Once housing is found our dedicated team provides intensive one to one support to enable clients to maintain their accommodation and achieve their goals. 

If you love working with people and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference in the lives of those you support, then this is the role for you! 

Job Purpose 

· To lead and be part of a team that supports our clients to keep them safe and help them achieve their goals. 

· To provide people with homes and specialist support so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps. 

Main Responsibilities 

· To support your team to achieve their potential through regular staff supervision, coaching, reflective practice and team meetings  

· To assist the contract and performance manager with ensuring the service is fully operational, our clients are receiving the appropriate support, and service KPIs are met 

· To be responsible for attendance management, performance management, quality assurance and any other staff related queries  

· To attend meetings, working closely with other agencies, services, stakeholders or commissioners to provide high quality support, manage risks and support service funding   

· To increase the presence of service in the local area, and engage with local communities and external partners to develop relationships, to identify how they can support us and our clients, maximise opportunities for clients as well as help us to win tenders and maintain contracts 

· To plan your team's rota, taking training and absence into account to ensure capacity within the team to support clients and prioritise high risk management referrals   

· To support your team where needed with their workload, and support a small caseload of clients   

· To be involved in the recruitment of staff for your team   

· To ensure an effective and timely response to all safeguarding issues taking appropriate action   

· To collate data and generate reports where needed  

· To support clients and staff in trauma informed and psychologically informed ways  

· To adhere to safeguarding responsibilities, following our safeguarding policy and procedure, and those of relevant local authorities, ensuring these are followed at all times 

· To help maintain health and safety, ensuring clients, visitors and buildings are safe in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, policy and procedures  

· To provide basic first aid assistance until help arrives (full training is provided)  

· To work confidently and efficiently when lone working 

· To ensure accurate records on our client management system and compliance with GDPR through regular quality control checks 

· To maintain confidentiality 

· To carry out any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation  

Additional Responsibilities 

· This role has line management responsibilities 

· This role has financial authorisation responsibilities 

· This role has on call responsibilities 

Role Requirements 

· This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role. 

· This role will require a full drivers’ licence and access to a vehicle 

· This role will require you to work flexibly across several sites 

· This role will require you to work with clients on a one-to-one basis 

· This role may require you to work nights and/or weekends 

· This role may require you to lone work 

Essential Criteria 

· Experience of working in a residential or institutional or similar sector 

· Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written 

· Clear verbal and written English 

· Strong keyboard skills for data inputting 

· Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word 

· Confident and assertive manner  

· Strong team working 

· Ability to respond calmly to crisis 

· Deal promptly with and effectively react to challenging situations 

· Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues  

Desirable Criteria 

· Experience of working in a leadership role 

· Understanding of the complex support needs of people experiencing homelessness or those with complex needs 

· Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, housing regulations and the benefits system 

· Understanding of risk assessment and person-centred, outcomes-based delivery 

We reserve the right to close our adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible. 

About Us 

We offer support to people who are homeless, vulnerable or at risk of becoming homeless and need help rebuilding their lives for a brighter future. Our services include safe, flexible and reliable client led housing and support with a focus on reducing homelessness, improving health and wellbeing and building on individual’s skills and resilience to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and exclusion. 

We work in partnership with multiple agencies and authorities to deliver support and accommodation needs across Berkshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Dorset. 

We are dedicated to safeguarding all young people and adults with our services. We follow safer recruitment practices for all our vacancies to assure that all successful candidates are suitable to work with our clients. 

We’re committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce that embodies our values and promotes a tolerant and respectful environment where everyone can feel empowered to succeed. 

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and will support with any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. 

You will coordinate the Social Homes for Manchester campaign coalition and implement our strategy for strengthening the housing justice movement in Manchester and across GM. You will lead on organising community workshops and events raising awareness about campaign asks and the Manchester Local Plan consultation process.

You will convene workshops and events focused on building the capacity of a network of ward-based community coalitions to understand housing and planning policy and process. This might include how local development applications are compiled, submitted, decided on; and strategies for ensuring appropriate levels of Section 106 contributions and social rent homes are included in development applications.

You will work with the Social Homes for Manchester Steering Group and community leaders to provide coordination support to at least one neighbourhood planning process and efforts to encourage community-led housing innovations.

You will create a new set of webpages focused on provision of transparent and accessible information on housing need, upcoming developments, and performance against housing targets at ward and city scale.

About you

• You have excellent relationship building skills and experience of working with disadvantaged groups of people to take collective action to achieve positive outcomes for people and communities.
• You enjoy organising activities and events in response to community priorities, interests and needs.
• You have an organised and strategic mindset and the professionalism to foster positive working relationships between community, voluntary, and public sector organisations and representatives.
• You have a basic understanding of housing development and planning application and approval processes and a good understanding of the rationale for increased delivery of sustainable social rent homes.
• You have some experience of web development or website administration and editing combined with the ability to engage digitally excluded groups of people in understanding technical information.

About Social Homes for Manchester (SH4M)

• SH4M is a coalition of community associations, charities, think tanks, academics and social justice organisations focused on accelerating the number of social homes that are created in Manchester by 2030 and ensuring this is done in an environmentally sustainable way.
• Much of our work over the last two years has focused on generating an evidence base, influencing strategy, and set of relationships to facilitate influence, including through convening the Manchester Social Housing Commission which concludes in December 2025.
• SH4M is now focused on implementing a two-year strategy including building a network of citizen coalitions across the city of Manchester with the information and capacity to hold decision-makers and providers to account for accelerated delivery of sustainable social rent homes. This includes taking forward the findings of the Manchester Social Housing Commission.

About CLASS/Community Savers

• CLASS is the lead convening agency for Social Homes for Manchester. We are a Manchester-based registered charity that exists to support a network of place-based community associations called Community Savers.
• We build the strategic and financial capacity of tenant, resident, community groups and neighbourhood forums to achieve better outcomes for their local area. We support a range of community-catalysed and community-led initiatives and co-creation partnerships.
• CLASS values wellbeing, family life, and work-life balance. We offer attractive Terms and Conditions relating to flexitime, annual leave, and a NEST Pension scheme with 10% employer contribution.
• CLASS is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as part of an alliance focused on #CommunityPoweredPolitics and amplifying the voices and experiences of women experiencing intersecting inequalities, we particularly encourage applications from women from global majority backgrounds and women with disabilities who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

Salary: £58,504.00 per annum plus a company car

Location: Home based with regular travel across England and Scotland including visits to shops and Old Street

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 37.5 per week

Closing date: Wednesday the 14th of January at 11:30pm

Interviews will be taking place on the 23rd and 27th of January online

Are you a resilient, adaptable leader with proven experience in multi-site retail operations? Shelter is looking for a Head of Retail Operations to join our Retail Senior Leadership team in this exciting new role.

You’ll provide hands on operational leadership while driving long-term planning, systems improvement and service transformation – shaping the future of Shelter Retail to fuel our fight for home.

About the role

This brand new leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape the future of Shelter’s retail operations across England and Scotland.

You will bring strategic vision and operational authority across Shop Support & Buying, E-Commerce Reselling, Store Development, Retail Acquisitions and Retail Operations. As a senior representative you will champion the vital role our shops play as income generators, brand touchpoints and community assets that fuel the fight for home.

With proven experience of leading diverse teams, managing budgets and driving operational excellence you will inspire colleagues, strengthen communication across our shop network and ensure our estate operates consistently, compliantly and sustainably. Above all, you will drive accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement to help Shelter maximise its impact across England and Scotland.

About you

You’ll bring extensive senior leadership experience in multi-site operations, with a provide record of driving performance and commercial success. Skilled at leading diverse teams across operations, buying, projects and support functions, you will balance strategic vision with hands-on delivery.

Be confident navigating complex organisations and influencing senior stakeholders, you’ll also offer robust project management and property operations expertise, from shop openings to system rollouts. Financially astute you are comfortable with budgets, KPI’s and commercial modelling and thrive when leading through change and complexity.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

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.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The senior leadership team is in period of transition, laying the foundations for the next three years as Shelter retail grows its presence across high streets in England and Scotland, ensuring to embed operational excellence in everything we do. With over 200 staff members and 2000 volunteers across 80 shops, spanning community, furniture and boutique outlets – our central team of 20 supports shop colleagues to maximise income and profitability to fuel Shelter’s fight for home.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with 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.

• We create change and align behind our strategy
• We enable decision making
• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered

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.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Salary: £37,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Occupational Requirement: Female, practising Christian
Closing Date: 23rd December
Start Date: Early February (notice periods considered)

Do you have the vision, leadership and compassion to transform the futures of women experiencing homelessness?

Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and South West of England.

We are now seeking an exceptional Women’s Homelessness Lead (Surrey) to shape and lead our specialist women’s homelessness service at Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline leadership, strategic development, and church and community partnership building in a role with real depth, influence and impact.

About the Role

• This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic responsibility. You will:
• Provide leadership and line management to the Deputy Manager, Senior Administrator and a skilled team of support workers
• Lead the delivery of trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred support
• Develop strong partnership networks across local authorities, charities, housing providers and churches
• Shape the future of Keychange’s women’s homelessness strategy across Surrey
• Represent Keychange externally and explore opportunities for future service growth

At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to co-production, dignity, recovery, community and belonging.

Who We’re Looking For

You will bring:

• Substantial experience supporting or managing services for vulnerable individuals
• A strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, risk and recovery-based practice
• Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Confidence engaging with churches and Christian networks across traditions
• A values-led approach aligned with Keychange’s Christian ethos

Desirable experience includes:

• Managing accommodation-based services
• Existing Church partnerships across Surrey

Occupational Requirements
This role is subject to legal Occupational Requirements under the Equality Act 2010. The postholder must both a woman and a practicing Christian. These requirements are essential due to the nature of the role, including spiritual support, trauma-informed care for women, and active church partnership development.

What We Offer

• Salary of £37,000 – £41,000
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
• Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
• Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
• A supportive, faith-centered, values-driven culture

For more information about the opportunity and for details on how to contact us informally to discuss the role in greater detail before applying, please see the job pack attached to this advert.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience.

Recruitment Timeline

• Application deadline: 23rd December 2025
• First stage interviews (remote): First week January 2025
• Final interviews (in person): Mid-January 2026
• Start date: Early February 2026

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Community Outreach Worker (Paradigm Housing)
Reference: 317
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum, pro rata.
Hours: Part-time, 30 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term until 6th May 2027
Reports to: Community Support Service Team Leader
Working base: One of 7 Herts Mind Network Wellbeing Centres closest to home.

About the Service

Community Outreach Workers supports people with complex needs who have mental health as a primary need. This includes people who may have drug and alcohol difficulties. Particularly when they are coming into repeat contact with Police, Tenancy Sustainment Services, Housing and Homelessness Services and Environmental Health Services.

The service will be delivered in across Hertfordshire county, and also includes Amersham and Chesham.

Referrals will come from Paradigm Housing Association and will be for their tenants who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• Provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients with coexisting drug and alcohol difficulties and mental ill-health. These will be clients who are presenting to the Police, Anti-Social Behaviour, Tenancy Enforcement, Housing and Environmental Health Services across the county.
• Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• Remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person centred and solution focused approach in all aspects of the role.
• Raise greater awareness of complex needs and the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) amongst local service providers. Supporting them to gain confidence in working positively and consistently with people who have multiple needs.
• Complete reporting requirements.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) - compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 26th December
Interviews to be on a rolling basis at the Watford Well-being centre
N.B. Please quote reference number 317 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.

Disrepair Surveyor – Social Housing (6-Month Contract)

Location: London Area
Rate: £350–£400 per day (depending on experience)

A social housing provider in the London area is looking for an experienced Disrepair Surveyor to support their legal disrepair, complaints and property inspection caseload.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out detailed inspections of residential properties in relation to disrepair, damp, mould, leaks and structural issues

• Produce clear technical reports, schedules of works and evidence for legal cases and pre-action protocol processes

• Assess liability, recommend remedial actions and provide expert professional advice

• Work closely with legal teams, housing officers, contractors and residents

• Monitor and manage remedial works, ensuring timely completion and quality compliance

• Attend court or mediation proceedings where required

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience managing disrepair cases within social housing

• Strong knowledge of building pathology, damp diagnosis and relevant housing legislation

• Ability to produce high-quality technical reports for formal/legal purposes

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

• Relevant qualification (e.g. HNC/HND, Degree, CIOB, RICS, or equivalent) desirable

Job Purpose:

To support the delivery of WIPs housing programme in Manchester and Trafford, with a focus on women coming into contact with the police and women being released back into the community following a period on remand, providing trauma-informed specialist support to improve housing outcomes for women affected by the criminal justice system.

1. To deliver an effective housing intervention for women impacted by the criminal justice system.
2. To develop effective relationships with key stakeholders, such as housing departments, court-based and prison teams, to ensure a collaborative approach to women’s accommodation needs.
3. To provide expert advice and support to colleagues, including upskilling through information and training sessions, and supporting system change activities.

Join us and help transform lives.

We are looking to recruit a talented fundraising administrator who wants their work to make a real difference. In this pivotal role, you’ll be the backbone of our fundraising team, helping us secure the resources that change lives.  This is an exciting role that will work alongside our Fundraising and Legacy Administrator, and you’ll ensure that all our supporters, whether individuals or organisations, feel valued and appreciated, receiving superb customer care.  

As first point of contact for enquiries, you’ll take pride in ensuring that every donation is accurately logged and processed flawlessly and that all enquiries are managed with care.  A team-player, you’ll thrive in supporting your line management and recognise the opportunity to be part of something meaningful.

Please refer to the job description for further information.

In your cv and cover letter please outline how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us. You must account for any gaps in your employment history.

The Centre is an equal opportunities employer.  We are always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us and help improve the lives of homeless young people, insecurely housed families and their children.  We particularly want to encourage people from under-represented groups in the not-for-profit sector to step forward and apply to work with us. We require our staff to recognise the valuable role that volunteers play in our work and to welcome and support volunteers with whom they work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We require job applicants, staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration and to undertake a basic DBS check for this role.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visas.

Benefits

· 26 days’ leave, rising to 28 days’ leave after two years’ service (pro rata for part time staff)

· Discretionary wellbeing and celebratory days

· Workplace pension scheme and we’ll match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%

· Life assurance cover (after probation passed)

· Employee assistance programme

· Season ticket loan

· Training and development opportunities

· Access to Blue Light Card discounts

Location - West London.  Hybrid role up to two days per week can be working from home.  At least three days per week on site.

Reporting to Co-Heads of Casework

Hours - 35 hours per week Monday to Friday

We have two roles available - one is permanent and the other is a three year contract.

The post holder would be responsible for:

* Providing specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include Partner Day Centres and Night Shelters throughout the winter season.

* Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals.

* Attending appointments with guest occassionally when needed

* Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health service and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary.

* Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop In Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services.

* Attending meetings with the Casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required.

* Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework servicce for both internal and external use.

* Maintaining a well organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (eg GDPR)

* Managing a small casework budget

* Undertaking any other duties as required by the charity.

Person Specification

Essential:

* At least one years experience of working one-on-one and assessing the needs of homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups

* Empathic attitude to homeless and vulnerably housed people

* Up to date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people

* Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London

* Confident approach to and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour

* Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers

* Highly organised with strong time management skills

* Ability to keep clear and up to date case records

* Experienced and competent in MS Office packages

* Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions.

* Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills

* Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies

* Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities

* For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week

* This post will require an enhanced DBS check prior and during employment.

Desirable

* Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages
* Experience of working alongside volunteers

Other
* Ability to work flexibly and at various sites, as required
* Eligibility to work in the UK
* To be able to adhere and work within Glass Door’s safeguarding policy and procedures
* To participate in meetings, supervision meetings and in any trainings as required
* To be responsible for own’s professional development

Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.

About the role

Your main focus will be to lead Shelter Scotland in effectively advocating for the structural policy changes required to end the housing emergency, driving forward our strategic goals to secure more social homes, strengthen housing rights, and build a lasting movement for change. You’ll develop and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations – drawing on research, lived experience, and sector insight – to influence key stakeholders across government, parliament, and beyond. You’ll commission and manage external research, lead stakeholder events, and work collaboratively across teams to ensure our policy work supports public affairs, media, and operational activity. You’ll also line manage an Advocacy Officer, supporting their development and overseeing their performance.

Role specifics

You’ll bring strong experience in crafting high-impact communications that influence decision-makers and persuade key stakeholders. With a solid understanding of Scotland’s political landscape and public policy processes – particularly within the Scottish Government and Parliament – you’ll have a proven track record of driving change through effective advocacy and relationship-building at a senior level. You’ll be proactive in spotting opportunities to influence policy, responding strategically to external developments. Alongside this, you’ll have experience managing externally funded projects, including budgeting and reporting, and will be confident leading and motivating a team to achieve shared goals.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

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.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The Advocacy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communications and Advocacy Department and is responsible for developing the charity’s policy positions, research plan, and public affairs and professional stakeholder engagement.

The Advocacy team works closely with colleagues in Community Advice and our Telephone and Online Advice services to capture evidence of how Scotland’s broken and biased housing system is impacting communities, and colleagues in Communications and Engagement to translate this evidence into compelling public campaigns and fundraising appeals. The team have led the organisation on developing an anti-racism evidence base, the economic and social benefits of social housing investment and the case for a human rights-based approach to meeting housing need.

About Shelter Scotland

Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands 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 Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland 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. 

Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Location: Covering our Dorset service – This can be a hybrid role based on service demands

Salary: Grade 6 - £43,338 per annum

Full time: 37.5 per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: Sunday 4th January 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 specialist knowledge in housing and homelessness law, and 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

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 so 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 (3+ years PQE) with a strong track record in housing law and Legal Aid work
• Deliver high-quality legal advice and representation under our Legal Aid contract, including at Bournemouth and Weymouth County Court
• Challenge unfair housing practices and systemic causes of homelessness through strategic casework and litigation
• Work closely with our Dorset Hub team to strengthen housing rights awareness across Devon and Cornwall.
• 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, we are currently based in London, Plymouth, Bristol, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Sheffield and Newcastle.

Our teams are enthusiastic, driven and champions for fighting the housing injustice.  Our teams whilst generating an income also address the housing crisis.

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.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV with a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points 1-7 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.

Planned Works Surveyor – Social Housing (6-Month Contract)

Location: London Area

Rate: £350–£400 per day (depending on experience)

A social housing provider in the London area is seeking an experienced Planned Works Surveyor to support the delivery of capital and improvement programmes across its housing stock.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out surveys on residential properties to assess planned maintenance, component replacements and upgrade requirements
• Prepare works specifications, schedules of rates and technical documentation
• Manage contractors, monitor progress and ensure works are completed to agreed standards
• Provide professional advice on building pathology, compliance and asset improvement
• Undertake post-inspections and quality checks, ensuring value for money and resident satisfaction
• Liaise with residents, contractors and internal teams to support programme delivery

Requirements

• Proven experience as a surveyor within social housing or public sector property
• Strong knowledge of planned works, capital programmes and compliance standards
• Understanding of building regulations, health & safety and housing legislation
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work autonomously
• Relevant surveying qualification (HNC/HND, Degree, CIOB, RICS, or equivalent) desirable

We value diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We encourage and welcome applications from suitably skilled candidates from all backgrounds to support a diverse workforce, including individuals with lived experience of homelessness.

Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, providing person-led, holistic, trauma-informed support to individuals on their journey out of homelessness? Do you have experience working in supported housing with either young people or adults facing multiple life challenges?

Our projects are places of safety, Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), from which we work with individuals using person-led, holistic, trauma-informed and solution-focused approaches. We aim to provide accommodation and support that helps people find self-worth and the belief that they deserve a better future, supporting them in safe, positive transitions, providing holistic support to gain essential life skills, achieve health outcomes, to realise and achieve their aspirations, and reach their full potential, before moving them on safely and successfully.

We’re seeking to recruit Relief Support Workers within our Gateshead and Sunderland Projects; needing to appoint individuals to our relief pool who are able to provide daytime cover (weekdays, weekends, evenings between 7.30am-8pm), and/or waking night shifts (8pm-8am). Actual hours vary by project. 

To join us you will need to demonstrate experience and understanding of the needs of people experiencing homelessness and/or those who are care experienced, including related issues of mental ill-health, trauma, abuse, alcohol and substance use and offending. You will have excellent inter-personal and communication skills, including the ability to build effective relationships of trust. You will need to work calmly under pressure, using your initiative and working flexibly in a sometimes demanding environment.

In return, you will benefit from a supportive, creative environment and have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills. We are a growing charity, and we believe staff are the foundation stone to the success of the charity and so we do everything we can to make sure they feel valued, supported, engaged and developed.

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options. 

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives and grow as individuals.

We are looking for someone to support the Services Manager to lead he delivery and development of a Housing and Severe Multiple Disadvantaged team within an integrated drug and alcohol service.

As the Strategic Lead at Change Grow Live you will support the Service Manager to lead and develop the service to provide safe, easily accessible, non-judgemental, and confidential services, which support service users to achieve their personal goals. This is a new role to the service and will lead on the coproduction of a substance misuse and housing team, supporting people to maintain their tenancy whilst supporting the coordination of any unmet needs adopting the MEAM approach.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has experience in a similar field looking to take the next step in their career.

Where: Nottinghamshire

Full Time Salary: £45,585.72 - £47,792.23 Dependent on experience (pro rata for part time hours) 

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Responsibilities

About the role:

• To manage and coordinate the activities of the service, including management of the staff team, sessional workers and volunteers, so that the service runs efficiently and effectively, making the best possible use of financial and human
• To provide line management, supervision and leadership to achieve performance outcomes and quality in line with service level and contractual
• To maintain excellent communication and partnerships with local commissioning bodies, sub-contractor partners, statutory and third sector agencies and other key contacts.
• To oversee the monitoring and evaluations of the service offered to clients and actively engage, involve and consult with service users regarding on-going service
• Under the line management of the Services Manager make the best possible use of financial and human resources to ensure delivery within the agreed service

About you:

• Considerable experience of working at a management level within substance misuse services including alcohol and criminal justice with a clear understanding of the need for and ability to deliver quality services
• A demonstrable understanding of performance management frameworks, effective governance and quality management.
• Knowledge and understanding of the possible recovery pathways available across whole treatment and recovery systems including community, residential and Children and Young Person provision.
• Experience of managing project development and leading a service operation
• Experience of working within contracts, service agreements and service delivery systems
• Excellent leadership and Change Management skills

What we will give to you:

• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. Additionally, you'll receive one extra day of annual leave for each year of service during your first five years, therefore you will enjoy 30 days of leave after five years with us. 

• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme

• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer-a-Friend scheme

If this sounds like you and you’d like to begin your journey with Change Grow Live, then we’d love to talk to you.

Please note: This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level and vetting by the HMPPS / National Probation Service at recruitment stage as well as ability to maintain clearance on an ongoing basis

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 41 to 43 (£45,585.72 - £47,792.23)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date

9/1/2026

Closing Date

21/12/2025

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.