Blog

Supporting new beginnings: The role of an Accommodation Advisor

20 Jul. 2026

Claire Oldham, Accommodation Advisor in Greater Manchester, shares how her role supports individuals with their journey after being released from prison or moving on from probation-approved accommodation.

Finding safe and stable accommodation can be one of the biggest challenges for people leaving custody or Approved Premises. As an Accommodation Advisor, my role is to provide compassionate, person-centred support that helps individuals overcome housing barriers and build a pathway towards independent living.
Every person's journey is different, which is why tailored face-to-face support sessions is led by individual circumstances, needs, and aspirations. I work alongside them to explore suitable housing options and help them navigate often complex housing systems.

This may involve supporting individuals to access assistance through their local authority's homelessness duty, securing placements in supported accommodation, or exploring opportunities within the private rented sector. Beyond simply helping people find a place to live, the focus is on empowering them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to sustain long-term housing and achieve independence. By providing practical guidance and encouragement, individuals are better equipped to manage their housing journey and make informed decisions about their future.

Working together with local partners

Successful housing outcomes are rarely achieved in isolation. A key part of my role involves developing strong partnerships with organisations across Wigan and the surrounding areas to ensure people receive holistic support. Some of the key partnerships we work with include Wigan Council Homeless Team, Homelessness Clinics pilot projects, Rebuild With Hope, Work Well, Greggs Foundation initiatives, Greater Manchester Police and many more. 

These partnerships enable individuals to access support that goes beyond housing alone, including employment advice, wellbeing services, financial guidance, substance misuse support, volunteering opportunities, and community engagement initiatives.

Creating opportunities through housing events

Housing-focused events have become an invaluable way of bringing services together and making support more accessible for people under probation supervision.

The Housing and Work Well Event held at Atherton Probation Office in June demonstrated the positive impact of providing individuals with direct access to multiple agencies and support services in one location, removing barriers to engagement and helping people address a range of issues more quickly.

Through the support available, individuals have received assistance with:

• Court hearings and legal-related matters
• Housing maintenance and tenancy concerns
• Managing and reducing rent arrears
• Referrals into supported accommodation
• Debt management and financial support
• Relocating to areas that better meet their needs
• Accessing volunteering opportunities that have progressed into paid employment.

By creating opportunities for people to engage directly with housing providers, employers, support organisations, and community services, these events help individuals take positive steps towards stability and independence.

This is demonstrated by feedback I get from the people I support. For example, one service user, Simon, commented: “Claire has helped me find my current accommodation, which is 95% of what I needed and much more than I could have hoped for given the time constraints (around 3 weeks) as I was due to leave another property.

I was asked what I wanted, told what was available and given plenty of information and help. I’m now in comfortable accommodation with a clear plan for future progression.”

Making a difference every day

The most rewarding part of being an Accommodation Advisor is seeing people move forward with confidence. For many, securing accommodation is the foundation upon which they can rebuild other areas of their lives.

Through partnership working, personalised support, and access to the right opportunities, individuals can develop the resilience and practical skills needed to maintain a home, improve their wellbeing, and create a brighter future.

Every successful housing outcome represents more than just a tenancy, it represents a fresh start, renewed hope, and a chance for lasting positive change.

Claire Oldham is an Accommodation Advisor, dedicated to supporting people under probation supervision to overcome housing barriers and secure safe, sustainable accommodation. Drawing on previous experience as a Community Lecturer in Bolton, working with adult learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as a role within the employment sector at Ingeus on Work and Health Programme Pioneer, supporting individuals with health conditions back into work, she brings a strong background in coaching, engagement, and partnership working.