Head of casework jobs in Bristol

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Role

We’re excited to lead a pan-Wales Financial Health and Wellbeing Service funded through our Macmillan partnership to directly help people with a cancer diagnosis.

With your expert specialist knowledge and experience in the Welfare Benefits advice area you’ll be able to apply this within the cancer community at a crucial time for these individuals to meet their needs as a Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor and join us in a 3 Year Fixed Term Contract.

You'll need to be available to attend a Cardiff Assessment Centre week commencing 20th April for a 1st June start date.

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Role Details

This is a first line, important and meaningful holistic information and advice-giving role for an experienced Welfare Benefits Advisor. It’s about using information you collect to provide immediate welfare benefits advice and guidance, and/or refer, escalate and signpost seamlessly to other colleagues and services according to client needs.

It’s a rewarding welfare benefits job working with people with a cancer diagnosis. It’s one where you’ll make an immediate difference through your practical and sound advice, existing customer service skills and knowledge and experience in the welfare benefits area.

The role is primarily home based with Cardiff Head Office working welcome. You’ll need to be flexible to commute to Cardiff as required with a higher concentration of days during your induction and probation period for training and team interaction on at least a monthly basis.

Working as part of a Financial Health and Wellbeing service, you’ll be making a first line assessment to determine urgency and priority for new client referrals gathering key financial and health information. Your work is mainly done over the phone but may also be in person or digitally where you’ll be advising and making decisions on next actions including giving advice to complete your cases, referring on or escalating the most complex cases.

Service referrals may come from cancer medical professionals or self-referrals from cancer patients. What’s important is you understand the whole picture and gather the right level of financial health information to give appropriate financial benefits advice and signpost to other services from the start of the relationship, so all potential cancer support opportunities are handled professionally.

Our service user experience is key, you’ll make sure the way you work is professional and personable and quality. You’ll be supporting and advising your own caseload of clients with a chronic cancer condition or a life-limiting cancer prognosis so knowledge of working with people with disabilities, people too ill to work or in a distressing situation is something you can comfortably manage in a targeted environment.  

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Fit

We’re looking for a team player who is experienced in this type of benefits advice field. You can comfortably manage a busy caseload, glean key information and tailor your communication style in a common sense and logical approach. It’s not just in doing the nuts and bolts of the job but how you go about it that matters just as much.

Making a difference for people affected by cancer is at the heart of what we do. Our values are our guiding principles in how we go about doing that in the way we think, go about work and interact with people and across teams.

Solution solving with a collaborative and open mind, being inclusive and super supportive and team focused means you’ll fit in well. You work in a way that can adapt to dealing with curve balls and know when to ask for help all whilst keeping on top of the day to day focus on what’s important to achieve our shared goals.

If you’re an adaptable and motivated person who’s proud to deliver quality work, has a people focused attitude and is excited to be part of our work we’d love to hear from you.

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Skills

We’d love to see your application demonstrating how your skills or experience match the job role essentials and understand your motivation behind your application and what you’d bring to the team.

To be great in this role you’re skilled with:

• The expert Welfare Benefits advice knowledge & customer service capabilities -you confidently know and can explain your stuff and help others well taking on feedback
• Producing well managed and quality work on time – you’re careful and double check your work, manage your own time independently and are results focused to get a job done well within a deadline
• A flexible approach to working – your attitude’s good when there’s pressure to deliver and you adapt to the flow of work recognising where you need to change your focus
• Being collaborative, team and people focused – you know how to deliver great customer service. You work well with your colleagues to help them, listen to others’ ideas and put forward your own ones and demonstrate how you treat customers, so they feel valued
• Solution solving – you’ve a positive and resilient attitude looking for the best options in any situation or challenge things appropriately when coming up with a new idea or have a suggestion

At Tenovus Cancer Care we’re guided in all that we do by our core values. These are: Collaborative, Integrity, Innovative, Respectful and Inclusive. We’re dedicated to making our workplace diverse and inclusive where everyone feels they belong and can be their authentic selves at work. This means that whatever your background you’ll have an equal opportunity with us.

With our commitment to safeguarding the successful candidate’s role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check (Adults)

Applying is easy, just click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of the page and follow the online process. If you’d like any help with your application or to discuss any adjustments you may need please contact our People Team.

EQUISS Caseworker

Reports to: Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding

Purpose of the Role

EQUISS is an independent organisation working to strengthen safeguarding, welfare and accountability across the equestrian sector.

Across the equestrian world - from riding schools and training yards to competitions and affiliated clubs - concerns about abuse, misconduct and unsafe practices have too often been difficult to raise, navigate or resolve. EQUISS has been established to help change that: ensuring individuals affected by harm are heard, supported and able to access clear and safe pathways for raising concerns.

This role represents the first advocacy caseworker position within EQUISS, playing a central part in establishing a new, independent support service for the equestrian sector.

The Caseworker will provide trauma-informed advocacy, guidance and practical support to individuals experiencing abuse, harm or misconduct within equestrian environments. The role will help individuals understand their options, access appropriate support and navigate reporting processes within sport and, where appropriate, statutory systems.

Working closely with the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, the Caseworker will help deliver EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line, ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred support.

As one of the early roles within a developing organisation, the Caseworker will also contribute insight from frontline casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding challenges within the equestrian world, supporting the organisation’s wider mission to drive meaningful reform.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy and Support

• Provide empathetic, trauma-informed support to individuals seeking guidance relating to abuse, misconduct or safeguarding concerns within equestrian environments
• Act as a single point of contact (SPOC) for individuals engaging with the criminal justice system, helping them understand processes, maintain communication with relevant agencies and access appropriate support throughout the process
• Listen to and respond to disclosures in a sensitive, survivor-centred manner while always maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring clients understand the remit of the service
• Help individuals understand their rights, options and available pathways for raising concerns
• Support individuals to make informed decisions about next steps, while respecting their autonomy and choices
• Where appropriate, accompany and support individuals at face-to-face meetings, including meetings with organisations, safeguarding professionals or governing bodies, and provide advocacy support during interactions with police or court processes
• Maintain appropriate and supportive contact with individuals seeking assistance, ensuring clear communication and follow-up where appropriate

Case Management

• Manage a caseload of advocacy enquiries and support requests under the supervision of the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
• Conduct structured needs and risk assessments to understand the circumstances and support needs of individuals contacting EQUISS
• Maintain clear, accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements
• Ensure individuals are appropriately signposted or referred to specialist services such as counselling, legal advice, advocacy organisations or statutory services where required

Safeguarding

• Identify safeguarding concerns involving children, young people or adults at risk and respond in line with EQUISS safeguarding procedures.
• Escalate safeguarding concerns to the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding where appropriate, seeking guidance on complex or high-risk situations while maintaining confidence in managing routine casework independently
• Support the safe handling and documentation of safeguarding concerns, including gathering relevant information and assisting with referrals where appropriate.
• Maintain clear and confidential records of safeguarding decisions and actions taken

Partnership and Liaison

• Work collaboratively with relevant organisations and professionals where appropriate, including safeguarding leads within equestrian sport, statutory agencies and specialist support services
• Support individuals in navigating organisational processes where concerns relate to equestrian environments
• Help build constructive relationships with relevant safeguarding and welfare partners

Learning and Insight

• Contribute insight from casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding issues within the equestrian world
• Contribute insight from casework and engagement with individuals to help inform EQUISS communications, campaigns and sector awareness work, supporting the organisation in highlighting safeguarding issues within the equestrian sector
• Support the development of organisational learning by sharing themes and insights emerging from advocacy work
• Assist the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding in identifying areas where sector guidance or safeguarding training may be beneficial

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Safeguarding training at Level 3, or willingness to undertake Level 3 safeguarding training within the first six months of appointment

Desirable

• ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or equivalent advocacy training.
• Additional training in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or victim-survivor support

Where candidates do not yet hold an ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, EQUISS will support the successful candidate to undertake relevant advocacy or safeguarding training as part of their professional development.

Essential Experience

• Experience supporting individuals affected by abuse, safeguarding concerns or trauma within a professional setting
• Experience providing advocacy, casework or support within safeguarding, welfare, social care sport or related sectors
• Experience working with sensitive and confidential information
• Understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice

Knowledge

• Understanding of safeguarding principles relating to children, young people and adults at risk
• Awareness of barriers individuals may face when reporting abuse or misconduct
• Understanding of professional boundaries and safe information sharing

Skills

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Ability to engage sensitively with individuals discussing difficult experiences
• Ability to assess needs, prioritise actions and manage casework effectively
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment

Additional Information

• The role may involve occasional travel to provide in-person advocacy support, including attending meetings with organisations or statutory agencies, and accompanying individuals to police stations, court hearings or other relevant appointments where appropriate
• Some evening or weekend availability may occasionally be required
• The role requires an enhanced DBS check
• The postholder will participate in regular supervision and reflective practice
• The postholder must demonstrate a commitment to EQUISS’ values of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion

About EQUISS

EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.

Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.

As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.

Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.

Employment package:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
• Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
• Reporting to Head of Advocacy & Safeguarding

Role Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to shape Shine’s strategic direction while managing the operational delivery of our services for children, young people, and families aged 0–25. Building on the success of our Little Stars/Ser Bach programme for members aged 0–12 and the development and extension of the FIRE (Friendship, Independence, Resilience, Empowerment) programme for those aged 13–25, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our support for children, young people and their families.

Working across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you will lead the delivery of an established, evidence-based programme that improves health, social, and emotional outcomes for those living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and associated conditions.

You’ll lead a passionate team and work closely with Shine’s Adult Services Team (25+), Health Team, Wales and Northern Ireland Managers and wider colleagues across the organisation to ensure work is coordinated, complementary, and beneficial to members. At the same time, you’ll forge strong partnerships with NHS professionals, statutory services, and voluntary organisations—driving collaboration that will support our vision of providing consistent, high-quality support for children, young people and families nationwide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Management
• Programme Development & Delivery
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
• Member Support & Engagement

Please see the full Job Description & Person Specification below and on our website. 

Benefits to working at Shine:

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027
• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)  
• 3% pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year
• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Broadband allowance for home-based roles
• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment  
• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders 
• Support to learn and develop 

How to apply 

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job. 

If you would like to discuss the role with our Deputy CEO, Gill Valentine, please contact Shine to arrange a convenient time for a call. 

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria. 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications. 

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

Closing date: Thursday 16th April 2026 at 11pm 

Interviews:  Monday 27th April 2026  

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.