Meet Laura-Lee – HR Officer at MACS
Meet Laura-Lee Quigley, HR Officer at MACS Supporting Children & Young People.
From recruiting the right people to supporting staff wellbeing, Laura-Lee plays an important role in helping ensure our teams and new staff have the skills, values and support they need to make a difference for young people across Northern Ireland.
In this edition of Meet the Team, she shares what a typical day looks like, why finding the right people matters so much, and what motivates her to keep supporting the staff who support young people every day.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about your role at MACS and how long you’ve been here?
I’ve been HR Officer at MACS since January 2026. Since joining the team in 2025 I have worn several hats at MACS, supporting with referrals and the office administration as well as previously 4 years of the Board of Directors. I look after the Communication between the Board and the wider Team, I am the point of contact for our Recruitment Agencies and working with the HR Team support with workforce planning and employee relations.
2. What does a typical day look like in your role?
Every morning starts with a check in with the team, opening all our tracker spreadsheets to get a sense of where we are with our recruitment campaigns, onboarding of new staff and staff compliance. Of course, this must include family updates and debrief of any TV Shows that we’ve been watching. Then we get a task list for the days/weeks ahead. We have an open door policy for staff and they often pop in for a chat about recruitment or HR challenges and to answer our Topic of the Week.
3. What do you enjoy most about working with young people at MACS?
For me it is providing a welcoming and comfortable environment for young people when they come to MACS. I love that young people feel they can call in for a cup of tea or a post appointment chat.
4. What challenges do young people face in your area of work, and how do you help them overcome these challenges?
Firstly, it is about finding the right people to work at MACS. Understanding our young people is key to this so it is important that we listen to staff, young people feedback and routinely sit on interview panels. As a HR Team we want to ensure a safe and healthy staff team so that they can deliver the right support for young people. For me it is about working with the team to find creative solutions to ensure their wellbeing whether through Group Activities like our Wool-being and staff brunches or navigating policies that are there during difficult times.
5. Can you share a memorable experience or success story from your time at MACS?
The People 1st Apprenticeship program was launched at MACS after a chance meeting at a Job Fair. It was designed specifically for MACS to support applicants that have transferable skills and a passion to help young people that might not have fit our usual criteria. Following a two week program covering Social Care Values, Trauma Informed Practice, Resilience and challenging behaviour candidates are offered an interview. 6 people have now found roles within MACS through this route to employment.
6. What’s something you wish more people understood about the work you do at MACS?
That MACS provides more than just practical support in navigating homelessness, finding a safe place to sleep might just the first step. Understanding the emotional support our staff offer to our young people, seeing our team build relationships with young people and how they advocate for them is very impressive. MACS becomes that safe place for young people.
7. Why do you think the service you provide is so important for young people?
HR Workforce Planning is about ensuring we have a strong team, core, bank and agency in order deliver services for as many young people as possible. Having staff that share our values is essential and that is why we still use value-based interviews for every role.
8. How do you see MACS making a difference in the lives of young people?
For me it is seeing the change in the young people in how they are when they first come to MACS and over the weeks are growing in confidence or maybe going through a difficult period and how the team wraps around them to support. Our Year Our Impact event in June saw staff from all across the Organisation share how we are making a difference and it was a very moving day.
9. What motivates you to keep doing this work?
Knowing the HR Team are working to find the next ‘helping hand’ for young people who need it is a great motivation.
10. Is there anything you’d like to say to people who might not know about MACS or the services we provide?
MACS are always growing and developing as an organisation to respond to the needs of young people across NI. Keeping in touch with us on Social Media or through our mailing lists means you can stay up to date with statistics, young people stories, new services and opportunities to work or be part of MACS.
For all current opportunities at MACS visit our careers page