Children and family support worker jobs

Purpose of the Job

Advice Quality and Operations Managers will make sure clients get accurate and appropriate advice and that advisers are supported and can develop their skills.

Maintain a consistent quality of advice and help for clients by providing support, guidance and feedback on a day-to-day basis and using those insights to drive advice service development.

This role is vital in fostering a culture of quality and excellence within the agency, ensuring that both staff and volunteers are well-equipped to deliver exceptional advice services to clients.

Job Description

Strategy and planning

• Work with the Head of Advice to develop and deliver an operational plan to support delivery of the strategic priorities, which is measured, monitored and reported up to the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Co-ordinate activities, procedures and systems so as to promote the common policies and practices with the appropriate advice services.
• Ensure that the strategy is accessible to and understood by all staff and volunteers and they know the role they play in achieving our goals.

Risk management and compliance

• Regularly review the risks to which the charity is exposed to relating to Advice Services and provide assurance that systems or procedures are in effective operation to manage those risks.
• Ensure the use of systems in place to meet the requirements of all applicable regulatory bodies relating to the Advice Service Delivery.
• Working with the rest of the management team ensures that good data protection practices are embedded in our day-to-day operations.
• Assess requests made in relation to GDPR.

People management and development

• Support team members in continuous learning that will equip and develop people to deliver outstanding advice delivery. Responsibility for the delivery of the training and development plan for the Advice Services Department including, sourcing, delivering, evaluating and maintaining records.
• Supervise the work of paid staff and volunteers
• Maintain and develop standards of service delivery.
• Advise the Head of Advice on staffing and service-related issues.
• Plan and allocate work, monitor achievements of deadlines and key performance indicators and provide support as appropriate.
• Ensure that the service area and projects are adequately resourced.
• Ensure recruitment and selection of paid staff and volunteers as appropriate.
• Develop inclusive learning and development activities to meet quality standards and the organisation’s learning and development plan. Facilitate inclusive group and / or one-to-one learning and development activities. Organise internal and external learning and development activities to ensure the competence and continuing development of staff and volunteers.
• Contribute to the assessment of competence of staff and volunteers. Co-ordinate assessment activities and make final decisions on competence.
• Working with the rest of the leadership team ensures the organisation delivers a fair, inclusive, equitable and transparent employee and volunteer experience, taking account of our EDI aims and in line with employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
• Ensure Open and timely communication that provides information about the organisation and context for decisions that are made, helps to build trust and confidence and earn legitimacy. 
• Ensure the effective performance management and development of staff through regular supervision sessions, appraisals and learning and development.
• Ensure Training is delivered and records confirm all client facing paid staff and volunteers that may be involved in providing money and debt information and advice have completed an accredited training programme
• Direct reports: Dependent on advice area, between 5 to 11 Advisors per AQOM, plus volunteers.

Operational performance management

• Maintain, develop and monitor effective and relevant performance indicators and management processes, with particular emphasis on the application of customer insight data and feedback on complaints.
• In line with the Advice Quality Standard, work with the Head of Advice and the other Advice Quality and Operations Managers to ensure that staff and volunteers have adequate supervision and that advisers have access to support at all times when delivering advice to clients. 
• Ensuring quality - actively supporting the quality of advice by guiding the team to information sources, checking that all aspects of a client's situation have been considered, checking that follow up work is progressed, and that research and campaigns issues are identified.
• Monitor the quality of advice given to clients to ensure that standards meet Citizens Advice requirements. Completing Case Checking, QAA Audits and independent file reviews (IFR) to ensure quality assurance at a whole service level. Using the insights to further develop the services to clients and skills of advisers.
• Maintain and develop standards of service delivery. 
• Take part in internal consistency exercises at least quarterly.
• Providing support - actively supporting each team member to develop their skills and competences, by explaining, guiding, demonstrating, encouraging, suggesting, coaching, giving constructive feedback and challenging appropriately - adapting the level of support to individual competence and need, and taking account of the team as a whole.
• Manage the practicalities of the service: Including overseeing all practical issues relating to the service delivery, ensuring service delivery and adequate cover is in place, allocating the team to face-to-face work and other communication methods, checking waiting times and interview lengths, and if necessary, dealing with client or Citizens Advice emergencies.
• Provide technical support and act as consultant to the advisers.
• Monitoring of service delivery and advice service contracts performance to report against KPIs, with reference to outcomes for clients, identifying any issues and proposed actions. Reporting significant risks to the Head of Advice. Ensure that appropriate systems are developed and maintained for case recording, statistics, follow up work and quality control.
• Client Experience: Use our written process for dealing with complaints, ensuring that regulatory requirements are met (for debt and money advice complaints) to ensure Complaints are handled effectively and data is used to drive improvements where appropriate. 
• Ensuring that appropriate data protection procedures are in place and are followed by all workers.
• Lead on safeguarding and gender violence issues in accordance with policies.

Other duties and responsibilities

• Understanding and acceptance of the need to work occasional evenings and weekends, both on site and on-call, as required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with management and other departments to align quality standards with organisational goals.
• Engage with external partners and regulators to ensure compliance with industry standards and share best practices.

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare and present reports on advice quality metrics to management and stakeholders.
• Utilise data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Confidentiality and safeguarding

• Confidentiality is a core principle of Citizens Advice. Support the team with the application of the confidentiality policy.
• Implementing adult and child safeguarding policies and training staff and volunteers how to identify and deal with safeguarding concerns.
• Dealing with a conflict of interest and ensuring our service takes the right action to protect the client, our staff and volunteers and the service.

Research and Campaigns

• Ensure that staff and volunteers consistently and accurately generate Advice Issue Codes (AICs), evidence forms and profile data and participate in the Network Panel Surveys

Person Specification | What you need to do this job

Essential Criteria 

• Ability to lead and contribute to a team, including the ability to prioritise own work and the work of others, and take decisions in the day to day running of a busy service area.
• Ability to plan and manage projects.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Experience of monitoring and maintaining service delivery against agreed targets.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own time and work and work of others in a pressured environment.
• Experience of analysing information to produce reports.
• Leadership and management ability within the context of understanding the needs of a voluntary sector organisation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing and over the telephone with individuals and with a wide variety of organisations and audiences.
• Ability to meet Citizens Advice competence with a minimum of three years’ experience of involvement with advice giving.
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information and to produce and present clear verbal and written reports. 

Desired Criteria

• Significant experience managing large advice and helpline services which includes supporting individuals within at least one of the areas of – (for example) welfare benefits, debt management, housing, or health and social care issues.
• Demonstrable experience of driving innovation and service improvement within an advisory/customer focused service.
• Experience of supporting change.
• Well-developed staff management and leadership skills, with strong experience of implementing robust performance management processes.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including excellent IT skills.
• Proven ability to create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff are empowered and motivated to do their best.
• Experience in managing budgets.
• Ability to ensure best use of IT systems and packages in the provision of advice services and the ability to monitor and maintain casework systems and procedures.
• Ability to work with a variety of organisations and to earn and maintain the trust of those people with whom the Bureau deals.
• Ability to contribute to the team combined with willingness to learn and develop and have a positive attitude to change with an ability to plan ahead.
• Access to own transport and able to work at any service location in the Bureau’s area of operation as required.

Application Process:

To apply, please complete the application process on CharityJob. Please submit a concise supporting statement which includes examples and evidence of when you have demonstrated the attributes listed within the person specification. You will be expected to address each point separately and, in the order listed.

If you do not complete a full supporting statement in the requested format, your application may be rejected.

Addressing each point of the person specification

This is a key section of the application which allows you to provide evidence of your experience, knowledge, skills and abilities that are relevant to the role as described in the role profile.  Selection is based on an assessment of the evidence you provide against the requirements of the role as set out in the person specification.  It is important that you tailor your response to clearly demonstrate how you meet each requirement. No assumptions will be made about your achievements and abilities. 

Please provide one example for each requirement.  You should choose examples of past experience that clearly demonstrate what we are looking for, and be precise about what you did, how you did it and the outcome or result of your actions. Please try to limit your response to each criterion to a maximum of 200 words. 

A useful guide might be S.T.A.R:

• Specific – give a specific example
• Task – briefly describe the task/objective/problem
• Action – tell us what you did
• Results – describe what results were achieved

Please provide recent work examples wherever possible.  However, do remember that relevant examples from other aspects of your life, for example: voluntary or unpaid work, school or college work, family or home responsibilities, can also be given.

We are an equal opportunity employer. If you have any requirements (e.g. for attending an interview) please note these clearly on in your letter.

Interview Process:

The closing date is Friday 2nd May 2025, 6pm

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by telephone, so please give a daytime telephone number or somewhere we can leave a message to arrange an interview.

Our selection process consists of three stages:

• Stage 1 – Telephone Interview:

            Initial interviews will take place via telephone on Thursday 15th May 2025.

• Stage 2 – Formal Interview (In-Person):

            Candidates who are successful at Stage 1 will be invited to our Stevenage office for a formal face-to-face interview                on Monday 19th May 2025.

• Stage 3 – Practical Activity & Final Q&A:

            Following the formal interview, candidates will complete a short activity and have the opportunity to ask any final                   questions.

Please note that Stages 2 and 3 will take place on the same day.

Applicants who are based in the UK, EU, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are welcome to apply. Please note, however, that the listed salary is in reference to UK based applicants.

Background: 

Amna means safe in Arabic - representing the core of our work - supporting communities and frontline workers to bring non-clinical mental health support to every person affected by war, conflict and displacement. At Amna, our core values of respect, understanding, curiosity and connection guide everything we do. Our mission is to build community capacity for healing. Our vision is a world where refugees can determine their future unbounded by the impacts of conflict and displacement. 

We partner with local organisations and institutions working with displaced communities to set up psychosocial healing services in which individuals and groups can discover and connect to practices that promote their healing and wellbeing. We invest in and train people within these organisations to provide this support, and we help partners build psychosocial interventions in collaboration with refugee communities – all with a values-based, trauma-sensitive and identity-informed approach.

Our partnerships are not limited. We connect partners through our global healing network of peer organisations to exchange learnings and enhance their practices as the network strives to support forcibly displaced communities around the world.

Safeguarding: 

The role-holder will have experience working according to ethical and good practice safeguarding principles. They will be expected to adhere to and promote Amna’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policies as they will be involved and responsible for programmes working with children and vulnerable groups in different settings. 

How Will You Make a Difference? 

Amna is seeking a compassionate and experienced Arabic speaking facilitator to join Amna’s team of trainers, with therapeutic/clinical background. As a Trainer & Facilitator your responsibilities will involve delivering training sessions and group facilitation to support and create learning spaces for training participants on themes centred around trauma and identity informed psychosocial healing care with displaced communities. The role holder is expected to work on multiple responses, and will lead Amna’s Gaza and Syria responses, while working closely with Arabic speaking team members.  

Amna’s identity and trauma informed approach is centred around community healing practices with communities that aim to restore participants sense of safety, belonging, agency and joy. Amna services are co-created with the communities being worked with and we prioritise refugee participation and leadership in service design and delivery wherever possible. 

The role holders need to have experience working with communities affected by adversity, including displacement, war and conflict, poverty, abuse or marginalisation. Given the nature of Amna’s work in emergency settings with displaced communities, applicants need to be comfortable working in environments where there is uncertainty, change and exposure to distress.  

Specifically, successful candidates will have a strong experience in following areas: 

1. Work with children and families in an emergency context; 

1. Therapeutic experience – Individual and Groups; 

1. Community work experience; 

1. Designing and delivering trainings across different context; 

Amna will train role holders in Amna’s training and facilitation approach.

Responsibilities include: 

• To deliver high quality, interactive trainings in person and online.   

• To lead on Amna’s Gaza and Syria responses, working closely with a diverse, cross-cultural team and partners.  

• To develop Amna’s training materials including engaging content, structure, visuals and activities.  

• To provide ongoing support to Amna’s training participants from a range of countries on how to set up safe, community healing spaces with displaced communities.

• To facilitate learning and support groups for Amna training participants.   

• To coordinate the preparation and delivery of in person and online trainings.  

• Outside of Amna’s trainings, to maintain engagement with Amna’s training participants to share and exchange learning. 

• Travel to various countries to visit, train and observe partner organisations.

• To work in collaboration with all departments within Amna to achieve Amna’s objectives. 

  Qualifications and Experience:  

• Minimum three years of experience working therapeutically with communities affected by adversities. 

• Minimum three years of experience delivering therapeutically informed community programmes in emergency or acute contexts using creative tools. 

• Experience working in a therapeutically informed way, e.g. working with sensitivity to the needs and experiences of the communities worked with.   

• Comfortable working in English – spoken and written.  

• Comfortable in designing and delivering content in Arabic.

• Confident computer skills, especially in Microsoft Office and PowerPoint.  

• Able and willing to travel for work (if you have travel restrictions to some countries, please notify us in your application).

• Right to work in the country of residency.  

Desirable: 

• Life or work experience with refugee or/and displaced communities. 

• Education or experience in psychology, social studies such as community work, social work, intercultural education, or creative healing practices. 

• Therapeutic training (minimum 2 years training). 

• Work experience coordinating / project management role. 

• Experience in delivering trainings to groups with mixed genders, languages, cultures, ethnicities, religions, (dis)abilities. 

Work Location and Environment  

This role is a remote job opportunity, and open to applicants in the UK, EU, Middle East and EMEA region.

Amna offers a hybrid working environment to its employees allowing for a blend of remote and in-person work.  

Please note that the nature of working environment and hybrid schedule may be adjusted as per the organisation’s evolving needs.  

Remuneration Package  

At Amna we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering competitive compensation and benefit packages. We believe in rewarding talent and expertise at a level that corresponds with the local market conditions, ensuring that all our team members are fairly compensated for their skills and contributions.   

In compliance with international standards, Amna utilizes a global payroll provider to ensure seamless and efficient compensation processes for our diverse team. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  

Amna is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.   

As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disabilities status.   

Applications are strongly encouraged from people with personal or family lived experience as refugees and displacement, especially individuals from Palestine or individuals with experience working on living in Palestine.  

Do you have a heart to see positive change in the lives of people who are trying to make a new start in the community after prison, and a genuine belief in their ability to make such changes?  Do you have experience of working in a prison environment?

South West Community Chaplaincy (SWCC) aims to provide effective care and community support for people as they leave prison and re-integrate back into the locality, within the counties of Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset.  This includes mentoring, practical support and signposting to assist the integration of ex-prisoners into their communities, in collaboration with other professionals.

We are actively seeking to strengthen our team of Community Chaplains and specifically to appoint a new Community Chaplain in Cornwall, to work with people in the community after they have served a sentence.  The role is also a strategic one, in that it will involve extending the network of support in the county, through the development of support hubs with other service providers.

There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) under the Equality Act 2010 for applicants to actively embrace the Christian faith ethos and values of SWCC, and to be able to promote an environment where people of all faiths, and people of none, can work together for the transformation of lives and communities.  The successful applicant will have the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people, from aged 15 to 80!  Flexible Homeworking is possible by agreement.  The role entails a significant amount of travel, and some occasional weekend and evening work will be involved.

About us

We are National Energy Action (NEA) – and our vision is to end fuel poverty. Our work to improve and promote energy efficiency brings social, environmental, housing and employment benefits.  We believe everyone should be able to afford to keep their homes warm and safe. However, low incomes, high energy bills and poor energy efficiency currently deny this to millions of households across the UK.  Never has this been more important than today. 

NEA’s teams are friendly, knowledgeable and are dedicated to what we do.  We are proud of our expertise and proud of the service we deliver to our clients. 

We offer colleagues a friendly, rewarding workplace and the chance to build a worthwhile career with a not-for-profit organisation that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives each and every day.

The role

NEA has an exciting opportunity for a Training and Education Officer to support with the delivery of our accredited training and qualifications to stakeholders across the United Kingdom as well as develop and deliver our expanding education programme nationwide.

You will work across both the training and education teams to develop and deliver training courses and education workshops to frontline workers, volunteers and young people from a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, housing associations, voluntary and community groups, and commercial organisations.

Our training courses and workshops cover key issues associated with fuel poverty, fuel debt, affordable warmth, low-carbon technologies and practical energy efficiency advice. You will work alongside the training team to develop, design and deliver these engaging online and face-to-face courses and qualifications.  You will act as an examiner for all NEA qualifications, assist in the development of future assessment-based qualifications; and have the ability to identify new opportunities for training and assessment product development.

You will work closely with the existing education team to enhance the current education provision of the charity; you will develop and deliver education sessions in line with programme and funding needs. Delivery will include both Primary and Secondary school sessions as well as bespoke education sessions for care leavers, young carers, youth offenders and children soon to be attending university or college.

We are accepting applications from across the United Kingdom however, we are particularly interested in hearing from applicants in the Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North-East of England.

What you will need to succeed

You will possess a relevant training or education qualification and have recent, demonstrable experience in delivering adult training and or primary / secondary school sessions. Ideally, you will also bring experience in one or more of the following fields: energy, community development, debt or money advice, consumer issues, or housing.

With excellent communication skills and IT skills, you will be adaptable and bring a lot of energy to the team.  You’ll be brimming with ideas and enthusiasm and have a passion to deliver training and education to people from diverse backgrounds and the desire to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

You will be expected to deliver training and education sessions depending on organisational need, as well as occasionally delivery in wider England and Wales. This will require overnight stays and flexibility on the part of the post holder.

The role of Training and Education Officer will be part of the Development and Partnerships Directorate and the postholder will report to NEA’s Training Programme Delivery Manager.

Hybrid working is subject to necessary H&S and GDPR checks. Post holders must be resident within the UK and be able to provide their Right to Work in the UK. 

The job description provides a list of the duties of the post and the person specification provides the list of essential and desirable criteria. 

We are offering:

• £31,068 - £35,836 (Points 18 -25) (plus £3,300 London Weighting if applicable). New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the scale.
• 11.5% non-contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave plus 3 additional days in between Christmas New Year Period when our offices close; plus, all public holidays per annum.
• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity for Hybrid working.
• Enhanced family friendly payments.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee benefits platform.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 06 May2025 at 12 noon.  Interviews will be held Wednesday 21 May 2025.

Please be aware that National Energy Action is not a sponsoring organisation. Therefore, the successful applicant must already possess the right to work in the UK or be able to secure the right to work in the UK independently.

Please note CVs will not be accepted as part of the application process.  No agency or advertising enquiries please.

NEA aims to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all people with the necessary skills and experience for the post. Charity Registration No. 290511.  Company Registration No:  01853927