Visa Note
While this position offers a certificate of sponsorship, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer. International candidates should confirm that their qualifications meet UK requirements and check if any additional documentation or assessments are necessary for registration with UK professional bodies.
Job Overview
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Housing Specialist to join our newly created Housing Team embedded within adult mental health services. This exciting opportunity allows you to make a meaningful impact by providing housing advice and interventions to individuals accessing mental health services across the Chichester area.
Company Information
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is a leading provider of mental health services committed to outstanding care and treatment. We value our staff and prioritize wellbeing through regular supervision, mentoring, and support. Our vision is to provide exceptional care, and our employees are central to making this vision a reality.
Location and Work Environment
This position is based at Chapel Street Clinic in Chichester, with travel required across various sites including inpatient and community mental health teams, Council Offices, and service users’ homes. The role involves both face-to-face and virtual work depending on need, location, and communication preferences. Occasional travel outside the Chichester district may be necessary.
Salary and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary ranging from £31,049 to £37,796 per annum under the Agenda for Change pay scheme (Band 5). This permanent, full-time position includes comprehensive NHS benefits and opportunities for professional development within a supportive environment.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Specialists will receive referrals for people using adult mental health services with various housing needs. You’ll deliver specialist housing advice, assistance, and interventions that prevent or relieve homelessness while improving housing quality. Key duties include completing full housing assessments, creating clear action plans, and coordinating activities to secure positive outcomes.
Collaborative Working
You’ll work closely with Chichester Council under formal arrangements, preparing information on behalf of the Local Housing Authority for individuals who may be homeless or threatened with homelessness. The role requires acting in accordance with mental health and homelessness legislation, statutory Codes of Guidance, and relevant Local Housing Authority policies.
Caseload Management
You’ll be expected to manage and prioritize a caseload of people in housing need across your designated area while contributing to an office hours team duty system for referrals across Sussex. This requires strong organizational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities effectively.
System Integration
A key aspect of this role is working between local mental health and housing systems to ensure service users and staff receive high-quality, timely specialist housing input and access to wider housing teams and referral pathways.
Essential Qualifications
Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience. You should also have good knowledge and understanding of housing policy and practice, including legislation relating to local housing authority homelessness duties and social housing allocation.
Desirable Experience
While not essential as training will be provided, it would be advantageous to have experience working in a professional housing advice capacity with people who have housing and mental health needs. Evidence of continuous professional development, understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, and experience of partnership working are also desirable.
Working Hours and Flexibility
This is a full-time permanent position with opportunities for flexible working arrangements. We encourage discussions about partial home-working, part-time hours, or flexible start/finish times where feasible for both the role and the employee.
Staff Wellbeing Support
We recognize that working in mental health can be stressful and prioritize staff welfare by providing regular supervision, mentoring, and any additional support needed to ensure wellbeing. A positive work-life balance is encouraged as it brings health-related benefits that positively impact the care we provide.
Application Process
The application deadline is 16 January 2026. All applications must be submitted via the NHS Jobs website. For questions about the position, please contact Tess Williams, Housing Team Coordinator, at tess.williams2@nhs.net or 07766420590.
Certificate of Sponsorship
This position offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Additional information about visa requirements is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. All successful candidates must undergo this check.
Criminal Records Requirements
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present criminal record certificates from each country where they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
How to Apply
To apply for this Housing Specialist position, please follow these steps:
- Visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 354-CO-21763
- Complete the online application form with your personal details and employment history
- Prepare a supporting statement that demonstrates how you meet the person specification
- Include details of any relevant qualifications and professional memberships
- Submit your application before the closing date of 16 January 2026
- International applicants should contact Tess Williams (tess.williams2@nhs.net) to discuss visa sponsorship requirements
- Gather required documentation including proof of qualifications, employment history, and criminal records certificates if applicable
Equal Opportunities
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. We are particularly encouraging applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds who can contribute to our culturally competent approach to care.
Further Information
For more information about Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, please visit our website at https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/. You can also find our privacy notice and additional information about working in the NHS on our website. We look forward to receiving your application.