Community engagement officer jobs in manchester, greater manchester

To provide information, advice, support and advocacy to the women living within our refuge. You will be responsible for providing women with continuous one-to-one support, practical advice and advocacy and ensuring that the women receive comprehensive support that addresses their physical and mental health, social care, housing, immigration and benefit-related needs.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide  a  professional  high-­quality  VAWG  advocacy  and  outreach  service.

2. Undertake  casework  and  advocacy  (this  will  include  liaising  with  relevant  professionals  and  agencies  such  as  solicitors,  social  workers,  police  officers  etc.) 

3. Provide  practical  support  such  as  accompanying  women  to  appointments  and  courts,  making  reports  to  such  agencies  or  collecting  belongings  and  otherwise  taking  all  necessary  steps  to  ensure  the  general  safety  and  wellbeing  of  women  and  children. 

4. Write  assessment  reports  and  support  letters,  and  under  supervision,  help  to  collect  evidence  and  statements,  as  well  as  undertake  some  basic  legal  representation.

5. Undertake risk assessments for referral to the Multi-­Agency Risk Assessment Conferences  (MARACs) 

6. Establish  links  with  key  partners  [local  authority,  police,  health,  schools,  etc.]  to  ensure  effective  referral  routes  and  information  sharing  protocols.

7. Assist  in  developing  and  meeting  quality  standards  in  relation  to  advice  and  casework.  This  includes  administration  and  IT  systems  for  advice  and  casework. 

8. Cover the helpline as required.

9. Assist migrant women to access immigration advice, and assist in meeting their housing needs.

10. To  undertake  campaigning  and  policy  work  arising  from  the  advice  and  casework  (this  may  involve  some  weekend/evening  work)

11. Where  necessary  to  assist  staff  in  organising  and  running  support  group  activities  and  consultations  for  women  who  are  isolated  and  vulnerable  due  to  their  experiences  of  violence  and  abuse.

12. To  publicise  and  provide  S4S  services,  and  attend,  contribute  and  represent  the  organisation  at  relevant  local  meetings  or  initiatives. 

13. To  support and mentor the Women’s Council.

14. Follow  S4S policies  and  procedures,  and  maintain  IT  and  case  file  management  systems.

15. Contribute  to  S4S  record  keeping  and  provide  information  for  monitoring,  evaluation,  policy,  and  research  and  training  purposes. 

16. Ensure  women  are  referred  to  S4S  projects  and  activities  as  required  for  example,  counselling or group work.

17. Support women residing in the refuge as required.

18. Be  self-­servicing  and  to  assist  other  workers  when  required. 

19. Undertake  any  additional  duties  which  will  contribute  to  the  smooth  running  of  the  S4S services  and  projects.

GENERAL  DUTIES  AND  RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Contribute  to  the  smooth  running  of  the  project  and  activities 

2. Assist in maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organisations work; including conduct with colleagues, external agencies and service users.

3. Comply and promote issues of confidentiality, equal opportunities and other policies and procedures of the organisations.

4. Attend supervision, training and staff, management and team meetings when required.

5. Promote equality and diversirty in all aspects of Safety4Sisters work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Be fully compliant with all Health and Safety legislation. 

2. Ensure that your work area is maintained in a clean, safe and tidy manner, all equipment is used safely according to instructions, and work is carried to ensure no risk to yourself, other employees and visitors.

FLEXIBILITY CLAUSE

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job at the appropriate grade.

This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post. The aim is to improve the quality of service for Black and minoritised women and all matters relating to their well-being.

When necessary, the post holder may be expected to work evenings and weekends. This time can be claimed back as TOIL.

This post is:

· subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure

· subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.  It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.

· open to women* only (*exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.