Advice worker jobs

The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness.

Job title: Life Skills and Activities Co-Ordinator
Westminster, London
Hours: 35 hours (full time) working at least 4 days in our office near Victoria

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you want to leverage your skills to combat homelessness for children and young people? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit a life skills and activities co-ordinator to concentrate on building and expanding relationships with young people living in our supported accommodation as well as families in Westminster who attend sessions in our Family Services department. This is a unique and rewarding role in our Employment & Learning Team that will involve meeting and working with residents in our supported accommodation on a one-to-one basis and in groups, facilitating activities and evaluating and building evidence that these interventions have made a difference. Your work will focus on supporting our residents (aged 16-25) on-site with their Life Skills development. You will also work holistically to support the families who attend sessions in the Family Centre and who attend outings and “away-days”. The role also requires facilitating our study club (aged 13+) and group ESOL sessions (19+).

Please refer to the job description on our website for further information.

In your cv and cover letter, please outline how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us. You must account for any gaps in your employment history.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We require job applicants, staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration. This role requires an enhanced DBS check plus children’s barred list. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visas. 

Benefits

· 26 days’ leave rising to 28 days’ leave after two years’ service (pro rata for part time staff)

· Discretionary wellbeing and celebratory days

· Access to Blue Light Card discounts

· Pension: stakeholder pension scheme and we will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.

· Life assurance cover (after probation passed)

· Season ticket loan

· Training and development opportunities

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 17th November 2025
Interviews: W/C 24th November 2025

If you’ve not heard from us three weeks after the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job title:    Admissions Officer                                                                                                                                           

Reports to: Head of Language Programme                                                                                                                   

Location:    Hybrid work with 40% from Breaking Barriers’ office in London, Manchester or Birmingham                             

Hours:         Full-time (37.5 hours per week), part-time considered. Open to flexible working.                                               

Contract:    Permanent

Overall purpose 

The Programme Admissions Officer will be responsible for processing client applications, including conducting initial calls, checking eligibility and signposting where applicable. They would then flag new applicants with the relevant team/programme. This role is the gateway to accessing our services and plays a critical role in providing a positive and seamless client experience. As we enter a new and exciting stage of strategic development, this role has the potential to grow and develop in line with our evolving service model.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accesible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack. 

Other considerations  

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.   

• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief. 

Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.   

How to apply  

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a statement of interest (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining: 

• Why you are interested in the role 
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role 
• Any experience you would like to highlight 
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process 
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role) 

Closing date for applications is Sunday 16 November at 11:30pm. Please note, interviews will be held online on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supportd organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and / or are from a refugee background. 

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for independent and confidential support with your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach to HR Manager, Caroline Meechan for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert but you can find contact details in the recruitment pack).

Job Title: Safeguarding Officer

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Professional Supervision: The Regional Safeguarding Lead

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £22,500 per annum (FTE £39,375)

Hours per week: 20 hours

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Role Description

The Safeguarding Officer will lead and oversee all aspects of safeguarding within St Edmundsbury Cathedral, ensuring that the Cathedral remains a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

You will be responsible for ensuring that the Cathedral meets all statutory safeguarding obligations and complies fully with the Church of England’s national safeguarding policies, diocesan frameworks, and relevant legislation. This includes proactively identifying potential risks, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, and ensuring effective reporting and case management in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team and statutory agencies.

Beyond compliance, this role is about embedding a culture of care, accountability, and transparency across the Cathedral community. You will support clergy, staff, and volunteers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, ensure safer recruitment and training practices, and provide guidance and reassurance when safeguarding issues arise.

By acting as a source of expert advice, leadership, and advocacy, the Safeguarding Officer will help the Cathedral community uphold the highest standards of safety, dignity, and pastoral care, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, can participate fully and confidently in Cathedral life.

The Cathedral Safeguarding Officer has operational authority within the Cathedral (subject to agreement with the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer with respect to responding to concerns and allegations against Church officers) for the following responsibilities, arranged according to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Standards.

These four National Safeguarding Standards provide the framework for effective safeguarding practice across all Church settings:

1. Culture, Leadership, and Capacity – Promoting a culture where safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of Cathedral life, ensuring that leaders, clergy, staff, and volunteers model and champion best practice.
2. Prevention – Implementing robust safer recruitment, induction, and training processes, and proactively identifying and mitigating potential safeguarding risks.
3. Responding to Concerns – Ensuring that all concerns, disclosures, and allegations are taken seriously, responded to promptly, and managed in partnership with statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
4. Learning, Supervision, and Quality Assurance – Fostering continual improvement through regular review, reflection, and evaluation of safeguarding practice, ensuring accountability and transparency at all levels.

Together, these standards guide the Cathedral’s commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and trustworthy environment for all who engage with its worship, ministry, and community life.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Act as the Cathedral’s primary safeguarding lead, providing authoritative advice and operational oversight to the Chapter, leadership team, clergy, staff and volunteers.
• Ensure compliance with national Church of England safeguarding guidance, diocesan requirements and all relevant statutory legislation.
• Develop, maintain and drive a measurable safeguarding action plan and improvement programme, ensuring policies and practice are implemented consistently across Cathedral activities.
• Produce clear, timely safeguarding reports and briefings for Chapter and committees translating case and compliance information into strategic recommendations.
• Actively promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, supporting leaders to embed safeguarding into planning, events, recruitment and everyday practice.
• Engaging in professional supervision and quality assurance provided by the relevant Regional Safeguarding Lead, and in continual professional development, including ensuring that the requirements of the National Safeguarding Learning and Development Framework for Safeguarding Officers are met.

Safer recruitment

• Lead and oversee safer recruitment processes for all paid roles and volunteer positions, ensuring job descriptions, interviews and selection processes assess safeguarding suitability.
• Support managers to make informed recruitment decisions and ensure all new starters receive safeguarding induction and appropriate supervision.

Case management

• Receive, triage and respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures quickly and sensitively, ensuring the safety and welfare of those involved.
• Undertake initial risk and needs assessments and make appropriate referrals to statutory agencies and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
• Support and co-ordinate multi-agency responses where required, and follow agreed safeguarding pathways.
• Provide pastoral support and signposting to victims/survivors while ensuring appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and access to specialist support services.
• Manage allegations involving staff or volunteers in line with diocesan procedures, ensuring safe working arrangements are put in place while enquiries proceed.
• Maintain accurate, secure and auditable case records, ensuring all documentation complies with data protection (GDPR) and Cathedral record-keeping protocols

Meetings & governance

• Attend safeguarding-related meetings, including the Safeguarding Committee, Guild Committee and Forum, providing briefings, presenting reports and highlighting risks and compliance matters.
• Prepare agendas, papers and minutes as required; maintain an action log and follow up to ensure agreed actions are completed.
• Escalate unresolved risks or urgent safeguarding matters to Chapter and senior leadership in a timely and constructive manner.
• Attend Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) Meetings.

Training & awareness

• Lead on Cathedral safeguarding training, coordinate and deliver induction and refresher training for staff, volunteers, and clergy.
• Maintain up-to-date records of safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers (showing completion and renewal dates).
• Create accessible safeguarding information and communications for the Cathedral community (e.g., weekly bulletin items, posters, webpages and event briefings) to raise awareness and reinforce good practice.
• Provide tailored briefings for high-risk roles and ongoing advice to managers and supervisors on safeguarding responsibilities.
• To evaluate training to ensure that learnings have been embedded.

Policy & risk management

• Review, update and implement the Cathedral’s safeguarding policies and procedures on a regular schedule (and sooner where guidance or case learning requires change).
• Lead safeguarding risk assessments for services, events, volunteer activities and external bookings; provide straightforward, action-focused mitigation plans for event organisers and hirers.
• Conduct audits and spot-checks to ensure practice aligns with policy and report findings with recommended improvements.
• Ensure contractors, partner organisations and hirers meet required safeguarding standards and that any safeguarding responsibilities are set out contractually where appropriate.

Additional duties and professional development

• Provide clear, timely advice within agreed working hours and support any out-of-hours arrangements for urgent safeguarding concerns as agreed with Chapter.
• Maintain your own professional development through training, supervision and membership of relevant safeguarding networks; ensure learning is shared across the Cathedral.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties that support the effective delivery of safeguarding across the Cathedral.
• Attend the East Anglia Regional Safeguarding Network meeting three times a year, with other DSOs and CSO in the region

Key Relationships

• In the Cathedral, the Dean provides leadership concerning safeguarding, supported by Chapter and senior leadership team requiring good working relationships with both clergy and lay colleagues.
• It is essential that the CSO forms excellent working relationships with key people in the Diocese, including: the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO), the safeguarding team and other relevant staff; the chair and membership of diocesan safeguarding governance structures e.g., the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) and relevant sub-groups; and the National Safeguarding Team.
• It is essential to have good connections with colleagues in relevant local third sector agencies, including those working in the fields of homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, refugee support, language and learning support, etc. Adults and children who are using, have used or may use the services of the cathedral, particularly in relation to safeguarding.

Person Spesification 

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant safeguarding qualification/training, or willingness to undertake

Experience

• Substantial experience working with safeguarding in roles involving children and/or adults at risk.
• Handling safeguarding referrals, disclosures, and case management.
• Liaising with statutory services such as police, social care, and health agencies.
• Delivering safeguarding training or workshops to diverse audiences.
• Producing reports, maintaining accurate records, and managing confidential data.

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of current safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice for children and adults.
• Knowledge of safer recruitment principles and DBS requirements.
• Understanding of GDPR and secure data management in relation to safeguarding.
• Awareness of the Church of England’s safeguarding frameworks and National Safeguarding Standards (or willingness to learn).

Skills and Abilities

• Strong ability to assess risk and make clear, evidence-based decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately at all levels.
• Effective relationship-building skills, including working collaboratively with clergy, volunteers, statutory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• High levels of organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
• Confident in designing and delivering safeguarding training and briefings.

Personal Qualities

• Integrity, resilience, and discretion when managing sensitive information.
• Empathy and pastoral sensitivity towards those impacted by abuse or allegations.
• A collaborative, approachable, and supportive leadership style.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Respect for the Cathedral’s Christian values and willingness to work within its ethos.

Desired Qualities

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. social work, education, counselling, youth work, nursing, or safeguarding).
• Membership of a relevant safeguarding or professional network.

Experience

• Experience working in a Church of England context or other faith-based safeguarding setting.
• Experience of developing and implementing safeguarding policies and risk assessments.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches when supporting victims/survivors.
• Familiarity with Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) roles and procedures.

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in facilitating safeguarding learning using innovative or digital approaches.
• Competence in using safeguarding case management systems or CRMs.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to undergo enhanced DBS checks, including barred lists.
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and events.
• Commitment to completing all mandatory safeguarding and leadership training as required by the Cathedral and Diocese.

Closing Date: Wednesday 12 November 

School Governance and Admissions Officer

We wish to appoint a skilled and experienced team member to be the lead officer for school governance and admissions in Church of England schools across the Diocese.  The post holder will work closely with the Director and Deputy Director of Education, schools, governors and senior leadership teams.

Position: School Governance and Admissions Officer

Location: East Sussex/Hybrid

Salary: £30,970 per annum (pro-rata FTE £44,242 pa)

Hours: Part-time, 26.25 hours per week (flexible working)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 27th November 2025

Interview Date: Hove on 15th December 2025

About the Role

The Diocese has 154 schools across Sussex working in partnership with 360 parishes.  The vision for Education is to be “Deeply Christian, serving the common good.” Based at Church House in Hove, the organisations seeks to live out this vision to “Know, love and follow Jesus”. 

The principal duties include:

• Providing advice and support relating to school admissions to headteachers and school governors
• Advising school governing boards and headteachers on issues of compliance and governance, including complaints and disciplinary issues
• Developing and delivering training related to admissions and governance
• Managing the recruitment and appointment process of foundation governors
• Working with the Deputy Director and School Effectiveness Team to address leadership and management issues in schools with the purpose of raising standards and improving outcomes for children

About You

• Be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and with experience of being a school governor, clerk to governors or have other relevant governance experience
• Have up to date knowledge and understanding of education legislation and regulation related to admissions and governance for Church Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts
• Have the ability to plan and deliver high quality training to governors and headteachers
• Be able to establish effective working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including governors, headteachers, academy partners and Local Authority officers
• Be committed and confident in the aims and ethos of the Diocese of Chichester as an outward facing ambassador for the diocesan Education team

For full details of the job please see the job description and person specification when you click to apply.

About the Organisation

The vision of the Diocese is to help people within the Diocese to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of the Diocese across more than 360 parishes and 154 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.

As an employer, and as a Church House team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.

Benefits include:

• The opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
• A 0.7 pro-rata entitlement to 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and 2 privilege days per year,
• Flexi-time, free parking, the ride to work scheme
• Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%
• An employee assistance programme with access to counselling support, GP helpline, financial, legal and care advice and support
• Free eye tests and employer contribution towards glasses
• Free parking, the ride to work scheme and development opportunities

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and the post will involve travelling around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends.

Other roles you may have experience of could include School Governance Officer, School Admissions Officer, School Governance and Administrations Officer, Teacher, Governor, School Governor, School Admissions, School Governance. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Domestic Abuse Caseworker
Reference number: 301
Responsible to: Team Leader
Working base: Watford Wellbeing Centre
Community Outreach in: Watford and Three Rivers
Working hours: Part-Time, 30 hours per week
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum, pro rata

About the Service

The aim of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Domestic Abuse Casework Service is to provide advice, information, and support to survivors of intimate partner or familial violence living in the community about the range, effectiveness, and suitability of options to improve their safety and that of their children. All advice will be based on a thorough understanding and assessment of risk and its management.

About the role

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• Provide support and advocacy services to clients experiencing domestic abuse
• Ensure direct contact is made with the client within a specified time of an incident being reported to the police and to carry out a risk assessment.
• Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• Maintain and enhance service delivery standards and effectiveness.
• Support the team with case management and volume of referrals to ensure a short waiting time and referrals are contacted promptly and assessed appropriately.
• Collate and obtain feedback regarding the effectiveness of the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the wellbeing of clients who are affected by domestic abuse.
• Contribute to a reduction in repeat victimisation
• Reduce the number of victims withdrawals of witness statements
• Be aware of the impact on children of domestic abuse and make referrals to appropriate agencies to support the children where necessary.
• Increase the reporting of children at risk of harm
• Increase successful court outcomes by proactively supporting clients and work with the witness services for cases going to court
• Work with the wider team within Hertfordshire Mind Network and support clients in accessing additional support e.g. counselling, peer support, employment support and self-development courses
• Work with other professionals e.g. police, health, social care, housing, and signpost and liaise with such agencies as necessary
• Work with and signpost to other third sector partner agencies as necessary
• Provide a first point of contact for professionals and clients and pass on necessary cases or referrals to the Domestic Abuse Caseworker.
• Refer to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) if required and local IDVA service.

Benefits

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays).
• Birthday leave day.
• Cash plan health cover (after 6 months employment).
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 28th November 2025 at 5pm.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

N.B. Please quote reference number 301 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. We recognise and value the unique combination of skills, knowledge and perspective that employing people with a lived experience, at all levels across the organisation, brings. We create an environment where the sharing of experiences and vulnerabilities to support others and create positive change is welcomed and work towards breaking down the ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture. The organisation is committed to nurturing peer relationships that allow all staff to thrive.

No agencies please.

Whether assisting students and residents on a daily basis, supporting weekend residentials, conferences and events, or working with the team which delivers our annual Foundation Celebration, this role is at the heart of providing a welcoming campus environment.

The Campus Accommodation and Hospitality Manager will lead a team of reception and housekeeping staff to deliver and administer a full range of campus services. As well as providing an efficient and welcoming reception service, this includes the management of meeting rooms, accommodation booking, achieving and maintaining high standards of housekeeping, and overseeing contracted catering and refreshment services. The postholder will be part of a committed staff team, giving and receiving support to deliver the operational needs of the Foundation in a way which reflects our ethos of hospitality, care and community. 

This is a full-time role, with some evening and weekend work during weekend residentials and other events. The postholder will also participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.

Key responsibilities

1. To manage the delivery of accommodation and hospitality operations.

• Foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for students, staff, and visitors from diverse backgrounds and denominations.
• Oversee the day-to-day running of hospitality services including accommodation, catering and menus, and support for conferences and events.
• Represent the staff team on hospitality matters at the Foundation’s residents’ and community forum meetings
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, and service across all facilities
• Liaise with Facilities Manager regarding maintenance needs arising in meeting rooms and accommodation 

2. To manage a team of hospitality staff.

• Draw up duty rotas for the Hospitality team based on varying operational need.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and development for team members.
• Carry out line management responsibilities in line with the Foundation’s HR policies and procedures

3. To manage the delivery of events and conferences.

• Generate quotes for events and conferences in consultation with internal and external organisers
• Support marketing for events, conferences, and other campus activities
• Oversee the Hospitality team to ensure effective administration for the smooth delivery of hospitality for teaching, residentials, events and conferences.
• Oversee room bookings, check-ins/outs, ensuring smooth turnaround of all accommodations between occupancy.

4. Procurement

• Manage procurement for hospitality goods and services in consultation with the Management Accountant and the Director of Operations.
• Monitor costs and implement efficiencies while maintaining quality.

The Charity

James’ Place exists to save the lives of men in suicidal crisis through delivering free clinical services. We currently have centres in Newcastle, Liverpool and London; and in early 2026 we will be opening our fourth centre in Birmingham. Our new centre in Birmingham will be there to support suicidal men living in the West Midlands.

Our trained, professional therapists deliver a proven clinical service in a warm and welcoming environment, ensuring that men are seen quickly at the point of crisis. We have so far treated over 4,300 men who might otherwise have been unable to access the support they desperately need.

The Role

We are recruiting for a team of clinicians to deliver our clinical proven intervention at our new James’ Place centre in Birmingham. As a Suicide Prevention Therapist, you will be an experienced mental health professional or therapist with demonstrable interest in suicide prevention. You will support men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis and their supporter(s), delivering our unique intervention and co-producing effective safety plans to maintain their safety. Successful applicants will be joining a new team at a pivotal time and will have the opportunity to shape the local culture at James’ Place Birmingham. 

Person Specification

The role requires someone with a relevant qualification who can confidently support men experiencing a suicidal crisis. You will need to be able to effectively conduct risk assessments and deliver our clinically proven therapeutic intervention to ensure client safety. Strong therapeutic communication, the ability to work autonomously and teamwork skills are also essential to this role, as well as the ability to build trust and hope.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

Closing date: 9am on Wednesday 12th November
Interviews will be held in person on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st November

Main purpose of job:

To manage three key aspects of CARA’s service: 

· New referrals into CARA

· Counselling waiting lists and allocation to a counsellor

· CARA’s client database

Start date:  As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £37,411 – £39,261 per annum, pro-rata.

Hours: 35 hours per week, with some flexibility possible.  

Contract: This is a permanent contract.

Place of work: CARA premises in Colchester and some remote home working.  Some travel to other locations in Essex may be necessary.

Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.

Applications must specifically address each essential and desirable criteria, giving evidence from previous experience or qualifications. 

Application deadline:  9am on Wednesday 26th November 2025

Interviews:  Tuesday 2nd December 2025

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Job Description

This is an exciting and varied role, and we are looking for a proactive post holder who will manage three key aspects of CARA’s service provision:

- Manage new referrals into our service, overseeing the work of our team of First Contact Navigators and our Information and Referrals Co-ordinator.

- Manage our counselling waiting lists and the allocation of clients to a counsellor, overseeing the work of our Allocations Team.

- Act as the main lead and point of contact for managing CARA’s client database and resolving any data queries.

This role will lead a talented and committed team of six, supporting their work and assisting them to develop their key roles. As well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the team, the post holder will be part of CARA’s management team and will have the opportunity to play a key role in CARA’s wider development, working closely with CARA’s Senior Leadership Team and Team Managers.

The First Contact Navigator project is a shared project with our sister centres, SERICC and SOS Rape Crisis, so the post holder will liaise closely with colleagues in those centres.

Main Responsibilities

Line management and team support

· To line manage CARA’s Information and Referrals Co-ordinator, First Contact Navigators and Allocations Co-ordinators, providing day-to-day support, monitoring performance and identifying training and development needs. This will include keeping up to date notes of line management meetings and conducting and recording annual staff appraisals.

· To support CARA’s Information and Referrals Co-ordinator, First Contact Navigators and Allocations Co-ordinators, working alongside them where necessary, and covering these roles during annual leave and other absences.

· To work with CARA’s Head of Operations to recruit and train new staff and volunteers, as required.

· To liaise with CARA’s other teams and more widely with Synergy East teams, resolving problems and ensuring good communication and mutual understanding of respective roles and ways of operating.

· To be part of the CARA management team and attend regular management team meetings, contributing to CARA’s ongoing development.

Service development

· To work with CARA’s Information and Referrals Co-ordinator, First Contact Navigators, Allocations Co-ordinators, Head of Operations, CEO, and our four team Managers to refine and develop CARA’s referrals and allocations processes.

· To oversee and update CARA’s counselling waiting lists, working with the Allocations Co-ordinators, and leading regular meetings to review waiting times, pushing forwards actions to reduce these wherever possible.

· To oversee and update the CARA map of service delivery ensuring we have an accurate picture of client sessions across our therapy teams.

· To develop expertise in our purpose-designed client database, ensuring the team are fully trained in its use and working with the Senior Leadership Team and Synergy Partners to ensure client data is kept up to date.

· Working with the CEO, Head of Operations and Information and Referrals Co-ordinator to represent CARA at meetings, making presentations about our work.

General 

· To work flexible hours, including some evening work and occasional weekends.

· To participate in CARA team meetings, supervision, training and development. 

· To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in delivery of training sessions.

· To raise awareness of sexual violence and its impact in the community and within other agencies.

· To keep appropriate records in accordance with CARA policies and procedures.

· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.

· To be administratively self-servicing.

· To report to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Senior Leadership Team or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Senior Leadership Team or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich.  We also provide remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy East

CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.

Senior Practice Development Adviser

We are looking for a Senior Practice Development Adviser to lead the design and delivery of projects that influence local leaders and commissioners to improve the availability of evidence-based support for families across early intervention and children’s social care.

If you want to join an impact-driven organisation, improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families, then apply today!

Position: Senior Practice Development Adviser

Location: London/hybrid

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours/week

Salary: £53,300 plus generous benefits

Contract: Fixed Term until March 2027

Closing Date: 9th November

The Role

The team support local areas to use evidence to improve their services and outcomes for children and families. The Senior Practice Development Adviser will work with local leaders to support their decision-making on how to increase the availability of services and approaches that have evidence of improving child outcomes.

You will develop and deliver projects which increase the use of evidence in local services for children and families, in relation to the organisational priority areas, and provide senior input on service and practice development relevant to statutory social work and early intervention services. This will include working to encourage greater use of evidence in local service planning and delivery, supporting the generation of new evidence about what works, and liaising with national and local stakeholders to encourage and support evidence use.

About You

We are looking for someone with in depth understanding of UK policy, legislation and practice relating to children’s services, including how this responds to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

You will understand the role of evidence in improving local services and assessing their impact and be skilled in supporting others to engage with data and evidence

You will have experience of:

• Management of children’s social work and/or early intervention services, and an understanding of local multi-agency systems
• Working with local leaders and commissioners on service improvement or practice development in a relevant sector, for example children’s services, public health, or NHS
• Managing large and complex projects to time and budget
• Managing and motivating staff and non-staff teams.

The Organisation

This is a great place to work, where everyone is high performing and where together everyone can achieve impact that makes a real difference for vulnerable children and families. Focusing on using and championing high-quality evidence, working directly with government and local leaders, the team provides practical solutions and encourages change. This is an organisation with ambitious aims and people are essential to its success.

Benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave, plus one extra day off for your birthday, paid bank holidays with up to three which may be switched for religious observance
• Up to five days carers’ leave, in a 12-month period, three days paid
• Paid compassionate leave
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced parental leave and pay
• 6% employer and 3% employee contribution. No limit on any additional employee contributions made via auto enrolment
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 counselling, legal and information line
• Unlimited access to 24/7 GP
• Mental health support
• Life cover at x4 annual salary
• Bike to work scheme.

The organisation offers excellent salaries, learning and development opportunities, and a great office location situated in the heart of St James’s. Working in a hybrid and flexible way, the organisation recognises the importance of a good work-life balance. Please note that where staff live within approximately two hours travel of the office, they are expected to work onsite two days per week. For those based further afield, more flexible or home working arrangements can be discussed.

Do you want to work somewhere that values and celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all employees? People are at the heart of everything we do. It’s vital that the workforce reflects the diversity of stakeholders, and the wider society in the UK, and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities.

You may have experience in other areas such as Practice Development Advisor, Senior Practice Development Advisor, Social Worker, Social Work, Children’s Worker, Practice supervisor, Early Intervention, Early Intervention Officer, Family Help, Children’s Service, Project Manager, Public Health, NHS.

This role is currently unable to offer sponsorship. Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

There will also be two drop-in sessions to find out more about the role:

• Tuesday 21 October, 3:30 – 4:15
• Wednesday 29 October, 4:00 - 4:45

To register to a drop in session please see our job pack to register. Please note that you will only need to attend one drop in session #INDNFP

Job title:     Finance Officer                                                                                                                                         

Reports to: Head of Finance                                                                                                                                     

Location: Birmingham or Manchester                                                                                                                   

Salary:        £26,000 - £30,000                                                                                                                                     

Hours:         Full-time (37.5 hours per week), open to flexible working.                                                             

Contract:    Permanent

Overall purpose

 As the Finance Officer, you will be required to ensure that our income and expenditure records are accurate, complete, free from error and comply with both the relevant accounting standards as well as donor restrictions. This role will play a key part in ensuring that the recording of financial information is compliant and auditable, in both the finance system and CRM.

You will also work alongside the Head of Finance to support the wider organisation in its financial understanding and management. This support will focus on both the fundraising team to empower them to raise as many funds as possible, especially unrestricted funds, and the services team to ensure their financial processes are robust and efficient. You will also be expected to contribute to and uphold our outstanding culture by living and demonstrating our values of being mission-led, welcoming, entrepreneurial and collaborative.

Key responsibilities

Finance responsibilities

• Record all income and expenditure general ledger transactions in the finance system, ensuring correct coding and full supporting documentation is stored in either the finance system or in the CRM.
• Have ownership of both the sales ledger and purchase ledger, ensuring all entries are recorded accurately with the correct VAT treatment while adhering to the relevant controls.
• Ensure all staff and client expenses are captured and recorded accurately, adhere to the relevant expense policy and are paid in a timely manner.
• Prepare and post payment runs alongside the Head of Finance
• Support the Financial Accountant in the monthly bank reconciliation
• Participate in month end processes to ensure the I&E figure is accurate within the pre-determined deadline, including posting prepayments, deferrals and accruals where relevant and other accounting adjustments as needed such as grossing up of platform fees.
• Ensure all finance documentation is complete and auditable including restricted fund evidence, and ensure the relevant GAUs are tracked on salesforce.
• Capture all restricted fund income and expenditure is the finance system on a monthly basis (staff and non-staff) alongside the Financial Accountant and Head of Finance
• Understand clawback risk on grants
• Ensure Breaking Barriers is claiming gift aid where applicable and optimising opportunities to reclaim input VAT in our business/non-business VAT return
• Reconciling to third party platforms on a monthly basis including fundraising platforms and Equals
• Work with the Head of Finance to upskill the fundraising and service teams to ensure they understand necessary financial processes
• Undertake income and expenditure control activities e.g. checking for grant rejection letters and verifying changes to supplier details.
• Be the finance team’s superuser for the CRM
• Support in year-end audit and the creation of relevant notes
• Support with ad hoc projects such as the implementation of a new finance system and policy and procedure updates

Technology

• Support the Financial Accountant, Finance Director and outsourced technology provider as needed for ongoing technology support and occasional projects.

Office and facilities management

• Support the financial team and any applicable offices as needed for ongoing office and facility management

Cross-cutting

• Ensure staff are effectively onboarded and our knowledge management processes ensure that required information on the finance and ops processes is accessible and understood

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack when you click 'Apply'.

Other considerations 

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.   
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

 Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.  

How to apply 

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a statement of interest (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role).

Closing date for applications is Sunday 16 November at 11:30pm.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Network, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and /or are from a refugee background. Please feel free to use information and resources found here, which may help in preparing your job application.  

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for independent and confidential support with your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager, Caroline Meechan for further details. You can find contact details on the final page of this recruitment pack.

We are open to flexible working arrangements and alternative working patterns. 

Job Purpose 

To support the manager and deliver on the home and settle services across two hospitals, supporting the wider team, and provide leadership when necessary. You will work in collaboration with AUKEL, the hospitals, and other community health and social care colleagues.

The service supports people returning home after a stay in hospital, helping them to settle back at home, regain confidence and support with some practical tasks, e.g. shopping/cleaning.  You will manage referrals, carry out assessments, and with the Manager, allocate service users to Discharge and Settle Worker caseloads. You will provide direct frontline support and co-ordinate visits to the service users’ home in preparation for their return home, as necessary. You will work collaboratively to lead and manage your team to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users.  The service is time limited, usually up to 6 weeks, to adjust and settle back in their homes.

Key Tasks 

• Act as the first point of contact for all referrals across the hospital they are attached to. 

• Meet with patients in the community and/or hospital and carrying out assessments and risk assessments

• Enter referrals on to AUKEL’s case management system (currently Charity Log) in accordance with GDPR guidelines. 

• Allocate referrals to Discharge and Settle workers using tech available (currently the Call Round App), training will be available. 

• Collecting feedback from service users and uploading to case management system. 

• Prepare and keep stock of AUKEL Welcome Packs and service leaflets. 

• Deputise for the Manger at discharge planning and other meetings as directed. 

• Support the hospital to improve the patient’s experience of the discharge process 

• Monitor the case loads of each of the Discharge and Settle workers (DSW) to ensure they are evenly and fairly balanced. 

• Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services. 

• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital. 

• Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge. 

• Deliver the front-line services as required e.g. when there is high demand, sickness or staff shortages. 

• Provide occasional weekend cover for the A/L of other Project Officers

• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital. 

• Supervise, support and develop DSWs and volunteers in your service. 

• Liaise with the handyperson service about referrals and jobs for service users. 

• Ensure DSW are resourced to sign post service users to other services when the home and settle service intervention ends. 

Administration 

• Keep AUKEL case management system up-to-date, input all data, and ensure all referrals, interventions, time spent with service users are recorded. 

• Allocate referrals to DSW using tech available (currently - Charity Log ‘Call Round’ App). 

• Ensure wards have good supply of service leaflets and referral forms. 

• Ensure data collected meets the requirements of the service’s contract monitoring and key performance indicators. 

• Ensure customer feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns. 

• Ensure admin tasks relating to service users, Discharge and Settle workers or general admin is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.

• Provide weekend cover as needed, i.e. annual leave and sickness, for the services you manage and other hospital settle services provided by AUKEL 

• Carry out monitoring of the service ensuring it meets the contractual requirements of commissioners. 

Quality  

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures. 

• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance with Care Quality Commission fundamental standards. 

• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred/sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them. 

• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action 

Liaison 

• Represent Age UK East London and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance affecting care and home support services. 

• Work in collaboration with hospital colleagues including discharge teams, A&E, ward staff, community teams to support the successful discharge of people and reduce readmission. 

• Liaise with other AUKEL home and settle services and work collaboratively to maintain effective services, including sharing staff where appropriate. 

• Work closely with the AUKEL handyperson service to meet contractual obligations where a handyperson service is provided as part of the service. 

• Liaise with contractors to arrange deliveries and works to service user’s homes. 

 General 

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision and appraisal. 

• Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required. 

• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL. 

• Undertake any training required to fulfil the post. 

• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults. 

• Arranging access visits to service user’s homes 

• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality. 

 Functional Links  

• The Home and Settle Project Officer is supervised directly by the Home and Settle Manager. 

• Close working is required with AUKEL Finance Team, Information, Advice, Advocacy & Befriending Services, AUKEL Community services directorate, and other home and settle services across east London.

Person Specification 

Research shows that while middle class white men tend to apply for job when they meet around 60% of the criteria, women, people from the global majority, and people from other marginalised groups that encounter systematic discrimination tend to apply only when they meet all criteria. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don’t meet every single aspect of the job description, please still apply! 

Experience 
Essential 

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working within a health or care setting.

• Experience of using IT systems to record work done.

• Experience of supporting colleagues (this could be in a non- managerial position) 

Desirable  

• Experience of working within a hospital setting 

• Experience of managing and developing staff. 

• Experience of working with older people 

Knowledge & Understanding 
Essential 

• Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.  

• Understanding of the needs of patients who may lack family or other support. 

• Understanding of the needs of lone workers whilst working in the community. 

• Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers.  

• Understand of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity. 

Desirable  

• Knowledge of CQC fundamental standards 

• Understanding of NHS hospital discharge procedures 

• Experience of conducting assessments and risk assessments. 

Skills/Attributes 
Essential 

• Excellent interpersonal skills 

• Excellent verbal and written communication 

• Intermediate IT skills 

• Excellent planning and organisational skills 

• Ability to work calmly under pressure. 

Additional Requirements  

• This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) 

• The role is required travel across East London

• Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs 

Job Purpose 

The weekend Home & Settle Project Officer is responsible for responding to referrals received over the weekend from both Royal London Hospital & Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You will work with the manager on Friday to deliver services and plan visits on the weekend for you to attend.  

The service supports people returning after a stay in hospital, helping them to settle back at home, regain confidence and support with some practical tasks, e.g. shopping/cleaning.  You will manage referrals, carry out assessments, and in liaison with the manager, allocate service users to Discharge and Settle Worker caseloads. You will provide direct frontline support and co-ordinate visits to the service users’ home in preparation for their return home. You will work collaboratively to lead and manage the weekend service to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users.  The service is time limited, up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust, build confidence, and settle back in their homes. 

Key Tasks 

• Act as the first point of contact for all referrals over the weekend across both hospitals. 

• Meet with patients in the community and/or hospital and carrying out assessments and risk assessments.

• Enter referrals on to AUKEL’s case management system (currently Charity Log) in accordance with GDPR guidelines. 

• Allocate referrals to Discharge and Settle workers (in the week) using tech available (currently the Call Round App), training will be available. 

• Collect feedback from service users and upload to case management system. 

• Prepare and keep stock of AUKEL Welcome Packs and service leaflets. 

• Deputise for the manger at discharge planning and other meetings as required. 

• Support hospitals to improve the patient’s experience of the discharge process. 

• Monitor the case loads of each of the Discharge and Settle workers (DSW) to ensure they are evenly and fairly balanced. 

• Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services. 

• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary readmission to hospital. 

• Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge. 

• Deliver the front-line support services over the weekend

• Provide occasional cover for the A/L of other Project Officers

• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital. 

• Supervise, support and develop DSWs and volunteers in your service. 

• Liaise with the handyperson service about referrals and jobs for service users. 

• Ensure DSW are resourced to sign post service users to other services when the home and settle service intervention ends. 

• Arranging access visits to service user’s homes. 

Administration 

• Keep AUKEL’s case management system up to date, input all data, and ensure all referrals, interventions, time spent with service users are recorded. 

• Allocate referrals to DSW using tech available (currently - Charity Log ‘Call Round’ App). 

• Ensure wards have good supply of service leaflets and referral forms. 

• Ensure data collected meets the requirements of the service’s contract monitoring and key performance indicators. 

• Ensure customer feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns. 

• Ensure admin tasks relating to service users, Discharge and Settle workers or general admin is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.

• Provide cover as needed, i.e. annual leave and sickness, for the services you manage, and other hospital settle services provided by AUKEL 

• Carry out monitoring of the service ensuring it meets the contractual requirements of commissioners. 

Quality  

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures. 

• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance with Care Quality Commission fundamental standards. 

• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them. 

• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action 

Liaison 

• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance affecting care and home support services. 

• Work in collaboration with hospital colleagues including discharge teams, A&E, ward staff, community teams to support the successful discharge of people and reduce readmission. 

• Liaise with other AUKEL home and settle services across London and work collaboratively to maintain effective services, including sharing staff where appropriate. 

• Work closely with the AUKEL handyperson service to meet contractual obligations where a handyperson service is provided as part of the service. 

• Liaise with contractors to arrange deliveries and works to service user’s homes. 

 General 

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision and appraisal. 

• Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required. 

• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL. 

• Undertake any training required to fulfil the post. 

• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults. 

• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality. 

 Functional Links  

• The Home and Settle Project Officer is supervised directly by the Home and Settle Manager. 

• Close working is required with AUKEL Finance Team, Information, Advice, Advocacy & Befriending Services, AUKEL Community services directorate, and other home and settle services across East London.

Person Specification 

Research shows that while middle class white men tend to apply for job when they meet around 60% of the criteria, women, people from the global majority, and people from other marginalised groups that encounter systematic discrimination tend to apply only when they meet all criteria. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don’t meet every single aspect of the job description, please still apply! 

Experience 
Essential 

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working within a health or care setting.

• Experience of using IT systems to record work done.

• Experience of supporting colleagues (this could be in a non- managerial position) 

Desirable  

• Experience of working within a hospital setting 

• Experience of managing and developing staff. 

• Experience of working with older people 

• Experience of conducting assessments and risk assessments. 

Knowledge & Understanding 
Essential 

• Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.  

• Understanding of the needs of patients who may lack family or other support. 

• Understanding of the needs of lone workers whilst working in the community. 

• Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers.  

• Understand of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity. 

Desirable  

• Knowledge of CQC fundamental standards 

• Understanding of NHS hospital discharge procedures 

Skills/Attributes
Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills 

• Excellent verbal and written communication 

• Intermediate IT skills 

• Excellent planning and organisational skills 

• Ability to work calmly under pressure. 

Additional Requirements  

• This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) 

• The role is required travel across East London

• Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs. 

Additional Information 

• This job description is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and deliverables for the role. 

• In addition to the contents of this role description, employees are expected to undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by line management. 

We are working in partnership with Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) a small independent UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Dravet Syndrome. The charity was founded in October 2008 by a small group of 30 families. Today, DSUK is a registered charity helping nearly 600 families with support, education, and research services, underpinned by a world-class Medical Advisory Board.

They are now seeking a Head of Family Services, a newly created senior role to enable DSUK to drive forward with the implementation of their five-year strategic plan, including supporting and empowering families to access the support to which they are entitled in living with a complex and life limiting condition.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation and help guide the next stage of their development, enabling them to make a positive difference in the lives of more people affected by Dravet Syndrome in the UK.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Demonstrable ability to interpret and use current legislation and guidance to protect and/or advance people's rights and entitlements
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the confidence and ability to engage effectively with families, healthcare professionals, social workers and other stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats.
• Proven ability to provide high quality professional supervision (reflective practice) to qualified and unqualified staff, in order to maximise personal effectiveness and professional development
• Excellent organisational and teamworking skills to be able work remotely, manage and prioritise a varied caseload and delegate effectively

The successful candidate will be compassionate, skilled, hands-on and collaborative with significant experience of a working environment involving families with disability and/or complex needs (e.g. social care, health care, special needs education, disability law and/or family support in a similar organisation). You will have good working knowledge of disability law and other relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks, relevant organisations and agencies involved, and experience of an appropriate range of professional interventions. You will have demonstrable expertise and advanced training all aspects of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults. You have proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support colleagues towards achieving shared goals.

Please note: As part of DS UK’s commitment to safeguarding, the postholder is expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Location: Fully Remote, with monthly travel across the UK

Closing date: 9 November 2025

Charisma vetting interviews to be completed by 12 November 2025 prior to shortlisting

1st interviews with Dravet Syndrome UK: 27 November (online)

2nd interviews with Dravet Syndrome UK: 12 December (in-person) - TBC

Please note, due to the nature of the service, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder is female and the post is therefore exempt from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in terms of Schedule 9, Part 1, and Paragraph 1 of the Act.  

Job Title: Support Mentor

Location: West London (Unfortunately, this premises has no step free access)

Salary: £27,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (One Saturday once every 3 months instead of a Friday) on a rolling rota including 07:30 - 15:30, 09:00 - 17:00 and 11:30 - 19:30

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Support Mentor. We are looking for someone who really cares about the rights of women and their children to join our service in West London. This is an opportunity to support within a refuge accommodation for women and children surviving domestic abuse, many of whom are living with trauma. As a Support Mentor, you will support in providing a much needed safe space and support for women, for them to feel empowered in their healing journey and feel secure in their independence, strengths, and skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support residents/participants to achieve their desired goals/outcomes in various ways
• Ensure all residents/participants understand their rights and responsibilities, and have access to the right tools, resources, and networks to support them in achieving their goals.
• Develop, participate in, and encourage residents/participants to participate in the running and development of various projects and activities.
• Empower residents/participants to make decisions to take control over their lives, by creating an enabling environment.
• Provide advice, information, guidance, and life skills training to residents/participants as required.
• Recognise signs of deteriorating mental health, physical health, or other health implications and initiate appropriate interventions to prevent crisis or other risks.

About You

Our Refuge works to support women with complex and enduring needs and women who experience domestic abuse to reclaim their power and find their voice. We are passionate about working in a supportive, solution focused and trauma informed way to support our residents and participants to make and sustain positive change. The successful candidate will work as part of a team to deliver exceptional support to women and children at a particularly challenging time in their lives. We are looking for passionate, motivated and proactive individuals who are dedicated to making a positive difference.

• Due to the nature of the service, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder is female and the post is therefore exempt from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in terms of Schedule 9, Part 1, and Paragraph 1 of the Act. 
• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds and/or a good understanding of the sector, particularly around multiple and complex needs
• Ability to show empathy and compassion to our residents, and different challenges they face
• Experience working with, or a strong understanding of, domestic abuse and the systemic barriers faced by women.
• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs
• Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents
• Ability to promote the service and provide outreach-based provision, with an ability to liaise and work effectively in partnership with stakeholders
• Understanding of the different needs people with multiple and complex needs have and be aware of the social marginalisation that can be attached to people who face personal challenges
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

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

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

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, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
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. 

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.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

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.