Advice Worker Jobs

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.

Reporting to: Advocacy Service Manager

Responsible for:  No staff 

Location: Orchard House, 15A Purley Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EZ and other locations such as Bethlem Hospital, Monks Orchard Rd, Beckenham BR3 3BX.

Purpose of the role:

General Advocacy - to provide independent issue-based advocacy to informal inpatients and residents of Croydon. IMHA Advocacy - to provide statutory representation to inpatients or those living in the community when subject to compulsion under the 1983 Mental Health Act (2007) and to exercise, as instructed by clients, the powers given to IMHA’s under that legislation.

We are willing to consider a trainee who has registered and is working towards the
qualification.

Mind in Croydon is an equal opportunities employer. No job applicant or employee will be discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We encourage applications from those with Lived Experience.

To apply please send your CV and a Covering Letter to explaining:

• Why would you like to apply for this role?
• How your skills and experience relate to the competencies in the Person Specification of the job description?
• What value you can add to the service?

Closing date for applications is 10th May 2024

At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

This role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service, which has been re-shaped and is due to go live in the summer of 2024. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing. 

As a Adviser (Housing and Welfare Benefits) you will be responsible for providing specialist support to older people, their families and carers through our advice service with their enquiries relating to housing and welfare benefits as well as providing generalist level support on a range of issues through our duty service.

You should you should have in depth, specialist level knowledge of Housing or Welfare Benefits (ideally both) as they relate to older people, experience of working within an high volume advice setting and advice supervision framework such as the AQS framework.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week. 

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.  

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.

Salary information: 

Hybrid working in London: £32,682 per year, increasing to £33,600 after 6 months and £34,493 after 12 months Pro-rata if part-time 

Homebased (with regular travel to London): £29,453 per year, increasing to £30,267 after 6 months and £31,054 after 12 months. Pro-rata if part-time. 

Application Process:

To apply, please sit our website to submit via CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by clicking the Apply Online button below (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name. 

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A basic DBS Certificate will be required for this role.

Closing Date: 6th May

Interview Dates:

First Round: 15th or 16th May, Second Round: 22nd May 

We are seeking to recruit a skilled and dedicated individual to join our team as a Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Worker at Lewisham Vulnerable Adults Accommodation Service.

In Conjunction with the Service Management, you will work dynamically to deliver a high-quality support service to people in the borough of Lewisham with a range of complex and enduring needs.

You will have experience of providing intense support to a small caseload of clients with multiple disadvantages. The successful candidate will have skills and experience of working in a psychologically informed way to achieve the best outcomes.

About the role:

As a Specialist Multiple Disadvantage worker, you will have experience of intensively and skilfully managing a small caseload of clients.  

In the role of Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Worker, you will be expected to work in conjunction with the Team Manager to manage all referrals and assessments in a timely manner to ensure all assessments are conducted in a skilled and sensitive way to encourage potential clients to openly discuss their strengths as well as their deficits.  

As a Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Worker, you will be responsible for the delivery, and evaluation, of a range of Life Skills, and Recovery workshops and activities to support our clients' skills acquisition. To give support and guidance to project workers in relation to best practice standards for supporting homeless people with multiple disadvantages and complex needs.

The Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Worker will have skills in effectively liaising and building good relationships, with external and internal stakeholders to keep a satisfactory level of appropriate referrals.

About you:

• An understanding of best practices in supporting people with complex needs and an ability to support and guidance colleagues.  

• The ability to effectively and intensively case management a small case load of client with complex needs. Also, can create SMART support plans and effectively assess risk.  

• Experience and commitment to working flexibly and creatively to response to changes in sectorial best practice, external environment, organisational requirements, etc.  

• Experience of working with or supporting vulnerable people with support needs around any of the following issues; rough sleeping, mental ill-health, physical health, neuro diversity, problematic substance misuse, ex- offending.  

• To have a non- judgmental approach to working with clients who have multiple disadvantages, to promote a strength –based approach and an understanding of and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. 

• To have formidable team working skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with external and partners, and stakeholders.  

• A willingness to work outside standard office hours as and when requires. 

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 10,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing Date: Sunday 12th May at Midnight

Interview Date: Wednesday 21st or Thursday 22nd May 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed for the successful applicant.

At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

This role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service, which has been re-shaped and is due to go live in the summer of 2024. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing. 

As an Adviser (Health Social Care and Housing) you will be responsible for providing specialist support to older people, their families and carers through our advice service with their housing and social care enquiries as well as providing generalist level support on a range of issues through our duty service. 

 You should have in depth, specialist level knowledge of Health and Social Care or Housing (ideally both) as they relate to older people, experience of working within a high volume advice setting and advice supervision framework such as the AQS framework

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week.

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

 We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.

Salary information:

Hybrid working in London: £32,682 per year, increasing to £33,600 after 6 months and £34,493 after 12 months Pro-rata if part-time

Homebased (with regular travel to London): £29,453 per year, increasing to £30,267 after 6 months and £31,054 after 12 months. Pro-rata if part-time. 

Application Process:

To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name. 

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A basic DBS Certificate will be required for this role.

Closing Date: 6th May

Interview Dates: 

First Round: 15th or 16th or, Second Round: 21st May

Fixed term maternity cover until 30th March 2025 (with possible extension)

Hours available: 21 hours per week (3 days)

Mind in Brighton and Hove empowers and supports people who have experience of mental health issues in Brighton and Hove and West Sussex. We are a Local Mind Affiliated to National Mind.

We are seeking to appoint a Mental Health Advice Worker for our busy and established service in Brighton and Hove. The role plays an essential part of our response to those people contacting us with their mental health enquiries and concerns.

You will responsible for offering a range of face to face and telephone mental health advice and information to people living in the city, including carers and family members who have contacted us with a mental health concern. The service also delivers awareness raising wellbeing workshops and community outreach as part of its delivery.

The role involves supporting people to identify strategies for looking after their own mental health wellbeing along with providing self-help information and resources.

You will require excellent communication skills, a track record of undertaking advice work and experience of successfully engaging and working with people with lived mental health experience. A commitment and understanding of the recovery model is essential.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including full induction, training and 29 days’ leave (pro rata) per year excluding bank holidays, 3% pension contribution and access to a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.

All successful applicants are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 30th April 2024.

Successful candidates will be notified of interview details by 5pm on 3rd May  2024.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 7th May 2024 at 51 New England St, Brighton BN1 4GQ.

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we value diversity in our workforce and aim to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from everyone irrespective of age, disability (including experience of living with mental health issues), gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

Do you want a job where you can really make a difference?

Do you enjoy working with people?

We currently have an exciting opportunity to join the Carers Information Service as an Advice and Assessment Worker.

The Carers Information Service was established in 1997 and is part of the John Whitgift Foundation. We are a small, friendly team dedicated to providing free advice, information and support to carers in Croydon.

Offering a wide range of services including health and wellbeing activities, carer's assessments, respite care, bereavement support, digital and printed publications, meeting room hire and much more. We are supported by Croydon Council and work closely with colleagues across the borough from the voluntary and community sector, NHS, and local authority.

As an Advice and Assessment Worker your main responsibilities will be to focus on the Carers Assessment Service in line with the John Whitgift Foundation, Croydon Council and Care Act requirements. This will also include giving advice, information and support to adult carers who are looking after a relative, partner, friend or neighbour of someone who needs help due to illness, disability, or old age.

Based in the ground floor drop-in service at the Carers Support Centre, alongside other Advice Workers, you will provide this service via email, telephone, online and face-to-face. The ability to work well in a team is essential!

This role is for 35 hours per week.

As a Croydon Good Employer, we are recognised for ensuring our employees are paid a fair wage, for the support we provide to the local community, and the creation of job opportunities. 

All our staff benefit from an attractive remuneration package, including:

• Discounted school fees for staff working at or for Foundation schools.
• Membership of the BUPA health cash plan scheme, which gives financial support towards the cost of optical, dental, and medical costs as well as a free 24 hour Healthy Minds service for all staff
• GP hero service – free easy video and telephone access to a GP
• Membership of a generous money purchase pension scheme for all support staff and the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) for teachers.  Both schemes include 3 x salary life assurance cover
• Free access to an employee discount Club, which offers discounted rates on a range of products and services, including gyms, insurance, holidays and travel, fashion and retail
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and car leasing scheme
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Are you looking for a change in career that can offer you flexible working in an interesting purpose driven role?

We’re the Portman Group, the UK’s self-regulatory body for alcohol marketing and we are looking for someone to provide advice and training to the alcohol industry on our marketing rules.  We have two Codes of Practice: the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks and the Alcohol Sponsorship Code.  Each Code outlines a set of responsible marketing rules that the alcohol industry must abide by.  Our primary purpose as a regulator is to protect those who are vulnerable, particularly those who are under-18.

No previous experience of working in the alcohol industry or marketing regulation is necessary as full training will be provided.

Why you?

We’re interested to hear from candidates who have experience in training, learning and development or stakeholder engagement.

We’re specifically looking for someone who has the ability to speak to groups of people with a personable, informative style whilst teaching delegates the basics of responsible marketing in the alcohol industry.  We’re also looking for someone who can provide clear written advice to companies on how products and promotions may be viewed under our Codes of Practice.  We’re the only organisation of our kind in the UK which is why we are looking for individuals with transferable skills that we can train up on the specifics of the role.

Why us?

We’re a small organisation with a big mission and we recognise the importance of a work/life balance.  We can offer flexibility and understand that this looks different for each candidate.  We’re open to considering those who would like part time or compressed hours.  At a minimum, we need someone to work three days a week spread across the week but there is scope for four days or a schedule that works around school hours for the right candidate.

Our office is based in Borough High Street and we currently work Tuesday/Wednesday in the office, with Monday, Thursday and Friday working from home.  The nature of this role means that you will sometimes have to travel to deliver a training session in person which you can schedule within your work hours.  With the shift to hybrid working, a large amount of our training is delivered virtually online.

You’d be joining an organisation with an important mission where protecting those under-18 plays a significant role in our regulatory work.

Benefits Package

· Salary £38-42k pro rata depending on hours

· Bonus scheme – potential to earn up to additional 8-10% of base salary depending on performance and length of service

· Optional contributory pension scheme (up to 5% of salary)

· Can be part time if requested (minimum of 3 days a week but open to flexi hours)

· Flexible working split typically between London Bridge office and working from home (for the right candidate we are open to discussing working from home with occasional travel for team days)

· 28 days annual leave per annum (pro rata) plus Christmas office closure

· Private Healthcare

· Season ticket loan.

Details of role

· Deliver training and briefing sessions on the Codes and on alcohol social responsibility. This includes delivering sessions virtually and in person within the UK.

· Responsible for responding accurately and promptly to written requests for advice on product marketing from producers and their agencies alongside other members of the Regulatory Affairs Team.

· To raise standards of responsibility in the industry by undertaking proactive trademark searches of newly registered products and providing unsolicited advice where necessary.

· With the support of the team, provide internal and external reporting analysis of advice requests on a monthly basis.

· Monitor product innovations via social media and press publications to identify emerging trends and provide unsolicited advice where necessary.

· Support the team in drafting blogs, newsletters, industry advice pieces and an annual Regulatory Affairs Report.

· Support the team in wider regulatory communications, including distribution of content.

· To support the Regulatory Affairs team more widely by:

o Attending industry events;

o Assisting with the recruitment of new Code Signatories;

o Providing project support as required.

· To be flexibly deployed on any other work as required by the Director of Regulatory Affairs or Chief Executive, taking into account the needs of a small organisation.

Skills, knowledge and experience:

1. Proven experience of presenting, delivering presentations or public speaking to varying levels of stakeholders, this can include teaching;

2. A personable and engaging presenting style;

3. Ability to make sound and consistent judgements;

4. Excellent written and oral communications skills to convey these judgements, with the ability to write clearly, accurately, concisely and appropriately to all correspondents;

5. A persuasive, authoritative manner with the ability to remain calm;

6. Excellent administrative skills and high standards of personal organisation;

7. Competence in use of Microsoft Office;

8. Ability to work on own initiative and be self-motivated as well as enthusiasm for being a team player in a very small organisation with a big mission.

The closing date for applications is 5pm 10 May.

Community Advice Works is an established community charity based in New Cross in South
East London. As the only charity in the London Borough of Lewisham offering a general
drop-in advice service, we are a critical source of support to vulnerable residents. We have
built a strong reputation within the Borough for providing high quality, independent, person-
centred welfare and housing advice. The organisation employs several part-time staff and
has a team of volunteers. In addition to providing advice we currently deliver a domestic
violence project at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital.

Like many charities in the advice sector, CAW is going through a process of change. We are
looking for an experienced and community-driven individual with a strong set of managerial
and interpersonal skills, preferably with a background in advice work, to maintain the strong
structures and reputation for excellence that we have developed.

As service manager, you will work with our friendly staff and trustee team to deliver our vital
service. We pride ourselves on providing a flexible, inclusive and rewarding work
environment, and are parent-friendly. Our community links and reputation are very important
to us, and we are looking for a service manager who shares our commitment to community
and public service - whether your experience is the public, private or charity sector.

Key duties

• Staff and volunteer management
• Line manage staff by providing support and supervision as needed, conducting regular performance reviews, and identifying staff training needs
• Oversee recruitment, training, and management of volunteers to ensure they are properly supported and equipped to help meet CAW’s service goals

Service delivery

• Ensure high quality and timely service delivery in line with the Service Level Agreements with our various service partners
• Identify any issues with service delivery and help develop cost-effective solutions to them as appropriate
• Compile and maintain accurate statistics on service performance to share with funders and CAW trustees
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with our key service partners through regular engagement, including attendance at regular service partnership meetings
• Engage regularly with our funders and other key stakeholders to build and maintain positive working relationships, and provide them with timely reporting on our service performance as needed 
•  Update service level agreements with existing funders, and draft new agreements as needed
•  Interact with clients as needed in a friendly and professional manner

Administration and Finance

• Ensure day-to-day administrative processes are functioning smoothly, and that necessary policies and procedures are up to date
• Line manage work of receptionist/administrative support worker

Fundraising and Marketing

• Help identify new funding and other revenue-raising opportunities
• Support the work of the fundraising sub-committee in preparing funding applications
• Work with trustees and external vendors to ensure CAW website is kept up-to-date
• Work with trustees and external vendors (as appropriate) to develop a social media presence for CAW
• Identifying and supporting efforts to increase CAW’s profile in the local community and to build relationships with key local stakeholders as appropriate Governance
• Prepare monthly reports for the trustees on service performance
• Maintain good lines of communication with trustees on all operational matters
• Attend trustee board meetings as needed

Person specification
Essential criteria

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a managerial role
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•  Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, including ability to manage a diverse range of working relationships in an effective, empathetic but professional manner
• Experience of working in a busy environment, managing competing work pressures and prioritising tasks appropriately to ensure key deadlines are met
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience preparing reports and compiling service statistics
• Ability to think strategically, to identify problems and devise effective solutions
• Ability to work on own initiative, within established practices and procedures

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and experience of advice work
• Experience with fundraising
• Experience with financial management in the charitable sector
• Knowledge and experience of the local community and voluntary sector in Lewisham

The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.

The charity runs three integrated programmes:

• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.

• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.

• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.

Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.

This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.

We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.

Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.

Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.

Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER

Responsible to: Head of Margins

Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London

Salary: £32,500 - £35,000

Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.

Three-month probation, two months’ notice.

23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)

Start date: May 2024

Purpose of Job:

• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.

• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.

• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.

• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.

• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.

• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.

The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.

Responsible For:

• Working with caseload of guests

• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services

• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.

• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.

• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.

• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.

• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.

• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme

Key Duties:

• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.

• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.

• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.

• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.

• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.

• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.

• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.

• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.

• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.

• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.

• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.

• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.

• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.

• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.

• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.

• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.

• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.

• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.

• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.

• Embrace a strength-based approach.

• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.

• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.

• Excellent written and oral communication skill.

• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.

• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.

• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.

• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.

Desirable:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups

• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds

Equal Opportunities:

• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.

• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.

This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.

Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am

Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have a new opportunity for a specialist Dual Diagnosis Worker to join the team in Croydon on a 12 month fixed term contract. This is a new role to the team and you will deliver evidence-based interventions based on  holistic assessments to support personalised recovery, integration, and promotion of independent living skills. You will work to the long term support needs of our residents and work towards facilitating improved outcomes. 

Our service has 27 residents across 4 sites, which specialise in Forensic Mental Health aiming to enable and empower our residents to achieve their maximum levels of functional independence and enhance their sense of wellbeing.

Shift Pattern:  This role is full time 37.5 hours per week. Hours to be discussed, you will be based in service.

Finding us: East Croydon Train and Tram Link.

Benefits, including Non-Contractual Perks

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Medicash includes discount gym memberships, routine optometry care, dental treatments, and physiotherapy treatments
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing.
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

If you have the passion, creativity, and tenacity to make a real difference in people's lives, challenge stigma and make our communities safer, we would love to hear from you!

ABOUT YOU

This role is perfect for someone who is driven to provide high quality, effective and person-centred support to others. We are passionate about what we do and welcome the same drive, values, and interest in performing in our field. We are looking for someone who has a trauma-informed approach in everything they do, who thrives when working as part of a team, be effective at communicating, and able to build long-term purposeful relationships.
Initiative, adaptability, and proactiveness will be essential in this role, being able to follow processes and policies and resolve any challenges face on. 

If you are compassionate, supportive and empowering to others do keep reading!

OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set up realistic and flexible strengths-based support plans, working closely with colleagues and support teams to support and advise on interventions and approaches to meet resident/participant needs.
  Include appropriate substance misuse interventions within support plans for those with co-occurring substance dependence and mental health need devising systematic plans for care; implementing this plan; coordinating the input of others and evaluating effectiveness.
• Undertake joint holistic assessments and risk assessments with residents/participants to help determine service and support needs and identify where these can be met. Provide outcome-based support measured against goals, recovery, and achievements.
• Encourage residents/participants to identify and define their own goals and work towards being resilient and independent as possible, support with reducing reliance on clinical interventions and hospitalisations. 
• Promote active involvement of those with dual diagnosis, assist residents/participants to identify their own strengths, personal interests and goals and support them to access and participate in activities of their choice.
• Undertake time-limited, SMART, and a range of evidence-based interventions such as 1-1’s, including harm minimisation, increasing awareness and motivation through stages of change and relapse prevention.
• Support in creating and maintaining a welcoming, psychologically informed home environment for residents/participants, ensuring a continuous focus on safety, health, and wellbeing.
• Positively promote and support connections with local communities and boroughs of SIG’s services and liaise with other teams to maintain and share knowledge and links to support people to access resources which include print, personal and digital.
• Develop community links and liaise regularly with a range of agencies and individuals across voluntary and third sector services in the community including but not limited to; drug and alcohol services, supported employment schemes, gyms and healthy living programmes, recovery colleges, and benefits and advice agencies.
• Act as a role model for staff of all disciplines and grades working with people with co-occurring mental health, alcohol and/or drug problems. 
• Share knowledge and skills to help enhance awareness around dual diagnosis and best practice, challenges, and services available with other services of Social Interest Group.

Other responsibilities than those described above may be required to be undertaken from time to time and will be expected to be performed to as long as it is within the capability and level of the position. 

KEY CRITERIA

What we are looking for:

• Knowledge, understanding and experience of working with people of complex backgrounds. Ideally ex-offenders, those with enduring mental health, substance misuse and challenging behaviours
• Experience of assessing needs and strengths, and supporting people with dual diagnosis and complex needs
• Previous experience in a similar role, providing holistic assessments and support for people experiencing mental illness who use substances
• IT Proficiency, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to navigate and learn new case management systems and other types of organisational software
• Able to recognise ill health and additional support and need for interventions
• Knowledge of the interactions between mental health problems and drug and alcohol use and the issues facing people trying to stabilise their situation
• Applied knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management, particularly in relation to harm minimisation
• Ability to engage those who may be hard to reach, able to influence and negotiate positive outcomes with others

What we would like, but not essential:

• Experience in delivering training in motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Theory informed approaches and other relevant recovery models

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

WORKING FOR US

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Our Values

Ambition – Eager to succeed and to accomplish as much as possible for our people

Empowerment – Giving staff and the people we support the tools, training, and information they need to achieve their potential

Transparency – Upfront and visible about our actions and open to scrutiny from stakeholders, service users, and staff

Inclusivity – Listening to, understanding, and including all our stakeholders to ensure we make a difference and get things right

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Do you have great listening and communication skills and an interest in supporting vulnerable people in Hackney?

We are recruiting for Support Workers for across our Hackney services (1 of which is a women only service). 

Our services (one being a specific women only service) provide accommodation and additional emergency bed spaces to people with a Hackney connection, who are at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping, and also have additional support needs which include; substance use, mental health or longer term complex needs.

Our hostels offer a range of services to clients at different stages in the process of change and works closely with an adjacent health and advice centre operated by partner agencies. Operationally, the service focuses on promoting recovery, providing assessment, support and resettlement services within a framework of active engagement and person-centred planning. The project is committed to supporting continued client participation in all aspects of its work. 

About you 

Above all we are looking for enthusiastic people who have a genuine desire to support people to transform their lives. We want to hear from you:

• If you have good interpersonal and listening skills; patience and resilience. We will provide you with the knowledge and training you need to work with clients in a holistic and person-centred way. 

• If you have a good understanding of the complex issues faced by homeless people; personal experience of homelessness yourself and some experience of supporting vulnerable people through a process of change.

• For you our women only roles you will have particular understanding of  the issues faced by women experiencing multiple disadvantages, including homelessness and abuse and the difficulties they experience in accessing services.

How to apply 

Click the ‘Apply Now’ Button at the top of the page to start your online application form. 

To view the job description and guidance on completing your application form, please click on the ‘document available’ tab at the top of the advert page on our website. 

Closing date: 10am on Wednesday 24 April 2024 

Interviews: Wednesday 8 May 2024

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Community Key Worker

Salary:   £22,000 - £26,000

Location: Kent

Contract: Fixed Term Contract – until April 2025 (with the possiblity to extend)

Hours p/w           35 Hours per week

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.  

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.  We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. 

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. 

About the role:

Are you an excellent relationship builder who can work with women and a diverse range of delivery partners to ensure that she meets her potential and successfully progresses through and beyond her probation supervision? Can you meet a women wherever she is at in her journey and work with her to create an individualised support package that gives her the best chance of breaking the cycle of offending?

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for a feminist organisation who understand that supporting women in the criminal justice system requires a specialist and gendered approach? Do you believe in our values; to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaborate, innovate, and take accountability? 

In your role as a Community Keyworker, you will be working with women involved in the Criminal Justice System; those on Probation in the Community and those women being released from Prison as part of their Post Sentence Supervision; providing some in-reach and ‘Through the Gate’ support. You will be working in a team of Community Keyworkers in your region. Each Keyworker will provide holistic one to one community support to women with a variety of needs.

About You:

To be successful as the Community Key Worker you will need the below experience and skills.

You will need to hold a UK driving licence with access to car that can be used for work purposes. A creative self-starter who will support the service and look for innovative solutions to support clients with complex needs. You are confident professional relationship builder with have good awareness of Safeguarding procedures. Strong Administration skills and understanding of compliant behaviours also, experience of supporting. With good knowledge of the criminal justice system and awareness of other support provisions within the Kent

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered. 

• Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 5 May 2024@23:59
• Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: 

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) 

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career development pathways 

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email  the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and we will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe.  We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks.  We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

Job Title: VAWG Advice and Advocacy Case Worker in at least one of the Community languages (Arabic, Kurdish Sorani and Farsi)

Duration: Fixed contract for 12 Months – subject to extension

Hours: Full time (part-time can be considered too)

Location: London, Archway

Report to: VAWG Services Manager

Salary: 27K per annum/ pro-rata for part-time

Holidays: 25 days + Public Holidays/ pro-rata for part-time

Aims of the Position

To provide specialist and culturally competent support in mother tongue and to address the immediate and long-term needs of Kurdish, Middle Eastern and North African (KMENA) women who might be at risk or survivors of Domestic Abuse, Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and the so-called Honour-Based Abuse (Harmful Practices). To meet women’s needs through provisions of information, advice, and advocacy case work, as well as signposting and referrals to appropriate services.

Main Duties

➢ To receive initial referrals, identify and assess the needs of service usersin accordance with KMEWO’s Policies & Procedures for efficient and timely responses to their issues.

➢ To offer information, advice, and intersectional advocacy to KMENA women and girls who are affected by domestic Abuse and Harmful Practices.

➢ To carry out comprehensive risk assessments and draw safety plans for service users supporting them to access safe accommodation/refuge and referring them to specialist agencies if needed.

➢ To maintain accurate and up to date records, files, and case notes in accordance with KMEWO’s policies and procedures. 

➢ To gather statistics and data for monitoring and evaluation purposes, providing reports as required. ➢ To ensure that service users can access interpreting services when required.

➢ To work closely with partner agencies to manage risk appropriately, deliver coordinated and comprehensive support packages and to make appropriate referrals to other services as required.

➢ To be updated of developments and legislation around issues affecting service users.

➢ To develop skills by undertaking relevant training and self-development for a better understanding of issues faced by service users (Domestic Abuse and Harmful Practices)

➢ To comply with Aims and Values of KMEWO and its Equal Opportunities policy.

➢ To ensure the framework of quality standards set down by KMEWO and local authorities are maintained.

➢ To work with the VAWG Services Manager in developing Quality Systems to deliver service standards and improve on service performance.

General

➢ To undertake own administration.

➢ To participate in external meetings, forums, etc. as appropriate

➢ To attend staff meetings, case review meetings, staff trainings and supervision / appraisals as required

➢ To liaise with external agencies in accordance with KMEWO’s confidentiality policy.

➢ To abide by and implement all KMEWO policies, including the Equal Opportunities Policy.

➢ To carry out other duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Line Manager or the Director of KMEWO.

Person Specification

Relevant experience:

➢ Proficiency in English and one (or more) community languages (Arabic, Kurdish and Farsi), both in writing and verbally. ➢ Experience in working within a community-based service.

➢ Experience in providing one to one support to individuals on one or more of the following issues: housing and homelessness, welfare benefits, domestic abuse and harmful practices, immigration, employment, and family issues. (Working with women on Violence Against Women and Girls will be highly desired).

➢ Experience in casework, case files recording and monitoring tools.

➢ Experience of providing support to people with complex needs.

➢ Good awareness about issues and barriers facing KMENA women living in the UK.

➢ Awareness of national policies relating to gender-based violence, housing and support services. Skills and abilities ➢ Being a good and efficient communicator in written and verbal English and or community language

➢ Ability to review and evaluate services including performance against service target.

➢ Ability to set up professional relationships with other organisations.

➢ Ability to work on own initiative prioritising workloads and meeting targets /deadlines.

➢ Ability to work as part of a team.

➢ Ability to use IT systems (Microsoft Office) and databases.

➢ Ability to represent the organisation in meetings, networking and forums.

➢ Planning, project management and organisational skills

➢ Have a positive, solution-focused attitude to complex situations.

➢ Have patience and calm manner in dealing with people.

➢ Willingness to continue further training and personal development