Do you care deeply about the welfare of older adults?

Do you have experience in social care or working with people with a wide variety of needs and abilities?

Are you an experienced, highly organised and creative groups facilitator?

If you answered yes to all of the above, this could be the role for you!

We’re looking for an experienced and skilled individual who will deliver a package of support, including one to one home assessments and running group activities, to help reduce loneliness, improve health and wellbeing and increase older people and their carer’s opportunities to connect to their local community.

What we do

Time & Talents is a lively, busy community centre in the heart of Rotherhithe, SE16.  Set in a leafy heritage building, and ‘T&T2’, our second venue in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, we offer something for everyone. With a history of 133 years of supporting people of all ages in Rotherhithe and Bermondsey, we bring people together for mutual support, fun and friendship, with a wide range of services and activities for older people and other adults, along with volunteering and children and families’ projects.

We work with around 400 older people and their carers a year, many of whom are very frail and elderly. Sadly, though they very often get left out: their friendships and networks disappear, family and friends move away, and they end up very lonely and isolated. Once that happens, mental and physical illness too often follow. We believe that surrounding older people with a welcoming, nurturing community, is vital to improving and maintaining their wellbeing. We also know they want to thrive, create, feel a sense of purpose, and continue living their lives to the full, for their whole lives.

In response to this we offer one to one support and case-working, befriending, and an exciting programme of social and support groups with fully escorted transport. We also run fun events and intergenerational activities to bring the whole community together. From reminiscence, art, music, and health and wellbeing advice, to outings and new and exciting experiences, no two days are the same.

The role

In this role, you'll deliver some of our existing groups, including our Happy Mondays group, Friday Social Club and a lively Stroke Club. With the support of volunteers and community members, you'll coordinate other smaller peer-led and tutor-led groups (from exercise classes to a mental health support group for older women). You will also take responsibility for a new caseload of referrals and carry out home assessments on clients to identify their individual needs. Working closely with health, adult social care, housing departments and voluntary sector organisations, as well as liaising with referees, you will work hard to ensure clients’ and their carers needs are met, providing help with anything from applying for making adaptions in the home to supporting them to get involved in one of our many groups or projects.

A key part of the role is involving older adults and carers themselves in the delivery of the programme as volunteers, and involving people of all ages and backgrounds from the local community - from NHS health professionals to local artists and students. You will also need to build individual relationships of trust with older participants, and work closely with our Neighbourhood Care Coordinator and Older People’s Programme Manager to ensure we take a joined-up approach to caring for individuals.

About you

The role needs someone creative, energetic, passionate, but importantly, also highly organised. You must be as comfortable making sure a minibus schedule is up to date, as you are delivering craft activities or quizzes, or as comfortable hosting NHS professionals delivering healthcare advice, as you would be helping run an escorted visit to a local farm. You need to have lots of ideas, and be highly ambitious, but also be able to make your ideas happen. 

Most of all, we need someone who cares deeply about the welfare of older people and their carers, and is able to react quickly and appropriately to emerging issues – especially to the more serious care issues we inevitably encounter. While appropriate training will be given, we are looking for candidates with some social care experience ideally.

About us

We are an energetic, experienced, and passionate team of 15, with a strong sense of shared purpose and a lively sense of humour. You’ll have the chance to make a big contribution to a growing, ambitious and innovative organisation which has doubled its reach and impact in recent years.

This role is full time, with flexibility for regular evening and occasional weekend working.

Time & Talents is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity, and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person that they are. We actively encourage applications from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

If you would like an informal chat about the job, please email us with your phone number and a suitable time for us to call.

The closing date is 09:00 on Monday 19 October.

TO APPLY: All applications to be submitted online via CharityJob.  Send a CV and a cover letter of no more than two sides of A4, explaining why you want the job and how your experience relates to the job description and person specification.

IMPORTANT: We’ll use cover letters to assess applications alongside CVs. Please ensure you take the time to include a well-written cover letter as detailed above.  We won’t assess applications without one.

INTERVIEWS: First round interviews will take place w/c 19 October.  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second interview the following week.

Coronavirus/COVID-19: the safety and wellbeing of our current and future employees remains a top priority, therefore interviews will be conducted remotely by video if necessary.

Do you work well in a team and believe in the social model of disability?  Can you build and sustain relationships with customers based on mutuality and peer support?  Do you enjoy managing a varied caseload of people and working in a person centred and empowering way?  Then this could be the role you’re looking for.

We are looking to employ a passionate, motivated individual with excellent communication and people skills to join our Touchpoint Team as one of two Touchpoint Peer Workers. Launched in October 2018, Touchpoint supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need so they can live the life they want to live.

As a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation, we aim to work with people as equal partners to support positive change.  You will have your own lived experience of disability, a long term condition or mental health issues, and be able to use the knowledge this brings you to empower other people overcome the barriers they’re facing.

You may have experience in a related role, perhaps in the advice or advocacy sector, but you may come from a different sector, bringing a host of transferable skills.

The role is 35 hours a week. Currently it involves a mixture of home working (due to COVID) and office working from our modern, open plan office in Barnet and Southgate College, Colindale.  The successful candidate will enjoy working in a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation with an enthusiastic and friendly team of colleagues.

To apply, send your CV plus a detailed covering letter explaining how you would use your own lived experience of disability or a long term condition or mental health issue to provide meaningful peer support.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.  Fixed term contract to 31/07/21, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding.  The successful candidate will need to undergo a DBS check. 

Inclusion Barnet is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) number 1158632.

Mind in Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster are looking for a team of Activity Coordinators to join our new Floating Support service in Wandsworth, which starts service on the 1st of November 2020. There are 6 full-time posts.

Reporting to the Support Lead in the new team, Activity Coordinators will have a caseload of service users living in the borough of Wandsworth. You will be working with these service users to enhance their daily living skills so that they can live independently in the community. You will also be working on developing support plans and risk assessments and working with other service providers and health agencies involved in their care. This is a great entry level opportunity for people who want to work with vulnerable adults and make a difference to their communities.

We are a friendly and growing charity that is passionate about delivering services to improve people’s mental health. Whilst experience is not essential, you will be committed to improving well-being and having a positive impact on people’s lives, impacts that can be demonstrated through practical outcomes.

Please visit our website for the full job description and application form.

Application Deadline: 11:00am 24th September 2020

Interviews: W/C 28th September 2020

Activities and Engagement Project Worker

Permanent contract until 31st March 2023 due to funding with possible extension to 31st March 2025.

37 hours per week.

£23,388 per annum plus travel expenses

Location: West Mercia region

This role sits within our Children and Young People Directorate in our Climb Diversionary Programme, working with children and young people at risk of exploitation. We are a new and friendly team who work to enable inspiring and impactful experiences that transform the lives of children and young people..

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Working across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin you will work within a team that is committed to strengthening how the organisation best supports children and young people by accelerating new and innovative ways of working.

You will be able to demonstrate a key understanding and knowledge of child exploitation within a contextual safeguarding approach and be proactive and holistic in providing specialist support to children and young people who have experienced or are at risk of exploitation in order to reduce harm and develop resilience.

You will work to create an inclusive service that is child focused and led; leading on participation activities and drawing out learning from direct work to identify trends and patterns for review and improvement.

Key skills and competencies

-Experience in supporting and coordinating activities plans ensuring that the programme is engaging, participatory and incorporates a range of activities which will assist in reducing isolation and improving overall well-being of young people.

-Experience of obtaining and using feedback from young people to enable them to have a voice and influence in our work.

-Experience of identifying the needs of service users helping them to access appropriate rights, entitlements and support via group work

-Ability to promote the service via outreach and networking with local agencies through excellent communication and relationship building skills with all stakeholders.

-Knowledge of effective methods of working with young people in group work settings.

-Knowledge of safe practice working with young people and volunteers.

-Knowledge of specialist support available to enhance emotional wellbeing and mental health among young people

-The ability to listen to others and work in an inclusive, empathic and anti-discriminatory way that develops trust.

-Experience in working with children and young people from diverse backgrounds

-Experience of supporting vulnerable young people who are dealing with complex and sensitive issues.

-Experience of working supportively and collaboratively within a team.

-Ability to plan and manage own workload, using your own initiative

-Working knowledge of models and methods for one to one and group work with vulnerable young people.

-Working knowledge of the issues impacting on young people affected by exploitation and those who go missing

Experience of delivering assertive outreach programmes to engage hard to reach young people

[INFO ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY]

The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer.

Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

Therefore, candidates applying for work in our CYP Directorate will be required to complete an “Employment history_template” document prior to interview. The fully completed document should be loaded by the candidate at the point of uploading your CV.

The closing date for applications is 12 midnight 27th September 202

Interviews will be held on the week commencing 5th October 2020

Young Carers Activities, Engagement and Participation Worker 17.5 hours per week (regular after-school sessions with some evening and occasional weekend working) Salary: £23,493 pro rata plus generous benefits 28 days, pro rata in addition to statutory Bank Holidays

We are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and skilled person, with exceptional communication skills, who can develop creative ways to reach and help Young Carers speak up and be heard, as well as grow as people. This includes advocating for their rights, influencing local and national strategic decision-making, and increasing their ownership over the delivery of Young Carers’ service provision. Applying your demonstrable experience, you also will organise and develop a range of social and educational activities alongside these Young Carers, events that will enable them to have short-term breaks from their caring roles and the opportunity to develop their lives, aspirations and abilities.

The ClementJames Centre is an award winning charity that empowers the community to release its potential in one of London’s most disadvantaged areas. Our vision is for everyone in our community to release their potential and live fulfilled lives. We achieve this through providing education, employment and wellbeing support to over 3,000 local people each year in a safe and compassionate space.

Employment Support

We help people to gain meaningful and sustainable employment. This enables our clients to improve their quality of life, security and independence. We offer tailored advice and support, mentoring and work skills activities.

Children & Young People’s Education

We help young people to learn, flourish and achieve their potential. This allows them to feel fulfilled and have the opportunities to build the future that they choose. We provide academic support, mentoring and aspirational activities.

Wellbeing & Support

We empower people to overcome barriers and challenges and to engage with their own wellbeing. This enables our clients to pursue their goals. We do this through the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance, and wellbeing support and activities.

Adult Learning

We support adults to improve their English, Maths and ICT skills. This gives our students the confidence and knowledge to help them succeed and strengthens their place in the community. We offer a wide range of Functional Skills courses and intensive literacy and numeracy support.

We are looking for a Staff Support Worker (part-time) to offer confidential one-to-one support to members of our staff team who work with people from the community dealing with complex issues.

This support includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing emotional support to client-facing staff in delivery roles who work across a number of core areas including housing, employment, numeracy and literacy, and advice, while also offering well-being support.
• Supporting staff to understand their personal and professional boundaries when working with people from the community to preserve a separation between work and personal life.
• Offering psychoeducation covering themes such as working with trauma, understanding stress and learning about compassion-focused skills.
• Understanding core areas related to staff safeguarding, such as burnout and compassion fatigue and, where appropriate, provide suggestions to senior management regarding reasonable adjustments.

Please be advised that this is neither a counselling nor supervision role, although skills from both these disciplines will support you in your role.

If you are a registered member or an accredited member of the BACP or another appropriate professional body (e.g. UKCP, HPC), can demonstrate knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and if you hold a graduate or post-graduate level Counselling Diploma or equivalent, then we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for someone to support our staff team on a part-time basis for 6 hours a week. This would be either from 11am – 6pm on one day with an hour’s lunch break (preferably Thursdays); or 2 – 5pm across two afternoons.

The contract period is November 2020 to October 2021, dates to be mutually agreed.

The ClementJames Centre is a welcoming and unique place to work and if you would like to speak to a member of staff before submitting your application please email us to arrange a phone call.

This role is usually office-based, but due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, we are happy to discuss flexible and working from home arrangements.

If you wish to apply, please send us your letter of application and your CV by 9am on Friday, 9th October 2020.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At ClementJames, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. If you require the application documents in a different format please do not hesitate to contact us.

Black and Minority Ethnic people are currently under-represented in The ClementJames Centre’s workforce and also within the charity sector. The ClementJames Centre particularly welcomes applications from Black and Minority Ethnic people.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. The ClementJames Centre is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff are required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

The Southwark Wellbeing Hub, run by the national mental health charity Together for Mental Wellbeing, is the leading advice and information service for people in Southwark concerned about their own mental health or about the mental wellbeing of someone close to them.

The Wellbeing Workshops Coordinator is a key role within an innovative mental wellbeing service based in Southwark. The purpose of the Wellbeing Workshop Coordinator is to develop, coordinate and support a programme of group activities and workshops that help improve the health and wellbeing of the people using the service that complement the other elements of the service.

By working collaboratively with people who use the service, volunteer and fellow members of staff, the Wellbeing Workshop Coordinator will deliver a programme that increases social activity/reduces isolation, facilitates sharing of lived experience, helps to develop coping strategies, develops skills that will help in managing daily tasks, improves connections in local community and promote service user leadership opportunities.

Recruiting Support Workers to join our Domestic Abuse Service in West Kent!

£20,000 per annum, 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension Scheme, staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Working within the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse services, the Support Workers in our refuges in West Kent support and empower women to move on successfully with their lives and be active members of their local community.

The service supports 23 women with/out children in shared or self contained units. The aim of the service is to provide asset based support to women to rebuild their lives following a period of abuse, preparing them to move on within a 6-12 month period to an accommodation type of their choice either in or out of borough.

Enthusiastic and energetic, the post-holder needs to be customer focused and committed to being an active part of a dynamic team. Support Workers deliver support alongside the in house Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to address the safety of victims, survivors at high risk of harm and to equip women with the tools to move on within the allocated period.

The role requires some flexibility as the post holder will work shifts on a 40 hours shared rota which includes evening and weekends.

Key Responsibilities:

- Undertake key-working responsibilities for customers living in the refuge
- To empower and support women and children in the refuge to keep safe and move on successfully with their lives
- Complete DASH Risk Assessments, conduct comprehensive and regular customer risk assessments to ensure their safety and wellbeing
- Create support/action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available
- Create safety plans for children and prioritise their welfare at all times. Link into statutory interventions for children subject to CP or CIN proceedings
- Provide practical assistance to support customers to work towards the goals in their support plan (e.g. supporting benefits applications, attending medical appointments and appointments with external agencies)
- Work flexibly, supporting each customer to exercise choice and control over their support and the wider service they receive
- Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community
- Liaise with external agencies such as the Police, MARAC, Social Services and GPs
- Work in partnership with involved agencies and stakeholders to deliver coordinated, responsive support
- Help customers to integrate into their local area and access local educational, social, wellbeing and community activities, resources and opportunities
- Carry out duties as required to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of customers and fellow colleagues
- Undertake housing management functions including overseeing rent accounts encourage and enable tenants to pay their rent to maximise customer and Look Ahead's income.
- Take ownership of services and ensure high living standards in both communal and personal living spaces are maintained to a high standard.
- Manage customer referrals, completing Dash Risk Assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system. Understanding of MARAC protocols
- Encouraging customers to attend relevant programmes when appropriate i.e. Freedom Programme/Recovery Toolkit to support successful move on
- Adhere to all the policies and procedures of Look Ahead Care, Support & Housing plus those specific to the project including any statutory requirements
- Ensure Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times
- Maintain records as required at the project under the direction of management
- Participate in team meetings/reviews and the general development of the service
- Engage positively in reflective practice sessions with colleagues
- Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned

For more information or to apply please visit our website.

Support Worker x2

Closing date:Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Aim of the role:To support and empower our customers to increase their life skills

Location:Stockwell

Salary: £23,690.00

Contract:1x Permanent Contract & 1x Fixed Term Contract for 9 Months

Hours: 37.5 per week, working on shift which is 5 days a week over a 7 day rota, including early mornings, evenings and weekends. 

Benefits:

As part of your employment package with us, we offer:

• a competitive salary, comprehensive training and development programme, 
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing each year to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays after 5 years  
• option to buy or sell annual leave up to one week’s annual leave
• a health cash plan providing cash back towards healthcare bills and other wellbeing benefits
• occupational sick pay
• contributory group pension scheme
• free life assurance
• cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans

About the Role

The service is an 87 bed supported housing service for young people aged 16-24 years with a range of complex needs, including experience of homelessness or rough sleeping, substance misuse, mental ill health and offending. The role will require you to work alongside our customers, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to help identify their strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. Managing all aspects of service delivery including casework management and the daily running of busy hostels and promoting an inclusive and passionate culture.

About You

This post presents an exciting opportunity to be an integral part of the development and delivery of services that support young people affiliated to criminal activity. In this role you will be expected to work directly with vulnerable clients who are disadvantaged. As well as having experience of supporting vulnerable people to achieve independent living, you must have a clear understanding of why people become homeless, and the needs and challenges they face.

This position plays a vital role in supporting individual’s to create better life opportunities to and become productive members of the wider community. You will be expected to work with internal and external partners to set and achieve long lasting and realistic gaols. 

As part of this role you will be required to take on a caseload of customers, with responsibility for key working groups and individual sessions on a weekly basis. This will include co-ordinating support packages and proactively ensuring all required tasks and activities are completed.

You may be required to provide coaching and guidance to your colleagues to assist yours and their professional development. You will be part of a dedicated and supportive team, and so will need to demonstrate a positive and inclusive approach. You must be able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, and be competent in the use of Microsoft Office Word and Excel applications.

About Evolve Housing + Support

Evolve is a leading homelessness charity in London, providing housing and support to over 2,000 people each year.

We believe in building on people’s strengths, aspirations and goals to help break the cycle of homelessness and help them move forward with their lives.

We offer a programme of support tailored to meet people’s individual needs, including housing, employment and skills training, mentoring and counselling. We work with young parents and children at risk of exclusion to build the skills and resilience that can help prevent homelessness. We campaign to end street homelessness. We build affordable homes to help people move on to an independent life.

Our mission is to help children, young people and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness reach their potential, and move on to live happy, fulfilled lives.

Your application

Evolve Housing + Support is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including people who have experienced homelessness themselves.

Please ensure that your answers give a clear outline of how your application meets the criteria for this job.

Senior Support Worker (enhanced)

Closing date:           23 September 2020, 09:00

Aim of the role: To support and empower vulnerable customers to increase their life skills and to be a role model for the support team

Location: West Croydon

Salary:£26,780 per annum

Contract: Fixed term contract until 31 March 2021

Hours:37.5 per week.  Working on shift which is 5 days a week over a 7-day rota, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Benefits:

As part of your employment package with us, we offer:

• a competitive salary, comprehensive training and development programme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing each year to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays after 5 years  
• option to buy or sell annual leave up to one week’s annual leave
• a health cash plan providing cash back towards healthcare bills and other wellbeing benefits
• occupational sick pay
• contributory group pension scheme
• free life assurance
• cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans

About the Role

Ingram Court is a 44-bed service for young people from the age of 16-21 with a range of support needs, some of which are complex. The role will require you to work alongside our customers, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to help identify their strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. Managing all aspects of service delivery, including casework management, the daily running of busy hostels and promoting an inclusive and empowering culture.

About You

As well as having experience of supporting vulnerable people to achieve independent living, you must have a clear understanding of why people become homeless, and the needs and challenges they face.

You will be required to take on a caseload of complex customers, with responsibility for key working, co-ordinating support packages and proactively ensuring all required tasks and activities are completed.

You will be part of a dedicated and supportive team, and will need to demonstrate a positive and inclusive approach. You must be able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, and be competent in the use of Microsoft Office Word and Excel applications.

About Evolve Housing + Support

Evolve is a leading homelessness charity in London, providing housing and support to over 2,000 people each year.

We believe in building on people’s strengths, aspirations and goals to help break the cycle of homelessness and help them move forward with their lives.

We offer a programme of support tailored to meet people’s individual needs, including housing, employment and skills training, mentoring and counselling. We work with young parents and children at risk of exclusion to build the skills and resilience that can help prevent homelessness. We campaign to end street homelessness. We build affordable homes to help people move on to an independent life.

Our mission is to help children, young people and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness reach their potential, and move on to live happy, fulfilled lives.

Your application

Evolve Housing + Support is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including people who have experienced homelessness themselves.

Please ensure that your answers give a clear outline of how your application meets the criteria for this job.

Refugee Women Connect are currently recruiting for the rewarding role of Mental Health and Wellbeing manager. 

This will be a fixed-term position from November to March 2021 to cover maternity leave, reporting to our CEO. 

The main purpose of this role will be to manage the development and delivery of mental and wellbeing health support sessions and activities, including managing and supervising staff working on health projects.

If you feel you would be the perfect candidate who could bring a lot to this role, don't delay in submitting your application!

Creative Support is a non-profit provider of person-centred care and support to older people, and people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and autism spectrum conditions. We are currently looking to recruit a hardworking, person centred Senior Recovery Support Worker for our new project, Forest Road, Loughborough.

Do you hold experience supporting individuals with a Mental Illness? Are you a caring person with an interest in supporting people to gain a greater quality of life? Are you an organised and self-motivated person with the ability to lead?

Our 7-bedded Step-Through Supported Housing project will offer 24/7 care and support. You will play a key role in assisting with the day-to-day recovery of those living within Forest Road and the day-to-day running of the project.

We require a dynamic, enthusiastic, energetic and confident person to support the Recovery Team Manager to lead the co-ordination and management of a supported living service, taking an holistic approach to supporting people with a Mental Illness.

You will demonstrate a warm, caring and empowering approach. You will have the vision and flair to lead the staff team to provide the highest standard of person-centred support, in response to the individual needs and preferences of service users. The role will involve direct support, staff development, as well as supervision and joint working with families and outside agencies.
You will have skills in positive communication and engagement and will be able to demonstrate unconditional positive regard for the people we support. You will have the maturity to be able to work within a positive behaviour support framework, to accept responsibility and to grow in confidence as a skilled practitioner. You must be able to follow agreed guidelines and to work positively within a consistent, mutually supportive team ethos.

You will

• Lead and co-ordinate shifts, ensuring residents are supported accordingly
• You will have the vision and flair to lead the staff team to provide the highest standard of person-centred support.
• Communicate regularly with internal and external professionals
• Delegate appropriate responsibilities across the team
• Support with team development
• Promote and encourage both physical and mental well-being
• Take part in a range of activities during key working sessions with residents whilst helping them to achieve their aspirations
• Hold supervisions
• Ensure house rules are kept and adhered to as well as providing a safe and respectful environment
• You must be able to follow agreed guidelines and to work positively within a consistent, mutually supportive team ethos.
• Deputise for the Recovery Team Manager

If this Senior Support Worker opprtunity sounds like the role for you then please click ‘Apply’ today! We’d love to hear from you!

This role offers unique and challenging opportunities bringing great job satisfaction to those who are looking to make a positive difference to the lives of others. We provide relevant training including accredited health and social care diplomas through our own training academy. You will be required to work in a flexible manner on a rota which includes evenings, weekends and sleep-ins. In addition to opportunities for personal and career development, we offer good conditions of service and a supportive, hands-on management culture.

Senior Support Worker

Closing date:Monday 21st September 2020 at 23:59

Aim of the role: To support and empower our customers to increase their life skills

Location:  Croydon- Adult services

Salary:£24,720 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours:37.5 per week.  Working on shift which is 5 days a week over a 7 day rota, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Benefits:

As part of your employment package with us, we offer:

• a competitive salary, comprehensive training and development programme, 
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing each year to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays after 5 years  
• option to buy or sell annual leave up to one week’s annual leave
• a health cash plan providing cash back towards healthcare bills and other wellbeing benefits
• occupational sick pay
• contributory group pension scheme
• free life assurance
• cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

About the Role

You will support the people we work with, our customers, to reach their potential and improve their quality of life through aspirational goal setting.  You will engage with and empower them to:

• Identify their strengths as part of our asset-based approach and identify their needs, opportunities, rights and responsibilities
• Plan what they want to achieve and take appropriate action
• Take part in activities and opportunities that generate aspiration and confidence

You will act as the link between the people we work with and a range of local authority and community and voluntary sector providers.  You will also act as shift lead as well as coaching and supporting colleagues as required.

About You

As well as having experience of supporting vulnerable people to achieve independent living, you must have a clear understanding of why people become homeless, and the needs and challenges they face.

You will be required to take on a caseload of customers, with responsibility for key working, co-ordinating support packages and proactively ensuring all required tasks and activities are completed.

You will provide coaching and guidance to your colleagues to assist their professional development.

You will be part of a dedicated and supportive team, and so will need to demonstrate a positive and inclusive approach. You must be able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, and be competent in the use of Microsoft Office Word and Excel applications.

About Evolve Housing + Support

Evolve is a leading homelessness charity in London, providing housing and support to over 2,000 people each year.

We believe in building on people’s strengths, aspirations and goals to help break the cycle of homelessness and help them move forward with their lives.

We offer a programme of support tailored to meet people’s individual needs, including housing, employment and skills training, mentoring and counselling. We work with young parents and children at risk of exclusion to build the skills and resilience that can help prevent homelessness. We campaign to end street homelessness. We build affordable homes to help people move on to an independent life.

Our mission is to help children, young people and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness reach their potential, and move on to live happy, fulfilled lives.

Your application

Evolve Housing + Support is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including people who have experienced homelessness themselves.

 Please ensure that your answers give a clear outline of how your application meets the criteria for this job.

If you have a strong understanding of the impact of the violence, racial inequity and systemic injustice on marginalised communities and are passionate about empowering those most affected to create a change, then we can’t wait to hear from you!

ABOUT US

The 4Front Project is a member-led youth organisation empowering young people and communities to fight for justice, peace and freedom. The organisation was established in 2012 to provide a platform for those who have been impacted by violence to create change. We support members with experiences of violence and the criminal justice system to create change in their own lives, communities and society.

Over the last eight years, we have pioneered an approach that empowers those most directly harmed by violence and the criminal justice system to be at the forefront of a grassroots movement for change. Our holistic model has been designed specifically to support young people aged 13 - 25 with complex needs as a result of multiple systemic disadvantages and disproportionate exposure to serious violence. By advocating for a holistic approach to build peace, we are transforming the way in which society understands how to support young people who have been affected by violence and shaping the agenda around how to tackle the systemic causes of it. 

We acknowledge the impact of racism and discrimination on our members and actively work to dismantle these systems, whilst supporting members to recognise their strengths and identify systemic barriers to their progress. In this way, we support 4Front members to make changes in their own lives, whilst exploring the inequity they’ve experienced and amplifying their voices to create systemic change. Becoming a member means joining a powerful youth-led movement for change that is transforming the way peace and justice are understood by centring healing, rather than punishment.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an engaging and inspiring Youth Support Worker to provide outstanding support to 4Front members. You love creating safe and supportive spaces for people to explore their challenging life experiences. You are excited about challenging people to think critically about themselves, their communities and society and you enjoy supporting people to explore and build their identity. You care deeply about people and are willing to go the extra mile. You are skilled at creating space to express emotion and you can effectively hold emotion for others. You are not afraid to bear witness to people’s pain and you have a contagious positive energy that uplifts people. You understand the emotional impact of injustice and inequity on marginalised young people and are committed to helping them make sense of their emotions. You are dedicated to developing a thorough understanding of social injustice and actively addressing it. You are comfortable with conflict and have proven experience of managing difficult situations to successful resolutions. You see courage in vulnerability and believe in building the resilience of young people. Most importantly, you are committed to peace and you fundamentally believe in the potential to change, both at an individual and societal level. You will be a visionary leader, seeing your work at The 4Front Project as a crucial part of your identity and purpose in life. You will be committed to upholding our vision, mission, principles and values at all times. You will be bold, actively contributing to a workplace culture that centres justice, healing, change and hope. You will play a fundamental role in supporting 4Front members to transform their own lives whilst amplifying their voices to effect systemic change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

DELIVER IMPACTFUL SUPPORT

• Provide consistent, reliable, high quality support services tailored to meet the needs of young people with complex needs

• Build trusting relationships

• Protect vulnerable 4Front members and accommodate their mental health, learning difficulties, disabilities, and other needs by creating a safe and supportive environment where they feel accepted and welcomed

• Provide members with guidance and promote their personal, educational, health and social development through all interactions

• Work in partnership with members to create individual care and development plans 

• Provide accountability to enable members to reach their goals and the desired outcomes they share with you (which could include emotional health and wellbeing, substance misuse, sexual health, physical health, education and training, housing and any other areas where they could need support)

• Learn from and determine with members, the ways in which they may be at risk of harm and work collaboratively to develop measures that reduce risk

• Empower members to build their identity, develop understanding and express themselves

• Raise our members expectations of themselves by developing extraordinary, life changing pathways to achievement and transformation 

• Create a safe and appropriate environment, ensuring you carry out regular risk assessments for members, yourself and all relevant activities

• Confidently resolve conflict and manage difficult situations to successful resolution

• Identify where additional specialist support is required and support members to understand and access the services that are available to them

• Collect and maintain appropriate records using our database system, and ensuring that these are accurate, up-to-date, completed in a timely manner and secure

• Ensure all data is securely held in line with GDPR and our Confidentiality Policy and Consent Policy.

• Work closely with members to involve them in service design, delivery and evaluation ensuring that their voices are heard

DELIVER EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY

• Build and maintain strong relationships with member’s parents, carers and families to ensure they are connected to the journey of their child and to facilitate the development of stronger family relationships

• Support members and their families to understand the policies, processes, and procedures that impact them

• Support members and their families to understand legal processes, legal rights and entitlements (understanding conditions and ramifications, necessary appearances, roles of each agency)

• Work in partnership with the Legal Support Worker to hold criminal justice agencies, local authorities and housing providers to account in relation to their own policies, processes and procedures 

• Provide support to members if they are arrested by acting as an Appropriate Adult in the police station when required

• Provide advocacy and representation for members in court through in person testimony and written support

• Provide context to the local authority to enable them to better meet the needs of members (attending SEAM, SIRM, CIN and CAR meetings as required)

• Provide context to educational establishments to enable them to better meet the needs of the member (support with the creation of EHCP where appropriate)

• Provide context to housing providers (local authorities, charities or private placements) to enable them to better meet the needs of members 

• Liaise with the local authority to facilitate engagement with members and families

• Liaise with legal professionals to improve communication between members and their lawyers 

• Provide support to enable members to access health services

You will also provide cover on occasion and undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested of you outside of this role description.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

• First-hand experiences of the issues we address through our work
• An understanding of social justice issues, systemic inequality and injustice, including the impact of the criminal justice system on marginalised communities
• Experience supporting young people that have experienced injustice, inequality and other disadvantage
• Experience supporting people who identify as Black British, African, Caribbean and Mixed Heritage and a thorough understanding of the specific issues that affect these communities
• An understanding of safeguarding and child protection frameworks
• Experience delivering tailored one-to-one emotional support and mentoring
• Experience delivering specialist support in group settings
• Experience of working robustly within challenging and unpredictable environments as well as effectively managing change
• Excellent teamwork skills and experience of supporting and motivating others

DESIRABLE​

• Experience of working in an organisation which promotes the rights of vulnerable communities with multiple disadvantages
• Experience advocating on behalf of young people who have experienced injustice, inequality and disadvantage
• Experience liaising with statutory services, other agencies and institutions
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation systems to collect data and measure impact
• Experience building and maintaining excellent relationships with community organisations and partners
• Experience in the creative arts (music, film, animation, photography)
• Experience in MMA or Boxing
• Experience participating in activism and campaigns
• A valid driving license and a car

HOW TO APPLY

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2020 AT 12.00PM

We would like this position to start as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so we encourage early applications. 

To apply for this position, please send:

1. A comprehensive and relevant CV

2. A supporting statement addressing the person specification 

3. And either:

• An essay answering the questions below (no longer than 750 words for each question). 

• A video of you addressing the questions below (no longer than 8 minutes in total).

1) What do the words ‘justice’, ‘peace’ and ‘freedom’ mean to you and how have these concepts impacted your view of the world? 

2) What are your top three priorities for building equity in our society and how would you go about it?

3) What does empowerment mean to you and how do you feel it can be incorporated as a principle in your work?

This will be reviewed by 4Front Members, Staff and Trustees.

There is a 3-stage selection process:

1.  An initial video interview (30 mins)

2. An interactive in person interview with 4Front Members and Staff (including a preparation task)

3. A final round interview with the Board of Trustees.

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate against candidates who may have previous convictions. We will also make reasonable adjustments for employees that may have access requirements.

Please ensure you quote the job reference number in the subject line of your email.