Benefits advice worker jobs

Our Vacancy

Join Us as a Night Housing Support Worker – Make a Real Difference in Young Lives.

At Peabody, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive. We’re looking for a Night Housing Support Worker who is kind, proactive, and ready to support young people aged 16–25, including care leavers, on their journey to independence. This is not a care role. It’s a practical and emotional support position, helping young people build life skills, access housing, and feel empowered to shape their future.

What You’ll Be Doing
As a Night Housing Support Worker, you’ll provide support, stability, and reassurance during evening and overnight hours, ensuring a safe and calm environment for young residents. You’ll help young people continue developing the skills they need for independent living, including navigating housing options, managing benefits, and budgeting. By bringing your own passions—whether in music, art, sports, or other interests—you’ll enrich the community and build meaningful connections. You’ll also work closely with colleagues and external partners to ensure each young person receives the right support at the right time.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Connects easily with young people, especially those who’ve faced trauma, mental health challenges, or substance misuse.
• Is creative and confident in engaging young people, whether through music, sports, art, or other interests.
• Can work independently at night and as part of a wider team, managing a caseload and supporting residents with budgeting, benefits, and housing options.
• Has strong communication and IT skills, and ideally some knowledge of safeguarding, support plans, or key working.
• Brings transferable experience from youth work, education, housing, or similar sectors

Why join us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. 

We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What You’ll Get

• Up to 25 days’ annual leave.
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and discounts.
• 4x Life Assurance and up to 10% pension contribution.
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying:
This is a full-time, onsite role, and you’ll need to be available to work five days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts may include early mornings and evenings, so flexibility is key.

We’ll be reviewing applications and holding interviews on a rolling weekly basis, so please keep an eye on your inbox and phone - our team will be in touch to get you booked in!

If this sounds like the right fit for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, apply today by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

If this sounds like we are right for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Closing date 20 February 2026

Our Vacancy

Join Us as a Housing Support Worker – Make a Real Difference in Young Lives.

At Peabody, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive. We’re looking for a Housing Support Worker who is kind, proactive, and ready to support young people aged 16–25, including care leavers, on their journey to independence.This is not a care role. It’s a practical and emotional support position, helping young people build life skills, access housing, and feel empowered to shape their future.

What You’ll Be Doing
In this role, you’ll support young people to develop the skills they need for independent living, including navigating housing options, managing benefits, and budgeting. You’ll help create a safe, non-judgmental environment where they feel empowered and respected. By bringing your own passions, whether in music, art, sports, or other interests, you’ll enrich the community and build meaningful connections. You’ll also work closely with colleagues and external partners to ensure each young person receives the right support at the right time.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Connects easily with young people, especially those who’ve faced trauma, mental health challenges, or substance misuse.
• Is creative and confident in engaging young people, whether through music, sports, art, or other interests.
• Can work independently and as part of a team, managing a caseload and supporting residents with budgeting, benefits, and housing options.
• Has strong communication and IT skills, and ideally some knowledge of safeguarding, support plans, or key working.
• Brings transferable experience from youth work, education, housing, or similar sectors.

Why join us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. 

We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What You’ll Get

• Up to 25 days’ annual leave.
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and discounts.
• 4x Life Assurance and up to 10% pension contribution.
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying:
This is a full-time, onsite role, and you’ll need to be available to work five days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts may include early mornings and evenings, so flexibility is key.

We’ll be reviewing applications and holding interviews on a rolling weekly basis, so please keep an eye on your inbox and phone - our team will be in touch to get you booked in!

If this sounds like the right fit for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, apply today by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

If this sounds like we are right for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. 

Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Closing date 20 February 2026  

Our Vacancy

Senior Support Worker – Young People’s Supported Housing
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people?

We’re looking for a proactive, inspiring Senior Support Worker to lead and support a team of Housing Support Workers at an Ofsted-registered scheme in Berkhamsted. These services provide accommodation and trauma-informed support to young people aged 16–25 with complex needs, helping them build independence and move towards long-term housing.

About the role:
In this role, you’ll lead by example - supporting and motivating your team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. You’ll ensure safeguarding and risk management are prioritised, oversee personalised support plans, and promote a culture of trust and emotional safety. You’ll also facilitate one-to-ones, team meetings, and training sessions, while working closely with partner agencies to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting a team working across 7-day shifts, including weekends.
• Ensuring trauma-informed, person-centred support plans are in place and regularly reviewed.
• Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns and liaising with external agencies.
• Supporting young people to develop life skills and prepare for independent living.
• Promoting a positive, collaborative team culture.

About you:

• Experience working with vulnerable teenagers/ young adults aged 16–25.
• Proven ability to lead or supervise a team in a 24/7 support environment.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and trauma-informed care.
• A Level 3 qualification in social care, youth work, or housing (or willingness to work towards it).
• Excellent communication, empathy, and resilience.

Why Join Us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values – Be Kind, Do The Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

We offer:

• 25 days’ annual leave. 
• Flexible benefits package – including healthcare, dental, and lifestyle discounts.
• 4x life assurance and up to 10% pension contribution. 
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships. 
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying:
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship, so you must have the right to work in the UK.

As part of your application, we’ll ask you to answer a few questions to help us understand your suitability for the role, including one focused on our values.

The successful applicant for this position will have to take part in an on-call rota. 

Closing date 17 February 2026  

Interviews will be held in person, on-site on 02/03/26 and 03/03/26.

If this sounds like the right role for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. 

Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

As Youth Worker you will use your experience of working with children and young people to:

• Work alongside the Youth Coordinator to develop and deliver an agreed project plan that meets the requirements of funders and local team priorities, in line with Diabetes UK processes and policies.
• Support young people and volunteers to understand and grow their strengths and skills, empowering them to take action, support others and make change happen.
• Continuously improve our impact and engagement with young people and the diabetes community, identifying opportunities to share learning and good practice across teams.
• Work with colleagues to grow and enhance our engagement with young people, creating opportunities for long term relationships and involvement of young people in the wider work of the charity.

Our Vacancy

As a Support Worker for the Young People’s Services at Peabody, you will play a vital role in helping young people live independently and thrive within their communities. This is a meaningful and rewarding position where you will support individuals who may be socially excluded, disabled, unwell, young mothers or homeless. Your work will directly contribute to their wellbeing, independence, and inclusion, ensuring they are empowered to lead fulfilling lives. You will be part of a team that values human rights, dignity, and respect, and you’ll be instrumental in helping young people overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

What you'll do
In this role, you will provide high-quality, person-centred support to young people in supported housing. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include conducting needs and risk assessments, developing and reviewing support plans, and offering practical assistance with daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and managing finances. You will work closely with each individual to help them build confidence, develop life skills, and work towards their personal goals. You’ll also support them in accessing community resources, sustaining their housing, and exploring future housing options. Your role will involve liaising with external agencies, attending team meetings and training, and ensuring accurate record-keeping. You’ll be a key part of a collaborative team, committed to safeguarding, promoting equality, and delivering excellent service in line with Peabody’s values and policies.

What you'll need

• Experience supporting vulnerable people in the community or a supported living environment, either professionally or through volunteering. 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with young people and external partners
• A compassionate, empathetic approach with a genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives
• Confidence to work independently (including lone working) and collaboratively as part of a team
• Good IT literacy, including the use of Microsoft Office and data entry system.
• A driving licence and your own vehicle, as this role will involve some travelling between schemes. 

Why join us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What You’ll Get

• 25 days’ annual leave 
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and discounts.
• 4x Life Assurance and up to 10% pension contribution.
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying
This is a full-time, onsite role, and you’ll need to be available to work five days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts may include early mornings and evenings, so flexibility is key.

We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so you might hear from us before the closing date, keep an eye on your inbox and your phone! 

Important Information 

This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

The successful candidate will have a full and clean driving licence as well as their own vehicle as the role does involve working across two services, which will require driving.

Please read before applying:
Closing date 23 February 2026  
The Interviews for this role will take place on 02/03/26 and 04/03/26, in person in Hitchin. 

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Colleagues who are at risk of redundancy need to state this on their application as they will be given priority consideration above other applicants.

Please note, if you are currently on legacy Aldwyck or legacy Catalyst Terms & Conditions, and are successful in your application, you will automatically be transferred to the new Peabody Terms & Conditions. 

Additionally, if you move to a Peabody role on a secondment basis, your Terms & Conditions will not change.

Following a successful application to the Henry Smith Foundation we are seeking a passionate, committed and flexible Support Worker (35 hours per week) to join our team to support young people and families, primarily focusing on LGBTQ+ young people but working with the wider team to ensure all young people and families are supported.

The main aims of the post are to ensure:

• The charity delivers quality information, advice, guidance and advocacy services which improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people in Calderdale & Kirklees.
• LGBTQ+ young people who face additional access barriers are reached and given the opportunity to engage with the service, reducing their isolation and loneliness.
• LGBTQ+ young people have emotionally healthy relationships with their family, friends and intimate partners.

The above would be achieved through group work, youth groups, parent and family groups, 121 work, attending professional meetings such as Team Around The Family and Child In Need meetings, mediating between families and schools, networking, stand events such as Pride’s and Freshers events, offsite activities and family support sessions.

This is a service user and public facing role. The successful candidate will be expected to attend sessions, meetings and events across in Calderdale & Kirklees

The right candidate will have:

• JNC Level 3 Youth and Community Work qualification or a willingness to undertake training. We welcome applicants with equivalent qualifications and experience in relevant sectors inclusive of child care, teaching, social work, nursing etc (or due to complete 2026 - 2027).

• A minimum 12-months experience of working with children, young people aged 25 and under and/or families
• An ability to assess needs and involve young people in identifying appropriate self-action plans
• Knowledge and understanding of the impact of Homophobia, Biphobia and transphobia on LGBTQ+ young people
• A flexible approach to work and willingness to work some evenings and weekends
• A full clean driving license and access to a car

What you'd get from us:

• Training and development opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement, 31 day per year plus bank holidays
• 6% pension contribution
• Life Assurance at three-times salary rate
• An employee health plan, helping with the costs of dental, optical treatments etc
• Access to staff counselling
• Perkbox Employee Benefits - 1000+ deals and discounts
• Travel expenses
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Earn between £26,510.82 – 27,836.36
• Pay award pending

Why you'd work for us:

• So you can use your skills and passion to influence change and improve outcomes for some of the most stigmatised and marginalised people in Calderdale & Kirklees
• Gain experience, build your transferable skills and learn new ones
• Be part of an amazing, committed team challenging stigma, bias, and inequalities

We are recruiting: Housing Officer & Support Worker. 

Location: Telford & Wrekin – onsite only 

Hours: 36, 32 & 18 hr posts available (Please indicate preference when applying) 

Salary: £13.60 p/h (reviewed in April) 

Contract: Permanent 

The role 

Stay is a Telford based charity that supports people experiencing homelessness by providing a range of supported accommodation and tailored support services. Its aim is to help individuals reach their potential and progress toward longer term housing solutions that promote positive wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. 

As a Housing Officer & Support Worker, you will play a vital role in delivering intensive housing management and personalised support to people from diverse backgrounds. Using strength based and Trauma Informed Practice, you will ensure each person receives the guidance they need. You will offer a warm welcome to new tenants as they begin their journey with Stay, ensuring they feel informed, safe, and comfortable in their new environment. Through choice led planning, you will support tenants to work toward their housing aspirations and achieve their personal goals. 

What you need 

A full, valid UK driving licence 

A vehicle insured for business use 

An enhanced DBS check (cost covered by Stay) 

What we offer you 

We offer a friendly, supportive, and flexible working environment where your contribution is valued. You’ll benefit from: 

✅ 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (enhancements for length of service) 

✅ Birthday off following completion successful probationary period 

✅ Regular supervision and guidance 

✅ Access to our Employee Assistance Programme providing GP access and wellbeing support 

✅ Pension scheme 

✅ Eligible for a Blue Light Card discount scheme 

✅ Fully funded training and continuous development 

Age UK Bromley & Greenwich is an independent local charity supporting older people across both boroughs. We work to enable, support and connect older people, promote independence and wellbeing and ensure their voices are heard.

We are looking for an Information & Advice Triage Worker to be the first point of contact for older people, carers and their families seeking support.

About the role

This role is central to our Information & Advice service. You will provide high-quality initial information and guidance, assess urgency and risk, and ensure people are directed quickly and appropriately to advice services, support services or partner organisations.

You will often be the first person someone speaks to, so a calm, empathetic and professional approach is essential.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for enquiries, mainly by telephone, with some face-to-face and email contact

• Provide accurate information on issues affecting older people including benefits, housing, care, health and local services

• Carry out structured triage to identify needs, priorities and risks

• Manage expectations clearly and sensitively

• Identify safeguarding concerns and follow organisational procedures

• Make timely referrals to internal services and external partners

• Maintain clear professional boundaries while offering a warm, person-centred response

• Record all contacts accurately and promptly on the organisation’s CRM system

• Maintain clear, concise and professional case notes

• Ensure confidentiality, consent and data protection requirements are met

• Work closely with advisers, service coordinators and partner agencies

• Take part in team meetings, supervision and training

• Keep knowledge up to date on welfare benefits, services and local provision

• Promote Age UK Bromley & Greenwich services positively and professionally

About you

Essential

• Experience in frontline information, advice, triage or high-volume customer contact work

• Confidence handling calls from people who may be distressed, anxious or frustrated

• Strong listening and questioning skills

• Ability to assess urgency and risk and take appropriate action

• Clear verbal and written communication skills

• Experience using a CRM or case management system

• Good general IT skills including email and Microsoft applications

• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries

• Awareness of issues affecting older people and carers

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

• Empathy, patience and a non-judgemental approach

Desirable

• Experience in the voluntary sector or health and social care

• Knowledge of welfare benefits, housing or adult social care

• Experience of face-to-face advice or reception-based work

• Knowledge of local services in Bromley or Greenwich

What we offer

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), including two days over Christmas

• Pension scheme with 5% employee and 3% employer contributions

• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support

• Supportive team environment with training and development opportunities

If you want to play a vital role in helping older people feel heard, supported and confident accessing the right help, we would love to hear from you.

Age UK Westminster is delighted to offer a new role within our successful Information and Advice Team, with a focus on supporting Westminster residents from Global Majorities, gaining skills and knowledge to develop your career in I&A.

The successful applicant will benefit from working within an experienced and friendly team. Full training, including completion of Level 3 Information and Advice certification, will be provided. If you are fluent in one of the following languages, Arabic, Somali or Bengali, and would like to  work with us to enable our team to better support non-English speaking Westminster older residents to access our Information and advice service, this could be the role for you.

This is a real opportunity to build a career in Information and Advice. Join us to make a real difference to the older residents of Westminster.

Closing Date: 30th April

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Lambeth, London
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum, Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call Rota).

We are looking for a Refuge Worker to work within our culturally specific refuge to provide specialist, high-quality support to women and children escaping domestic abuse. Based in Lambeth, London, this role involves delivering practical and emotional support to survivors, ensuring their safety, and helping them rebuild their lives. Working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, you will create a safe and welcoming environment in line with Refuge’s values and commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

As a Refuge Worker, you will support women through crisis, providing keywork sessions, safety planning, and advocacy. You will assist with accessing housing, welfare, legal support, and other essential services while maintaining accurate case records. You will also play a vital role in ensuring the effective operation of the refuge, managing referrals, and working collaboratively with partner agencies. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and resilient individual with strong communication and organisational skills. While experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector is beneficial, we also welcome applications from those with transferable skills and a commitment to supporting survivors. Above all, we value individuals who are dedicated to making a difference, thrive in an inclusive environment, and are committed to their own personal development while supporting others.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while developing valuable frontline support and advocacy experience. Refuge offers ongoing training, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package, ensuring that our staff are valued and supported in their roles. If you are passionate about empowering survivors and want to be part of a dedicated, compassionate organisation, we encourage you to apply.

Closing Date: 09:00am 27 February 2026

Interview Date: 12 and 13 March 2026

Alongside Senior Youth Workers you will focus on delivering face-to-face youth work in schools and in community settings. You’ll be working alongside young people who may be navigating complex challenges, including community safety concerns and the risks of exploitation. Your role will be to build trust, provide meaningful support and empower them to make positive choices for their future. If you’re committed to creating lasting change and have the skills to connect with and inspire young people, we’d love to hear from you! These part-time youth work roles will be in different local communities according to need. Initially this will likely involve supporting young people in our East London boroughs (Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham). 

Job Title: Advice & Information Worker 
Working Hours: 37 Hours per week
Salary: £28,050.00 per annum 
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hatfield Office / hybrid options

Herts Young Homeless is an independent charity and has been supporting vulnerable people in Hertfordshire since 1998. We are professional, passionate, collaborative and supportive charity that provides guidance to everyone who is in need of support.

We are looking for two dedicated and passionate Advice and Information Worker to join our team based in Hatfield! You will be the first point of contact for anyone needing to access the ‘hyh hub’ and will ensure that all referrals are triaged to identify the most effective pathway for support. The worker will deliver accurate advice and information to young people, parents and professionals, and work undertaken in a coordinated timely manner. You will carry out appropriate assessments, with other agencies where needed, to assess the needs of the family to prevent family breakdown and homelessness.

Role Responsibilities:
- Manage a varied, short term case load with conflicting deadlines
- To offer realistic advice and options to young people, family members and professionals to prevent family breakdown and homelessness, identifying any other needs within the process.
- To carry out service user assessments under the JHP and liaise with statutory agencies, non-statutory agencies and family members to assist with a planned move on/secure accommodation for
16/17 year olds as required.
- Develop and maintain smooth, accurate pathways on the database for gathering and maintaining all relevant service user and statistical information
- To chair and coordinate family meetings, housing support meetings and liaison meetings with other agencies as required
- To liaise and refer into Crashpad as required and work within the set timescales
- Alongside team members and external partners, co-ordinate and implement focused action plans, working with families for a maximum of 6 weeks
- Working in strengths based way, support 16/17 year olds to advocate for themselves when appropriate and necessary
- Carry out the necessary follow-up work and write ups of service users files
- Encourage and promote a planned approach to solving conflict alongside the ‘hyh hub’ and explore the mediation / family link worker processes to young people and their families, in line with the ‘single pathway’ model.

As a successful candidate you will have...
- A full driving license and use of own car or motorbike for business purposes (Compulsory)
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the problems facing homeless young people
- Ability to engage and motivate young people, strong interpersonal skills including the ability to be appropriately assertive
- General administrative skills (filling, record keeping and computer literacy)
- Ability to work effectively with a full and varied workload with conflicting deadlines
- Excellent understanding of confidentially with strict professional boundaries and personal integrity
- Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
- Excellent planning, organisational & time management skills
- Have a flexible working approach to the needs of the service users
- Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
- IT literacy including excel, word, teams and outlook
- An understanding of the voluntary sector and the constraints placed upon voluntary sector organisation (desirable)

What can we offer you?
-25 days annual leave per annum (in addition to Bank Holidays & Public Holidays)
-People's Pension Plan contribution
-Group Life Insurance plan
-Opportunities for personal and career development
-Hybrid working - option to work from home up to 2 days per week
-An additional annual leave day on your Birthday
-Monthly draws to win ‘lunch on your manager’ or ‘leave work early’
-Employee Assistance Programme - support with wellbeing & personal struggles
 

Please apply via the link on the vacancy found on our website submitting a cover letter  or a short video along with your CV . If you require any adjustments to support your application please let us know and we will be happy to help where we can.Closing Date 12th February 2026

Recruitment afternoon will be held on 24th February 2026 held in our Hatfield Office .  This will involve a variety of group based and individual tasks following by a competency interview.  and if successful there will be a personal interview stage held on a date to be confirmed. 

Should you need any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment day please confirm upon receipt of invitation.

Equal Opportunities

We treat everyone with equal dignity and respect, and promote equal opportunity for all and challenge any behaviour or practice which discriminates against any person on the grounds of race, colour, sex, marital status, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or any other perceived difference.

hyh strives to be an equal opportunities and inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Our promise to you
Herts Young Homeless promises to act with the upmost integrity and respect when it comes to handling your data and will not share your details with any other client without 1) discussing the opportunity with you first and 2) without your verbal or written consent for us to do so.  

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Our Young People & Families (YP&F) Operational Hub delivers a wide range of integrated support services designed to help resolve complex difficulties experienced by young people and their families/carers.

Support is provided to people who find themselves in a range of circumstances; they may be missing from home or have emotional, housing or substance misuse issues. We also support families where parents/carers are experiencing domestic abuse, substance misuse, emotional issues, homelessness or unemployment. Whatever the situation, we work alongside young people and their carers to find a way of stabilising their lives.

Redthread is a hospital based youth work service, working alongside NHS staff and other professionals in emergency departments.

Our experienced, specialist youth workers engage with and support young people, aiming to support them with their needs in hospital and post-discharge. We often meet young people at a moment of change and work with them to find a positive way forward.

We provide long-term, holistic support. We consider every aspect of a young person’s life and build support around them.

About the Mental Health Youth Work Service Pilot

The prevalence of reported mental health challenges in children and young people living in England have been increasing.  In addition, research tells us that children and young people facing such challenges with their mental health are more likely to self-harm. For some children and young people, A&E Departments may be a first point of contact with healthcare services following self-harm. While in recent years the number of attendances by children and young people for mental health needs and/or self-harm have stabilised, there was a sharp increase in attendances following the pandemic. For children and young people who have gone to A&E for support with their mental health, such as following self-harm, waiting a long time in A&E can be hard. A&E Departments are often very busy and loud places and there is not always access to secluded space for those who have gone to A&E when experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Children and young people who are also neurodiverse may find the environment particularly challenging and overstimulating while they are waiting to access care and support. This pilot aims to strengthen the offer of support to young people aged 11-18 in A&E, and also consider the wider social and emotional wellbeing needs of those individuals whilst in that environment and following discharge by ensuring there is follow up support for a variety of services.

The Mental Health Youth Work Service model has been informed by young people with experience of hospital attendances after self-harming, and their feedback has been used to shape the care we aim to deliver.

The service runs across two hospital sites in London: King’s College Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There will be a team consisting of one Senior Youth Worker and a Youth Worker embedded in each site.

Job Description

Where you fit in

This is an exciting new service working in partnership with King’s College Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. The project is a pilot that aims to provide specialist Youth Work support for young people presenting to a hospital because of their mental health, and specifically where they attend because of self-harm.

The Senior Youth Worker will lead on the Mental Health Youth Work service embedded within the A&E department. This will involve line management responsibilities for the Mental Health Youth Worker, partnership working to build relationships both internally within the hospital and externally in the local community, and with both statutory and non-statutory partners.

The Senior Youth worker will be expected to support and build trusting relationships with young people who present with acute needs and are often in a crisis. They will manage a caseload of their own, with contact taking place both in the hospital and post-discharge in the community.

The Senior Youth Worker will ensure the integration of the service at their respective hospital A&E department, and work alongside the Team Leader in reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements

Main Duties & Accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of the Mental Health Youth Work service for young people aged 11-18 who attend the A&E department. Ensure that all young people are assessed holistically and care plans are tailored, trauma-informed and empowering, with the aim of reducing further harm.

• Line manage the Mental Health Youth Worker, providing guidance and direction through regular contact and meetings, case allocation, caseload oversight and one-to-one supervision, both formally and informally.

• In collaboration with the other Senior Youth Worker, provide overall support to the team to develop and improve skills, including assessment and recording, to ensure that Redthread’s model of intervention is delivered consistently.

• Promote high levels of wellbeing for staff members who are working with young people who have experienced acute and chronic mental health challenges

• Hold a caseload and work with young people with often complex needs, in a range of settings, including in A&E, in the community, face-to-face and virtually where required, and promote their personal, educational, health and social development through all interactions

• Assist with the on-going development of the service model to ensure that young people and other stakeholders gain the maximum benefit from Redthread’s interventions

• Along with the team, tailor and design youth work resources that are specific to the young people we are working with

• Contribute to the training programme that Redthread provides for hospital staff, including informal microteaching and more formal presentations.

• With support from the Team Leader, maintain strong working relationships within the Hospital, and NHS staff ensuring that Redthread youth workers are fully embedded in the health setting and are working with clinical staff to deliver a service that meets the needs of young people, including promoting the service within the hospital and attending appropriate internal meetings

• Assist in building and maintaining strong working relationships with Redthread stakeholders, project partners and with other agencies working with young people and to represent Redthread at external meetings as required.

• Ensure that as a team, you are proactive in researching and networking with other organisations working with young people in the area served by the hospital to ensure that the Youth Workers have a good knowledge of other services and projects that may be of interest to the young people we work with or appropriate for us to refer to.

• Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings in hospital, working with ED staff and CAMHS teams to support and safeguard young people

• Maintain a good level of professional knowledge of the issues affecting young people, particularly related to their mental health needs and self harm.

• In all areas of the work, apply an in-depth understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working with children and young people, and provide guidance to your team members that adheres to Redthread’s Safeguarding policy and procedures and safeguarding policies of respective NHS Trusts.

• Ensure information resources such as client forms, databases and contact files are kept fully up-to-date and secure, in line with GDPR, the Data Protection Act and our Confidentiality Policy and Consent Policy. Maintain high-quality recording of interventions with young people on our database, Salesforce, in line with Redthread’s best-practice requirements. (Training will be provided.)

• Collect and record evidence of project outcomes and young people’s achievements, to ensure the completion of monitoring forms and project progress reports as required.

• Work as part of a team to continue to develop the programme’s monitoring and evaluation in order to facilitate internal reflection and learning, and to demonstrate its effectiveness and impact to external stakeholders.

 • To ensure that the Youth Worker accurately captures and records data on the CRM system. To ensure that it can be used to identify trends and provide insights. To use these insights and trends to shape service delivery and share information with partners.

• With support from the Team Leader and oversight from the Service Manager, produce monthly and quarterly reports as required by funders and to inform leaders of the operational performance of the organisation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

Relevant level 3 or 4 qualification in health & wellbeing, youth provision or similar or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable:

A degree-level qualification in social work, youth work, social science, education or another relevant field
Qualifications in counselling and/or mental health first aid for young people

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the physical, social and emotional developmental needs of young people • Understanding of the issues faced by young people living in inner city areas • An awareness of child protection and safeguarding issues and knowledge of current best practice within the youth work sector • Knowledge of Mental Health systems and processes and the function of statutory services such as CAMHS • Knowledge of the specific needs of young people who self harm • A knowledge of best practice in case recording

Desirable

• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence • Knowledge of solution-focused brief therapy tools or a similar counselling methodology. • Knowledge of psycho-education tools appropriate to share with children and young people who also may be neurodivergent • Knowledge of health inequalities and how these can affect different groups/individuals

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Significant professional experience of working with vulnerable young people in a range of activities and settings • Experience working with young people in a health and well-being context, especially with young people experiencing mental health challenges • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team • Experience of leading and managing a project to enable growth and continuity • Experience in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with partner organisations • Experience in planning and delivering training

Desirable

• Experience of working in a London borough • Experience in leading, managing, supporting, and motivating a team in their work • Experiencing of developing a project’s processes, procedures, and policies • Experience of monitoring and evaluation systems to measure programme impact

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

• Resilient and reflective • Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and an ability to interact young people on a one-to-one basis within a range of contexts • Ability to plan and manage own workload • Accurate data entry and record keeping and monitoring processes Ability to use up-to[1]date IT systems • Able to analyse and evaluate information and provide effective management oversight of high-risk complex cases. • Able to oversee cases using an electronic database

Desirable

• Leadership and management skills to enable the team to have a clear sense of direction, feel motivated and have a clear understanding of how their own roles contribute to and enhance the work of the organisation • Able to provide supervision, guidance, and support to youth work teams, particularly around task allocation, setting priorities and personal development
 

OTHER

Share Catch22 values
Awareness of and commitment to Equality & Diversity
Willing to travel and work flexibly
Desire to develop and undertake training as required
● Enthusiasm for Redthread’s work
● Approachable, self-motivated and committed to continuous personal development
● A commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities as they apply to all aspects of Redthread’s work

Additional information

Those interested in applying for this opportunity should review the Job Description & Person Specification to find out more.

When applying please be cautious over the answers you provide. If you select “NO” to the screening question regarding Right to Work in the UK, your application will automatically be closed. 

Contract: Permanent

Hours & work pattern: 37 hours per week, with regular evening and weekend shifts required. Evening shifts cover the hours of 1pm to 9:00 pm 

Salary: £32,917.50 per annum

Location: King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London. With regular travel to other Redthread sites and offices when required.

Screening: Successful admission to post subject to enhanced DBS check and employer Right To Work in the UK check. The post-holder must have right to work in the UK. Catch22 does not currently provide a licence to sponsor visas but please see this register to see those that do.

To Apply: Please provide your CV and cover letter, along with the completion of the screening questions to express your interest in this opportunity. Please note, in the interest of safer recruitment and ensuring that applicants are a right fit for the role, submitted applications must contain a CV, satisfactory responses to the screening questions, and information detailing interest in the role, to be considered for this position.

Closing date: Thursday 19th February at 5pm

Interviews will be held in week commencing 2nd March

AI generated applications are not acceptable and could lead to a disqualification of your current and future applications across Catch22 jobs. In order to ensure that applications are fair, genuine, and representative of the candidate applying, our teams may use a number of tools to identify occurrences where candidates have not given an honest response during the application process. 

Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box

Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. 

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See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media. 

Job description  

We are looking for people with the values and commitment to increase the independence, self-confidence and access to new opportunities for people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health support needs across our Supported Living Services in Kingston and Richmond. You will be supporting people to live within a support living setting including sleep-ins, to enable them to remain as independent as possible while receiving person centred care.

Who we are  

At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independent, fulfilled and self-confident lives. We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services. We operate a range of services in SW London including outreach and small homes-based services in Kingston and Richmond.  

Who you are  

You are someone with experience of or a commitment to developing a person-centred approach in working with people with complex needs and challenges. You will be a collegiate player, and someone able to see beyond the barriers that people with disabilities experience every day. Your values and working practice will align with those of the charity to maximise the independence of those you are working with; to enable their ability to make decisions about the types of service they are in receipt of and to ensure that your approach is both professional and sustainable.  

Key Responsibilities of this role  

Your primary responsibilities will include:  

• To work as part of a diverse and experienced team providing personalised support, advice and advocacy to people living independently or in supported accommodation.  

• To apply a collegiate approach to deliver strengths-based support that maximises independence, knowledge and confidence of those using our services.  

• To provide a key point of reference for information and support to those using the services and professionals and carers dependent on it.  

• To work independently across the boroughs we operate in, with people in their homes or in accessing support and resources across the community.  

Critical Values in the delivery of this role  

• A commitment to building independence and self-confidence amongst your colleagues as well as those you provide services to.  

• Recognition of the skills, knowledge and commitment of those working around you and your contribution to them.  

• A professional, can-do attitude that finds solutions in the darkest corners.  

• A willingness to empower those around you to exercise authority to make mistakes, test things out and lead from the front.  

Benefits in working for us  

The charity ensures the following benefits for all its operational staff:  

• A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front-line staff.  

• A commitment to training and professional development to at least Care Certificate  

• Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme, if eligible  

• Access to a range of discount schemes  

• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme 

Application Instructions  

Please complete a covering letter and CV that indicates how you meet the key criteria in the person specification .