Carers information centre manager jobs

Organisation Overview:  

Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes in our communities, supporting relatives, friends, and neighbours, often with limited or no support, to live the best lives they can.

Carers Centre Tower Hamlets (CCTH) is a small, committed organisation dedicated to supporting unpaid carers through a variety of specialist services, from social and therapeutic activities to emotional, mentoring, advocacy, and signposting support. We aim to enrich and empower unpaid carers’ lives, providing them with the support they so selflessly give to others. We are now recruiting to our team someone who will lead on our work to support Carers as part of the Barnsley Street Mental Health Project. 

Project Overview:  

The Barnsley Street Project is a Community Mental Health Pilot aimed at delivering continuous, person-centred mental health care to underserved populations in PCN1 (Bethnal Green). This initiative is a collaborative effort between East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Tower Hamlets Mental Health Alliance (THMHA), and the Look Ahead Housing Association. Driven by the voice of lived experience, the project is designed to address the systemic gaps in mental health services, particularly for marginalised communities.  

Purpose of the role:  

To identify and coordinate an effective support service for unpaid carers who support residents who access the Barnsley Street Project, with the aim of supporting carers to have their needs met as well as develop a healthy and sustainable caring role.    

To facilitate access for unpaid carers in the Barnsley Street Project to appropriate support services, both statutory and voluntary. To provide comprehensive support and information to families and carers. To raise awareness of carers’ needs with professionals in the project environment and contribute to carer friendly policies.   

The post will involve the direct provision of services, referral to and between services, collaborative work with other local agencies and outreach work. The post-holder will provide advocacy, referral, and ongoing practical and emotional support to unpaid carers through individual and group work.    

Responsibilities: 

• Identification and Support: Proactively identify carers of residents who utilise the Barnsley Street Project, and provide them with tailored support, ensuring their well-being is prioritised. 

• Information and Guidance: Offer information about available resources, support services, and community networks to assist carers effectively. 

• Communication Liaison: Facilitate communication between clinical staff and carers, ensuring they are kept informed about the patient's condition, treatment plan, and any discharge process. 

• Emotional Support: Provide compassionate emotional support to carers, listening to their concerns and offering a caring presence during difficult times. 

• Training and Education: Organise workshops and peer support groups to equip carers with essential skills for their caregiving role. 

• Advocacy: Advocate for carers' needs and rights within the setting, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. 

Requirements: 

• Previous experience in an advice or support role within a mental health or healthcare environment is preferred. 

• Empathetic and compassionate nature, with a genuine commitment to supporting carers during challenging times. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with carers, hospital staff, and external partners. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, managing priorities efficiently. 

• Proficient in using technology, including email and Microsoft Office suite. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary based on experience. 

• 25 days (pro rata) of annual leave, plus public holidays. 

• Pension scheme. 

• Continuous professional development opportunities. 

• Rewarding work environment making a real difference in carers' lives. 

If you are passionate about supporting carers in a hospital setting and possess the skills and empathy required for this role, we would love to hear from you

Note: We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability. 

We are hiring a Deputy Manager to deliver quality services to children and young people with learning disabilities and/or Autism.  The job is based in our wonderful five bedded home in Tower Hamlets providing fun-based after school activities and short breaks for a small group of children with Autism in a residential setting.  

The role will involve balancing multiple priorities in running an essential and inspirational service for children and young people with Autism.  You will support with strategic and logistical planning while also carrying out hands-on work alongside the rest of the team, ensuring a child centred approach is maintained at all times, and involving children, young people and parents and carers in decision-making structures. There is ample scope for development, identifying any gaps in existing provisions and expanding services accordingly. This deputy manager will be ambitious to maintain and further develop the positive and invaluable work of this service.

You will support, and be supported by, our Ofsted Registered Manager and be responsible for delivering services that are fully compliant with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements. You will ensure the safety of service users' health and wellbeing, leading by example with a positive and person-centred approach.  You will be confident liaising with local authority and Ofsted representatives and be committed to supporting your team to provide and facilitate engaging activity groups aimed at developing the life skills, confidence and relationship building of the people we support.

• You will need to have a minimum of two years of supervisory or team leadership experience ideally in a children’s residential environment or a related field working with children, young adults or adults with learning disabilities.

• You will need to have or be working towards Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or an equivalent qualification.

IPSEA training to Level 2 is required for this role.  Further training and qualifications will be offered and supported.

This role is to support SENDIASS - The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services and to lead on Youth Facilitator role.

Centre 404 is a leading charity based in North London with an excellent reputation for providing high quality services to children and adults with learning disabilities and their families. This role will be part of our Children, Young People, Families and Engagement service that works with family carers of children and adults who have a learning disability and offers advice, training, support and events throughout the year.

This is an ideal opportunity for an effective and confident individual to bring SEND expertise to the team within a supportive and collaborative environment.

The role will involve providing impartial information, advice and support to parents of children and young people, and young people themselves, who have Special Educational Needs and/or a disability so they can make appropriate, informed decisions about their education - in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and relevant legislation.

You will obtain and process referrals and provide support and expertise at all points along the SEN journey for service users and their families.  You will partner with a range of other organisations; local and national, voluntary and community and will variably act as advocate, mediator, facilitator and supporter in the best interests of the children, young people and parents within the service

Knowledge of local authority processes, national policies and legislation and relevant SEND issues will be essential to this role alongside organisational expertise and a real desire to engage with users in order to create and deliver a range of events and activities as part of the sider Supporting Families team.

This is a potentially hugely rewarding role for an individual with significant experience of the SEND Code of Practice offering challenge, autonomy and opportunities for development within a growing organisation.

At Ambitious about Autism, we are currently looking for a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Specialist to join our team.

As a PBS Specialist you will be passionate about improving the quality of life for autistic children and young people with additional learning needs. You will provide specialist behavioural assessments and interventions to the children and young people (CYP) in the setting at TreeHouse School. You will be involved in undertaking direct assessment and intervention, and indirect assessment and monitoring with class teams, with a fluid caseload determined and prioritised by the needs of the cohort.

You will also work alongside colleagues, parents, and carers to enable them to better understand behaviours that challenge and teach functional replacements in order to reduce risk and increase access to education and future opportunities. All of your work will be in line with PBS principles and will be person-centred.

We are looking for someone that has:

• Board certified behavioural analyst qualification, or Masters level training in Positive Behaviour Support or equivalent experience
• Skilful in the use of complex methods of functional assessment and intervention
• Has advanced skills in building and maintaining positive relationships with children and young people, professionals and parents/carers

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with.

Please see the full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you would like more information about the role or would like an informal, confidential discussion please contact Stephen Vickers

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

The Community Development & Health Programme Manager is responsible for the ongoing strategic development of the programme area, as well as maintaining oversight of the contracted delivery across its broad but integrated remit.  The Programme Manager also has a responsibility to be visible in the communities we serve locally and to attend meetings, events and community profile raising within and without normal working hours, as needed.

This role leads the operational line management and direction of a multidisciplinary team of Project Managers, Seniors & Development Workers, who are themselves are responsible for designing, fundraising for, delivering & evaluating services and activities which cover the needs of the entire community, across the whole age range to meet identified community needs and with a range of VCSE and statutory partners. 

The aim of these activities, services and events is to deliver support, develop learning, and build VCSE infrastructure, capacity and sustainability to deliver individual and community changes for those facing challenges. These currently include community events; community hub development; youth and family work; emergency and community food provision through community supermarkets, East Sussex and Lewes District Food Partnerships; community capacity building; VCSE infrastructure support; healthy lifestyles activities and community-rooted approaches to addressing health inequalities; access to green, open and blue spaces for health and wellbeing; development of active travel; addressing environmental issues and climate change at a community level. 

This work is achieved through the coordination and development of appropriate partnerships, and initiating and delivering activities and services through community development approaches which are community-rooted and build stronger, healthier and inclusive communities.

With responsibility for bid writing in support of SCDA’s charitably funded activities and services, and collaboration on larger tenders for SCDA community initiatives & services, the post holder will ensure quality of provision and that those projects run to agreed budgets and schedules.

Job Purpose

Carers Manchester Contact Point (CMCP) is the first point of contact for unpaid carers seeking information, advice and support to help them with their caring role.

The service delivers a free confidential helpline for carers weekdays (Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm). These times are subject to change, based on the needs and requirements of carers using the service.

The aim of this role is to be part of a team providing a comprehensive information, advice and support to carers in Manchester. The post holder will work alongside colleagues from Gaddum and potentially other organisations to be the first contact in a busy service providing advice via a telephone advice line and managing referrals made through digital sources. They will provide information and advice and refer more complex issues to the appropriate agencies delivering the Manchester Carers Pathway.

Key responsibilities 

Advice giving

• Answering telephone calls into a central helpline offering support and guidance to unpaid carers in Manchester.
• Provide relevant and meaningful support and information to unpaid carers utilising internal and external resources.
• Inform carers about carers assessments and refer where necessary.
• Inform carers about emergency grants available and refer where necessary.
• Ensure all advice and support given is delivered in a timely manner to suit the needs of carers calling the helpline whilst balancing waiting callers.

Follow-up support

• Refer unpaid carers to local services to access local and culturally appropriate support in their area.
• Refer carers to Adult Social Care for Carers Assessments to discuss and improve their caring situation.
• Signpost carers to relevant services in Manchester suited to their individual need.
• Complete relevant grant applications for carers using the service where needed.
• Use Carers Manchester Contact Point and other reliable and accurate resources to find, interpret and communicate relevant information to carers
• Research and explore options and implications so that carers can make informed decisions.
• Write and maintain detailed case records for all casework completed.
• Collect required data for statistical monitoring and report preparation.
• Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes.

The post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks as reasonably directed by the CMCP Coordinator, which will usually be commensurate with the skills and experience of the post-holder.

The details contained in this job description, particularly the principal accountabilities, reflect the content of the job at the date the job description was prepared.  It should be remembered, however, that it is inevitable that over time, the nature of individual jobs will change; existing duties may be lost, and other duties may be gained without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed.  Consequently, this job description may be revised from time to time.

All staff are expected to work within all of Gaddum’s policies and procedures as they relate to delivery of the CMCP.

We’re looking for a compassionate, organised, and proactive Support Worker to join our dedicated Carers in Mind team at Richmond Borough Mind. This is a varied and rewarding role, offering both one-to-one emotional support and the chance to help shape an inspiring programme of workshops, peer-led groups, and social events for adult carers supporting loved ones with complex mental health needs.

As part of a small, friendly team, you’ll be central to the day-to-day running of the service—coordinating events, managing communications, and working collaboratively with health and social care partners to ensure carers feel heard, valued, and supported. You’ll need to be confident with digital tools, highly organised, and comfortable working independently as well as in a team. If you’re someone who enjoys connecting with people, thrives on variety, and is committed to promoting wellbeing and recovery, we’d love to hear from you.

Family Support Foster Carer

Overview

The family support foster carers (FSFCs) mentor their families and offer short breaks for children, offering stability and giving parents time to address their challenges with support. They provide feedback on their involvement with the families during review meetings.

The FSFCs could be experienced foster carers within the service who want to develop their skills and explore a new opportunity within fostering. Alternatively, they can be recruited specifically to this role in SUSD but must gain approval prior to commencing in the role. Is it imperative that the FSFCs have the skills and commitment to working with both parents and children as part of the SUSD programme. A role description for the FSFC is included in this pack.

Role and Responsibilities

The key aspects of the role are to

• provide weekly mentoring support for parents who are referred to SUSD. There is maximum caseload of 4 families at any one time.
• support the family to set and review goals, using our Person Centred Planning app.
• provide one planned short break each month for each referred child.
• offer crisis response support to families in the form of phone calls, visits or crisis short breaks.
• attend training provided by The Fostering Network & the Local Authority, enabling the FSFC to provide training and support to families.
• help with family activities, such as outings, family activities, summer schemes and residentials

The Family Support Foster Carer will be required to record details of the support provided, sharing with the supervising social worker as appropriate. During weeks that the FSFC has attend a review or support meeting for a family, they will not be required to complete another mentoring session with that family.

Working with parents and families

Families are referred to Step Up Step Down by their social worker. The scheme is voluntary, and families are empowered to decide whether they want the support. SUSD support has 4 primary aspects:

• mentoring for parents
• short breaks for children
• family activities
• community supports.

SUSD Mentoring Sessions are based upon areas of identified need. These are decided through the referral process and the initial planning meeting and are reviewed every three months throughout the duration of SUSD support. The key areas of support are: Routines, Budgeting, Healthy Living, Mental and Physical Wellbeing, Behaviour Management, Access to supports, Family Relationships, Dealing with Crisis Situations, Play and Stimulation.

The FSFC will also be required to give updates and share progress at review meetings. Information required will be:

• number of parent mentoring sessions since the previous SUSD review (including cancelations), and details of the work covered with the parent;
• number of short breaks since the previous review, and details of activities;
• any and all other support given to the family.

Support for the Family Support Foster Carer

Personal development and self-care is important, as we know that the best supporters are well supported themselves. There are several ways that SUSD will support the FSFCs.

• There will be regular supervision where they can discuss complex cases or raise any issues.
• FSFCs will be encouraged to attend training that will support them in the role, and to take an active role in identifying what this training should be.
• Quarterly carer support sessions are organised to enable the FSFCs & other SUSD team members to meet and learn from each other.
• FSFCs are also encouraged to form informal peer support networks.

Service: Children's Services

Salary: To receive a minimum allowance of £19,700, up to a maximum of £32,700 per annum

Please note, this is a self employed role and you will receive a weekly allowance. As a registered foster carer you will qualify for Qualifiying Care Relief and can earn up to £18,000 before paying tax.

About GMYF

GMYF is a long-established charity that works with young people across Greater Manchester to support their aspirations and create opportunities. We deliver a year-round programme of recreational and educational opportunities to young people within our stand-alone Centres as well as providing support to affiliated clubs.

GMYF opened our first youth centre in Partington in September 2022 and a second youth centre in Charlestown in July 2024. These Centres provide an ambitious and enriching curriculum for young people with a wide range of activities. We also jointly own an Outdoors Activities Centre in Cumbria – Ormside Mill. GMYF took on a management function for Norbrook Youth Centre in Wythenshaw from 1st May 2025, a previous affiliate member.

Now is a fantastic time to get involved with GMYF and support our work!

To find out more please our website.

Youth Worker Summary

We have two roles available, a full time youth worker role and a part time youth worker role 17.5 hours per week.

The role of a GMYF youth worker is to be young person centred, providing a nurturing, safe and supporting environment for young people, building and maintaining positive relationships with them. You will be based at Norbrook Youth Centre working with 9-16 year olds, mainly in the 4pm – 8pm period. You will support the Youth Activities Lead in planning and delivering a full programme centre-based activities, as well as supporting our outdoor adventure team with outdoor activities and residentials.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Key areas of focus will include:

· Supporting young people, building and maintaining positive relationships with and recognizing their different needs and starting points. Have strong commitment to the values of acceptance and respect within youth work and being a positive role model. Encourage young people to take an active role in social action projects, youth voice and young leader activities

· Assist the Youth Activities Lead, working together with the team in planning and delivery of full program offer, including evening youth club sessions and off site educational visits, including to our outdoor centre in Cumbria with occasional over night stays . Assist in the development and introduction of additional activities such as twilight sessions, youth voice, targeted group work and mentoring

· Identify formal and informal educational, social, cultural and recreational needs of the young people and help to plan a positive interventions and innovations which enhances the knowledge, awareness and personal development of young people

· Articulate and record young people’s progression in sessional and project recording documentation and provide information for management and funding reports.

· Attend occasional weekend residentials and events at the GMYF’s outdoor pursuits centre and encourage young people to get involved. Support  the planning and delivery of off-site trips/activities at local  venues

· Comply with all policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, codes of conduct, health and safety and equality and diversity. Be alert to issues of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring the welfare and safety of young people is promoted and prioritized. Report any concerns and participate in regular safeguarding training

· Represent GMYF at events and meeting with partner agencies. Ensure conduct is professional and represents the charity in a positive manner to internal and external visitors, working with a wide range of local partners and community organisations

· Commit to continuous professional development with own training, accessing available training including youth work specific courses

· Carry out all duties with the scope of the role as directed with due diligence and professionalism

About You

We are looking for candidates who believe in GMYF’s mission, values, and are experienced in working with young people. You will be able and confident in building positive relationships with young people, always taking a young person centred approach. You will have experience planning and delivering activities, bringing creative and innovative ideas to share for young people. You will have good team working and organisational skills, understanding of safeguarding, and willingness to undertake further training.

Other Requirements

The post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

This is a UK-based post and applicants must be living in and have the right to work in the UK. If applicable, please detail your Visa status in your covering email.

Equality and diversity matter to us. If you think you would be suitable for the role, we would love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality.

Applications

The closing date for applictions is 12 Noon on Monday 19th May 2025.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 28th May 2025 at Norbrook Youth Centre, Wythenshaw.

About Gaddum

Gaddum is a mental health and carers charity supporting people of all ages. As well as providing services we act as an anchor institution to support the sustainability and development of the wider VCSE sector. Our vision is for every individual and community we walk alongside to have equitable health, wealth and self.

Our Mission

Being almost 200 years old, Gaddum has seen some of the most challenging and inequitable times in the UK’s history, and the world we are living in is still one where so many don’t have the opportunities or resources they need to achieve their aspirations. Today we continue our mission – and we will do this by supporting, influencing, and campaigning as we push for equitable health, wealth and self.

We amplify the voices of the communities we serve, and we empower individuals to overcome challenges by listening, supporting, and advocating for their needs.

We believe…

• everyone has mental health, and it is as important as physical health

• life can be hard, and everyone needs a helping hand sometimes

• everyone has a right to support, when and how they need it, and that no one should be overlooked

• in being of service by holding the whole individual at the heart of our approach and embracing solutions that lie within communities

• there is injustice in the world but both systems and society can change for the better

• we can be agents of positive change; working with others, learning from diverse lived experience, and advocating for fairness

Our Values…

…are our foundations – they are what holds us firm in uncertain times, and they are our reference point for all that we do.

We value:

Being Heard: no matter why or how someone finds their way to us, we will listen

Collaborative Curiosity: harnessing our skills, knowledge, talents and the insights of others, we create new possibilities by exploring with people

Purposeful Work: paying attention to others’ needs and voices, we channel our resources into actions and outcomes that matter to the people we serve

Meaningful Connection: treating every individual as a whole person, developing relationships through empathy and acceptance

Thoughtful Safe Services: providing clear reasons for decisions and efficient, safe and effective practices, we earn confidence and trust by focussing on quality

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide operational leadership and oversight of the Carers Manchester Volunteer Programme and support the wider development of the Volunteer Programme at Gaddum. The Volunteer Coordinator will work with Carers Manchester colleagues to ensure volunteers feel equipped and supported to use their skills and lived experience in a range of established volunteer roles.

They will also work with the team to develop and recruit volunteers for new roles that support Carers Manchester to deliver on its aims and objectives. The role will involve maintaining close working relationships with our Central Team, Health & Safety systems, and compliance responsibilities. 

All staff are expected to work within all Gaddum policies and procedures. This role is subject to a basic DBS check.

Start date:  Mid-August 2025 (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £36,411 - £38,261 per annum, pro rata.

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

Contract: This is a 9 month maternity cover contract, with possibility of extension to 12 months

Place of work: To work flexibly at CARA premises across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harwich and Dunmow, with some remote home working.

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

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

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

Application deadline:  10am, Monday 2nd June 2025 

Interviews:  Monday 9th June 2025 

Start date: Mid-August, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.

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

Job Description

The role of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice Manager is to lead CARA’s teams of Young Person’s Practitioners and Child and Family Practitioners and manage the provision of specialist sexual violence counselling for young people, play therapy and support for parents and carers.  The post holder may hold a small caseload of clients and undertake some assessments, but the main emphasis of this role will be on the management, support and coordination of the team.

This is a varied and interesting role, giving the post holder opportunity to lead a talented and committed team of practitioners.   As well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the team, the post holder will be part of CARA’s management team and will have the opportunity to play a key role in CARA’s wider development, working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO.   The post holder will work with our sister centres, SERICC and SOS Rape Crisis to gain an understanding of Child and Young Person’s services across Essex and coordinate these as appropriate.   

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• To manage all operational aspects of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice, including overseeing the delivery of our specialist young person’s counselling service, play therapy and support for parents and carers.    This may also include managing any new Child and Young Person’s Practice projects that CARA develops.

• To work in accordance with CARA’s policies and procedures and embed a feminist approach in CARA activities.

• To co-ordinate, review and develop effective processes within the Child and Young Person’s Practice, working closely with the Deputy CEO, the Young Person’s Practitioners and the Child and Family Practitioners.

• To line-manage a team of Young Person’s and Child and Family Practitioners, providing day-to-day support, monitoring performance and identifying training and development needs.   This will include keeping up to date notes of line management meetings and conducting and recording annual staff appraisals.

• Work with our Adult Practice Manager to oversee the work of a wider team of sessional counsellors, including supporting Practitioners in line managing sessional and volunteer counsellors and identifying training needs. This will include helping to co-ordinate a monthly sessional and volunteer counsellor meeting. 

• To support practitioners and sessional counsellors in maintaining up-to-date client records and ensure that gaps in data are proactively addressed, as required.

• To work with CARA’s Deputy CEO to recruit and train new staff and sessional and volunteer counsellors, as required.

• To lead regular Young Person’s Practice and Child and Family Practice meetings, producing notes to share with team members and with senior management.

• To maintain an overview of waiting lists, working closely with practitioners and with the Deputy CEO and CEO to ensure that staff and resources are deployed effectively.

• To keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy and practice issues, including BACP and child safeguarding guidance and ensure the practitioners are aware of changes.

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

• To liaise with external agencies, including children’s mental health and social care, ensuring CARA is represented at meetings as required and developing effective relationships to ensure our services co-ordinate with statutory and voluntary services.

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

Counselling and client support

• To oversee client work within the teams, working closely with all team members to resolve client issues and ensure high quality service provision.

• To undertake client assessments and make appropriate arrangements for support.

• To provide specialist counselling for young people and/or play therapy for children and support for their parents, holding a small caseload of clients.

• To keep client records up to date. 

• To work flexibly at CARA centres across mid and north Essex, providing face-to-face and remote sessions, as required.

General

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

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

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

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

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

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

• To be administratively self-servicing.

• To report to the Deputy CEO, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

• To undertake any other related activities as required by the Deputy CEO, CEO or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

About CARA 

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

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

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

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

About Synergy East

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

Job Purpose

This role sits within our new forensic Women’s Nova Roots service, which is a peer led service for women who are leaving forensic services, based in West London. The service will be open 3 days a week: one weekday evening out of hours and three weekends a month (flexible weekend pattern and times can be arranged).

The aim of the service is to support women who are leaving forensic care to re-integrate into society by offering a community social hub. The focus of the service is to provide social engagement, relaxation and a touch point for out of hours forensic support. The Women’s Hub will provide face-to-face holistic group support, offer psychoeducation and health workshops tailored and coproduced to the direct needs of clients, offer peer-led groups which will be co-designed and led by the clients accessing the hub. We will also offer a range of activities onsite.

Nova Roots will be an extension of the existing support offered by the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT), offering out of hours social support. All referrals into the hub will be directly from the SCFTs and local hospitals.

The Nova Roots will be staffed with 1 part time Project Coordinator and 4 Forensic/Peer Led Volunteers – with Service Manager oversight. The Project Coordinator will work directly and closely with the SCFTs.

The Role

The role of the Nova Roots Project Coordinator is to arrange and coordinate a range of psychoeducation, health and peer-led workshops which will be delivered 3 times a week. The Nova Roots Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing the 4 peer-led volunteers and oversight of the site 3 days a week. The Nova Roots Project Coordinator will also be required to be in regular communication with the SCFTs.

The role will require hybrid working: onsite when the hub is open and 1 day of planning/coordination which can be worked remotely on a rota basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing a person centred and recovery orientated approach in all aspects of the roles and responsibilities.
• Promoting people’ rights and responsibilities
• Considering each person as an individual
• Working collaboratively with clients to understand their needs and developing flexible and realistic crisis support packages/person centred plans
• Understanding of safety planning
• Experience of working within forensic services
• Understanding and experience of challenges for forensic leavers (social, health, welfare, interpersonal)
• Experience with de-escalation, recognising and mitigating risks.
• Experience of working with those in crisis and challenging behaviour
• Listening to clients and encouraging positive steps towards self-management of crisis and recovery
• Understanding safeguarding adults and children processes and legal requirements
• Understanding of social issues such as debt, housing and welfare benefits
• Promoting people’ rights and responsibilities
• Providing advice, information, practical and emotional support to clients
• Proactively recognising the indicators of deteriorating mental health and facilitate appropriate action, whilst liaising with relevant agencies e.g., CATT, Emergency Duty Teams, CAMHS, Safe Space, SCFT etc
• Engaging with clients to show empathy, inspire hope and promote recovery
• Establishing supportive, empowering and respectful relationships with clients and carers/ family
• Maintaining accurate records, detailing interventions
• Ensuring that outcomes, outputs and impact are recorded
• Providing administrative and management support to the team
• Attend reflective practice, clinical supervision, peer supervision and line management supervision
• Create and maintain good working relationships with partner agencies
• Follow workplans
• Actively participate in training and development
• Provide and manage resources for clients and staff

Person Specification

• Minimum of 1 year working in forensic mental health services and with clients experiencing mental health distress, crisis and forensic/criminal backgrounds
• Experience of managing challenging behaviour and dealing with clients with complex needs
• Minimum 1 year of project coordination/management
• Experience of facilitating workshops/group sessions
• Experience of managing safeguarding risks and understanding legal requirements for safeguarding adults and children
• Evidence of continual professional development
• Understanding of the principles of trauma informed care
• Understanding of suicide prevention and safety planning
• Understanding of the relationship between mental health and social issues and how these issues may impact on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
• Understanding of relevant legislation and policies
• Awareness of issues in mental health service provision
• A good understanding of mental health conditions
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals
• Creative and flexible approach to working with individuals
• Ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations in a calm manner and de-escalate challenging situations
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload
• Ability to involve clients and carers in all aspects of work
• Empathy and non-judgemental approaGood communication skills
• Capacity to work within an agreed shift pattern
• Experience of delivering information and advice (housing, benefits, debt etc)
• Experience of non-clinical, therapeutic interventions like psychoeducation
• Good IT skills including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint, with proven ability to input and extract information and produce reports
• Car driver with sole ownership of a vehicle and willingness to travel to locations would be desirable.
• Ability to work out of hours, during the day and on weekends
• Staff within this role will be considered key workers, so in the event of a government lockdown, staff will be expected to continue working
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals
• Creative and flexible approach to working with individuals
• Ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations in a calm manner and de-escalate challenging situations

This is an exceptional opportunity to be at the heart of a truly exciting heritage restoration project to restore,  renew and open up to new audiences, a nationally-important building in a thriving but economically and socially challenged central London neighbourhood.

In November 2024, St Peter’s Walworth submitted a First-Round application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for Development Phase funding for the “Building Beyond: Soane Reimagined” project. The request was for a First Round Pass of £3.1m and a Development Grant of £438,000.  A decision was received by NLHF on 13th March 2025 and pending Permission to Start, the Development Phase is set to run for 18 months, at which point a Delivery Round application will be submitted to activate a Delivery Phase.  Staff, a Design Team, a QS and specialist consultants will need to be competitively appointed to complete a list of required documents/studies for the Delivery application. Design development needs to be completed to RIBA Stage 3, planning, Faculty and consents need to be in place and all partnership funding raised or pledged.

Capital works are proposed to the exterior of the Church, respecting its heritage integrity, making it more sustainable and putting it in good order throughout. Similarly inside, where improvements will make the Church more welcoming, improving infrastructure and circulation and accommodating planned activities. Works will take place over the three floors: Crypt Basement, the Ground Floor and the Gallery/First Floor.

A full time Heritage Manager will need to be appointed at the beginning of the 18-month Development Phase. The successful candidate will provide leadership for the Project reporting to Claire Maugham (Chair of the Steering Group Committee) involved in strategic planning, management, execution, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.  In order to achieve the goals of St Peter’s Walworth,  they will oversee design development to RIBA Stage 3 of “Building Beyond: Soane Reimagined” and oversee the preparation of key NLHF checklist documents, supporting on the roll out of a successful fundraising campaign - with a target to raise just over £1m working with a Fundraising Appeal Board, and a F/T Trusts and Foundations Manager.

The Heritage Manager will be a strategic thinker with an understanding of the planning and delivery of major projects funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). We are also looking for a candidate that will successfully integrate partnerships that are being forged in the local area. They should have a strong background in project management and possess the ability to move adeptly between big picture thinking and day-to-day operations, where it will be necessary, for example, to process their own admin.

The Heritage Manager will have some experience of fundraising, networking and financial management and be comfortable working in a start-up environment, being able to demonstrate experience of extensive community engagement, as well as an understanding of and empathy with the ambitions and vision of the St Peter’s Walworth PCC (Parochial Church Council) and the needs of a Grade 1 listed building. 

They will bring an inclusive approach to their work, able to centre and involve the church and local community in the project while integrating the experience of a wide range of volunteer professionals

Their task will be ensure that the project is delivered within time and to budget in accordance with an agreed programme, budget and checklist of deliverables, as well as working closely with all project stakeholders and partners.

St Peter’s Walworth is an inclusive and welcoming Church. We seek candidates with the skills and experience required, irrespective of any protected characteristics, and encourage applications from all regardless of background. We are especially keen to receive applications from people who are members of communities minoritised and under-represented in the heritage sector. We are a Christian church but this role may be filled by someone of any faith or of none.

About the Project – Door of Hope (East London)

The Door of Hope Project provides support to women who sell sex in Tower Hamlets.  This includes journeying alongside women, whilst providing advocacy, information, emotional and practical support.  The project also has a strong team of around 15 volunteers, who deliver street outreach to women in Tower Hamlets on a Thursday morning and Friday night. 

About the Role

Beyond the Streets is a UK charity with over 20 years’ experience of partnering with women in the sex industry, to see them safe from coercion, violence and abuse. We deliver trauma-informed, person-centred support, provide training, and create resources and reports informed by research, lived experience, and practitioner experience.

Our ‘Direct Work’ is central to the organisation, and we are looking to recruit a new Women’s Support Worker.

Taking a woman-centred approach, your role is to provide holistic support for women with complex needs who want support, or to exit the sex industry. We are looking for someone with energy, motivation and experience of working with vulnerable adults; someone who a highly developed sense of self-awareness who can work in a gender and trauma informed way.

This role will be part of a small team of support workers, and a service manager, who deliver an in-person support service, with women who sell sex on-street in East London. You will have frontline experience of working with individuals who experience multiple disadvantage. This might be in the VAWG sector, domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health or counselling or direct experience of women in the sex industry. You will have a good understanding of working with vulnerable people and be aware of the need for Safeguarding.

You will be a champion of the cause, have a passion for supporting women who face multiple disadvantages and be familiar with the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector.

You will have excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and be able to support women in a trauma-informed and non-judgemental way.  We are looking for someone with energy, resilience, who can increase our reach and positive impact on women.

You’ll enjoy…

· Competitive pay

· Flexible working

· Career opportunities – develop yourself and your career with a reputable national organisation in the VAWG sector

· Personal development allowance – to further your work-based skills and knowledge

· Cycle to work scheme – tax free allowance to buy

· Tech Buying Scheme – spread the cost of personal technology equipment and homeware across 12 months via payroll

· Travel season ticket loan scheme – an interest-free loan to enable team members to purchase a season ticket for travel between their usual place of residence and their usual place of work

· Clinical supervision – all staff are entitled to clinical supervision on request. A place to discuss work issues and challenges, and their emotional impact, on a regular basis

· Blue light discount – a well-recognised national discount card scheme. For only £4.99 for two years’ membership, the discounts are large, and widely accepted

· Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a confidential and independent service designed to help you deal with personal and professional issues that could be affecting your home life, work life, health, and general wellbeing. EAP is available to you and to your immediate family

You’ll need…

• Experience of working withing a front-line delivery team
• Understanding of the complexities of working with women who have multiple disadvantages and the barriers to service access they face
• Experienced with working with and engaging with diverse groups of people from varying backgrounds
• Familiarity with working within Adult Safeguarding protocols and procedures
• A non-judgemental and women-centred approach to support
• Comfortable working within a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) framework
• Commitment to providing quality, women-lead and trauma-informed support
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Patience, compassion, non-judgemental and motivational attitude
• Resilience to work with women who have often experienced trauma
• A responsible, dedicated and flexible approach to work
• Competent IT knowledge and computer skills

When you join, you will receive a structured induction and training plan, including access to all our in-house paid training.

All roles are subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR)

Due to nature of this role in working alongside women with lived experience of violence against women, this post is restricted to female applicants under Section 9 of the Equality Act 2010.