Befriending services support officer jobs
Background to the role
Job description
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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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This is a new role within the Bereavement Support Service proactively engaging bereaved families with the support service, respond to bereavement support digital enquiries, working in a team to deliver and ensure anyone seeking advice and support on bereavement is given a high-quality service in a timely way.
The aim of this post is to provide consistent, high-quality emotional support via digital channels to bereaved families who seek support from the Lullaby Trust.
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Proactively engage bereaved families with the support service, respond to bereavement support digital enquiries, working in a team to deliver and ensure anyone seeking advice and support on bereavement is given a high-quality service in a timely way.
· Assist with the setting up of new digital channels to be used by the Lullaby Trust to answer and respond to bereaved families.
· To be the primary contact for the bereavement support digital services including WhatsApp, text, webchat and other social media channels.
· Proactively engage with bereaved families through social media and other online platforms.
· Ensure any safeguarding concerns are actioned in accordance with the organisations Safeguarding policy.
· Send materials to bereaved contacts, including bereavement packs and follow up emails and ensure all documents and databases are updated with each contact in line with the department guidelines, including Raiser’s Edge, Excel databases.
· Cover and answer the bereavement support helpline and online enquiries responding within the set guidelines and KPIs for the department.
· Ensure any messages on Bereavement Support Facebook Groups are monitored and advice is given via befrienders where appropriate.
· Attend face to face events for bereaved families including family days and memorial events when needed.
· Work with Income and Engagement Team around social media bereavement support content/posts.
2. Deliver and run live bereavement themed sessions on social media
· Run monthly live sessions on social media on bereavement topics/themes, responding to comments and messages during and after the sessions, ensuring anyone seeking ongoing support is responded to and referred to relevant services .
· Work with the Engagement Team to promote live session.
· Facilitate monthly remembrance sessions.
3. Ensure the bereavement support services are promoted to those bereaved and to professionals working with bereaved families
· Assist with the recruitment and facilitation of Bereaved Families’ Panel.
· Keep up to date with the bereavement support world including joining National Bereavement Alliance, Child Bereavement Network and research around grief and bereavement.
· Attend events as required to represent the Lullaby Trust’s bereavement support services.
4. Maintain accurate records throughout all services, complying with the organisation’s recording and reporting requirements
Maintain ongoing knowledge and training on the Lullaby Trust’s advice and the scientific knowledge behind this advice.
Collate statistics, as required on areas of work within the support services team.
Assist with the services’ evaluation and impact processes.
Provide other administrative support to the team as required.
Other:
Attend and participate with external supervision sessions, managerial supervision and team and organisational meetings.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Safer sleep for babies, Support for families
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Salary: £53,460 (*pending 2025/26 NJC cost-of-living increase)
Working hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Location: Buxton and Derbyshire Dales Offices (4 days/week office presence expected)
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Ready to make a real difference in Derbyshire communities?
Our client is seeking a strategic and compassionate Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into their next phase of development. With over 40 years of impact and a team of 85 staff and 230 volunteers supporting around 3,000 people annually, our client plays a vital role in delivering high-quality care and community services across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.
This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected, values-led organisation through a pivotal period - building on its strong foundations while shaping future strategy, growing services, and ensuring even more people live safer, more connected, and fulfilling lives.
About their organisation
Our client is a long-established charity that helps people live independently and thrive within their communities. From personal care to practical services like transport, befriending, digital inclusion, and hospital discharge support, they respond to real community needs with empathy and creativity.
They are deeply embedded in local life, championing inclusion, resilience, and meaningful social impact. Their services are delivered by a passionate team of professionals and volunteers committed to care, empowerment, and flexibility.
About the Role
The Chief Executive Officer will provide visionary leadership and operational oversight, ensuring they deliver high-quality, sustainable services aligned with their values and mission. The postholder will work closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, and external partners to shape strategy, drive best practice, and represent the organisation externally.
With their long-serving CEO stepping down, the charity is seeking a leader with strong values, organisational leadership experience, and a solid understanding of care or community services. The successful candidate will be able to lead through complexity and change, while keeping people and community impact at the centre of every decision.
How to Apply
For full details about the role, please download the candidate pack. To apply, click ‘Apply Now’.
Key Dates
Closing Date: 8am, Monday 21st July 2025
First Stage Interviews (Remote): Thursday 31st July 2025
Final Interviews (In-person, Buxton Office): Wednesday 6th August 2025
REF-222 305
Thank you!
Background to Role
The Healthier Lifestyle team at Age UK Croydon offers a range of inclusive and accessible activities and events across the borough of Croydon combining exercise, and social engagement in a variety of local settings. These sessions help reduce isolation, improve independence, prevent falls, increase fitness levels and manage health conditions. They also provide social engagement and interaction, information and support around living with dementia, a safe and welcoming space for all to engage and relax.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Manager to lead our Healthier Lifestyle team which includes a team of 3 part-time Project Officers, one Dementia Support Officer, Dementia Project officer and a great team of volunteers. Addressing health inequalities and fulfilling our mission means that the Healthier Lifestyles service has opportunity to grow and expand. We want to reach younger older people to encourage “Act Now Age Well”
An important element of this role will be looking for opportunities to develop existing services and to introduce new services including some paid services. The Healthier Lifestyles Manager is a member of the Integrated Leadership team to support our One Organisation One team ethos for integrated working and holistic support for the older residents of Croydon.
Some duties will include (but are not limited to) –
- Oversee effective data recording for monitoring and reporting.
- Monitor outcomes and impact and prepare reports on the projects progress for Commissioners, Funders and AUKC Trustee Board
- Monitor and manage workload, organise schedules, ensuring that work is purposeful, targets are clear and support staff to reach their potential and feel valued.
- Support staff with regular supervision using the Age UK Croydon Empowerment Striving for Excellence, Innovation process
- Attend leadership team meetings, staff meetings and joint working parties and project groups as appropriate.
- Implement Age UK Croydon's Equality and Diversity Policy and ensure that equality and diversity principles are incorporated into the planning, delivery and monitoring of services.
- This list is not exhaustive.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday, 15th July 2025
Interview Dates: Wednesday, 23rd July 202
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Our mission is to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Shape the Future of Home Care in Rural Perthshire.Lead a forward-thinking social enterprise delivering vital care services in rural communities
We are excited to announce an opportunity to establish and lead Heartland Cares Ltd, a start-up social enterprise, providing home care in rural Perthshire. We are seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer / Home Care Manager to shape and drive this innovative initiative. Working with an ambitious Board of Directors, and initially in the Rannoch and Dunkeld and Birnam areas, his role offers the chance to build a new and tranformative model of community-led care, enhancing services in remote rural areas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of a high-quality home care service tailored to rural areas.
- Build, motivate, and manage staff and volunteers, ensuring excellence in care and service delivery.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations and service delivery
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with local trusts, councils, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
- Ensure compliance with Care Inspectorate standards and lead the registration process.
- Manage financial operations, including budgeting.
- Act as the spokesperson for the organisation, promoting its services to local communities.
- Report directly to the Board, ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and governance requirements.
Why Join Us?
- Make a Real Impact: Shape a service that directly improves lives.
- Innovative Approach: Be at the forefront of community-led care solutions.
- Supportive Team: Work with a committed and passionate group of professionals.
- Career Growth: Lead a growing organisation with long-term potential.
- Beautiful Location: Enjoy working in the heart of rural Scotland.
Are you the right fit?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with a passion for making a positive impact in rural, remote communities. The ideal candidate will hold a Level 7 practitioner qualification (meeting SSSC criteria) and have proven leadership experience in care services within community settings. Financial management and exceptional communication skills are essential, along with a good understanding of the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing health and social care services.
If you are committed to building an organisation that ensures people can receive care within their own communities, we would love to hear from you!
Application notes
To apply for this post please send your CV and a cover letter of no more than two sides of A4 outlining your reasons for applying and demonstrating how you meet the requirements set out in the Job Description. Please send this to the email found in the Job Pack (downloadable from this site).
Closing date for applications is midnight on 8th August 2025.
Interviews: To be held at a mutually agreeable time shortly after the closing date.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
FIXED TERM UNTIL FEBRUARY 2027
Background to Role
Age UK Croydon is passionate about achieving our mission to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon
Our Healthier Lifestyles Service includes a programme of seated and standing exercise, health checks and social engagement together with our 3 Memory Tree Cafés. Memory Tree cafes combine music and singing, dancing, reminiscence, exercise, activity and social interaction providing a safe and relaxing environment for older people living with dementia and their carers. Our programmes are delivered in various settings across the borough including care homes, sheltered housing and community venues together with our own Brigstock Road Community Hall.
The Healthier Lifestyle team at Age UK Croydon offers a range of inclusive and accessible activities and events across the borough of Croydon combining exercise and social engagement in a variety of local settings. These sessions help reduce isolation, improve independence, prevent falls, increase fitness levels and manage health conditions. They also provide social engagement and interaction, information and support around living with dementia, a safe and welcoming space for all to engage and relax.
Duties will include (but are not limited to) –
- Independently delivering chair-based exercise sessions daily in Croydon care homes to residents.
- As an Age UK Croydon ambassador promote our services including via talks and presentations to community groups across the Borough.
- Developing and maintaining good relationships with care home, health hub venue staff and partner organisations or talk providers.
- Working as part of the health hub team lead on the delivery of health hubs in various Croydon locations.
- To be the key point of liaison for all clients accessing the Activity Service.
- To support the promotion of the organisation, services, activities, and events.
- To contact clients when there are changes to the regular classes.
- Keep up to date with and the Activity Service changes.
- Awareness of risk assessments and GDPR compliance
- If qualified also delivering standing exercise sessions.
- Setting up equipment for activities and ensuring resources are ready for events.
- Delivering basic health checks including blood pressure, BMI and diabetes screening.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Thursday, 17th July 2025
Interview Dates: Thursday, 24th July 2025
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Our mission is to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.