Independent living services coordinator jobs in Bristol, city of bristol

• 24 hours per week (part time)
• £35,000.a. pro rata (Actual salary £22,702.70) plus 6% pension contribution
• Remote

Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) is the national campaigns and membership body for a network of independent, community-based Rape Crisis Centres working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.

The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a national service led by Rape Crisis England & Wales and funded by the Ministry of Justice.

We are looking for a thoughtful, committed and experienced *professional who can lead RCEW’s approach to survivor engagement within the 24/7 Support Line in line with our values and centred in care and safety for all survivors. 

*This role is restricted to applicants who are female. This is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) in accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Due to the nature of the role, the post holder will be required to provide direct support to women and children who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. The role involves working in women-only spaces and delivering trauma-informed services where privacy, dignity, and the ability to build trust with service users are essential. We consider that being female is an occupational requirement for this role, and that applying this requirement is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, namely the provision of safe, appropriate, and effective support services to survivors. This requirement has been carefully considered in line with equality legislation and is applied only where it is necessary for the effective delivery of the service.

Job Summary

The Survivor Engagement and Outreach Coordinator will lead our work with survivors to ensure that the 24/7 Support Line is a supportive and an effective service.  The post holder will re-establish the service’s Survivor Reference Group (SRG) which is the lead mechanism to shape the way we design, deliver and promote the 24/7 Support Line. They will work alongside people with lived experience in a respectful and supportive way at all times and ensure that all survivor engagement is centred in care, safety and ethics.

The post holder will also lead our outreach activities connecting with other organisations to promote the 24/7 Support Line in order to build collaborations with other survivors particularly from underserved and marginalised groups of people.

The post-holder will have a proven track record of lived experience engagement, and a good understanding of latest best practice including survivor-centred and trauma informed approaches. They will have excellent people skills including emotional intelligence, strong communication and facilitation skills, and be well versed in child and adult safeguarding. They will be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

Working with survivors including the Survivor Reference Group (SRG)

•  Lead on the re-establishment and effective running of the Survivor Reference Group (SRG), including recruitment, induction and session planning and delivery.
•  Develop and/or update policies, procedures and practice to inform and support a survivor-centred, and trauma informed effective running of all engagement.
• Ensure that SRG meetings are facilitated safely, inclusively, and in line with best practice in the field of survivor engagement.
• Collect qualitative insights from SRG sessions to inform service improvements, and coordinate with the service’s operational teams to ensure they shape service development.
•  Ensure survivors are informed about how their contributions have influenced service changes. Where their contributions have not been able to influence the service, be transparent as to why, and learn and reflect about how to shape the approach to balance what could be seen as extraction with advocacy.
• Identify opportunities and liaise with other relevant organisations to design and deliver ad-hoc survivor engagement sessions with groups who may not otherwise join the SRG, but who are wanting to engage in a more limited way to share their views and recommendations.
•  Work to best practice in child and adult safeguarding while also centring survivor-centred approaches in all responses. 
• Always ensuring ethical practice. This includes but is not limited to informed consent.  
• Where necessary, work in collaboration with other colleagues to prevent and respond to complex safeguarding issues; and ensure that learning from concerns and complaints inform all efforts to improve the 24/7 Support Line service.  
• Work in collaboration with other colleagues to inform and improve our approach to ethical storytelling so that our survivor engagement work including the SRG safely features in promotional materials. Ensuring ethical practice includes but is not limited to informed consent.

Outreach work to other organisations and survivors

• Liaise with colleagues and partner organisations to ensure that the most marginalised voices are represented and included  in all engagement. This may mean adopting more agile and adaptive ways of working
• Build relationships with other suitable new organisations to help promote the scope and role of SRG in the 24/7 Support Line in order to learn about other survivor engagement models and reach other  survivors.
• Deliver outreach information sessions to other organisations and community groups about the 24/7 Support Line to raise awareness amongst underserved communities.
• Work with the other staff at RCEW as necessary including those in data to interpret trends in service demographic data, and in communications to develop specific outreach and other strategies to engage survivors and which aligns with broader promotion of the service.

Synergy with the wider work of RCEW

• Participate in team meetings, cross-organisational projects, and wider organisational activities as required.
• Maintain effective communication and collaborative working relationships with colleagues across the organisation and partner network.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, safeguarding guidance, sector developments, and wider organisational priorities relevant to the role.

This list is indicative only, not exhaustive. It is intended to reflect a range of duties the post-holder will be expected to perform but additional duties commensurate with the role may be required. The job description will be reviewed from time to time and may change in light of experience and changing circumstances, in consultation with the post-holder. We ask all employees to uphold our organisational values, support our mission and purpose, and to maintain respectful and collaborative relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.

Person Specification

• Track record in leading survivor engagement programmes of work in the violence against women and girls or other relatable sectors.
• Proven experience in facilitating lived experience groups, advisory panels or other participatory projects or programmes in an accessible and inclusive way.
• Experience in outreach, engagement and partnership working, particularly with marginalised or underserved communities.
• Practical experience of safeguarding adults and children, ensuring safe and ethical engagement preferably in the context of VAWG.
• Experience of trauma-informed principles and practice and how to apply this to service delivery and survivor engagement.
• Experience of upholding confidentiality and managing data protection when working with  vulnerable groups of people.
• Ability to respond to challenges, feedback, and survivor needs in a respectful, flexible and solution-focused way.
• Up-to-date working knowledge of best practice in lived experience engagement including in survivor-centred or survivor-led approaches.
• Extensive knowledge of the barriers survivors (particularly women) face in accessing services and lived experience opportunities, and strategies to ensure inclusivity.
• Understanding of intersectionality and how this impacts a survivor experience and their ability to access and engage with services.
• Experience of working with different groups of people including those who may require reasonable adjustments to actively participate.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

Personal Attributes:

• Emotionally intelligent and trauma-informed, to engage with survivors in a sensitive, non-judgemental and empowering way.
• Trustworthy and ethical, with a strong commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and ethical engagement with lived experience groups.
• An excellent communicator, to facilitate meaningful discussions and engage sensitively and effectively with survivors, colleagues and external stakeholders
• Empathetic in their approach while also able to actively uphold professional boundaries at all times.
• Committed to inclusion and accessibility, with a passion for ensuring that all survivors have a voice in shaping service design
• Actively anti-racist and anti-oppressive in all interactions.
• A strong belief in survivor-led service development and a commitment to meaningful engagement rather than tokenism.

Success in the role of Survivor Engagement and Outreach Coordinator is determined by the ability to build trust with survivors, facilitate meaningful and ethical engagement, ensure that survivor voices influence service development, and expand outreach efforts to reach and support diverse and underserved communities. Key metrics of success include:

• There are high levels of satisfaction from members of the SRG and they feel that their involvement is meaningful and impactful.
• SRG members feel that the group and any other engagement with them is safe, accessible and inclusive.
• Outreach sessions are considered to be useful and impactful by participants.
•  All engagement is ethical and complies with good practice in safeguarding and informed consent.
• Service improvements are meaningfully shaped by survivor voice.

 Eligibility

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required prior to appointment.

 Additional Information

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Please be aware that we are unable to offer sponsorship to candidates who are not already sponsored by Milestones Trust. 

Make a real difference. Help people live their best life 

Our goal is simple: to support people with enduring mental health needs to live fulfilling, independent lives in their community. Whether it’s learning new skills, building confidence, accessing education, or gaining employment, we work alongside individuals to maximise their choice, independence, and involvement. 

About the Role

We are looking for compassionate and motivated Mental Health Support Workers to join our services across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

In this role, you will provide high-quality, person-centred and trauma-informed support to people with mental health needs, helping them to build independence, develop coping strategies and achieve their personal recovery goals.

You will work both independently and as part of a team to deliver safe, effective, and recovery-focused care that promotes wellbeing, inclusion, and choice. 

Some services support individuals with complex mental health needs in 24-hour settings, where you will provide direct support, including 1:1 support where required, and help individuals manage daily challenges and emotional wellbeing.

What We Offer

• Flexible shift patterns tailored around the needs of the people we support
• Opportunities for both part-time and full-time hours
• A supportive team environment
• Ongoing training and development 

Note: The role includes some evenings, weekends, and lone working, so confidence, initiative, and self-motivation are essential. 

Additionally, while being a driver is not an essential requirement, it could be an advantage in some roles/services. 

Key Responsibilities

• Support individuals to manage their mental health and work towards personal goals
• Deliver person-centred, trauma-informed support tailored to individual needs
• Empower individuals to make everyday choices and key life decisions
• Promote independence, wellbeing, confidence, and personal growth
• Assist with daily living skills including self-care, budgeting, and maintaining a home
• Encourage and support meaningful relationships and social inclusion within the community
• Monitor wellbeing and respond appropriately to changes, risks, or challenging situations
• Develop, follow, and contribute to person-centred support plans and risk assessments
• Maintain accurate records and documentation
• Work collaboratively with families, colleagues, and other professionals
• Safely support and administer medication in line with training and policy
• Complete required training and adhere to organisational standards

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Communicates with empathy, clarity, and emotional intelligence
• Demonstrates compassion, kindness, and understanding
• Is resilient, calm under pressure, and able to respond to challenging situations
• Builds positive relationships and works effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Is organised, reliable, and able to manage workload effectively
• Is self-motivated and proactive in their approach to work
• Is committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Is confident using IT systems and recording information accurately
• Is eager to learn, grow, and adapt within the role
• Holds GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent), or is willing to achieve them
• Work or voluntary experience supporting people in care and/or with mental health needs 

Additionally, we welcome candidates who have:

• Experience working in mental health services, including complex needs
• Experience supporting individuals who may present with behaviours that challenge
• Knowledge of approaches such as PBM or similar behaviour support methods
• Experience supporting individuals with EUPD or dual diagnosis
• Experience within a mental health hospital or similar setting

Our Services

We are recruiting across several mental health services: 

The Recovery Hub
A 24-hour residential service supporting adults within a 10-bed unit. We provide a safe, structured, and person-centred environment, helping individuals build skills, manage their mental health, and move towards independent living. 

Chestnut Road
Supporting individuals in shared accommodation or their own flats, this service focuses on recovery, independence, and preparing people to move on, using a highly person-centred and creative approach. 

Charnhill Crescent & Kingsway
Two small services supporting five adults, delivering tailored support to empower people to live independently and achieve their goals. 

London Road

A 24-hour service supporting individuals with complex mental health needs, including those who may require 1:1 support. The service focuses on providing structured, person-centred support to help individuals manage their mental health, build independence, and maintain wellbeing within a safe and supportive environment

In return we offer excellent, high quality learning opportunities, including the opportunity to undertake a level 3 or 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Alongside this, other benefits include:

• 30 days’ annual leave, including recognised public holidays
• Learning and development to support your career growth
• Nationally recognised qualifications, from entry‑level care to management
• Flexible working, with rotas provided in advance
• Occupational Sick Pay after two years, increasing with service
• Health Cash Plan after probation, offering at least £695 cashback for health treatments (dental, optical, therapies, maternity/paternity, prescriptions)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Free enhanced DBS check
• Dayforce Wallet, giving you access to your earnings before payday
• Employee referral scheme with financial rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme from day one, offering confidential 24/7 support
• Company pension scheme to help grow your retirement savings

We pride ourselves with being able to offer staff opportunities to develop and progress their careers within the Trust. 

Apply Today

If you're passionate about supporting people and want to be part of a service that truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 

Please note:

Due to an internal redeployment process, priority will be given to at risk staff.

We have attached a generic job profile for support workers. We are currently reviewing the Mental Health specific support worker job profile, and this will be shared with applicants once finalised.