Strategic Housing Specialist HMP Risley​/Hindley

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.

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. They 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.

In order to offer informed support and guidance to Governors and their teams, the Strategic Housing Specialist will be required to understand, among other aspects, the security category of their base prison and the geographical locations to which prisoners will be released. Prison familiarisation training will be provided to ensure successful candidates have the fundamental knowledge they need to be effective in their roles.

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.

• Co‑ordinate the strategic response of 1-3 prisons to improve housing outcomes for prison leavers and people in prison. Strengthen and support partnership working between the prison, all relevant housing stakeholders, and other key resettlement agencies. Identify existing structures and partnership working to address homelessness from custody in the region and work to develop new solutions to homelessness from custody.
• Champion delivery of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA), Duty to Refer (DtR), and Offender Pathway (Wales) within the prison, which includes:
  • Working with partners to ensure referrals under the DtR are as efficient and effective as possible.
  • Designing and delivering (or coordinating the delivery of) training related to homelessness within the prison and relevant statutory criminal justice agencies, so staff understand accommodation issues, increase their knowledge of the HRA and DtR, and can identify related needs and respond appropriately.
  • Promoting the HRA and DtR among prisoners to address unhelpful myths, set realistic housing expectations, and encourage engagement with the commissioned rehabilitation service, prison housing stakeholders, and local authorities.
  • Developing pre‑release assessments with Local Authorities in response to DtRs through telephone, video and in‑person 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, HPTs or local homelessness board. Contribute towards CRS becoming successfully embedded into the prison and promote their work to the prison’s Senior Leadership Team. Help to…