Strategic Housing Specialist - Bedford, United Kingdom - Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice
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Bedford, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

Strategic Housing Specialist

£33,201 - £38,184

Bedford:


Overview of the job
This is a permanent, non-operational role with no prisoner case-level responsibilities.


The role will sit within Prison Group Director (PGD) management structures, however, a heavy focus on and presence in establishments will be required (usually with time split between 1-3 prisons depending on complexity and demand at each establishment and local housing landscape) with the expectation that post holders will travel as and when required.


There are no line management responsibilities as part of this role, and we do not expect the post holder to have operational experience, although this may be advantageous when working within the establishment.


Summary


This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute towards the Government's commitment to eliminate rough sleeping by the end of 2023/24.

The post holder will be responsible for a cluster of 1-3 prisons, splitting their time flexibly between the prisons in their portfolio.

Prisons that release low numbers to the UK will fall under the 'consultancy' category; for these, post holders will be expected to offer ad-hoc housing advice but these prisons will not form part of their cluster.


The post holder will identify areas for improvement with respect to access to accommodation for prison leavers and will work in partnership with key strategic housing stakeholders, probation commissioned rehabilitative services (CRS), and Homelessness Prevention Teams (HPTs) to implement sustainable change.

You will ensure that work between each prison and relevant HPTs continues to integrate, and that senior leaders across the agency are supported to improve the quality and use of data.

For roles across the women's prison estate, post holders should adopt a trauma
- informed and gender specific approach to their role. Post holders should ensure that all activities reflect and embrace the diverse nature of prison populations, including the individual resettlement needs of the female prison population.


Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • The Strategic Housing Specialist will be responsible for co-ordinating the strategic response of 1-3 prisons to improve housing outcomes for prison leavers and people in prison. They shall strengthen and support partnership working between the prison, all relevant housing stakeholders and other key resettlement agencies. They will identify existing structures/partnership working to address homelessness from custody in the region, and work to develop new solutions to homelessness from custody.
  • They will champion delivery of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) and Duty to Refer (DtR), Offender Pathway (Wales) within the prison

This to include:

  • Working with partners to ensure referrals under the DtR are as efficient and effective as possible.
  • Design and deliver (or coordinate the delivery of) training related to homelessness within the prison and relevant statutory criminal justice agencies, so staff understand accommodation issues, increase their knowledge around the HRA and DtR, can identify related needs and have the knowledge to respond appropriately.
  • Promote the HRA and DtR amongst prisoners to address unhelpful myths, set realistic housing expectations and encourage engagement with the commissioned rehabilitation service, prison housing stakeholders, and local authorities.
  • Developing prerelease assessments with Local Authorities in response to DTRs, through telephone, video and inperson assessments.
  • Promote the work of the Accommodation Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) within the prison and support these services by representing the prison on any joint engagement with external partners, such as local authorities or HPTs or local homelessness board. Contribute towards Accommodation
CRS becoming successfully embedded into the prison and promote their work to the prison's Senior Leadership Team.

Help to find solutions to issues that arise in relation to practical challenges in service delivery and an understanding of the role of CRS with all relevant staff groups.

This role will act as an enabler and will not manage, or duplicate efforts of, the Accommodation CRS.- When working within a Probation Region delivering the Community Accommodation Service - Tier 3(CAS3) temporary accommodation provision:

  • Ensure processes are in place to make sure the Duty to Refer has been discharged appropriately and that all other accommodation options have been fully explored before a CAS3 referral is made.
  • Work with the Regional Probation team and their Homelessness Prevention Taskforce to maximise use of the accommodation offer for those at risk of homelessness, so that they can access interim accommodation at the point of release.
  • When working within a Probation Region which is not delivering the Comm
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