Head of casework jobs in Bristol

Make a difference every day with PDSA  

About Us   

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.    

We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.    

If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.   

About you  

We’re looking for an experienced Employee Relations Advisor to join our HR Operations team, working remotely to support leaders across our UK-wide Pet Hospitals, retail stores, and support functions. You’ll play a key role in delivering a balanced, values‑driven employee relations advisory service, managing a diverse caseload and providing expert guidance across the full employee and volunteer lifecycle. Confident in coaching and influencing leaders at all levels, you’ll ensure outcomes that are fair, commercially sound, and aligned with organisational policies, legislation, and PDSA values. You’ll prioritise cases to meet SLA requirements, maintain accurate and compliant records and escalate risks or emerging trends when needed.

You’ll bring strong ER knowledge, solid case management experience and the confidence to challenge constructively. Working autonomously, you’ll manage your own workload while helping to build consistency across the organisation by supporting and coaching the wider team and contributing to the continuous improvement of HR policies and processes. Staying up to date with legislative changes and industry developments will be essential, enabling you to provide informed, high‑quality advice that supports both people and organisational success.

This is a part‑time position working 28 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, with some flexibility required when needed. Occasional travel to our Telford Head Office will be necessary for meetings.

Rewards, support and benefits    

We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.  

As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:  

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.  

• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days. 

• Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.  

• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.  

• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.  

• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support   

• Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.  

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.  

• 15% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.  

To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.     

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.   

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.   

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.   

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.   

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

Job Opportunity: Trainee Immigration Adviser

Location: St Pauls Advice Centre, Bristol
Salary: £11,439.20 to £12,256.29 actual (£28,598 FTE, NJC 12)
Hours: 14 hours per week (or 15 hours over 3 days)
Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2027
Application Deadline: 10 am, Monday 23rd March 2025
Interviews: Wednesday 1st April 2025

Are you passionate about social justice and committed to supporting people navigating complex immigration systems? Do you want to develop your skills in specialist immigration advice within a supportive and experienced team?

St Pauls Advice Centre is looking for a Trainee Immigration Adviser to help deliver high-quality, free and independent immigration advice to our community.

About Us

For over 50 years, St Pauls Advice Centre has supported the people of Bristol through expert advice on immigration, housing, benefits and related issues. We are committed to equality, inclusion and empowering people through specialist legal advice and advocacy.

Our immigration service plays a vital role in ensuring individuals and families can regularise their status, secure their rights and move forward with dignity and confidence.

The Role

Working under the supervision of the Immigration Supervisor and alongside the Immigration Adviser, you will:

• Work towards achieving IAA accreditation at Level 1 or higher
• Provide specialist immigration advice at IAA Level 1 (once accredited)
• Manage a caseload and support clients with immigration applications and enquiries
• Conduct client interviews and gather evidence to support applications
• Deliver advice sessions at our office and in community locations, and provide telephone assistance
• Maintain accurate case records in line with IAA requirements and organisational standards
• Keep up to date with immigration legislation, policy and practice
• Contribute to monitoring, advocacy and campaigning work
• Support the team in meeting funding and service delivery targets

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Committed to achieving IAA Level 1 accreditation (or already accredited)
• Passionate about social justice and migrant rights
• Organised, thorough and able to manage detailed casework
• A strong communicator with the ability to work sensitively with diverse communities
• Able to work both independently and as part of a supportive team
• Committed to anti-discriminatory and non-judgemental practice

Experience of advice work or working with migrant communities is desirable.

What We Offer

• A supportive and inclusive workplace where your work makes a real difference
• 30 days annual leave (pro rata) plus 3 additional days between Christmas and New Year
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Support to take IAA exams and register with IAA
• Ongoing supervision, training and professional development