MapAction

MapAction is a charity existing to provide mapping, geospatial and information management services to humanitarian emergencies. A leader in its field, MapAction has an inspirational team of highly skilled volunteers backed up by a specialised staff team to provide humanitarian emergency response, preparedness, early anticipation activities and the delivery of training services worldwide. The overall aim is to save lives and minimise suffering by ensuring that humanitarian aid is delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible, getting to where it is needed most, fast.

MapAction has a strong reputation for excellent service delivery and a collaborative approach. It is a technical partner of several United Nations and regional disaster management agencies, with ongoing funding from several humanitarian donor governments, trusts and foundations. With a team of creative, compassionate and committed people and a strong team spirit, we remain small enough that you will quickly come to know and respect what everyone contributes, as they will you. We pull together to do what is needed.

What will you do? 

This is a key role at the centre of the MapAction Operations Team which combines technical expertise in geospatial services with a hands on approach that is instrumental in the organisation's ability to deliver humanitarian effect. You will be involved in all aspects of MapAction’s operational activity, from emergency responses, both remote and deployed, through the planning and delivery of internal and external training, and supporting preparedness activity with partners globally. Having an excellent understanding of information management in humanitarian or development contexts and an extensive knowledge of practical applications of geospatial technologies will make you an excellent candidate for the role.

You will play an important role as the focal point for all geospatial products and services, acting in a position of leadership for the whole team. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to set standards in the quality and utility of our products and services with an eye to future technological innovation and evolving our offer. You will need to be an experienced leader, able to work closely with a variety of technical experts in challenging, high pressure and time constrained situations. You will need experience in project and programme management, comfortable with uncertainty and able to manage relationships with multiple partners concurrently.

You will be the line manager for the Geospatial Analyst role, coordinating and cohering MapAction’s delivery of geospatial products and services. Alongside our volunteer team, you will work closely with the technical team, developing and implementing roadmaps for operationalising new and innovative geospatial tools and methods. 

Job satisfaction will come from working with committed and passionate staff and volunteers alike, all working towards common humanitarian outcomes. You will nurture excellent partnerships with external organisations in the humanitarian and geospatial sectors, updating and ensuring the relevance of  MapAction’s offer to national agencies and regional partners. 

The post holder will report to the Operations Director and sit within the Operations team.

Main Responsibilities: 

• Lead MapAction’s Geospatial offer to partners. The role requires a leader who is able draw on learning and experience to evolve our offer, understanding the needs of partners and working closely with the MapAction team to plan, deliver and evaluate the delivery of products and services across the three key areas of MapAction outputs: emergency response, training and preparedness activities

• Operationalise geospatial plans. The role requires an experienced and highly competent geospatial professional who can translate organisational strategies into workable operational plans, policies, and procedures 

• Line manage the Geospatial Analyst role 

• Act as the quality marker for all MapAction Geospatial activity and uphold standards 

• Lead in coordinating the data functions required across all Operation outputs, ensuring lessons are learned and problems are resolved via the data circle 

• Lead the coordination of the support base functions required in an emergency response, including developing or delivering Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or guidance as required, and ensuring appropriate quality assurances are developed and delivered 

• Lead on the development and use of MapAction’s online resources working with the volunteer team 

• Support the Operations Director in the preparation, deployment and management of emergency responses

• Support the Operations Director to maintain the volunteer team ensuring it is technically operationally ready at all times and act as a staff point of contact to the volunteer team on Geospatial issues

• Support the wider Operations team in the delivery of internal training events and external training exercises with input to training and simulation materials

• Work closely with the Technical team to operationalise tech projects and programmes

• Manage and strengthen relationships and collaboration with key partners and networks through attendance at key geospatial fora

• Manage projects and programmes as directed by the Operations Director

• Undertake risk assessments for low-medium threat environments

• Act as a staff focal point for the maintenance and improvement of MapAction Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Maintain expert knowledge of tools and systems to maintain and enhance organisational  knowledge management and lead in its operational utilisation across the team (SalesForce, wiki, team launchpad, Google Apps, MapAction website (Wordpress), MDR (CKAN)) 

• Manage organisational record keeping, utilising tools (salesforce) to deliver analytical insight 

• Maintain a watching brief of existing and emerging technologies, working closely with staff and volunteer teams to understand where these may be effectively used or adapted to MapAction’s work

• Work closely with the Head of MEAL to develop and collect appropriate metrics to measure the effectiveness of MapAction products and services 

• Deputise for the Operations Director when required

Key Competencies:

• Professional qualification in GIS

• Five years or more proven experience in a Geospatial profession

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, build and maintain relationships 

• A proven leader and team player. Comfortable with working, leading, and getting the best from multiple small teams

• Demonstrable project management skills

• Experience of managing and developing personnel

• Comfortable with a fast moving environment and managing multiple demands on your time

• Commitment to working with volunteers 

• Ability to work to short deadlines and work within pressured environments

• Ability to deal with ambiguity and use judgement in challenging circumstances

• Strong commitment to MapAction’s mission and values

• Good IT skills and experience of Microsoft Office, google applications and electronic record keeping (Salesforce)

• Ability and willingness to travel, including being deployed at short notice 

Additional Information:

• Flexibility and willingness to work outside office hours including evening and weekends, including undertaking cover for the Operations Director as requested and attending monthly weekend training events. In particular, training events will be scheduled for a weekend, once a month and this post is expected to attend these events. Reasonable time off in lieu is available by agreement

• Must have the right to live and work in the UK. MapAction is unable to consider candidates who do not already hold appropriate permissions

• Required to work remotely initially and then to attend the MapAction offices by negotiation

• Note: this is an operational role in a small, highly specialised charity and an appreciation of, and affinity with the humanitarian purpose of the charity is essential, as well as a willingness to take up additional tasks outside of the normal role when needed

Equal Opportunities Policy:

MapAction is an Equal Opportunities employer. All employees have a personal responsibility to promote and support measures designed to create a working environment which is free from harassment or discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, membership of the Travellers community or HIV&AIDS status.

How to apply:

Please complete your application by submitting a CV and covering letter on Go Hire via our website. The closing date for applications is 31.01.2021. For further discussion regarding the content of this role, please call Chris Davies, Operations Director. MapAction reserves the right to close the application date early.

This is an exciting time for Citizens Advice services in Buckinghamshire. The charities Citizens Advice Aylesbury Vale, Citizens Advice Chiltern and Citizens Advice High Wycombe District are merging to become Citizens Advice Bucks. Like the constituent organisations that will form it have done for many years, this new charity will provide independent and impartial advice on debt, benefits, housing, employment and family issues that will help people get their lives back on track, as well as using on the ground knowledge to improve local and national social policy.

While the merger was planned long before the COVID 19 crisis, this newly formed, larger organisation will be better placed to meet the increasing demand for our services. It also matches the geography of one of our primary funders, the newly formed unity authority, Buckinghamshire Council, which will allow us to build strong working relationships at county level.

Each of the constituent charities have considerable areas of strength, providing services that respond to the need in their local communities. Citizens Advice Bucks must maintain these strengths and the local focus of services, whilst also ensuring the same high quality, availability and consistency of services across the county, and developing a strong, shared internal culture across the new charity.

We believe that in these times more people than ever will need money advice – and we need someone to help us grow this service; to meet the exacting requirements of contracts that we have in this area; and to support and develop our staff and volunteers as we change to meet the demands placed on us. 

We are looking for a Money Advice Manager to join the team

Key details

Organisation: Citizens Advice Bucks

Job Title: Money Advice Manager

Salary : £35 000 per annum

Length of contract and hours: 12 months FTC, Full time

Location: Buckinghamshire

Key responsibilities  

• You will be the manager of the new Bucks Money Advice Service (BMAS), including debt advice and financial capability services, ensuring services are managed, monitored, evaluated, and developed effectively and efficiently.
• You will ensure BMAS delivers a high-quality money advice service throughout Buckinghamshire
• You will work alongside the Chair of the Financial Insecurity Partnership, leading the Citizens Advice Bucks  research, campaigns and advocacy work related to financial insecurity and debt issues, making the case for policy, practice and systemic change to policy makers and creditors.
• You will also be responsible for maintaining good relationships with funders of money advice and financial capability services, ensuring reports are delivered, and for assisting with the development of new income streams for these services, in close liaison with the Head of Development & Communications.

The successful candidate will have

• Proven ability to manage effective services, preferably in the money advice sector.
• Proven ability to plan, manage and report on projects and budgets (including to funders) and contribute to decisions on the allocation of resources.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain effective partnerships.
•  An understanding of quality standards preferably within the money advice sector, and the ability to ensure that these standards are met.
•  Excellent understanding of debt and financial insecurity issues and effective interventions to alleviate them.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and use IT systems for the provision of advice, research and campaign services.
•  Proven ability to manage people including the ability to recruit, develop and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Proven ability to monitor and maintain casework systems and procedures, service delivery against agreed targets and analyse and interpret complex information produce and present reports verbally and in writing.

We encourage applicants who are from underrepresented groups with protected characteristics, as we value having a diverse pool of applicants to find the best candidate.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 am, Monday 25th January 2021

Oxfordshire Youth and Response have a bold new vision for the Young People’s Supported Accommodation in Oxfordshire, a brand new service model combining the power of youth work with safe and quality homes; where young people, aged between 18 and 24, are supported to develop healthy and positive bonds with their housemates and communities.

The Senior Young People’s Supported Accommodation (YPSA) Manager will oversee the Safeguarding of young people in the YPSA service and will work closely with the Head of YPSA to ensure a safe, high quality service is delivered.
They will be a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Oxfordshire Youth and will be the escalation point for any issues.
They will provide an exceptional standard of coaching to colleagues, to ensure the needs of the young people without our service are met both within their homes and within their community setting.
We have ambitious targets for young people’s outcomes and the Senior YPSA Manager will be driven to help achieve our vision that young people in the YPSA grow to see themselves, and be seen as, future change makers.

MapAction

MapAction is a charity existing to provide mapping, geospatial and information management services to humanitarian emergencies. A leader in its field, MapAction has an inspirational team of highly skilled volunteers backed up by a specialised staff team to provide humanitarian emergency response, preparedness, early anticipation activities and the delivery of training services worldwide. The overall aim is to save lives and minimise suffering by ensuring that humanitarian aid is delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible, getting to where it is needed most, fast.

MapAction has a strong reputation for excellent service delivery and a collaborative approach. It is a technical partner of several United Nations and regional disaster management agencies, with ongoing funding from several humanitarian donor governments, trusts and foundations. With a team of creative, compassionate and committed people and a strong team spirit, we remain small enough that you will quickly come to know and respect what everyone contributes, as they will you. We pull together to do what is needed.

What will you do?

Training is a key component of MapAction’s output and is central to our effectiveness as an organisation. This role covers four key areas. First, the design and delivery of relevant training to the MapAction team that maintains and enhances our capability to respond to humanitarian emergencies and deliver our outputs. Second, the design and delivery of bespoke, relevant and innovative Information Management and Geospatial training to external partners. Third, the management and coordination of training plans, resources and information. Fourth, evaluating and evolving our training offer to ensure our internal and external training activities are both relevant and used. 

You will do this by coordinating with multiple internal (volunteer and staff) and external stakeholders, working to understand the needs and requirements of the training audience; designing bespoke courses and exercises to meet these needs. You will work in small teams, drawing on MapAction subject matter experts to organise and deliver training packages both in person and online, to a variety of international organisations and partners. You will be the focal point for the internal training curriculum and competencies framework ensuring MapAction personnel are trained to the highest standards in Geospatial and Information Management and will be pivotal in delivering the annual MapAction simulation exercise.  Your work will be committed to supporting MapAction’s multi-year strategy, working with the Head of MEAL to monitor activity and outputs, evaluating their effectiveness and success and applying this knowledge to improve our training offer to partners and our internal training curriculum. 

You will be an effective and engaging trainer and communicator, with strong relationship management and interpersonal skills, and an initiative-driven approach. You will enjoy working closely with colleagues in the MapAction volunteer team and work closely with the Operations and Technical teams to ensure our training events are delivered to the highest standards. You will be happy using your numeracy skills and comfortable creating and working with spreadsheets. 

Main Responsibilities

• Lead on the design and delivery of MapAction internal training to maintain and enhance our capability and ensure we are ready and able to respond to humanitarian emergencies
• Lead on the design and delivery of MapAction bespoke training to external stakeholders and partners
• Work closely with the Operations Director and Preparedness Coordinator to design and deliver a complete package of training across mapping, information management and mentoring and coaching support.
• Work closely with the Preparedness Coordinator to support the delivery of training and for communities of interest of humanitarian responders and national and regional authorities
• Ensure learning is collected and assessed from training activities and working with the Head of MEAL, incorporate learning into internal and external training design
• Represent MapAction on internal and external working groups, projects, networks and events
• Lead on the delivery of the annual training curriculum in collaboration with heads of circles (volunteer teams focused on specific areas e.g, software, GIS etc), managing and improving the team competencies framework to keep our skills and knowledge relevant and at the forefront of sectoral and technological trends
• Work closely with the ‘Training circle’ group of volunteers to manage our training outputs and improve the delivery of events internally and externally
• In collaboration with the Operations Director, deliver the annual MapAction simulation exercise
• In collaboration with the Training Circle develop the use of different media and methods for training that makes training more accessible and enables Team members to shape their training needs

• Identify new opportunities to further extend MapAction’s training offer in line with the 2019 Strategy
• Ensure and action appropriate administration of team training, identifying suitable venues/activities that will invigorate training events, give value for money and contribute to it being an enjoyable activity for MapAction volunteers
• Maintain training and competency records (Salesforce)

Key Competencies

• At least three years, post qualification work experience in a similar role or a role designing and delivering training on technical subjects
• Qualifications in Management, Education, Administration or similar discipline or significant experience in lieu of formal qualifications
• Demonstrable evidence of having delivered bespoke training events and simulation exercises to diverse audiences
• Experienced in adult learning, participatory training approaches, confident in delivery of group presentations, able to manage group dynamics, and enable a group to learn together, in person or online
• Experience evaluating the effectiveness of training events and using this to drive improvement and innovation nd exercises for service users
• Excellent communications skills with the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, build and maintain relationships
• Proven project management experience
• Comfortable with managing multiple demands on your time
• Commitment to working with volunteers
• Ability to facilitate and engage others to learn
• A collegial and collaborative character, keen to work in and promote diverse teams
• Good IT skills and experience of Microsoft Office, google applications and electronic record keeping (Salesforce) 
• Strong commitment to MapAction’s mission and values
• Must have a full driving licence and own a vehicle

Additional Information

• Flexibility and willingness to work outside office hours including evening and weekends. Internal training events are run over a weekend each month. This post is expected to attend these events. Reasonable time off in lieu is available by agreement
• Must have the right to live and work in the UK. MapAction is unable to consider candidates who do not already hold appropriate permissions
• Required to work remotely initially and then to attend the MapAction offices by negotiation.
• Note: this is an operational role in a small, highly specialised charity and an appreciation of, and affinity with the humanitarian purpose of the charity is essential, as well as a willingness to take up additional tasks outside of the normal role when needed

Equal Opportunities Policy

MapAction is an Equal Opportunities employer. All employees have a personal responsibility to promote and support measures designed to create a working environment which is free from harassment or discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, membership of the Travellers community or HIV&AIDS status.

How to apply

Please complete your application on Go Hire via our website. The closing date for applications is 31.01.2021. For further discussion regarding the content of this role, please call Chris Davies, Operations Director.  MapAction reserves the right to close the application date early.

Buckinghamshire Mind works to support and represent people with mental health problems living across the county. We tackle stigma and discrimination head-on. We support our service-users to live safe, purposeful and fulfilled lives in our communities. We believe in their recovery and are hopeful about their future. Working together with national Mind we will not give up until everyone in our community gets the respect and support they need.

Post Title: Crisis Services Manager

Reports to: Head of Operations

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours of Work: 37 hours per week

Some flexibility on working pattern with a minimum of 2 evening shifts per week (Wednesday and Thursday or Friday). The remaining hours to be worked throughout the week. Exact shift pattern to be agreed.

Holidays: 25 days per annum, plus 2 wellbeing days, plus bank holidays (pro-rata)

Pension: Auto-enrolment scheme in place

Probationary Period: Six Months

Place of Work: Across Aylesbury (Whiteleaf Centre and Ashton House) and High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire Mind High Wycombe Office) in line with the agreed shift pattern.

In line with Covid-19 guidance there will be a mix of face-to-face service delivery and working from home until restrictions are lifted.

Please note: From April 2021 is anticipated that further funding will become available to expand the service in High Wycombe to run 7 days per week.

ABOUT THE SAFE HAVEN SERVICE

The Safe Haven offers a welcoming, safe, friendly and non-stigmatising environment for people to access in times of out-of-hours crisis’ and as an alternative to A&E, or secondary mental health care. It offers a safe place for emotional support, resilience building and person-centered support. Its aim is to deliver the following key outcomes: -

• To provide a calm and welcoming environment for those people facing out-of- hours mental health crisis’ as an alternative to emergency departments.  
• Treat service users with respect and provide personalised support focused on individual need.
• To prevent the escalation of a mental health crisis and thereby reduce A&E attendance and avoid hospital admissions.
• To raise service user awareness of alternative mental health services appropriate to personal need and circumstances and encourage their use to improve longer term mental health and well-being and reduce social isolation.
• To increase the independence and self-management skills of those people accessing the service.

ABOUT THE ROUGH SLEEPER INITIATIVE

The Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) is delivered by several partner organisations, including Buckinghamshire Mind. The RSI supports individuals identified as rough sleeping, or in temporary housing in Aylesbury.

Buckinghamshire Mind’s Mental Health Support & Liaison Worker (MHSLW) is situated within the Rough Sleeper Initiative. The MHSLW provides personalised asset-based support to improve mental well-being and prevent mental health crises becoming a barrier to long-term housing solutions.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Crisis Services Manager will be responsible for the ongoing operational management and mobilisation of the anticipated future expansion of our Crisis Services. Additionally, they will provide line management to the Safe Haven Team Leads and the Mental Health Support & Liaison Worker.  They will have significant experience of managing and developing staff, project management, ensuring operational quality and promoting equality and diversity.

They will have significant experience of supporting and coaching staff working in challenging environments with adults with challenging behaviour and complex needs.

Excellent organisation and decision-making skills are essential for this role, as it requires being able to manage time effectively to meet tight deadlines and work unsupervised during evenings and weekends.

The Crisis Services Manager will be required to work collaboratively with the Head of Operations and will be proficient at communicating effectively with staff at all levels, a wide range of key stakeholders and service users. They will ensure the service is well resourced from a staffing perspective and embed high-quality operational plans and processes.

They will be responsible for the delivery, progression and continual improvement of Buckinghamshire Safe Haven and Buckinghamshire Mind’s contribution to the Rough Sleeper Initiative, including ensuring the achievement of all key performance indicator targets. They will have responsibility for ensuring Crisis services operate in line with organisational H&S processes and procedures and will be a member of the H&S committee.

SUPERVISION, TRAINING AND SUPPORT

• Supervision is provided by the Head of Operations on a regular basis.
• Buckinghamshire Mind has a system of annual appraisals.
• Buckinghamshire Mind is committed to training and allocates training according to a clearly defined annual training needs analysis.
• Buckinghamshire Mind is a Mindful Employer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks will vary from week-to-week depending on priorities, but regular tasks will include:

Operational Management

• To oversee the management of the Safe Haven and Rough Sleeper Initiative services in line with organisational values and service quality expectations.
• To continually drive enhancements to operational effectiveness and maximise outcomes against targets (key performance indicators) from Crisis Service delivery.
• To provide effective line management supervision to the Safe Haven Team Leads, the Mental Health Support & Liaison Worker including coaching and performance development.
• To collaborate with the Head of Operations and the HR Manager to deal with performance management/disciplinary issues confidently and effectively in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• To ensure interpret performance and impact data for crisis services and be responsible for reporting against service targets.
• To mobilise the expansion of future crisis services in line with agreed project plans.
• To pro-actively develop relationships with external stakeholders in order to improve and develop crisis provision for people with mental health needs.
• To ensure excellence in the recruitment, training and ongoing support of staff and volunteers where applicable.
• To support the Safe Haven Team Leads to ensure adequate and appropriate staffing at all times within the Safe Haven service.
• To work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure the Safe Haven Services are delivered within the available budget.

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust staff to support, develop and promote both the Safe Haven services.
• Manage the Mental Health Support & Liaison Worker to fully contribute to the Rough Sleeper Initiative partnership meetings and provide an interface to other Buckinghamshire Mind services.
• Establish excellent working relationships with out-of-hours services such as Emergency Services, Crisis Teams, SCAS and GPs, around inward and outward referrals.
• To attend and contribute towards meetings pertaining to patient care on behalf of the Safe Haven service, to ensure collaborative multi-agency working.
• Represent Buckinghamshire Mind at external meetings as agreed with the Head of Operations.

Quality and Compliance

• To work within Buckinghamshire Mind’s policies and procedures including Performance Management, Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Service User Involvement, Health and Safety, GDPR and Professional Boundaries.

• To embed all operational policies across managed services in line with a consistent organisational approach.

Service User Involvement

• To ensure high levels of meaningful service user involvement in service provision, responding to the needs of service users locally.
• Ensure bi-annual service users satisfaction surveys are undertaken.

Quality and Monitoring

• Ensure data and qualitative information is collected, collated and communicated to key partners and key stakeholders, as required and directed by the Head of Operations.
• Ensure that all managed services are effectively informed by service user feedback.
• Keep up to date with best practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of the service.
• Monitor the quality of the service and ensure appropriate data is collected (in line with GDPR) to monitor outputs and outcomes.
• Produce regular service summary reports.
• Attend and contribute to H&S committee meetings.

General

• Undertake such duties not included in the job description as are reasonably requested by the Head of Operations. 
• This role involves out of hours working and a willingness to work flexibly is required.
• To keep line manager informed about other projects, events and related issues regarding Buckinghamshire Mind’s managed services.
• To prepare for supervision and use it effectively.
• To work in a flexible way to take on other responsibilities as appropriate.

NOTE: The post holder will be an employee of Buckinghamshire Mind but will also be given an honorary Oxford Health contract to access premises and read and upload patient notes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person specification seeks to define a person most likely to be suited to the job of Crisis Services Manager.  Candidates are required to meet all the essential Conditions listed.  E = essential criteria; D = desired criteria.  Reference to both Conditions and Requirements in completing your application form will help in selecting candidates for interview.

Conditions

• Positively supports the aims and work of Buckinghamshire Mind (E)

Requirements

Qualifications and experience

• Managing services for vulnerable people in a service delivery organisation. (E)
• Excellent people and project management skills and significant experience of supporting and managing staff. (E)
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector. (D)
• Experience of working within a mental health crisis service or similar (E)
• Experience of working within a homelessness service. (D)
• Experience of motivating, developing and training staff. (E)
• Successful track record in performance management of staff. (D)
• Experience of creating and implementing safety and risk policies and procedures. (E)
• Compiling and interpreting performance data and reporting against service targets. (E)
• Successful track record in planning and project management. (E)
• Experience of report writing and presentation. (D)
• Supporting people with mental health problems. (E)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of and empathy for the issues facing people with mental health problems. (E)
• Knowledge of the day-to-day application of relevant legislation e.g., Health and Safety. (E)
• Understanding of the principles of ensuring safe service provision for people at risk and how these are put into practice. (E)
• Knowledge and understanding of the relevant statutory authorities including NHS and social care. (D)

Skills/attributes/abilities

• Excellent communication skills and able to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences. (E)
• Commitment to service user involvement and able to work with service user groups to develop this.  (E)
• Is committed to working in an anti-oppressive way and striving to create equal opportunities for all people (E)
• Commitment to working within the policies of Buckinghamshire Mind including confidentiality and safeguarding. (E)
• Positive attitude, passionate about working for Buckinghamshire Mind and able to inspire people to higher levels of performance. (E)
• Team player and able to form positive, professional relationships with staff at all levels. (E)
• Able to work effectively with a range of external stakeholders. (E)
• Strong organisational skills and able to take control of own workload and meet deadlines. (E)
• Ability to work independently with minimum support. (E)
• Confident in challenging poor performance assertively, constructively and successfully. (E)
• High professional standards and the ability to communicate these clearly to others. (E)
• IT literate to aid communication and analysis of data. (E)
• Willing to undertake training and development. (E)
• Has a full driving licence and use of own vehicle (work related mileage will be paid) (E)

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2 wellbeing days pro rata

• Sodexo employee benefits - access to a portal with discounts on supermarket shops, holidays, high-street shops, days out, cinema and gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme – free professional confidential counselling
• Childcare vouchers
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Flu vaccinations
• Free eye tests
• Pension: Auto Enrolment (currently 3% employee contribution, 3% employer contribution

To apply, please send the following 2 documents:

- CV

- Supporting Statement (explaining how you meet each criteria in the job description)

Buckinghamshire Mind is an Equal Opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Any offer made relating to this post will be subject to satisfactory references and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore please apply as soon as possible.  

Sanctuary Hosting is a charity working across the Thames Valley to match people who are homeless and in the asylum process, as well as people fleeing domestic abuse and human trafficking / modern day slavery by placing them in a rent-free spare room for an agreed period of time. 

Sanctuary Hosting is a registered UK charity managed by a board of trustees (the Management Committee). It was founded in 2015 by Oxford City of Sanctuary to provide one solution to the problem of homeless sanctuary seekers on our streets. The project matches destitute asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants with open-hearted volunteer hosts in the community. The service operates across the Thames Valley, mainly in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Marlow and Reading.

Sanctuary Hosting attaches great importance to ensuring volunteer support workers, volunteer hosts (henceforth referred to collectively as volunteers) and guests are properly assessed and supported and that everything is done to ensure that placements are safe and have the best possible chance of succeeding. All volunteers are interviewed and both DBS and reference checks are undertaken. Similarly, guests are interviewed and references are taken.

In the past five years we have helped 116 people from 27 countries who were homeless to find accommodation and provided over 22,000 nights of accommodation. The vast majority of the people assisted have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and are destitute. To enable the delivery of the hosting service, Sanctuary Hosting has engaged 80 households to host and worked with over 50 support worker volunteers.

Overall Purpose of the Post

The Director has overall responsibility for the safe and effective delivery of the service. Reporting to the Management Committee they ensure that the work is carried out to meet the requirements of funders and within budget. They manage the Service Co-ordinator (Oxford & Milton Keynes area) and Project Worker (Reading & Marlow area) to ensure the effective recruitment, training, support and supervision of all Sanctuary Hosting’s volunteers. They oversee the staff and volunteer team in their processing, assessment and response to guest referrals as well as the coordination, facilitation and support of hosting placements.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Management of the charity

Work with the Management Committee to develop and implement operational plans, policies and procedures to ensure the scheme functions effectively and safely.

Work with the Fundraising Committee to identify funding opportunities and work with the Committee to make appropriate funding applications, respond to fundraising opportunities and build relationships with individual donors.

Ensure all monitoring and evaluation reports are delivered on time, according to the requirements of the funder.

Work with the Management Committee to extend coverage of the hosting scheme to other parts of the Thames Valley where there is unmet need.

Develop mechanisms for collecting feedback from guests and volunteers and ensure this feedback is used to develop and improve the Sanctuary Hosting scheme.

Collate and analyse information on the work of Sanctuary Hosting, producing statistical and narrative reports about the scheme’s performance for funders, regulating bodies and the Management Committee as required.

Ensure service standards, volunteer competencies and health and safety procedures are implemented and maintained across all areas of activity.

Develop volunteer recruitment policies, systems and procedures, working with the Sanctuary Hosting Management Committee.

Keep abreast of immigration and asylum policy with a view to working with the Management Committee to respond and adapt to the needs of people who are homeless with no recourse to public funds in the Thames Valley.

Management of staff and volunteers

Carry out line management of the Service Coordinator and the Project Worker, ensuring they are effectively supported, supervised and trained.

Oversee the recruitment of volunteers according to the scheme’s procedures, ensuring that they are assessed and inducted.

Oversee the recruitment, training, support and supervision of volunteers to support guests and hosts, ensuring that all volunteers have a clear understanding of their role and remit and receive appropriate support and supervision.

Oversee the group peer support for the Sanctuary Hosting community (guests, hosts staff and support workers) providing opportunities for all to share their experiences and learning.

Develop guidance, tools and training resources and deliver training to enable volunteers to carry out their roles safely and competently.

Ensure that volunteers are fully aware of and trained in appropriate health and safety procedures and risk assessments.

Develop signposting and referral resources to ensure guests with additional needs can be supported appropriately.

Support staff and volunteers to resolve complex issues that might arise within the Sanctuary Hosting community.

Referral and caseload management

Oversee all referrals to the hosting scheme to ensure they are assessed and responded to in a timely and professional manner.

Work with the Welfare Committee to manage guest placements and financial support, ensuring that any difficulties are resolved in an appropriate and timely manner.

Promotion, communications and developing partnerships

Be responsible for the Sanctuary Hosting monthly newsletter and for regular activity to promote the service on social media, aiming to recruit more hosts, volunteers and donors.

Proactively promote and publicise the Sanctuary Hosting scheme through attending relevant forums, meetings and events and giving presentations about the scheme.

Work collaboratively with members of the Management Committee and actively seek opportunities for collaborative and joint working relationships externally, which will enable the scheme to better meet the needs of its service users

Work productively and appropriately with existing partners including Citizens Advice Reading and the British Red Cross.

Build and maintain relationships with statutory, voluntary, community and faith organisations working with refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants in the Thames Valley Area and nationally as necessary.

Administration

Develop appropriate GDPR compliant systems to record personal details, availability and whereabouts of the Sanctuary Hosting community and ensure these are maintained by the staff team.

Develop effective systems for tracking actions carried out on behalf of individuals referred to the scheme and ensure these are maintained by the staff team.

Oversee timely and professional processing and response to enquiries.

General

Implement and adhere to Sanctuary Hosting’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.

Make known to the Management Committee any circumstances, errors or omissions that may have a detrimental effect on scheme and its stakeholders.

Work with the Sanctuary Hosting Chair and Treasurer to assist with developing, implementing and managing operating plans and budget.

Work flexibly in accordance with the needs of Sanctuary Hosting, including undertaking out of hours and weekend work as required.

Commit to on-going professional development by participating in regular clinical and management supervision, relevant external meetings, forums and available training.

Person specification

Job Title: Director

Experience

• Experience of developing and delivering high quality, confidential, user-centred services for vulnerable people** E
• Experience of providing support services to refugees, asylum seekers and/or vulnerable migrants** E
• Experience of recruiting, supporting, managing and supervising volunteers and staff** E
• Experience of fundraising and reporting on existing grants. **E
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external stakeholders**E
• Experience of developing, monitoring and evaluating services or projects in response to service user needs** D
• Experience of supervision of staff and volunteers in challenging, frontline services ** D
• Experience of delivering participatory training **D

​Knowledge/ Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of issues affecting refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants**E
• Working knowledge and understanding of legal provisions and good practice in relation to vulnerable people**E
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary services that provide support to refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants**E
• Understanding of how to develop and implement operating plans, policies and procedures**D
• Knowledge of health and safety good practice in a service delivery environment**D
• Understanding of how to collate and interpret service delivery information including statistics and user feedback**E
• Competent user of email, Word, Excel, databases, internet and social media**E
• Understanding of how to manage and monitor budgets**E
• Excellent interpersonal skills including conflict resolution and consultation skills**E
• Ability to communicate with people of diverse cultures and empower people by identifying and working with their strengths**E

Competencies

• Ability to write clearly and accurately and give verbal presentations**E
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team**E
• Ability to motivate, develop and supervise others**E
• Ability to manage own time and workload and prioritise a range of competing tasks within the working hours allocated **E
• Ability to monitor and improve service quality through active consultation** E​

Behaviours

• Able to ensure equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and promote diversity**E
• Able to recognise and value the contribution of others**E
• Able to take responsibility for own actions and to undertake reflective learning**E
• Able to uphold confidentiality in all aspects of the work with service users, volunteers and colleagues**E
• Able to maintain boundaries in a demanding, frontline context**E

Special Circumstances

• Able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends as required**E
• Able and willing to travel in Oxford and the surrounding Thames Valley area on a regular basis as necessary**E
• Current driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to own vehicle**D

E = Essential criteria

D = Desirable criteria

Job Title: Behaviour Consultant 

Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours)  

Location: Oxfordshire

Salary: £33k - £37k (Dependent upon qualifications and experience)

Interview: Interviews will be conducted via video conferencing

Closing Date: 06/05/2020

Our Benefits: In addition to SeeAbility’s employee benefits (please click here for further details), we can offer you the following benefits:

• Free BCBA Supervision (Minimum of 12 BCBA supervision sessions from a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst)
• Ongoing clinical supervision from a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
• Professional development/training opportunities

Who we are 

SeeAbility is a specialist registered charity with a 220 year history supporting people who have autism, physical and/or learning disabilities and visual impairment.  The values of the organisation promote personalisation and inclusion; with a strong focus on helping the people we support learn skills that will bring them greater independence.

Our Specialist Service Team

As a Behaviour Consultant you will form part of SeeAbility’s Specialist Services Team. Led by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, the Specialist Services Team is a made up of a number of professionals, including, Behaviour Consultants, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists and Vision Rehabilitation Workers.  The team works both directly with both people we support and their support teams, to increase independence and overall quality of life. The Specialist Services Team is committed to joint working with families, support teams and our NHS and local authority colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for the people we support.

The role of a Behaviour Consultant will be to:

• Work closely with the individual and their support team to conduct relevant behaviour assessments, for example, functional behaviour assessments (FBA), assessment of functional living skills (AFLS).
• Work with the individual and support team (including family and external professionals) to develop positive behaviour support (PBS) plans that are consistent with the PBS framework.
• Use behavioural skills teaching (BST) to teach both the individual and the support team new skills
• Work with the individual and support team to implement and adhere to PBS plans effectively. Including the use of BST and practice leadership to ensure competency and adherence.  
• Provide in-person coaching alongside a variety of training programmes, to the support team to achieve a high quality level of support for the individual, for example: PROACT-SCIPr-UK®, PBS, Active Support training.

Your qualifications

Essential:

• MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis/Positive Behaviour Support or related field e.g. Analysis and Intervention (Candidates who are near completion of such qualification will be considered).

Desirable: 

• Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
• Fully Qualified PROACT-SCIPr-UK® instructor

Your experience

Essential:

• Substantial experience of conducting functional behaviour assessments and implementing behavioural interventions for individuals with a Learning Disability and/or Autism
• Minimum 2 years working directly with people who have learning disabilities / autism and / or multi-sensory impairments and people who present behaviours that challenge.

We’re Mind, the mental health charity. We’re here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support; in total over 20,000 people in Oxfordshire access our services each year. With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem at some point in their lives, people need Mind more than ever.

Job Title: Data and Quality Service Manager
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £32,974 - £36,922 (NJC point 29 – 33) per annum
Contract: Open Ended
Pension: Auto-enrolment scheme in place
Place of Work: 2 Kings Meadow, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0DP

About Oxfordshire Mind

Our work includes:

• The Transitional Supported Housing Recovery Service (part of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership).
• The TalkingSpace Plus psychological therapy service in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
• The Oxfordshire Mind Wellbeing Service, which is part of both the TalkingSpace Plus and Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnerships and includes:

Five Wellbeing Centres throughout the county

The Information Service, including the Oxfordshire Mind Guide publication, website and the Information Line

Physical Activity and Wellbeing

Benefits for Better Mental Health, a welfare benefits advice service

Volunteering and Peer Support Opportunities

Oxford and Banbury Safe Havens

Embedded workers in primary and secondary care

Services for Children and Young People

• Raising awareness and campaigning activity.

We employ over 180 staff and operate in 28 locations around the county.

Purpose of the job

The Data and Quality Service Manager will work closely with the Head of Innovation to ensure:

• Contractual obligations, targets and outcomes are met
• Partnership work and communication with key stakeholders is effective
• Appropriate systems and processes are in place
• Service users and carers are actively involved and engaged
• New services are developed and implemented effectively
• Reports are delivered to managers, the Senior Management Team (SMT), and the Board (including the Service, Quality and Performance sub-committee) in a timely and effective manner
• Quality programmes across the organisation drive continuous improvement
• Data is analysed proactively to drive understanding of our organisation and its impact on service users; and that useful management information is produced to help us continually improve

About you

Essential:

• Experience of working in a voluntary sector, mental health or related environment.
• Experience of establishing effective liaison and inter-agency working.
• Experience of developing and maintaining monitoring and quality systems.
• Experience of contract management and reporting to funders.
• Experience of providing line management, support and supervision.
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health services.
• Excellent IT skills including being familiar with spreadsheets and databases.
• Data analysis skills including qualitative and quantitative data.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to take responsibility, use your initiative and work creatively.
• Organisational, administrative and word processing including report and letter writing skills.
• Ability to work within deadlines.
• Ability to manage issues with a solution focused attitude.
• Collaborative approach to management and development.
• Capacity to cope effectively with the pressures of the post and to use support and supervision provided.

Closing date: 27th January 2021 at 12pm
Shortlisting date: 28th January 2021
Interview date: 5th February 2021

To Apply and for More Information:

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. 

No agencies please.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual to join our fundraising team at Sobell House and help make a difference to people living with life-limiting illnesses. 

Sobell House is an adult hospice based in Oxford that is jointly funded by the NHS and Sobell House Hospice Charity.  The Charity raises approximately £2 million every year to help fund the care and support provided at the hospice. 

As one of our Supporter Care & Engagement Officers, you will provide a first-class service to all our donors and prospective supporters to enable the Charity to build strong and long-lasting relationships. You will provide processing support to the whole Fundraising Team, managing incoming donations from a variety of channels including post, bank, fundraising platforms, Facebook and card payments. You will also provide database support, ensuring supporter records are kept up to date and accurate and donations are processed and acknowledged quickly and efficiently.

The closing date for applications is midday on Sunday 31st January 2021, with initial interviews taking place week commencing 8th February 2021 via Zoom. If you have not heard back from us by 5th February 2021, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.  

Registered Charity No. 1118646

Looking to volunteer your time and knowledge to support Oxfordshire’s mental health? We want to hear from you!

Oxfordshire Mind is recruiting new Trustees – people whose life experiences and/or work experiences provide expertise to support our organisation in promoting good mental health through the provision of high-quality services and campaigning for positive change.

Trustees play a vital role as board members, ensuring our organisation has solid plans in progress to achieve our aims and that our funding is being used appropriately to do this.

Trustee positions are open to people of any age, background, or identity whose experiences connect with one or more of the following areas:

• Lived experience of mental health issues facing children and young people
• Lived experience of mental health issues facing adults
• Experience in finance and/or accountancy
• Experience connected with fundraising
• Experience in NHS or local mental health commissioning
• Experience in [charity] law and regulations

We are learning and growing, and we are committed to becoming an inclusive, anti-discriminatory organisation for the people we currently serve, the people who we have yet to serve, and for our staff and volunteers.

We recognise that not everyone will have had access to the same opportunities for numerous reasons and we are committed to acknowledging this in our recruitment processes.

Whatever your lived experience, your application is welcome.

Your voice is important. We look forward to hearing from you.

About Oxfordshire Mind

We’re Mind, the mental health charity. We’re here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support; in total over 20,000 people in Oxfordshire access our services each year. With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem at some point in their lives, people need Mind more than ever. Our work includes:

• The Transitional Supported Housing Recovery Service (part of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership).
• The TalkingSpace Plus psychological therapy service in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
• The Oxfordshire Mind Wellbeing Service, which is part of both the TalkingSpace Plus and Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnerships and includes:
  • Five Wellbeing Centres throughout the county
  • Public Wellbeing & Information Services
  • Physical Activity and Wellbeing
  • Benefits for Better Mental Health, a welfare benefits advice service
  • Volunteering and Peer Support Opportunities
• Raising awareness and campaigning activity.

We employ over 100 staff and operate in 28 locations around the county.

Purpose of the role

To work in partnership with other trustees, the CEO and other senior Management Team to ensure that:

• Oxfordshire Mind has a clear vision and that there is a common understanding of this by trustees and
• Oxfordshire Mind has a long term strategic plan which supports the achievement of its vision and sets appropriate strategic priorities and objectives. (Oxfordshire Mind and the CEO must also have shorter term operational plans and objectives which feed into the achievement of the strategic plan).
• The CEO’s annual and longer-term objectives and targets support the achievement of the vision, mission and strategic
• Board policies support the vision, mission and strategic
• There are effective mechanisms to be aware and take account of the needs and aspirations of current and future service users;
• There are effective mechanisms to review the external environment for changes that might affect Oxfordshire
• There are systems to review regularly the strategic plans and priorities and current staff

Closing Date: 7th February 2021

To apply:

Please click 'Apply' to be redirected to our website where you can find further information about the role and apply online. Please note, you are not applying at this stage.

No agencies please.

Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
TalkingSpace Plus: Oxfordshire ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ Service

The post holder is required to have achieved the Post Graduate Certificate in Evidence based Psychological Treatment (IAPT Pathway) and have completed, be currently training or be willing to undertake the IAPT Accredited PWP Supervisor Training.  Must have 6 months experience as a qualified PWP by time role commences.

Hours: 37 hours per week.
Salary: £28,672 - £30,450 (SCP 24-26) per annum
Contract: Permanent
Holidays: 28 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
Pension: Auto-Enrolment in place.
Probationary Period: 6 months.
Accountable to: Head of IAPT for Oxfordshire Mind & Lead PWP.
Clinically Accountable to: TalkingSpace Plus Clinical Lead with delegated tasks to Deputy Clinical Lead and Lead PWP
Supervisory Relationships: Providing line management and case management supervision for Step 2 staff.
Place of Work: Based in localities throughout Oxfordshire, main base tbc

About Oxfordshire Mind

The aim of Oxfordshire Mind mental health charity is to promote good mental health through the provision of high quality services and campaigning for positive change. We’re here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support. 

The services we provide include: 

• Wellbeing Service (of the Talking Space Plus Partnership) 
• Supported to Independent Living Housing Projects 
• Step 2 service (of the Talking Space Plus Partnership) the Oxfordshire Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service.
• Benefits for Better Mental Health’ a welfare benefits advice service
• Volunteers and Peer Mentor Support 

In developing our services, our goals are to:

• Improve access (so that we reach people who are unlikely to use more traditional mental health services)
• Deepen our impact (so that engagement with our services leads to sustained positive improvements for people with mental health problems)
• Focus on recovery (so that we promote independence, support people to take risks, and open up mainstream opportunities)

About the Oxfordshire IAPT Service

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) has contracted with the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust to work towards delivering a fully integrated psychological service for adults with anxiety and depression, with Oxfordshire Mind employing the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners who provide Low Intensity (LI) interventions at Step 2, Oxford Health delivering High Intensity Interventions (HI) at Step 3 and PML (Principal Medical Ltd) to provide counselling services. The jointly managed service operates in line with the ‘stepped care’ model and the delivery of NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) approved psychological therapies ensuring smooth transitions between Steps 2, 3 and 4.  This service is a significant step towards the provision of a locally accessible psychological therapy service across the county, delivering safe and evidence based NICE compliant treatments and offering patients improved choice.  The service works with all GPs in the County and is self-referral.

Step 2 interventions are delivered within prescribed time limits with some face-to-face, but mainly by telephone contacts. Step 2 workers are expected to operate in a stepped care ‘high volume’ environment carrying a large caseload. Step 2 workers also deliver psychoeducational sessions to the LTC/PPS programmes.

The service currently operates Monday and Friday – 8am to 5pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-8pm with the expectation of one late evening per week.

Purpose of the job

The Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners will:

• work with the Head of IAPT for Oxfordshire Mind and Lead PWP to provide robust and clear leadership to Step 2 staff.
• provide case management supervision to up to 6 people in their team and line management to everyone in their team.
• support the PWP involvement in key areas of work to reach people with anxiety and depression currently not accessing the service including patients with comorbid LTC/PPS.
• deliver clinical skills supervision to trainee PWPs.
• liaise closely with Oxford Health clinical supervisors who also deliver case management supervision, clinical skills supervision, work on service developments etc.
• be line managed by the Oxfordshire Mind Head of IAPT and will be accountable to the Oxford Health Clinical Lead or a delegated Clinical Supervisor for the clinical service.
• carry out clinical work with an adjusted caseload of clients with and without LTC/PPS.
• lead on the development of good practice and systems within the PWP team and will work closely with colleagues in Oxford Health to ensure that high quality clinical services are delivered by PWPs in accordance with NICE recommendations; best practice guidance; and Oxford Health clinical governance frameworks.

About you

• Have achieved the Graduate/Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence based Psychological Treatments accredited by IAPT.
• To have completed, currently training or be prepared to undertake the IAPT Accredited PWP Supervisor Training
• 6 months experience as a qualified pwp
• Demonstrates ability to work with and have an understanding of patients with anxiety and depression comorbid with LTC/PPS
• Ability to provide leadership and line management to a team and the individuals in the team.
• Experience of successful joint working, multi-agency and partnership working within a social care and/or health care service.
• Understanding and up to date knowledge of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme (IAPT) programme
• Ability to analyse information, write reports and present an argument.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good computer skills and the ability to use computer based information systems.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage own personal stress.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health for people with and without physical health problems.
• Ability to be self reflective and use supervision, training and performance review to enhance skills, knowledge and abilities.
• Ability and willingness to refer difficulties to line management and/or clinical leadership for advice, and action.
• Experience of working with clients with long term health conditions and/or PPS
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems including IAPT LTC/PPS conditions
• To have completed or be willing to attend IAPT LTC/PPS top up training

Closing date: Sunday 17th January 2021
Interview date: Tuesday 26th January 2021

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Job Description and complete your application online.

No agencies please.