Advocacy Jobs
Location: York Crown and Magistrates Court, with regular travel to Scarborough and Harrogate.
Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a difference, every single day, to people from all walks of life? The people that turn to Citizens Advice need help overcoming an obstacle in their lives – from debt to evictions to trouble at work – and you can be key to them getting the support they need in the quickest, easiest, and most effective way.
About us
The Witness Service has over 260 staff and 3000 volunteers and offers free, independent, impartial and confidential support and information to 15,000 witnesses each month to give evidence in every criminal court in England and Wales.
Last year, Citizens Advice helped 2.6 million people face-to-face, by phone, email and webchat, and we received 25 million visits to our digital advice content. We solve 7 in 10 clients' problems, and 4 in 5 tell us that advice improved their lives.
The Role
As the Deputy Team Leader (Court Services), working alongside Team Leaders you will be responsible for the delivery of the Witness Service within your court/s.
You will share responsibility for the effective coordination and development of volunteers who support witnesses in their journey through the criminal justice system.
You willbe responsible for general service administrative tasks within the courts, as well as inputting service data.
Who we are looking for
Do you have experience of working as or alongside volunteers?
Are you looking to develop your management skills or for a new challenge?
We are looking for someone who is a great motivator who thrives on leading teams to deliver positive outcomes.
We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, who can adapt to and manage change. Someone who has administrative skills and is computer literate to a high standard.
We look for people to help us improve and transform our organisation. We can offer you the opportunity to make a genuine impact and create lasting change within an organisation that makes a difference in the lives of millions of people every year.
If you would like to apply, please submit an anonymous CV and a cover letter that addresses the following criteria. Please give examples in your covering letter to help demomstrate the following criteria:
- Experience of delivering or supporting delivery of effective front line services to a diverse range of clients and stakeholders.
- Experience of working with a team of volunteers or as a volunteer.
- Experience of working directly with a diverse range of clients or service users.
This post is subject to enhanced vetting and barring check.
The National Citizens Advice Operates from offices in England and Wales, with 4 regional offices based in Cardiff, London, Birmingham and Leeds, therefore all successful applicants must be based within England or Wales.
Please be aware that Citizens Advice is not a sponsoring organisation. Therefore the successful applicant must already possess the right to work in the UK or be able to secure the right to work in the UK independently.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is of strategic importance within the organisation and recognised as integral to all we do as a service. Central to pursuing our EDI mission is building diverse and inclusive teams in which everyone has a sense of belonging. We believe inclusion is a social justice issue - a principle that underpins all our EDI work. To that end, we particularly welcome applications from people we would like to see better represented in our organisation and sector - people of colour, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. We follow the social model of disability. We will offer an interview to disabled candidates who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident Interview Commitment where they meet our selection criteria in their application. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances where it is not practicable or appropriate, we may limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed.
Citizens Advice seeks to redeploy internal staff who are at risk or under notice of redundancy and will prioritise them in the recruitment process where necessary. If you have been confirmed as at risk or under notice of redundancy please ensure you indicate this in the at-risk box in your application.
Please note, in the event of a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the application early.
This vacancy closes at 23.59 on the closing date.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic team as a Money Advice Caseworker on our Debt Free London project. The successful applicant will be providing money advice as part of our London wide project.
You will be contributing to the health & well-being of the community and helping people from reaching crisis point. In return, as part of our team, you will benefit from learning and development opportunities.
If you are a team player, willing to learn, committed to quality and want a job which makes a difference in people’s lives then this could be the job for you.
Closing Date: 5pm on Tuesday 7th May 2024
Interview Date: Friday 10th May 2024
Citizens Advice Bromley values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advice Session Superviser or experienced Generalist Adviser with at least 2 years’ experience looking for a development opportunity to join our dynamic team.
The successful candidate will join our team of Supervisers and contribute to the support and development of our excellent staff and volunteers.
Together with our Senior Management Team and Quality Performance Manager, you will help to ensure that we continue to provide a high quality advice service within the London Borough of Bromley.
If you are a team player, committed to supporting others, and want a job that makes a difference in people’s lives this could be the job for you.
Closing date: Monday 6th May 2024 at Midnight
Interview date: Wednesday 8 th May 2024
Citizens Advice Bromley values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Citizens Advice Hertsmere is a great place to work, with a friendly and supportive team. We are looking to take on a Debt Caseworker to join our small debt advice team. You will be providing advice to clients supporting them through the debt advice process, including dealing with emergencies, income maximisation, budgeting advice and ultimately helping with a debt strategy.
You will need to:
- Prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutoty bodies
- Negotiate with third partie sinw ritingand on the tleephone
- Act for clients where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning
- Be numerate and able to analyse data and draw conclusions
- Have good commucation and It skills
Role purpose
To deliver an excellent quality debt advice service to clients, with due regard to the aims, policies and procedures of the organisation and service, working within a client focussed and responsive team.
About Us
Citizens Advice Hertsmere (CAH) is an independent local charity and a member of the national Citizens Advice network. We deliver high-quality advice across Hertsmere and campaign on issues that matter to residents. Our primary office is in Elstree with outreach locations in Bushey and Potters Bar.
Our staff and volunteers supported clients with a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, employment, housing, relationship, and consumer issues. We provide our advice face to face, telephone, and email.
We are a forward-thinking organisation, committed to continually improving, expanding, and developing our services to better serve our local community.
We are a friendly, supportive team, and we are looking for another person to strengthen our debt team. There are opportunities for progression within our service and we encourage and support our staff to achieve their potential. We believe that what we do matters.
Please submit the application form as your cover letter
You’re good at engaging with, and supporting, others who are experiencing difficulties. All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Richmond Fellowship as a Peer Support Worker.
Right now, we are looking for a Peer Support Worker to join the team at Horsham. Our Peer Support service offers both intensive and low key peer support services. We support people who are going through a difficult time, by sharing our experiences, helping them discover the strengths and developing skills that will lead to wellness. But it's only possible with the help of people like you.
Day-to-day, you’ll work with the team leaders, peer support volunteers and the people who use our services to develop an inclusive and effective peer support service, offering individual and group support. That means you will be working alongside colleagues who have personal experience of using mental health services to help others on their own recovery journey. You will help to contribute to the development of organisational policies, procedures, protocols, systems and guidance to underpin the provision of peer support across the organisation. Identifying and undertaking training programmes, promoting the service to stakeholders and operating within a fully compliant service to agreed budgets – all are part and parcel of this challenging role.
To succeed, you’ll need a good understanding of the recovery and personalisation agenda and the principles and practice on which mental health services are run. You must have a proven ability to consult, liaise and work collaboratively with a team of colleagues and a wide range of external organisations and a flexible approach to working hours. You will be well-organised and self-motivated; good problem-solving and decision-making skills are essential, as is an innate ability to cope with personal stress.
In return for your skills and enthusiasm, this role comes with some really great benefits and excellent training and development opportunities.
We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.
So, are you ready to take on this rewarding role that comes with some really great benefits.
This is a permanent part time role requiring the post holder to work 15 hours per week.
To apply, please visit our website and send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.
This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.
Richmond Fellowship is part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. From 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship will be merging with the mental health charity Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. In October 2024, Humankind will then be renamed to reflect the new, bigger and better organisation.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled writer and/or journalist to tell the stories of SAT-7 and the people of the MENA in fresh and powerful ways. You’ll be working in a fast-paced, creative environment as part of the Communications & Resources Team, delivering high quality content across a range of platforms. You’d be writing engaging podcast and video scripts, informative press releases, powerful viewer testimonies, inspiring articles for our website or print magazine, political briefings, and attention-grabbing email copy. You’ll be one of the main points of contact with our international office and Middle Eastern TV studios, gathering and repurposing impactful stories and resourcing the wider UK team.
You’d also be responsible for making SAT-7 more widely known amongst UK Christians and churches, leaders and influencers, getting SAT-7’s stories and campaigns strategically placed across print, broadcast and digital press and media. Working closely with our external PR agency, you’ll help facilitate regular media opportunities with SAT-7 UK and international spokespeople, making sure they are well prepared for interviews with the press.
The Communications & Press Officer reports to the Communications & Resources Manager.
This role is a permanent role. The role is based in Chippenham but flexible working options are available.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Write engaging content for a range of platforms, in line with our “Read, Listen and Watch” strategy
- Demonstrate the life-changing impact of SAT-7 and the value of supporters’ financial giving
- Show how God is at work in the MENA, and mobilise increased prayer for the issues affecting different people groups and MENA Christians
- Inform supporters and the wider public about the context, news, challenges and opportunities for the MENA region and Church
More detail of key responsibilities and tasks is included in the Application Pack.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
What we’re looking for:
- Do you have demonstrable experience (professionally or voluntary) supporting customers with substance misuse issues?
- Do you have experience supporting customers with mental health needs?
- Do you have knowledge or an understanding of housing support needs and benefits?
If so, this role is perfect for you!
Here at Peabody, we have an opportunity for a Outreach Support Worker on a Permanent basis in Brentwood, Epping & Harlow areas.
A bit about the role:
As a Outreach Support Worker, you will provide a service where planned support and crisis intervention is delivered to vulnerable people with low, medium and high support needs living in independent accommodation with the aim of them maintaining their home.
In conjunction with colleagues and Senior Managers, you will be responsible for the effective operation of the Support Service, in line with its policies and procedures, including encouraging a co-operative and supportive environment within the Service, listening to customers’ views and developing new services to meet these needs.
Some of the key results for the role include:
- To provide pre tenancy guidance and ongoing support to customers on all tenancy matters, including assistance to furnish and move into properties.
- To enable customers to abide by their tenancy agreements, giving advice and assistance on dealing with police and courts where this relates to housing matters
- To provide basic Welfare Benefits advice, assisting customers in claiming all benefit entitlements and assisting with accessing specialist support.
- To work with customers to identify the skills required to manage their own tenancy, including assistance to deal with difficult situations.
This role will require an Enhanced DBS check, a UK driver’s licence and access to a vehicle.
A bit about us:
It started over 160 years ago with one man’s desire to improve the lives of poverty-stricken Londoners.
Today, we have 107,000 homes and 220,000 residents across London and the Home Counties and around 20,000 care and support customers. But the desire remains the same – to create homes and communities where people can flourish.
We work with councils and communities to promote economic inclusion, tackle inequality and poverty, and prioritise wellbeing.
Here just a few of the benefits for working at Peabody:
- Up to 25 days’ annual holiday plus bank holidays
- Flexible benefits scheme, including options for Healthcare, Dental care, Critical illness cover, vouchers, technology scheme and access to a discount portal
- 4 x Life Assurance
- Competitive salaries that are benchmarked regularly against current market rates
- Professional development by access to "paid for" apprenticeship programs and qualifications
- Two additional paid volunteering days each year
- Family friendly policies
- Up to 10% pension contribution matched 1:1
Are you ready to apply?
Closing Date: 6 May 2024
Interview dates - Week commencing 13th May.
PLEASE NOTE: As an employer, Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licenced UK employer.
To be considered for the position of Outreach Support Worker, please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and submit both your CV and a bit about why we should consider you for the role.
Peabody reserves the right to close this advert before the advertised closing date, depending on the number of applications received.
Contract type Permanent
Weekly hours Monday - Friday 9-5
Ruils is a user-led charity that supports disabled adults and people with long-term health and/or mental health conditions to live independently, be part of their community and live life to the full. We provide information, advice, practical support, befriending and accessible activities to our clients and families.
We are working with the SWL ICB and local GPs to deliver an exciting new service within Hampton North. The Community Health and Wellbeing Worker will speak to households about health and wellbeing, alongside offering support to connect people to services and activities in their local community. The role aims to empower people to take control of their lives.
It involves working with people who may be experiencing a number of issues, so you will need outstanding listening and communication skills, empathy and enthusiasm. You will need excellent organisational skills, be adept at seeking out information for relevant community services and have the tenacity to help people achieve sustainable improvements in their wellbeing.
Main duties include:
- Managing a caseload of households, providing monthly home visits and providing a continuous point of contact for all members of the household.
- Working with the client to assess their needs, create personalised action plans and locate support within the community.
- Supporting clients to prioritise and address practical, health, social and emotional issues in their lives which affect their wellbeing.
- Engaging with community organisations and specialist services that provide support to ease the pathway for your clients.
- Building and maintaining relationships with primary care networks, GPs, health care professionals and services across the borough.
What we can offer you:
- A vibrant and interesting work environment – every day is different.
- An experienced and supportive leadership team.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Flexible working.
- Kind and caring colleagues who work as a team.
- A cycle-to-work scheme.
- An employee assistance programme (EAP).
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme; we will guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this guaranteed interview scheme.
To apply, please email Viv Sage, HR Consultant, via the Apply button.
Closing date: 9th May 2024
Interview date: w/c 13th May 2024
We are a dedicated Domestic Abuse Charity supporting Women exposed to gender-based violence and exploitation, and their children to be safe and have access to appropriate interventions and support in order to live free from fear and harm.
If you are passionate about supporting women and working in a charity that has core values of diversity and inclusion, collaboration, advocacy and innovation then we have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a Support Office working in our Refuges. We work with trauma informed practice and use client led support plans to ensure that the women in our Refuges are supported in a personalised way.
We are passionate about working in the community with other agencies and organisations to ensure that women using our services have excellent, appropriate and holistic support.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Location: The post holder will have a normal place of work in Hampton Hill, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and will be required to travel throughout the borough to support our other offices and outreach venues.
About the role:
We are pleased to offer you an exciting opportunity to join our advice team at Citizens Advice Richmond as a generalist adviser.
In this role you will be working alongside volunteer advisers, and be responsible for providing generalist advice to clients, including advice about financial confidence, welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, immigration, discrimination and other areas of public and social welfare law.
You will work alongside our existing projects and services, which are already seeing a large number of clients affected by cost-of-living issues.
The role will focus on responding to clients by email and giving advice over the telephone. There will also be some face to face interaction with clients when needed. It will be helpful to have experience of supporting new trainees.
We are a friendly and diverse office. We support clients across our community, and aim to reach the most vulnerable and excluded in our community.
Normal working hours 9.00 – 17.00 excluding lunch break. Some evening attendance is required at governance meetings – time off in lieu will be offered.
Closing date for applications:Rolling – if we fill the role we will withdraw the advert
Your experience of working in the mental health field has given you a good understanding of community working and lone working plus a proven ability to break down stigma and the barriers associated with working with the client group. All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Richmond Fellowship as a Community Connector.
NHS England recently announced a new transformation fund to be allocated to pilot sites within 12 Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships/Integrated Care Systems across the country to test new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care. The Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership in Redhill is one of these successful pilot sites, and Richmond Fellowship are proud to be part of that partnership.
The role of Community Connector is fundamental to the developing of these innovative new teams and mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (Primary Care Networks). Indeed, whoever takes on this particular challenge will be instrumental in supporting the ongoing development and mobilisation of integrated primary care mental health services in the future. Along the way, you’ll work jointly with a Mental Health Practitioner to conduct assessments. We’ll also rely on you to help patients identify their socially determined needs and goals, provide self-management tools, and develop personal support plans. Delivering a range of motivational and structured psycho-social interventions, promoting independence through an enabling asset based approach and developing effective relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate a ‘joined up’ approach - these are just some aspects of this vital role.
As well as proven relevant experience, you’ll need an appropriate diploma or degree i.e., in counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3), NVQ’s level 3+ and/or community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work. You’ll also need the ability to work co-operatively and flexible as part of a multidisciplinary team from a service hub in one of three locations and be willing to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis. Comfortable working to the confidentiality, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies of the integrated service, the ability to manage any challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients is important too. And, it goes without saying that you have excellent communication skills and are proficient in the use of office IT.
In return for your skills and enthusiasm, this role comes with some really great benefits and excellent training and development opportunities.
This is a permanent, full time role requiring the post holder to work 37.5 hours per week.
We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.
To apply, please visit our website and send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.
This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.
Richmond Fellowship is part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. From 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship will be merging with the mental health charity Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. In October 2024, Humankind will then be renamed to reflect the new, bigger and better organisation
We have an exciting opportunity to join us in making a difference!
Citizens Advice Birmingham has partnered with Alzheimer's Society to deliver Welfare Benefits Advice for people living with dementia. This includes those with the condition and their carers.
Are you an experienced adviser who has a strong background in the delivery of high-quality advice and a good working knowledge of welfare benefits?
We are looking for an enthusiastic caseworker to join the team, to provide the following:
- You will undertake casework, assisting clients to access their entitlement to welfare benefits and other sources of financial help, up to and including tribunal representation.
- Advice will be delivered virtually according to the service user’s needs and preferences. This will include phone, secure email or secure video calls.
- Help to design welfare benefit information leaflets and upskill referrers, preparing and providing training on our referral processes.
- Working independently and building relationships with third sector colleagues will be important, as will the ability to achieve targets, and support the work of volunteers.
Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays pro rata per annum from 1st January to 31st December. This rises to 30 days pro rata over the next 5 years
Previous applicants need not apply
Closing Date: Thursday 2nd May 2024 at noon
Interview Date: Monday 20th May 2024
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Hours: 37.5 Full Time (part time may be considered)
Location: Various locations in the London Borough of Hounslow
Closing date: On an on-going basis until filled – we reserve the right to withdraw this job opportunity early if this vacancy is filled
Interview date: To be arranged directly with shortlisted candidates.
Citizens Advice Hounslow is a well-established charity operating in the London Borough of Hounslow, supporting over 10,000 clients a year. We want to expand our capacity for face to face and telephone advice; hence we are looking for an experienced generalist Adviser with the ability to provide advice in person as well as on the phone through our dedicated helplines.
In particular, the role requires you to:
- conduct a thorough holistic exploration of the problem(s) to gain an accurate picture of the client’s situation
- do a benefit calculation as standard for clients
- give full advice and support to clients to resolve their issues
- where necessary, make a referral or signpost clients
- write up case notes to Citizens Advice national standards
For more information about the role and the criteria to apply for the post, please download the Job Description and Person Specification.
We might consider strong trainee advisers who have completed the adviser training and have been exposed to sufficient practical generalist work (about to achieve the adviser certificate or an equivalent qualification).
Please note: We can only respond to successful applicants. If you do not hear from us within three weeks from receipt of your application, please assume that it has been unsuccessful.
We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, pension contribution, and training and opportunities to continue your professional development.
We consider applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?
Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?
Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?
Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.
We are looking for a new Advocate to join our team in Lincolnshire. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Lincolnshire. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About you
Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.
You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.
How will you make a difference?
You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.
You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.
You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.
Professional Development?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Separate Life Assurance Cover
- Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
- Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
- Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance
- Support with continuous professional development
Equality and Diversity
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; midnight on 5th May 2024, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.
Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.
We look forward to hearing from you.
NB:
If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training. VoiceAbility will fund this training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgmental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?
Can you demonstrate our values of Hope, Courage, Together, and Responsive and want to be part of our mission to create opportunities for individuals to make choices, find their own solutions, build resilience and manage their whole life and wellbeing?
If the answer to all of these is yes, we want to hear from you.
Mental Healthcare Support Worker – Helpline & Crisis Cafés - Evening and Weekends
Reference: 198
Responsible to: Crisis Cafe Coordinator
Working Base(s): Watford, Stevenage and Ware (expectation to travel whenever necessary with mileage paid when not working at home base)
Salary: £22,347 - £24,024 per annum, FTE
Hours: Full time or part-time positions (30 or 22.5 hours) available in addition to Bank hours.
Work pattern: A full-time pattern will be working 5 out of 7-day rota, working 17:30 - 01:30
About the Service
Our Nightlight Service is proud to provide urgent support, crisis intervention and emotional support to people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire as an alternative to statutory pathways.
We provide support to adults across Hertfordshire 7 days a week, 365 days a year through our helpline, crisis centres, crisis cafes and a weekend Crisis House. We aim to provide a safe space for people in crisis to talk and feel supported, be listened to without judgement, access relevant support with problem solving and facilitate access to external services when necessary.
The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Services are:
- To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire.
- To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.
- To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
- To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
- To provide an alternative pathway to people in distress and crisis to support better outcomes and reduce the demand on statutory crisis services and emergency services.
About the Role
Mental Healthcare Support Workers are key members of staff delivering the Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Service, taking part in a rota covering 7 days per week, ensuring the delivery of quality crisis support services and instilling Hertfordshire Mind Network’s values throughout the crisis cafe and helpline provision. Working closely with other staff (bank staff, volunteers), coordinators, team leaders and Crisis manager to ensure services are of the highest quality and support the continued growth and development of the service.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing emotional support and developing, alongside clients, flexible and realistic crisis support/person-centred plans within agreed guidelines with support from leadership team (including assessments of need, risk, crisis support plans and review forms), often where risks are significant.
- Liaising with statutory agencies to ensure appropriate intervention is obtained for individuals.
- Drawing upon own lived experience as appropriate to inform the delivery of person-centred support.
- Providing immediate advice and information to clients to support with crisis presentations.
- To support individuals both through telephone support (helpline) and face to face support (crisis café).
- Liaising with Nightlight management and external services e.g. police, ambulance service, Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team, Single Point of Access, Safeguarding Out of Hours Service, Mental Health Liaison Teams, Adult Community Mental Health Services etc .as needed in terms of accepting referrals and proactively recognising the indicators of deteriorating mental health and facilitating appropriate support.
- Completing appropriate signposting/onward referrals to both internal and external services in accordance with identified needs and risks.
- Supporting clients with making drinks and beverages as needed when visiting the crisis café.
- Assisting with housing keeping/cleaning tasks as necessary and reporting any maintenance problems.
- Contributing to the co-development of the service by supporting service user, family and carer involvement by obtaining feedback and supporting where necessary chances to be involved in wider service reviews.
We offer:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
- An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
- Ongoing training relevant to your role.
- An Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 6th May 2024
Interviews shall take place the week commencing 6th May 2024.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if sufficient applications are received so would encourage early applications.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.
Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. We recognise and value the unique combination of skills, knowledge and perspective that employing people with a lived experience, at all levels across the organisation, brings. We create an environment where the sharing of experiences and vulnerabilities to support others and create positive change is welcomed and work towards breaking down the ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture. The organisation is committed to nurturing peer relationships that allow all staff to thrive.
We are delighted to have been accredited as a Living Wage Employer.
No agencies please.