Community engagement and volunteer support worker jobs

Overall Purpose of the Role

Youth Action Alliance (YAA) exists to support the personal and social development of young people in Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring boroughs, helping them build resilience, confidence, and skills for the present while shaping positive futures.

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven male youth worker to lead the Staying Connected & Boys Project. This is a key role combining strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, focused on engaging boys and young men aged 11–19 (up to 21, subject to funding) who may be facing multiple challenges.

The post holder will design, deliver, and grow a high-quality, trauma-informed programme that provides safe, trusted spaces through weekly group sessions, one-to-one mentoring, targeted interventions, education attainment, Advice, guidance, and signposting, Off‑site trips, enrichment activities, and holiday provision. The role supports young people to remain connected to education, training, positive relationships, and their wider community, while playing a central role in shaping YAA’s youth offer and driving meaningful, lasting change.

We are recruiting a Head of Income and Engagement to provide strategic leadership and vision for two critical functions—Fundraising and Marketing & Communications—bringing them together into a unified, high-performing team. This role focuses on shaping strategy, building external relationships, and driving organisational growth through income generation and brand engagement, rather than day-to-day operational management.

You will set the direction for attracting significant funding, particularly through corporate partnerships, while strengthening what PAPYRUS already does well:

• Securing grants and trusts funding
• Harnessing the passion of our large, committed supporter base - including bereaved families and others who raise voluntary income for us

In a challenging financial climate, you will lead efforts to grow these income streams and maintain a strong, values-driven presence across press, social media, and broadcast channels. The role requires influence, innovation, and the ability to inspire all managers and staff, as well as external stakeholders.

Please visit the careers site for the full job description and person specification for the role.

Salary: £58,523 per annum (Scale SCP 46) progressing by increments to £62,852 per annum (Scale SCP 49)

Hours: 36 hours per week Location: Remote with regular travel across the UK

Contract: Permanent 

Benefits: You will receive 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time workers), hybrid and flexible working arrangements, an attractive pension scheme, Simply Health membership, enhanced sick pay and enhanced parental pay. Please visit our website for more details.

Closing date: midnight on 22nd February 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications so, please submit your application as soon as possible.

PAPYRUS is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and its recruitment policies are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

PAPYRUS is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk that interact with the organisation. The organisation recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of these vulnerable groups by a commitment to procedures to protect them. The charity expects all staff and volunteers to fully support and promote these commitments.

Location: Loughborough, England (Travel required to all Baca Services locations)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £24,754 - £28,454 per annum FTE
Working Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (including evening and weekend hours on a rota)
Start Date: February 2026

About Us
Baca is dedicated to providing support and care to 16 to 18 year old unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are newly arrived in the country, helping them rebuild their strength, dignity, and hope for the future. We work closely with social workers and representatives from other agencies to benefit the young people in our care.

Role Overview
As a Support Worker, you will be a key worker for several young people in Baca's care, providing high-quality holistic and therapeutic support for their transition to adulthood. You will deliver services in line with Baca’s Theory of Change, ensuring the highest quality outcomes in physical and emotional wellbeing, education, employment, training, social engagement, and personal safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality support and care to young people, ensuring their holistic development.
• Work proactively to safeguard young people and resolve any issues that arise.
• Be a role model, offering care and compassion without discrimination.
• Support young people in developing essential life skills and preparing for independent living.
• Engage young people in education, vocational training, and hobbies.
• Foster positive relationships within the community and support social engagement.
• Plan and participate in day trips and annual residential weeks.
• Develop partnerships with social workers, solicitors, teachers, volunteers, and other partners.
• Maintain excellent communication and keep accurate records.

Requirements

• Alignment with Baca’s values and mission. Ability to respond to change and work as part of a diverse team.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative.
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and issues faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.
• Relevant training or willingness to complete essential training within the first year.
• Experience working with young people, especially in cross-cultural settings.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and ICT skills.
• Driving licence and access to a car.
• Enhanced DBS check required.

Personal Attributes

• Approachable, reliable, and a strong team worker.
• Supportive, responsible, and personable.
• Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Holidays And Benefits

• 33 days’ holiday a year (pro rata for part-time staff) including bank holidays.
• Pension scheme
• Health & Wellbeing programme
• Free parking
• Casual dress

How To Apply
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young asylum seekers and have the skills and attributes we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK for this role as Baca is not on the Home Office list.

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, we campaigned successfully for the introduction of community sponsorship in the UK. Citizens UK was then instrumental in proving the model can work in the UK and through training, advocacy, and coordination, we have helped hundreds of local groups welcome thousands of refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots organising with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement. In 2025, we campaigned successfully to persuade the Government to introduce ‘named sponsorship’, giving communities greater choice in who they would sponsor. This creates a huge opportunity to grow community sponsorship and to enable UK civil society to step up and honour our proud tradition of offering sanctuary.

Head of Community Sponsorship Role 

This is a rare opportunity to lead Citizens UK’s community sponsorship campaign and help build the movement that will be at the heart of a community-led welcome.

This new role comes at an exciting and crucial time, as we seek to build and embed this new form of named community sponsorship in the UK. As Head of Community Sponsorship you will lead on our strategy to develop named sponsorship as a transformative part of the UK’s approach to refugee resettlement and community power. This will involve building a broad-base of civil society partners ready to sponsor refugees and to add their voice to the campaign. You will lead on the campaigning and advocacy strategy as we ensure quality in the Government policy and cross-Party political support. Citizens UK acts as the Lead Sponsor for local community sponsorship groups and you will oversee their ongoing support and further engagement.

The role foster collaboration with Citizens UK Organisers and alliances, develop sustainable funding strategies, and ensure alignment with Citizens UK’s broader migration and transformation goals. The role will work alongside Citizens UK’s Migrant and Refugee Organising Team and will contribute to the efforts to build the power to create a more welcoming country. You will lead on relationships with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK’s refugee resettlement strategy and building its national impact as a driver of cohesion. 

Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, reporting to the Assistant Director for Migrant and Refugee Organising (MARO), your main responsibilities will include: 

Career Pathway Headings 

Objectives 

Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives 

• Build a broad and deep engagement across civil society in named sponsorship, demonstrating the potential for scale and the big tent of support.

• Develop and implement campaign approaches that secure policy goals and build cross-Party political support.

• Develop strategy that develops the leadership of local Citizens members and refugees, strengthens civic institutions and builds trust across difference.

Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively 

• Oversee multiple work strands, working in partnership. 

• Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals. 

• Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams. 

Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion 

• Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects. 

• Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks. 

Develop and Manage External Relationships 

• Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), civil society institutions and funders. 

• Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader. 

• Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions. 

Communications 

• Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK’s sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums. 

• Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership. 

• Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly. 

Develop and Manage Internal Relationships 

• Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures. 

• Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK team 

• Ensure that the community sponsorship strategy is aligned with Citizens UK’s other campaigns and work closely with other members of Migrant and Refugee Organising team. 

• Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives. 

Generate Income and Resources 

• Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK’s sponsorship work. 

• Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors. 

• Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery. 

Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

Qualifications 

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D) 

• Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D) 

Experience 

• Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E) 

• Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E) 

• Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E) 

• Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E) 

• Experience in leading campaigning and influencing strategies to secure changes in Government policy (E) 

• Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D) 

• Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E) 

Key skills and knowledge 

• Strong leadership and team coordination skills – able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E) 

• Excellent project and performance management skills – able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E) 

• In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E) 

• Knowledge and skills in community organising and an understanding of how community sponsorship and campaigning connect with and support the method and aims of organising (E) 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication – confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E) 

• Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E) 

• Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E) 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E) 

Personal qualities & values 

• A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E) 

• Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government, and grassroots communities (E) 

• Collaborative and people-centred, able to work constructively across teams and with volunteers, refugees, and community leaders (E) 

• Committed to embedding refugee leadership and lived experience into programme design and delivery (E) 

• Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment (E) 

• Comfortable working within an accountable team culture – open to feedback, reflective practice, and continuous improvement (E) 

• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when necessary to support programme delivery (E) 

Note: 

At Citizens UK, we work with communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. 

Would you like to join an organisation that is striving for systemic change? We believe it is not enough to reform structures and systems which are foundationally discriminatory. We are calling for a complete overhaul, and for people with lived experience to lead that change.

We are recruiting a Communities & Programmes Officer (London) to help hold and grow our community organising and capacity-building work. As part of our dedicated team, you will have the chance to make a real impact, working closely with our Community & Capacity Building Manager and wider community of organisers, advisors, partners, and community organisations. 

You will be supporting a growing number of capacity-building spaces, community partnerships, and political education work, while also having opportunities for leadership development and to shape parts of the work around your own strengths and lived experience.

If you're motivated by social justice and have skills in administration, event or community organising, building relationships, and communicating across diverse audiences, we want to hear from you.

We are particularly encouraging applications from people with lived experience of migration, and welcome applications from racialised, disabled, working class and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.

As a lived experience and values-led organisation, and diverse team, we are looking for candidates with a:

• Commitment to upholding the rights of ALL migrants

• Real vision as to how this can be done in the current political, social and economic climate 

• A commitment to MRN's vision and values

The salary will be £28,860 per year. In addition, MRN contributes up to 6% of salary to pensions.

Closing date for applications: 23.59pm 16 February 2026.

Date for interviews: week commencing 2 March 2026.

Shop Manager

Service: Relate at Family Action

Location: Warwick

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time)

Salary: £13.10 per hour

Contract type: Permanent

We are looking for a talented Shop Manager who is an enthusiastic self-starter, with a passion for charity retail, to manage our Warwick shop on a full time (37.5 hours per week) basis.

Who we are

Relate is a leading relationships service, offering counselling, information, mediation and support to individuals, couples and families from all backgrounds and sexualities, at all stages of life. We also provide expert training for relationship support practitioners.

Relate is now part of the family charity, Family Action. Supporting people through change, challenge or crisis, we protect children, support young people and adults, and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today. With Relate at Family Action, we work to support the creation of secure foundations for children and young people, and safe, supportive relationships for all.

We currently manage 11 shops located within 5 regions across the UK. Our shops generate income to support the work of Relate. The shops are managed by paid Shop Managers, supported by Assistant Shop Managers/Sessional Workers (Retail Assistants) and our amazing Shop Volunteers.

What are we looking for?

• Charity retail experience preferred

• Experience of customer care

• High levels of organisational skills

• Highly focussed on maximising sales

• An eye for detail

• A sound track record in achieving targets and delivering success

You will be responsible for the creation of a warm and welcoming environment for customers, volunteers and donors, with a view to maximising sales, profits and Gift Aid to support the work of Relate at Family Action.

The successful applicant will be required to work flexibly for 37.5 hours each week (5 days per week including Weekends) across a 7 day trading week, Monday to Sunday.

What will we offer you?

We offer flexible working hours, a generous pension scheme and leave entitlements, eye care vouchers, a cycle to work scheme and other great benefits. We have an excellent wellbeing offer and we will invest in your professional development with on-going quality training and career development opportunities. We have six staff diversity networks that offer peer support and contribute to the strategic development of EDI; Accessibility Network, Anti-Racism and People of Colour Network, Gender Equality Network, Inter-Faith Network, LGBTQIA+ Equality Network and Parents and Carers Equality Network. You’ll join an established, supportive and high-performing service and have the opportunity to thrive in an innovative organisation that values your opinion, encourages learning and has the needs of children and families at its core.

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect. If you share these values and behaviours and have the necessary skills then we look forward to hearing from you.  

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community / particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.

All candidates with a disability are welcome to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and request priority consideration for an interview, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. 

To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person. 

To Apply:

· Click the ‘Apply’ link below and fill out our digital application form

· Closing Date: Thursday 26th February 2026

Appointments are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where appropriate to the role.

The Community Connectors programme is an exciting partnership between Community Links, Aston Mansfield, Mind in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge, and the NHS East London Foundation Trust (ELFT).

Community Connectors work alongside ELFT under what is called the Mental Health Transformation Programme. The ethos of the programme is recovery focused, exploring needs through complexity (rather than diagnosis), a focus on a person’s strengths and assets, and on the wider determinants of health and wellbeing.

The role involves providing holistic support to people suffering from a serious mental illness or SMI. Service users will have a single or range of diagnosed conditions, will be known to ELFT and will therefore have a range of needs, including symptoms of anxiety or depression, or have a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Specifically, the Community Connector will work with multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) who sit within primary care networks or PCNs (clusters of GP practices) across Newham, and will support people in accessing appropriate local services, embodying a true example of wrap around support.

Above all, the Community Connector will be a strong networker who is able to engage multiple stakeholders for the betterment of service user welfare and outcomes.

Qualifications

Essential competencies

• University degree and/or personal specification
• Local knowledge of services, provisions, and issues faced by people suffering from mental health
• Experience working with stakeholders and partnerships.
• A commitment in implementing the mission and values of Aston-Mansfield
• Any other duties deemed relevant to your role. 

We are looking for a Key Support Worker to join Hummingbird Homes, a new and innovative supported accommodation model for young people aged 16/17 leaving care.

Be part of something genuinely differen

This is not a traditional support role. As a Key Support Worker, you will be part of a small, committed team offering relational, trauma-informed support to young people at a crucial point in their lives, helping them move towards independence with stability, dignity and hope.

Hummingbird Homes has been designed to bridge the gap between care and independent living, offering young people their own homes alongside consistent, trusted adult support in a nearby Support House.

Our Values

Everything we do at Handcrafted is shaped by our values. We are a Christian charity, and while we do not expect service users to engage in faith-based activity, our work is grounded in the following principles:

• Creativity Everyone can make something to be proud of

• Empathy We walk alongside people through challenges

• Empowerment Everyone can learn to take back control of their life

• Community We accept people as they are and support one another

These values underpin the way our Key Support Workers build relationships, respond to need, and create safe, supportive environments.

About the Role

As a Key Support Worker, you will play a central role in supporting young people living in Hummingbird Homes. You will work relationally and practically to help each young person develop the skills and confidence they need to move forward.

This is a hands-on, people-centred role that combines emotional support, safeguarding, practical life skills and community building.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build trusted, consistent relationships with young people aged 16–17

• Provide day-to-day support within the Hummingbird Homes model

• Support young people to develop independent living skills

• Maintain a safe, welcoming and supportive environment in the Support House

• Contribute to care planning, risk assessments and support reviews

• Work collaboratively with social workers, local authorities and partner agencies

• Support young people during challenging moments and periods of crisis

• Participate in rota-based working, including evenings, weekends and on-call

• Maintain accurate records and contribute to safeguarding and quality assurance

(Full responsibilities are detailed in the recruitment pack.)

The Support House – A Core Part of the Role

This role includes your accommodation made available rent-free for the better performance of this role

• A base for staff while on shift or on call

• A safe and welcoming space for young people

• A hub for community activities and relationship-building

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting vulnerable young people or care leavers

• Is emotionally resilient, calm and able to build trust

• Understands safeguarding and trauma-informed practice

• Can work flexibly, including evenings and weekends

• Shares our values and is comfortable working within a Christian ethos

• Is committed to helping young people grow in confidence and independence

A full UK driving licence and Enhanced DBS are required.

Why Join Handcrafted?

• Be part of an innovative, relational model of care

• Work within a values-led organisation making real impact

• Join a supportive, close-knit team

• Receive ongoing training and development

• Play a meaningful role in transforming young people’s futures

We're looking for a kind, empathetic and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health Service in Tower Hamlets.

£29,681.60 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are seeking a Support Worker with a focus on Community Connection to join our mental health pathway in Tower Hamlets. In this role, you will engage with Look Ahead customers, helping them harness their talents and skills to broaden horizons, build networks, and access vital community resources.

What you'll do:
* Champion co-production as a core principle, ensuring customer voices are central to service design and delivery.
* Work with customers to identify their aspirations and connect them to local resources, networks, and opportunities that help achieve those goals.
* Co-create a programme calendar of culturally relevant, social, and educational activities with customers.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date information-sharing protocols and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
* Organise and facilitate educational and developmental training opportunities for customers.
* Provide coordination and line management for Peer Support Workers.
* Arrange and invite in-reach sessions at drop-in groups to enhance engagement.
* Build and sustain strong relationships with community partners to expand opportunities for customers.
* Develop partnerships to meet emerging customer needs, such as access to assistive technology for physical health.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement.
* Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour.
* Prefers working as part of a group or team.
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement.
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised.
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments.
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem.
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication.
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude.

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* IT literate
* Experience of working within communities with a diverse range of stakeholders.
* Ability to research information from a range of sources.

Desirable:
* NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector.
* Experience and understanding of mental health and social care services.

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

The vacancy

The Housing Officer role is 37.5 hours a week, working shifts between 8am and 8pm Monday-Friday which you will share with two other staff members on an 8-4, 10-6 or 12-8 rota pattern.

The role is based in Colchester.

Your time will be spent working with residents towards independent living by assisting them to claim and maintain benefits, move into work, education or volunteering, learn about successful budgeting, to eat healthily and keep themselves safe and healthy both physically and mentally. You will also interview prospective residents, carry out room checks, fire checks, assist with our food distribution scheme, collect payments and arrears, attend appointments with the young people as and when necessary, take an active role in resident engagement and support the management team.

Who we are and what we do

YMCA Essex has a 44 room, supported housing unit on Magdalen Street in Colchester. We house young people aged 16-25, supporting them towards independent living and a well rounded life. We encourage and support them into work, education or training and to be able to maintain a tenancy and look after themselves when they leave YMCA. Residents can live at the YMCA for a two-year period after which time we assist them in moving onto independent living.

You

Have an active care and concern for the community, work in an inclusive way, welcoming the diverse needs of our young residents. You are tolerant, understanding and non-judgemental. You have an interest in the needs of young people and a thirst to support them towards being the best they can possibly be.

You have experience of working in supported or general needs housing, wellbeing planning, risk assessments, working with young people and a great knowledge of welfare benefits, grants and other sources of income available. You have housing management, rent accounting and tenancy sustainment expertise as well as experience of dealing with anti-social behaviour and resident engagement.

Your IT skills are current with a good understanding of Microsoft packages and Sharepoint and you have an excellent level of education. You are experienced in working in and handling stressful situations. You are flexible and adaptable in regard to working hours and are able to take part in an on-call rota evening and weekend rota. You have a driving licence or can get to Magdalen Street at any time of day or night (if on call) within 30 minutes.

As a great communicator you are able to demonstrate an empathetic and person centred approach, problem solve on a daily basis, work with minimal supervision and with discretion and integrity whilst respecting confidentiality.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A CARER ROLE. THERE IS NO PERSONAL CARE INVOLVED AND RESIDENTS ARE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ABLE. CARE WORK EXPERIENCE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS HOUSING EXPERIENCE.

YOU MUST HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE TO BE CONSIDERED AND LIVE WITHIN 30 MINUTES TRAVEL OF COLCHESTER.

Can you help us keep changing lives and breaking the cycle of reoffending for good? As Project Support Worker you will be working closely with our Proejct Manager to engage and support mentors and mentees in HMP Brinsford, Birmingham and the West Midlands. You will have previous Criminal Justice experience, will be a driver with access to a car and will use your experience to develope and encourage a positive and meaningful mentoring relationship for both the mentee and mentor. Your ultimate aim is to understand the key challenges facing each mentee and how these impact on each individuals ability in desisting from crime. 

You will be a proven self starter who is used to working in a challenging environment with hard to engage and disaffected people. You will be able to work independently and have the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.

A full job description and person specification is attached to this post.

Job Title: Children's Support Worker

Location: Warwickshire - Travel required across Warwickshire, predominantly North Warwickshire and Rugby. Use of a car is essential to the role. 
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum 

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We are recruiting for a Children’s Support Worker who will be working closely with children and their parents who are living in our dispersed accommodation refuges escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse, to provide personal welfare support and ensure that our clients are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.

A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. The post holder will support children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence and plan and provide stimulating, safe, and appropriate play opportunities.

Please note that post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

A driving license and access to a car is essential to the role. 

Closing Date: 09:00 am 12 February 2026

Interview Date: 27 February 2026

About you:

Your friends as know you as empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgemental.

You are great at inspiring and motivating people to take action and improve themselves.

You are very self-aware, reliable, attentive and punctual.

Perhaps you are already aware of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and understand how to support them. You may have gained this knowledge as a volunteer, through a previous job, or from your personal lived experience.

If all this sounds like you then you could make a great addition to our fantastic support team here at Homeless Oxfordshire.

About the role

In this role we will trust you to work with other team members on a caseload of clients delivering personalised support to them. You will proactively engage with our clients and provide a hand so they can overcome barriers, move into independent living and sustain a tenancy. Our clients have a range of support needs that impact their experience of homelessness. This includes mental health problems, social isolation, challenging behaviour, finance and debt, alcohol and drug abuse. You will deliver structured support and do some risk management so we will trust you to keep proper records and complete some admin tasks. This includes, reviewing support and risk plans, involving key stakeholders where required, showing and signposting our clients to appropriate external support and services, following safeguarding procedures, do some cleaning and contribute to the delivery of a housing management service including collecting income. You’ll also resolve difficult and challenging situations in a sensitive manner balancing the needs of the clients and the safety of the service.

Main Responsibilities Of The Role:

· Ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.

· To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including evenings and weekends.

· Maintain a safe, clean and welcoming environment.

· To support and encourage clients to care for themselves and develop independent living skills.

· To assess and manage risk for individuals and in the service, making use of emergency services as required.

· Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures.

· To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims and support clients to pay their service charges regularly.

· To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the delivery of holistic wrap around support.

· To support the running of the service and perform shift responsibilities and duties that maintain good health and safety and ensures the safeguarding of clients and others.

· Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

· To participate in handovers at the beginning and end of shifts, ensuring that information is properly recorded and passed on where appropriate and relevant and in a timely fashion.

· Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.

· Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and the local community.

· Ensure clients are aware of and support them to maximise their opportunity to be involved in Client Participation.

· To participate in the induction of and support new team members.

· To ensure that Homeless Oxfordshire’s Equal Opportunities Policies are complied with and promoted in carrying out duties of the post.

· To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.

About us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer a someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!

Open to: This role is a shift and rota'd role that includes bank holidays.

What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate. We also do not offer work sponsorship for this role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager 

Location: Derby City (on-site role)
Salary: £35,674.05 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Deputy Service Manager to support survivors who have been impacted by domestic abuse. We are recruiting for a Deputy Service Manager who is passionate about supporting survivors who are impacted by domestic abuse. In this role you will provide line management and support to community-based staff who support survivors of domestic abuse across Derby City.  This will include providing supervision on complex casework, overseeing operational emergencies and ensuring high standards of casework.

The Deputy service manager will join our management team to assist the service manager in the delivery and development of high-quality support to survivors accessing our community-based services in Derby City. In this role you will ensure the smooth running of high-quality service to support survivors of domestic abuse. This will include managing staff teams to ensure effective advocacy is provided to survivors who are at medium/standard risk and their children. 

A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that survivors are provided with a safe, supportive outreach service

Suitable candidates must have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support, and of managing case work. In addition, you must have experience of managing and motivating staff, knowledge of domestic abuse issues, experience of providing support to survivors, and experience of working in community-based services

As a member of the management team, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call service, on a rota basis, responding to out of hours emergencies.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 2 February 2026

Interview Date: 11 ansd 12 March 2026