We currently have an exciting opportunity for a creative Dual Assistant Shop Manager who is looking to make their mark covering two high profile stores in Southport and Penwortham. You will join us on a part time, permanent basis, working 28 hours per week on a rota basis (to include some weekends), and in return you will receive a competitive salary of up to £13,641.42 per annum plus excellent benefits.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity with a nationwide network of adoption and homing centres, volunteer-run branches and charity shops. During 2019 we helped around 191,000 cats and kittens, an average of more than 520 per day.

Each of our shops has its own charm and personality due to our dedicated volunteers and colleagues. From vintage jewellery and jigsaws to harps and handbags, whether our customers are looking for that 'must have' item or simply a 'missing piece', our team of Assistant Shop Managers ensure customers are met with great customer service. We are helping the environment while improving the lives of cats, one t-shirt at a time.

Responsibilities of our Assistant Shop Manager:

As a Dual Assistant Shop Manager you will assist with managing all shop activities and together with the wider management team, achieve set targets and maximise financial contribution to the charity. You will help with overseeing and managing all shop activities including recruiting, training and managing an effective team of volunteers; being responsible for the day to day running of the shop on days when the Shop Manager is not present, ensuring it meets agreed income and expenditure targets for Cats Protection and taking responsibility for the shop’s accounting procedures including cash reconciliation, daily banking and till procedures. You'll need to live within a commutable time between both Southport shop and Penwortham shop.

What we’re looking for in our Assistant Shop Manager:

• Previous retail experience
• A strong communicator with excellent organisational skills
• A highly self-motivated, positive and resilient individual
• The ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with a variety of people
• Confidence working well on own initiative
• Experience of working in retail management is highly desirable, as is experience working in the charity retail sector

What we can offer you:

• salary of up to £13,641.42 per annum plus excellent benefits
• generous annual leave entitlement
• contribution pension scheme
• life assurance scheme
• range of health benefits
• Employee Assistance Programme
• and more

Join us as our Dual Assistant Shop Manager and know you are helping to make a real difference to cats and kittens across the UK!

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications or CVs that are emailed to us directly.

Closing date: 12 May 2021

Virtual interview date: 20 May 2021

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Caseworker within our Outreach Support Team. In this role, you’ll be responsible for supporting survivors of modern slavery currently within the National Referral Mechanism who are living within the community. The role is to assess and respond to client needs, signpost clients to local services to meet identified needs, and to empower clients to take steps towards independence. You will also work in an agile and responsive team environment providing a great standard of support for clients. 

• Providing casework support for Survivors Of Human Trafficking across the North West.

• To be the named caseworker for 5-8 higher needs clients, and work alongside other caseworkers to support a number of lower need clients

• To work effectively as a team, including giving responsive feedback and handover information to Line Manager, and colleagues where there is a shared caseload.

• To independently meet deadlines, including accurately recording and logging support hours, documenting relevant client information and completing other administrative paperwork in adherence to the terms of the contract.

• To risk assess and take appropriate steps to safeguard clients.

• To follow ECAT requests and meet KPIs set by contractors.

• Ensuring all clients receive the full protection/support of the EU convention, as laid out in article 12 of the ECAT.

• To arrange appointments for individual clients, and liaising with organisations and individuals regarding clients in a professional manner.

• In Outreach - Visiting clients face to face (where suitable) a minimum of once a month, taking into account what is reasonable to meet that client’s needs.

• Meeting clients in an appropriate environment, including using remote sessions where needed.

• To ensure the progression of clients through the system, including journey planning and move on strategies, within the required time frame.

• To regularly attend supervision meetings with Line Manager.

• Adhering to all internal procedures regarding City Hearts and any legislation.

• Promoting CH in adherence to the terms of the contract – this may include attending events on behalf of CH as a whole.

• Being placed on the Drop In rota to support clients where required.

About us: Kindred Minds was established in 2012 and was born out of a need to provide a safe place where people with poor mental health could meet to offer each other support. In May 2015 we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and in April 2020 we commenced our 5 year funding through the National Lottery Community Fund. 

For this role we are looking for a highly motivated and competent individual to deliver the following services and tasks in line with Kindred Minds policies and procedures.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Manage the Kindred Minds project; overseeing and leading activities and services

2) Organise programmes and activities in accordance with the mission and goals of the organisation

3) Lead on the promotion of the programme and services to reach the target audience

4) Monitor and evaluate the programme

5) Under the direction of the Board, implement and manage change(s) and interventions to ensure project goals are achieved

6) Line-manage the Volunteer and Activity Coordinator, sessional freelancers/tutors and undertake recruitment/appointment of such

7) Prepare and write reports for funders and for the Board

8) Manage the budget and undertake book keeping and produce finance reports

9) Make small grant applications

10)  Organise and deliver fundraising events and excursions

11)  Oversee and be proficient with social media and our blog

12)  Work with developers to establish a website and maintain it

13)  Administer insurance, accountancy, legal, leases, hire agreements etc

14)  Lead on risk assessments & health and safety for the programme

15)  Any other task as identified to fulfil the brief

Key working relationships: The post holder will work under the direction of the Board of Trustees and a business consultant, but will be expected to work under their own initiative for periods of time. There is a need for high levels of motivation, excellent communication skills and the nurturing of relationships with service users, partner agencies and the potential stakeholders.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Experience

· 2 years’ experience in effective and efficient Programme Management and/or a similar role

· Proven experience of line managing people

· Experience of supporting people experiencing mental ill health

· Proven experience in managing budgets and financial record keeping and reporting

· Proven experience in beneficiary and stakeholder engagement and effective publicity and promotion techniques

· Experience in scoping and applying for small grants

Skills and Abilities

· Ability to implement person centred care planning or similar tools

· Relationship building and motivational skills

· Ability to devise and implement monitoring and evaluation procedures and provide relevant reports

· Ability to produce accurate and informative reports

General Abilities and Knowledge

· Evidence of the ability to work calmly and remain resilient whilst under pressure

· Ability to communicate effectively and clearly to a range of individuals and audiences

· Understanding of the issues faced by people experiencing mental ill health

· The ability to use a range of office-based software packages and IT systems

· Proficient use of Facebook, Twitter and blogs

There are no specific qualifications required, but evidence of relevant training and professional development to the role is desirable.

Service User Engagement Manager – closing date Monday 17th May

Salary: £19,642 (£27,500 FTE) + 6% pension contribution.

Hours: 25 per week

This exciting new role involves maximising engagement with people who have been affected by or experienced domestic abuse in Knowsley. The Service User Engagement manager ensures that the next phase of our work is shaped by and co-produced with people who have been affected by domestic abuse - experts by experience.

This role requires someone who has a background in working with people who have experienced domestic abuse and building strong, equitable working relationships with these victims/ survivors.

Please note that successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service application (a conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position)

Female applicants only (*Exempt under the Equality Act 20, Schedule 9, part 1.)

Please see the attachments for the job description and application pack.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and up to 300 words (per question) on each of the following questions:

• Why do you want to work for The First Step?
• What is your experience working with people who have been affected by domestic abuse (or other vulnerable groups)?
• What do you think is most important when supporting people who have experienced domestic abuse?

In addition please tell is on up to 2 sides of text on how you meet the person specification on the job description that you will find in the attachments.

We are assessing applications as they come in so please apply as soon as you are ready.