We currently have several Trainee Habilitation Specialist vacancies advertised across the South West region. Please only submit one application; this should be to your preferred location. If invited to interview, you will be given the opportunity to express interest in other locations.

As this role requires an Enhanced Disclosure check, job offers will be subject to the receipt of a satisfactory check.

As a Trainee Habilitation Specialist, you will contribute, as a full-time member of staff, to the services delivered by the Reading, Bristol, Exeter or Wales team (working regionally across the South West area) whilst successfully completing all elements of the 2-year Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People).

The content of the training will be covered through a mix of on the job, and off the job training.

On the job training will be provided by Guide Dogs as part of the habilitation team in the role of Trainee Habilitation Specialist. Off the job training will be covered by the University course, delivered by University College London (UCL), key details of which are below.

University College London Course key dates

Application deadline date (if successful, applications must be made to UCL by this date): 31st March 2022.

UCL Assessment dates: N/A

Course dates: UCL Starting in September 2022, 2-year course.

Successful applicants will be required to apply to, and be accepted by, University College London for Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) course. 

The applications need to be submitted after a job offer has been made and accepted and before 31st March 2022 to increase the chance of gaining a place on the course. Places on the University course are limited for the September 2022 start date, and offers will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Positions are not held back for Guide Dogs employees.

Note: Guide Dogs will pay the tuition fees as part of the position of Trainee Habilitation Specialist.

Please refer to the recruitment pack below for more information on the training and University course.

We cannot provide sponsorship for the role.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.

Candidate profile

How to apply 

Applications need to be made using the online application form, accessed using the ‘apply’ button above. As part of your application, ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria set out in the attached job description. 

The system does have a time limit, and we would advise you to complete your answers and copy and paste them into the online form once finalised. Please note that you’ll have to upload a CV as this is a mandatory requirement as part of our Safer Recruitment Policy.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If there is not enough space in your application form to provide this information, please ensure you upload additional documentation containing the additional detail.

In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification within the Job Description below. Requirements include.

You will:

• Be familiar with working with children and young people and a proven ability to establish effective working relationships with them and their parents or carers. 
• Committed to multi-agency working and can demonstrate a strong ability to liaise effectively with other professionals/agencies.
• Access to a car or suitable transport arrangements

Please note: job offers will be subject to acceptance onto the University College London for Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) course.

Diversity 

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We encourage applications from disabled people as they are currently under-represented in the organisation and guarantee an invite to interview for all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.

Safeguarding 

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

Are you highly organised with good grant management skills? Are you committed to improving humanitarian outcomes and do you believe that research and innovation should be at the centre of efforts to improve humanitarian effectiveness? Could you communicate effectively with a range of external stakeholders, at all levels of seniority, both verbally and in writing?

We are looking to recruit a highly effective programme officer to join our dynamic humanitarian innovation team. You will provide effective management across our portfolio of innovation grants and support the operational delivery of the programme and innovation management activities.

You will need to demonstrate

• Experience of coordinating grant management processes or similar, including excellent administration and organisation skills 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise with a diverse range of grantees 

• Ability to understand and monitor financial expenditure reports 

• A resourceful, proactive approach with the ability to work in a constantly changing environment. 

• A strong interest in humanitarian innovation and the impact it can have on those living in crises 

About Elrha 

Elrha is a global charity that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation. We fund and support projects that go on to shape the way in which people across the world are supported during a crisis. We are based in the UK, but our roles have a global reach. We’re an established and respected part of the humanitarian community, working closely and meaningfully with our fellow networks and actors to make change happen. 

Remote Working 

Elrha employees are currently working remotely within the UK in line with UK Government guidance. In Spring 2022 we will transition to flexible and hybrid ways of working (i.e. a mixture of remote/home and office-based working) as social distancing restrictions ease. 

We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview. 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion 

Elrha is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work both external and internal. We strive to be an inclusive employer and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBTQ+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions, and from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Salaries and benefits 

Elrha is committed to paying staff in a fair and equitable way and will benchmark all salary offers in line with the pay of existing staff. 

Elrha also has a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday entitlement which increases year on year, 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution) and life cover. 

Pre-employment Checks 

Any employment with Elrha will be subject to the following checks prior to your start date: 

• a satisfactory police record check to include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and/or an International Criminal Record Check (If applicable) 

• receipt of satisfactory references 

• proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role 

Elrha is a wholly owned subsidiary of Save the Children. We are able to benefit from a range of support services provided by Save the Children UK, including recruitment systems. For this reason you will be directed to Save the Children UK’s job portal upon clicking ‘apply’. 

Please ensure you read the full job description and complete the Personal Statement as requested in the application process. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Closing date: 30 January 2022 Interviews: w/c 7 February 2022 

Texting for Testing: Project Worker

Location: Cardiff (working from home)

Salary: £24,855 a year (£14,913 pro rata)

Hours: 21 hours per week

Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

This project has been supported with an educational grant via the Gilead UK and Ireland Fellowship Programme

Job Purpose

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone with experience of working with or alongside the NHS and an interest in HIV, sexual health and/or health promotion to manage “Texting for Testing”, a project rolling out a proven health intervention in which GPs text a recommendation and link for free HIV testing to all adult patients on their list.

Based with Pride Cymru and working from home as part of Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, the successful candidate will need to be well organised and have an understanding of the role of and pressures on GPs within the Welsh NHS.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Cardiff & Vale GPs, specialist clinicians and Health Board to encourage participation, ensure a smooth rollout and maximise the health impact of the project, including attending cluster meetings and promoting the project to clusters and individual GP practices
• Act as a point of information for participating GPs, their surgery staff or any individual enquiries relating to the project and to HIV testing in general
• Promote the project through social media activities in liaison with Fast Track Cardiff & Vale’s Social Media Officer
• Liaise with relevant participating agencies and other stakeholders to promote the project and gain their support and collaboration
• Maintain records across the intervention activities, enabling us to evaluate and report the impact and progress to the funder and stakeholders
• Document activities and produce an easy-read how-to guide to enable other Health Boards and Fast Track Cities to learn from our findings
• Work with volunteers and contractors to design and deliver project materials and activities
• Work with Cardiff University researchers to evaluate the impact of the project
• Report monthly to the Fast Track Cardiff & Vale Steering Group and participate in supervision and other meetings as required from time to time.
• Deliver the project on time and to budget, keeping track of expenditure and reporting any potential variances.

Please apply by submitting a detailed CV and covering letter for consideration which outlines how you match the criteria in the person specification.

We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community and encourage them from underserved and under-represented groups.

The closing date for applications is midnight at the end of Monday 14th February. Interviews will take place on Thursday 17th February.

To support the effective and sustainable delivery of the JHF support programmes. JHF Youth Mentors and Tutors work to increase engagement, build resilience, and provide a positive role model to young people who may not otherwise have one in their lives. We provide tailor made one-to-one mentoring, tutoring, and bespoke therapeutic packages to vulnerable children and young people, inside or outside of the school setting.

Contract: Employed full time at 37.5 hours per week. 3-year initial contract as grant funded, with potential to extend.

Salary: £25,000 per annum starting salary, with annual review

Main Duties:

• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Designated client liaison
• Designated line manager for a proportion of the mentoring/tutoring team, alongside the Programme Coordinator (SEND). Staff management duties to include 121 support, guidance, and performance review
• Ensuring team awareness and adherence to the policies and procedures of the JHF
• Taking a lead role in implementing The JHF’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures: ensuring all safeguarding and child protection issues concerning children and young people who take part in the JHF’s activities are responded to appropriately
• Attending CIN/ CP meetings and feeding back to mentors/ tutors as appropriate
• Working in close connection with the DSL and Safeguarding Board Lead, attending regular meetings to ensure appropriate arrangements for keeping children and young people safe are in place at the JHF
• Taking the lead on responding to information that may constitute a child protection concern. This includes assessing and clarifying the information, making referrals to the DSL and/ or statutory organisations as appropriate, consulting with and informing the relevant members of the organisation’s management, following the organisation’s safeguarding policy and procedures
• Liaising with, passing on information to and receiving information from statutory child protection agencies such as the local authority child protection services, and the police. This includes making formal referrals to agencies when necessary
• Maintaining the secure safeguarding record
• Maintaining emergency contact information records
• Reading session reports weekly and feeding back concerns to DSL/ Programme Coordinator (SEND) as appropriate
• Ensuring Safeguarding concerns are responded to promptly and logged securely
• Promoting and fostering the safety and welfare of children and young people involved in the JHF’s activities at all times, through outstanding pastoral care 
• Being familiar with issues relating to child protection and abuse, and keep up to date with new developments in this area, feeding back to staff, contractors, and volunteers as appropriate
• Assisting the DSL with compiling the Safeguarding Newsletter
• Promoting excellent safeguarding practise via SLACK app and CPD opportunities
• Being familiar with and work within inter-agency child protection procedures developed by the local child protection agencies
• Ensuring team awareness and adherence to the policies and procedures of the JHF
• Supporting the MD and Programme Manager with stakeholder & partner support work as needed, which may include client meetings, Trustee meetings and attendance at external events
• Supporting effective risk management of the JHF programmes
• Troubleshooting: sickness/cover timetable management
• Undertaking any other safeguarding responsibilities as required by the DSL or Safeguarding Board Lead

General responsibilities

• Promote the values, objectives and practise of the JHF always
• Provide regular programme and staffing updates to the Managing Director
• Support the JHF’s engagement with the community including attendance at events, fundraising, including some out of hours activities
• Encourage teambuilding and positive communication amongst the internal mentoring, tutoring and office team
• Maintain accurate records for safeguarding and monitoring systems purposes.
• Consult and work in partnership with external agencies
• Focus on promoting and encourage the participation and empowerment of young people
• Undertake other relevant duties within the scope of the role when required

Essential qualities:

• Experience of managing a team
• A good understanding of (KCSIE 2021) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
• Able to maintain a high level of professionalism always
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to build positive working relationships and establish trust with a wide variety of individuals
• Efficient organisational and planning abilities
• Ability to maintain a positive outlook and integrity when facing challenges
• Self-driven and motivated by the JHF objectives
• Proficient IT Skills, Word, Excel, D-Suite or similar

Desirable qualities:

• Experience working within education, police, social care and/or youth engagement
• Previous experience as a DSO within education or a youth/ care organisation

License:

• Must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to own vehicle

Equal Opportunities: The JHF is committed to equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and anti-oppressive policy and practice. No one we have contact with may be discriminated against, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, religion, cultural group, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or impairment. The policies apply to job applicants, employees, volunteers and users of our services. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We particularly encourage applications from male, Black, Asian, Multiple Heritage or Other Minority Ethnic candidates as we are currently under-represented in these areas within the Charity. All appointments however are fully made on merit.

This job description is subject to change from time to time and will be reviewed regularly. It is a guide to the tasks required and represents a range of responsibilities commensurate with the grade for the post. DSLs must have received relevant safeguarding and child protection training that is specific to their role. This training should be refreshed regularly, and they should keep up to date with any changes in safeguarding and child protection legislation and guidance.

Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory vetting and barring checks.

Position: Volunteer Support Officer
Type: Full-time (35 hours per week), permanent
Location: Office-based contract with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £30,310 - £34,923 per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band: Band E1
Department: Community Networks

At the MS Society, we make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive environment where you will make a difference.

About this job

We’re looking for a committed and dependable Volunteer Support Officer to help support our 244 Community Network groups across the UK.

Our Volunteer Support team provide high quality support to our volunteers based across our community networks. Our team keep in frequent contact with our volunteers in a number of ways whether it be through phone call, messages/emails or online video-chat. 

You’ll be experienced in providing complex support to volunteers, demonstrable experience of volunteer support and management qualities and the ability to ability to solve problems and use a creative approach to overcoming issues and challenges.

You’ll respect the unique contribution of every individual and works positively in a diverse environment and able to work effectively as part of a geographically dispersed team and with geographically remote stakeholders.

We offer 35 days annual leave (pro rata for part time employees) including bank holidays, travel loan and various other benefits such as supported developmental opportunities.

The MS Society is in the midst of an exciting, transformational, period which builds on our great history and will drive us towards achieving our mission and vision as we embark on our Every MS Story strategy.

Closing date: 9am on Wednesday 2 February 2022

In order to apply for this role, please submit an updated CV and supporting statement indicating how you meet the criteria as set out in the person specification in the attached job description.

The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK. If we do offer you employment, you’ll be required to provide documentation to show that you’re eligible to be employed in the UK before starting employment.

The full list of UK visas and permits that grant you the right to work in the UK can be found on the UK government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and will not be in a position to support you with any visa applications you may make. 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer. We’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.  We’d be grateful if you could complete the attached equality and diversity monitoring form  and submit it with your application.

As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the HR team will anonymise your CV and supporting statement before forwarding to the shortlisting panel.  

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and/or from ethnic minority backgrounds, where we’re looking to build stronger and better representation among our staff.

No agencies please.