Assessment practitioner jobs in Aylesbury, buckinghamshire

We are looking for someone experienced, proactive, organised and confident in delivering on tasks. Someone who values collaboration, co-production and working in a culture rooted in trust, flexibility and compassion.

This is an opportunity to provide trauma-informed, gender-sensitive casework support with women impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling who are experiencing complex and intersecting challenges including mental health difficulties, debt, homelessness, relationship breakdown, neurodiversity, coercive control, isolation and safeguarding risks.

The role provides longer-term, structured support and advocacy, primarily online and by telephone, helping women stabilise, rebuild safety, access services and strengthen resilience.

This role requires high emotional literacy, strong boundaries, and safe risk management within a multi-agency framework.

Key Responsibilities

Intensive Casework Support

• Provide structured 1:1 support to women with complex needs.
• Develop collaborative support plans with clear goals and review points.
• Provide safety planning where risk is identified.
• Support women navigating debt, housing, legal and safeguarding systems.
• Facilitate access to specialist services (mental health, housing, domestic abuse, financial advice, substance misuse, etc.).
• Support women experiencing homelessness risk, including advocacy with local authorities and housing providers.
• Maintain ongoing contact over medium-to-longer term support journeys (as agreed in service model).

Risk Assessment & Safeguarding

• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Conduct proportionate risk screening and escalate concerns to DSL.
• Work in accordance with safeguarding policy.
• Maintain awareness of suicide risk indicators and escalate appropriately.
• Record safeguarding actions accurately and promptly.

Advocacy & Systems Navigation

• Advocate on behalf of women with external agencies where appropriate.
• Support women in understanding rights and entitlements.
• Attend multi-agency meetings (online) where required.
• Work collaboratively with associate counsellors when women are accessing therapy.

Trauma-Informed & Gender-Sensitive Practice

• Deliver support grounded in trauma-informed principles.
• Recognise impact of shame, stigma and gender-based inequality.
• Understand intersection of gambling harm with coercive control, domestic abuse, and financial exploitation.
• Maintain non-judgemental, strengths-based approach.
• Respect women’s autonomy and lived experience.

Record Keeping & Data

• Maintain accurate case notes in our CRM system.
• Complete outcome measures as required.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR and safeguarding frameworks.

Professional Boundaries

• Participate in supervision and reflective practice.
• Escalate complex clinical risk appropriately.

Working Relationships

Internal:
Service Manager
Peer Support Coordinators
Associate Counsellors
Operational Manager (for data compliance)

External:
Housing services
Debt advice agencies
Mental health services
Domestic abuse services
Local authorities
Primary Care and GP services
Voluntary sector partners

Person Specification

Essential Education & Qualifications

• Level 3 or Level 4 qualification in:
  • Health & Social Care
  • Counselling Skills
  • Community Work
  • Social Care
  • Or equivalent relevant field

• Safeguarding Level 3 (or willingness to obtain)
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
• Domestic Abuse awareness training
• Suicide prevention training (ASIST or equivalent)
• Debt, welfare or housing training
• Mental health awareness qualifications
• Neurodiversity

Essential Experience

• Minimum 2 years experience supporting women with complex needs.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing:
  • Mental health challenges
  • Financial hardship or debt
  • Housing instability or homelessness risk
  • Isolation or social exclusion

• Experience working remotely (online/phone support).
• Experience multi-agency working.
• Experience risk management and safeguarding escalation.

 Desirable Experience

• working with gambling harm.
• supporting family members impacted by addiction.
• working within women-only services.
• working with domestic and financial abuse.
• experience of advocacy and case coordination roles.
• experience of supporting women who identify as neurodiverse

Skills & Competencies

• Strong relational skills.
• Ability to hold distress without rescuing.
• Clear professional boundaries.
• Excellent written case recording.
• Emotional resilience.
• Good digital literacy.
• Ability to work autonomously within structured supervision.
• Understanding of intersectionality and inequality.

Trauma-Informed & Gender-Sensitive Expectations

Postholder must:

• Understand the impact of shame and secrecy in gambling harm.
• Recognise coercive financial control.
• Be sensitive to caring roles and stigma.
• Work at pace appropriate to trauma recovery.
• Avoid deficit-based language.
• Recognise cultural and structural barriers affecting women.

Our current operational days are Tue-Thurs with potential evening work and appointments outside of these days.

Working with thrivin’ together

· Application deadline: Tuesday 31 March 12 noon 2026

· Provisional Interview date: Wednesday 15 April 2026

The Vacancies

We are seeking to appoint one registered medical practitioner and one business registrant (Companies Committee), one lay member (Education Committee) and one optometrist (Standards Committee) to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.

About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website.

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;
• matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment;
• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and
• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.

Time Commitment and Remuneration

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

Members are paid up to £185 per meeting. This is taxable and subject to National Insurance (NI) contributions. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.

How to apply

Please apply with the following:

• your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4);
• the application form (attached), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
• an EDI monitoring form (linked in the candidate pack) 

Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC01/26 to appointment@optical. org.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees.

For more information about these roles please download the candidate information pack attached.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 29 March 2026.

Online interviews will be held on 14,15,18 and 19 May 2026.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and geographical locations outside of London.

About the role

This is a senior leadership role and a key early appointment within EQUISS.

As Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, you will lead the development of our advocacy and safeguarding work, shaping how EQUISS supports individuals navigating abuse, misconduct and safeguarding concerns across the equestrian sector.

You will establish and oversee the organisation’s advocacy service and support line, including recruiting and managing advocacy caseworkers, and ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred guidance. You will also lead the development of safeguarding frameworks, case management systems and organisational safeguarding practice.

As a founding leadership role, you will help shape the safeguarding framework of a new independent organisation, providing strategic oversight of the EQUISS safeguarding training programme and contributing safeguarding expertise to the development of our standards and accreditation frameworks, ensuring learning from advocacy informs sector practice.

Working closely with the leadership team, you will help establish EQUISS as a trusted organisation driving stronger safeguarding, clearer reporting pathways and greater accountability across the equestrian sector.

As a developing organisation operating with a small and collaborative team, this role requires someone who is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with practical delivery. We are looking for a compassionate and inclusive leader who can support and develop others, foster a culture of trust and reflective practice, and contribute positively to building the organisation as it grows.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership and safeguarding oversight

• Provide strategic leadership for EQUISS’ advocacy and safeguarding work
• Establish safeguarding frameworks, case management processes and risk management structures across the organisation
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, providing oversight of complex safeguarding cases and ensuring appropriate referrals and partnership working
• Ensure EQUISS maintains robust safeguarding governance, confidentiality and data protection standards

Advocacy and support services

• Lead the development and delivery of EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line.
• Recruit, manage and support advocacy caseworkers, ensuring high-quality, survivor-centred support and safe case management practice
• Shape how EQUISS supports individuals navigating reporting processes, organisational complaints and statutory systems
• Oversee case management systems and triage processes to ensure safe, consistent and effective responses to safeguarding concerns

Safeguarding training and sector learning

• Provide strategic oversight of the EQUISS safeguarding training programme, ensuring training reflects the realities of safeguarding within equestrian environments and aligns with best practice across sport and safeguarding sectors
• Lead the recruitment, management and quality assurance of safeguarding trainers, including freelance trainers, consultants and subject-matter experts delivering EQUISS training programmes
• Work with trainers and external partners to develop and refine training content, ensuring consistency, accuracy and high standards of delivery
• Establish processes for trainer induction, guidance and quality assurance to ensure training is delivered in line with EQUISS safeguarding principles and standards
• Ensure learning from advocacy work informs training content, sector guidance and safeguarding practice

Contribution to standards and sector improvement

• Contribute safeguarding expertise to the development of EQUISS standards and accreditation frameworks, ensuring safeguarding expectations reflect best practice
• Use insight from advocacy and safeguarding work to inform sector learning, standards development and organisational guidance
• Support the development of sector resources that help organisations strengthen safeguarding practice

Sector engagement and partnerships

• Build relationships with safeguarding professionals, statutory agencies and specialist support organisations
• Represent EQUISS in sector conversations relating to safeguarding, welfare and organisational accountability
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing, policy discussions and initiatives aimed at improving safeguarding standards across the equestrian sector

Culture, learning and survivor-centred practice

• Ensure EQUISS’s work remains grounded in survivor-centred principles, independence and transparency
• Embed learning from lived experience into service design, safeguarding practice and training development
• Foster a culture of reflective practice, safeguarding vigilance and professional integrity within the organisation

Person specification

Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification or degree in safeguarding, social work, psychology, law, education, criminology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or willingness to work towards one
• Advanced safeguarding training, including Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training and Safeguarding Level 4 or Level 5 training, or equivalent senior safeguarding training
• Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding practice

Essential experience and knowledge

• Significant professional experience in safeguarding, advocacy or victim-survivor support, ideally within violence against women and girls (VAWG), sport, welfare or related sectors
• Strong understanding of independent advocacy models, including ISVA and CHISVA frameworks, and how these operate alongside statutory services
• Experience overseeing complex safeguarding cases, including risk assessment, referrals and partnership working within multi-agency safeguarding environments such as police, social care and safeguarding hubs
• Experience leading and managing teams, including providing supervision or reflective practice support to staff working with complex safeguarding or advocacy cases
• Experience recruiting, supporting or overseeing trainers, facilitators or external practitioners, ensuring quality and consistency of delivery
• Experience supporting or working with individuals affected by sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, modern slavery or related forms of abuse
• Demonstrable understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
• Strong knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including responsibilities relating to children and adults at risk, and experience contributing to organisational safeguarding policies, procedures or governance frameworks
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgement in complex safeguarding situations, maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries

Leadership and personal qualities

• A compassionate and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to support staff working with complex and sensitive safeguarding issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a small and collaborative team, contributing to the development of systems, processes and culture as the organisation grows.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust with colleagues, partners and those seeking support.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to work flexibly in a developing organisation, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on delivery where required.

Desirable

• Experience working within sport, equestrian environments or athlete welfare contexts.
• Experience contributing to sector standards, accreditation frameworks or safeguarding policy development.
• Membership of, or engagement with, a relevant professional safeguarding body or network.

About EQUISS

EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.

Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.

As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.

Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.

Employment package:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
• Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
• Reporting to CEO

Community Wellbeing Coordinator

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Health and Nature Community Connector

Location: This role is based in Luton. The service is approximately a 20 minute walk from Luton railway station, or a short bus journey with several local bus routes stopping nearby on New Bedford Road. Hybrid working with 2 days from home; the remaining days are community based, involving travel within Luton to locations such as the community garden, Synergy office, and local GP surgeries. Unfortunately, this service does not have step free access.

Salary: £28,700 (Full Time Equivalent)

Shift Pattern: 18 month fixed term contract, 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday 10.00 - 15.00. Some flexibility around these hours can be considered and discussed at interview. You may also be required to work outside hours depending on service and participant needs.

About the Role

We’re hiring a Health and Nature Community Connector to join the SIG Penrose Roots team in Luton - an award winning community wellbeing service making a real difference locally. In this role, you will support members who focus on social isolation, mental health, and connection to nature. We are seeking a proactive, organised and compassionate individual to join our community based open recovery and wellbeing service as a Health and Nature Community Connector. In this role, you will identify members needs and provide person centred, tailored support to help them overcome challenges and improve their wellbeing through nature based activities and green landscape interventions. This is a dynamic role suited to someone passionate about the power of nature in supporting recovery and community connection. You will act as a key triage, coordination and partnership lead to ensure individuals are connected to the right level of support, whether through short term engagement within the service or onward signposting to community opportunities.

You will act as the primary point of contact a referrals, oversee volunteer buddy support and collaborate with a skilled internal team delivering interventions. This community focused role suits someone who enjoys working with people, building relationships and supporting individuals to improve their wellbeing. Help us reduce social isolation, boost mental health and build stronger, more connected communities.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Supporting members who may be facing challenges with focus on social isolation, mental health, and connection to nature
• Manage and triage referrals from self referrals and partner organisations, acting as the main triage point to ensure individuals are connected to appropriate support.
• Acting as the main point of contact for referrals and coordination across GP surgeries, NHS services, council teams and community partners, liaising closely with external agencies to support smooth pathways into, within, and out of the service.
• Ensure effective service delivery, including safeguarding, risk assessments, and required checks.
• Ensure members understand their rights and can access appropriate tools, resources, and networks.
• Allocate volunteer buddies to individuals and arrange initial meet ups, including attending groups or activities to support engagement.
• Recruit, coordinate, and oversee up to 10 volunteer buddies, providing direction, light supervision, and day to day liaison.
• Empower members to build independence and take control of their lives in a safe, enabling environment.

About You

 We’re looking for a motivated, approachable, and community minded individual who understands the needs of our members, including wellbeing, social connection, collaboration, and meaningful engagement with community and nature based activities. You will be a self motivated individual who is proactive in managing your own time during busy or quiet periods to ensure productivity. You will be confidentially working across organisational boundaries, comfortable coordinating people and processes, and able to build positive relationships with professionals, volunteers, and individuals accessing the service. and will have strong alignment with our SIG values. You are organised and adaptable, able to balance multiple priorities while maintaining a person centred and non judgemental approach. An interest in green and outdoor activities, alongside an understanding of local communities and services, will help you thrive in this role.

• Knowledge of the local area and community landscape, with an understanding of available services and opportunities
• Experience or confidence in working across organisations, including health, council, and community settings
• Strong coordination, communication, and relationship building skills
• Ability to engage with adults experiencing social isolation and mental health challenges, offering empathetic and appropriate support
• Confidence in coordinating volunteers, providing guidance and supporting positive engagement
• IT proficiency, with the ability to learn new systems and use basic Microsoft programmes
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt working patterns in response to service needs
• Cultural awareness, self awareness, and openness to feedback and continuous learning
• 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.

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