Independent social worker jobs

Job Title: Team Leader - Social Prescribing Link Worker

Reference: TLSP1225

Location: London Borough of Islington

Working Hours: 37.5 hours - 5 days per week

Salary: £36,792 per annum

Benefits: 30 days annual leave, Pension Contribution, Employee Assistance Programme. Hybrid Working (1-2 days working from home)

Contract: Permanent

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced team leader to support a team of social prescribing link workers, currently working across two Primary Care Networks (PCNS) in Islington

The Team leader role includes referral screening and case allocation alongside specialisms in e.g. working with specific service user groups, project development, referral pathway development, new service implementation, coaching and mentoring and multi-disciplinary service integration.

This role is well suited to an individual with experience of supporting and developing staff to achieve their goals and service objectives, whilst ensuring quality of service.

The role requires both Team Leader responsibilities and case managing a quota of clients, triaging referrals, actively connecting people to specialist services or community services to promote independent healthy living.

You’ll need excellent IT and organisational skills, be adept at seeking out the information for relevant community services and have a tenacity to help people achieve sustainable outcomes and improvements in their wellbeing.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Adult and Child Barring.

Age UK Islington recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Behaviour Support Workers to join our Birchall Wood Service in Hertfordshire.

£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Specialist Behaviour Support Workers are responsible for supporting people with learning disabilities and behavioural needs to live full lives, develop skills and maintain their wellbeing.

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

• Supporting the customer to lead a full and active life and do things they enjoy, sensitively and persistently trying to new things to open new opportunities for the customer.
• Developing the customer's independent living skills and involving them in aspects of maintaining and developing their home, including cooking, shopping, cleaning, and decorating.
• Supporting the customer in their sensory routine, trialling and testing new sensory experiences.
• Supporting the customer to communicate their wants and needs and develop new ways of doing this, communicating with them in a person-centred way.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in with the hobbies and interests of the customer and can facilitate connections with new people and places.
• Has a reasonable level of physical fitness and is able / likes to participate in active pursuits such as running and swimming.
• Is confident enough to try new things and take positive risks on a regular basis.
• Exudes a warm friendly and fun presence.
• Prefers working as part of a group or team.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Challenging Behaviour/learning disabilities

Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties

Desirable:

Experience of engaging vulnerable people with complex needs in meaningful activities.

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 120 services, providing support to around 6000 customers each year.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

Housing and Lettings Worker

Hackney

£34,116 - £38,115 pa

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable adults?

Our client's service provides semi-independent accommodation consisting of 39 bed spaces split between 7 shared properties to people exiting short stay/long term hostel/supported housing provisions in preparation for independent general needs accommodation. Clients accessing their services have all experienced homelessness, may be in recovery for substance or alcohol use or an addressed mental health need or are currently positively engaged with external services around any identified needs.

Their team is looking for a Housing and Lettings Worker who will play a key role in providing a welcoming, safe and supportive environment while providing housing and tenancy related management support to clients at the service. You will be responsible for the quick turn-around of bed space voids and supporting new/current clients with benefits claims, accessing relevant health care and treatment appointments and signposting to other relevant support services. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Working as part of a team in to ensure that a person-centred approach is taken when working with clients
• Advice and assistance to clients in relation to fulfilling tenancy conditions
• Advice and assistance to clients to identify and access move-on options
• Taking the lead on the process of clearing rooms when residents leave, deal with housing management and maintenance issues across our 7 sites and support the day to day running of the office and other communal areas.

Hackney Move On is staffed on a rota basis between the hours of 9am–9pm, including weekends and Bank Holidays and includes periods of lone working. 

About you

This role will suit people with some experience of housing or property management, experience of providing excellent service and managing complex and difficult situations in relation to people. You should also have:

• Good communication skills and the ability to work with others whilst managing your own time.
• A non-judgemental approach to working with homeless people and an understanding of the needs and support requirements of vulnerable clients on low (or no) incomes; including those with mental health and/or substance dependency problems.
• Ability to learn internal systems, processes and IT applications to manage compliance within the service.
• Good organisational and time management skills.

Our client is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. They strongly encourage applications from all under-represented groups.

Closing date: 10am on 22nd Jan 2026

Interview and assessments on: w/c 9th Feb 2026

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Support Worker to play a pivotal role in our Complex Needs Service in Kingston.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

This role is responsible for delivering person-centred support that promotes wellbeing, independence, and tenancy sustainment for service users with diverse and often complex needs. You will assess referrals, coproduce and review SMART support and risk management plans, and work in partnership with external agencies to ensure access to health, education, employment, and community resources. The role involves supporting independent living skills, financial stability, and recovery while preventing relapse or hospitalisation. You will maintain accurate records, uphold organisational policies, and contribute to service monitoring and development. Acting as a positive representative of Hestia, you will build strong relationships with service users, colleagues, and key stakeholders.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

You have extensive experience supporting individuals with diverse needs, aspirations, and associated risks, delivering high-quality, person-centred services that promote independence and well-being. Skilled in key working, support planning, and risk assessment, you focus on empowering service users to achieve their goals while managing potential challenges effectively.

With a strong understanding of welfare benefits, housing options, and statutory legislation, you are able to navigate complex systems to secure appropriate support for clients. You are confident liaising with external professionals and partner agencies to coordinate and enhance support packages, ensuring a holistic and informed approach.

Your knowledge of health and safety, particularly when working in service users' homes, and your awareness of safeguarding principles ensure safe and ethical practice at all times. You also bring insight into the issues and treatments associated with mental health and substance misuse, allowing you to provide sensitive and informed care.

Highly organised and IT proficient, you maintain accurate digital records and case notes, ensuring compliance and accountability. You are also committed to continuous professional development, open to learning and growth, and willing to travel across the borough to meet service needs.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

We are looking for Bank Supported Housing Support Workers to join our Our 16+ Older Looked After Young People (OLYP), Care Leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) services. Our OLYP services delivers specialist 24-hour supported accommodation where young people are supported to acquire the necessary skills in preparation for living independently, safely explore their increased freedom of choice and develop responsibilities associated with adulthood, whilst still having the appropriate level of support from an experienced team.

We adopt a trauma informed and psychologically informed approach to supporting our residents to help them build essential life skills, identify their goals and support residents into independent accommodation. We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building

Our Bank Support Worker roles are similar to our Support Workers roles, but they work on a more flexible, temporary basis – they are great way into the organisation and can be a stepping stone into other roles. 

You will be offered available shifts (day, evening, night, weekends and bank holidays) in advance and at short notice – you choose which ones you want to work.

In this rewarding role you will work proactively and creatively alongside young people providing support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building. You will contribute to the smooth and safe running of the services by providing consistency and reliability.

You will ideally have experience of working with a similar client group and a good understanding of the key risks, challenges and opportunities for young people.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

Overview of post: 

This is a 12-month paid internship starting in March 2026, supported by the Jack Petchey Internship 
Programme. The successful candidate must be available to take up the post by Monday 23rd
March 2026. This internship is designed to provide a structured learning and development 
opportunity for someone interested in building a career in the youth, charity, and/or community 
sector. The post-holder will gain specialist knowledge working with unpaid Carers and their 
families, as well as exposure to how the broader health, social care, and education sectors
operate.

The post-holder will support the delivery of activities and breaks for Young Carers (YCs) and 
Young Adult Carers (YACs), including social, educational, and wellbeing groups, groups which 
support YC and YAC personal development, create opportunities to build friendships and peer 
support networks as well as provide time out from caring roles. 

They will help raise awareness of Young Carers by attending e.g. outreach events and school 
assemblies alongside staff, will contribute to identifying new YCs, and undertake a specific 
project focused on engaging more YACs aged 18–25. This project will involve researching their 
needs and preferences and piloting activities to meet these.

Through Sutton Carers Centre’s support and the additional opportunities provided by the Jack 
Petchey Internship Programme, this internship offers a high-quality, developmental experience 
for someone starting out in the sector. It could be particularly rewarding for someone who has 
lived experience of caring and/or wants to develop specialist knowledge and skills in this area. 
Principal Tasks
Activity Delivery
• Support the planning, organisation, and delivery of creative, educational, therapeutic 
and/or social group activities, workshops, and trips for YCs and YACs. 
• Attend school assemblies and other outreach events with colleagues to raise awareness 
of Young Carers and help identify new referrals.
• Encourage YCs/YACs to participate in the planning and shaping of activities, including 
through forums and feedback.
• Contribute to creating safe, inclusive, and positive environments where YCs/YACs feel 
valued and supported.
Young Adult Carers Project
• Lead a time-limited project to engage YACs (18–25), engaging with currently identified 
YACs about their interests and barriers to participation.
• Design and pilot a programme of activities and breaks based on findings, with support 
from colleagues.
• Contribute ideas of how we can identify and support more YACs. 
• Share learning and recommendations with the wider team to inform future service 
delivery.
Learning and Development
• Take part in regular supervision, induction and a structured training programme, 
including safeguarding, project planning, group work, and communication skills.
• Shadow colleagues across Sutton Carers Centre to build knowledge of Carer support 
and wider health and social care systems.
• Receive mentoring to support professional and personal development.
Partnerships and Networking
• Work alongside staff to liaise with schools, colleges, and other community organisations, 
as well as colleagues in social care and health settings.
• Build relationships with external partners, providing opportunities to network with other
organisations and potential employers.
• Help promote SCC’s activities through newsletters, social media, and events.
Monitoring and Evaluation
• Support the collection of feedback and monitoring data from activities and events.
• Assist with record keeping, reporting, and communications.
Policies & Procedures:
• Carry out the above duties with due regard at all times to the Equality, Diversity & 
Inclusion, Data Protection & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Environmental, Business 
Continuity, Health & Safety and all other policies and procedures of Sutton Carers 
Centre.
Other Duties
• To attend and take advantage of managerial and/or peer supervision, team/staff 
meetings and undertake appropriate training and any other professional or personal 
development.
• To develop and maintain current and accurate personal knowledge of unpaid Carers’ 
issues and any statutory or legislative changes.
• To participate in staff meetings, staff forums and training events.
• To be flexible with your availability for working hours, as the role will include very 
occasional, weekend and evening work, for which you will receive TOIL.
• To work as part of an overall team, contributing to the development of the Centre and 
participating in activities, fundraising and promotional events.
• To undertake other duties as appropriate to the post, as agreed with your Line 
Manager. 
Developmental Opportunities
As part of the Jack Petchey Internship Programme, (information here) the post-holder will also 
benefit from:
• An individual £1,000 training budget.
• A dedicated professional mentor for independent advice and guidance.
• Four personal development workshops during the year.
• The opportunity to be part of a peer support network of interns across London and 
Essex.
• Participation in Action Learning Sets with other interns.
• Attendance at a programme launch conference and an end-of-programme 
celebration.
In addition, the intern will:
• Gain experience of working directly with YCs and YACs.
• Benefit from working within a passionate, ambitious and supportive team environment as 
well as a wider community of Sutton organisations determined to effect positive change 
for young people and their families.
• Develop skills in activity planning, delivery, and evaluation.
• Learn about safeguarding, equality, and inclusive practice.
• Build competencies that will form a portfolio of evidence for future roles in the youth, 
charity and health and social care sectors.
This Job Description is not prescriptive; it outlines the key tasks of the post-holder and 
is subject to change in consultation with the post-holder.

We're looking for 2 kind, empathetic and resilient Support Workers to join our Learning Disabilities Service in Waltham Forest.

£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:
Behaviour Analysis:
- You are liable to observing and monitoring the customer's behaviours, the duration, the intensity, and the damage, as well as factors that may alleviate or trigger the behaviour
- You understand and collaborate with the different support organizations accessible in the community
- You will have ability and skill to present and feedback to other professionals in a formal setting
- Reports possible cases of abuse, neglect or endangerment appropriately
- Actively participates in the reviewing and the designing behavioural interventions plans.
- Implements behaviour support plans

Other Responsibilities:
- If a need arises, deliver all aspects of support to enable a customer to develop independent living skills as appropriate to the individual needs of the customer. In some services, this will include delivering personal and physical care as appropriate
- Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation
- Participate in the support planning and risk management, as facilitated by the lead Support Worker.
- Carry out security duties to ensure the safety of the customers and premises
- Enable customers to make full use of community facilities by providing support as directed

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
- Is confident with high levels of self-esteem

What you'll bring:

Essential:
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
- Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Behaviour that challenges and Diabetics
- Good IT skills
- Drivers
Desirable
- Experience with PBS Approach

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

Specialist Support Worker - Co-Production Lead

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our homelessness Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets.

£29.073 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

Support customers with job searches and employment search as well as support with completing job applications and CVs
Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
Key-working the most complex service-users with particular needs aligned with the post holder's specialism - Co-Production
Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their recovery and empower customers to self-manage their medication regimes through individual re-enablement programmes and informed decision making

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

Embraces a Psychologically Informed approach
Is capable of maintaining unconditional positive regard
Views challenging behaviour as a support need.
A strong specialist support worker with excellent interpersonal skills
Socially adept, networks widely, well connected in sector, influential
Approachable, open & professional behaviour
At ease in directing others, is assertive and independent minded, will challenge others, and skilled in resolving conflict
Drives change, enjoys dynamic diverse environments and demonstrates entrepreneurialism, creativity and innovation
Demonstrates significant confidence and high levels of self-esteem
Demonstrates significant levels of emotional resilience and a positive attitude
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is passionate and enthusiastic about the business
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Is Customer focussed
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experiences of using services
What you'll bring:

Essential:

Up to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area (e.g. psychology, Health and Social Care, Mental Health) OR experience in the social care/charity sector.
Experience building and develop strong professional partnerships with external providers aligned to their specialism
Desirable:

2-3 years experience providing targeted recovery focussed support to individuals with needs around trauma, mental health, substance use and dual diagnosis.

For our full job description please visit our website

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Drug and Alcohol Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Drug and Alcohol Support Worker to join our Homelessness Social Care Service Tower Hamlets.

£29,073 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel in control of your career? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and external partners, creating a positive atmosphere
Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
Key-working the most complex service-users with particular needs aligned with Drug and Alcohol dependency
Creating support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customers to progress in their recovery
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
Providing support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their recovery and empower customers to self-manage their medication regimes through individual re-enablement programmes and informed decision making
Undertaking support work in partnership with external stakeholders to compliment their interventions, leading on partnering with specialist stakeholders;
Upskilling staff team in particular area of expertise - Drug and Alcohol dependency.
Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers

About you:

Excellent interpersonal skills
Socially adept, networks widely, well connected in sector, influential
Approachable, open & professional behaviour
At ease in directing others, is assertive and independent minded, will challenge others, and skilled in resolving conflict
Drives change, enjoys dynamic diverse environments and demonstrates entrepreneurialism, creativity and innovation
Demonstrates significant confidence and high levels of self-esteem

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area (e.g. substance misuse, addiction, psychology, Health and Social Care,).
Experience building and developing strong professional partnerships with external providers.
A minimum of 2 years experience in complex needs services, community development, addiction counselling, drug and alcohol work or other related fields.
Good written and oral communication skills
Desirable:

2-3 years experience providing targeted recovery focussed support to individuals with needs around trauma, mental health, substance use and dual diagnosis.

For our fulll job description please visit our webiste

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Refuge Worker to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse Service in Ealing

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

We are looking for passionate individuals to provide intensive casework, support, and day-to-day guidance for women in our services. You'll play a vital role in delivering safety advice and information, including around domestic abuse and independent living, while co-producing personalised Support and Safety Plans that build on each woman's strengths and goals.

Your work will include liaising with statutory bodies such as Social Services to ensure safeguarding responsibilities are met, supporting housing needs and move-on accommodation, and facilitating empowering social activities and workshops that promote confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness.

At the heart of this role is The Hestia Approach – a commitment to co-production and recovery. You'll work in true partnership with service users, helping them shape the support they receive, whether through peer networks, community groups, or local events.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for

Applicants should have experience supporting individuals with diverse and complex needs, including mental health issues and substance misuse. This includes delivering high-quality floating or outreach support, developing support plans, conducting risk assessments, and liaising with external professionals. Knowledge of safeguarding, welfare benefits, housing legislation, and the ability to accurately record casework using computer systems is essential. The role also requires the ability to work independently in the community and travel throughout the borough.

Please note: This role is open to female applicants only, in accordance with Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010.

When will I be working?

You will be working between the hours on 9am - 5.18pm, Monday to Friday 

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

This role will be responsible for delivering support to individuals experiencing complex ill mental health and substance misuse issues, targeting achievable outcomes that promote and deliver positive outcomes for tenants in our services.The post holder will be responsible for delivering evidence-based interventions with a holistic assessment to support personalised recovery and promotion of independent living skills. Multi-disciplinary team working will be a part of the role, utilising and offering additional support and advice from partners and wider network services.

Key Responsibilities

Support Assessment & Delivery

• Implement and deliver dual-diagnosis support through 1.1 and group sessions to tenants experiencing issues with poor mental health and substance misuse.
• Undertake joint holistic assessments and risk assessments with tenants participating in the service to determine service and support needs and identity where these can be met.
• Provide outcome-based support measured against goals, personal aspirations of the tenant, and their achievements.
• Working with tenants, encourage them to identify their own goals and work towards independence and resilience. The key aims are to reduce the need for acute clinical interventions and hospitalisations.
• Put in place with the tenant, agreed SMART targets with a range of evidence-based interventions that addresses areas of need, such as harm minimisation, prevention of relapse for those in addiction recovery, and improved self-awareness and motivation.
• Through collaborative working with other teams in the organisation, enhance the personalised and choice-led support plan of tenants to integrate with their tenancy support needs and reducing the risk of tenancy loss due to dual-diagnosis issues.
• Help reduce episodes of crisis though support initiatives such as peer-led support groups.
• Be proactive in observing and responding to changing characteristics of tenants receiving support, recognising deterioration in mental wellbeing and putting in place interventions that reduce the likelihood of more acute support needs.
• Be a point of contact for tenants who are on the verge of experiencing a crisis episode, providing appropriate support and interventions to help avoid the need to access acute services.
• Foster positive working relationships with external stakeholders, breaking down barriers and improving access to appropriate support services such as specialised mental healthcare and addiction recovery programmes.
• Develop effective community links that expands support resources that to be offered to tenants.
• Develop all support plans and coaching sessions to embrace the key elements and principles of Trauma Informed Practice and Psychologically Informed Environments.
• Keep up to date with strategies and methodologies used in the support sector to ensure dual-diagnosis support in the organisation remains at a high level for all tenants accessing it.
• Promote the achievements of tenants receiving support through KPI reporting and case studies.
• Recognise goals and aspirations achieved by individuals and using the evidence obtained, formulate and develop future support plans and strategies that enhance the service.
• Work with team leaders and managers to develop our lived experience support in a structured and safe way.
• Deliver practical harm reduction, relapse prevention, and coping strategy workshops.

Risk Management

• Ensure accurate and up to date risk assessments are undertaken, putting in place effective risk management plans to mitigate risk of harm, neglect, and any other areas of risk to the tenant, staff, and wider community.
•  Ensure all records and support plans are managed in compliance with organisational policies governing confidentiality, privacy, data sharing consent, and keeping to the requirements and principles of the UK GDPR.

General Responsibilities

• Support colleagues through the sharing of support strategies and techniques that will benefit tenants outside of dual-diagnosis sessions.
• Foster positive and effective working relationships with colleagues in the Housing and Support teams.
• Ensure adhere to Stay’s policies & procedures
• Represent the charity at relevant external meetings or forums as required.
• Always maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, upholding the charity’s values and ethos.
• Participate in team meetings, training, supervision and appraisals as required.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the Operations & Services Manager.
• Ensure that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is actively promoted in all areas of work.

JOB TITLE: Lead Youth Services Worker (Northern Ireland)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director, Northern Ireland

HOURS OF WORK: 25 hours a week (flexible with some evenings)

LOCATION: Office based, with travel across Northern Ireland.

DURATION: Fixed Term – 5 Years 

SALARY / GRADE: Grade 5 (£30,738 - £33,921 FTE)

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•Adopted Young People in Northern Ireland

•  Director Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland staff

•  Wider AUK youth staff

 •Representative staff from educational establishments.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To develop, implement and evaluate the Banter Project youth service in partnership with adopted young people in Northern Ireland.  These young people range in age from 14-25 years and live throughout Northern Ireland.  The role will primarily work with the project participants, but has additional relationships with community organisations, educational establishments and employers to ensure that all project goals and outcomes are efficiently and effectively met.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To lead the development and delivery of all elements of the Banter Project adopted young people’s service within Northern Ireland in a fun, interactive, interesting and an ability appropriate manner.

• To support the project participants to play an active role in the design and implementation of a programme of monthly activities for adopted young people. Sustaining and developing a monthly social hub, supporting the development of basic life-skills, and preparation for opportunities in further education, training, employment.

• To support a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) in its role to enable adopted young people to steer the Banter Project while developing skills which promote independence, personal development, social and life skills, leadership, and community involvement.

• To organise and supervise the work of the Youth Services Support Worker to deliver the Banter Project. 

• To provide opportunities to connect with, and signpost to, relevant services, particularly those who work with care experienced young people.

• To develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation to review individual goals, track progress and impact, via data and analysis of outcomes to assess effectiveness and areas for improvement.

• To record service activity using the electronic data management systems to collate in preparation for reporting and learning opportunities.

• To gather output and outcome data from the Banter Project service in accordance with the quality assurance systems within AUK. 

• Work with other staff members to deliver a high-quality project for our adopted young people and their adoptive parents.  Work as part of a team to contribute to a positive work environment and shared goals. 

• To attend internal and external training/meetings as appropriate, to remain connected with broader adoption issues, relevant policies, working practices, and network with other youth work providers in Northern Ireland.

• To engage in supervision and professional development.

Overview

Resilience Duty Worker (Young People)

Change Grow Live – Hertfordshire

Do you believe in the potential of young people—and in your ability to help unlock it?

At Change Grow Live, we see possibility in every person. Guided by our values — Be Open, Be Compassionate and Be Bold — we work alongside young people and their families to create safer, healthier futures. Our approach is grounded in evidence, shaped by compassion and rooted in the communities we serve.

As part of our 2030 Strategy, we are strengthening early intervention, safeguarding and whole-family responses so that young people can access the right support at the right time. This role is central to that ambition.

About the Role

We are seeking a Resilience Duty Worker to join our Integrated Whole Family Recovery Service across Hertfordshire. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will support young people affected by substance use and associated safeguarding risks—helping to reduce harm, build resilience and improve outcomes.

This is a varied, frontline role requiring strong engagement skills, sound judgement and a clear understanding of safeguarding practice. You will work flexibly across the county, responding to need and ensuring timely access to appropriate pathways.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Act as a key point of entry into the service, processing referrals and completing initial triage assessments.

• Identify, respond to and escalate safeguarding concerns in line with statutory guidance and best practice.

• Reduce drug- and alcohol-related harm for young people and the wider community through evidence-based interventions.

• Hold a small caseload, delivering brief interventions focused on substance use and risk reduction.

• Manage and monitor waiting lists, maintaining contact with young people awaiting allocation to a keyworker.

• Advocate for access to partner services and coordinate support across agencies.

• Support positive, holistic outcomes for young people’s health and wellbeing—reducing risk and increasing resilience.

• Monitor referrals, identify appropriate treatment pathways and ensure timely progression through services.

• Work peripatetically across Hertfordshire to meet the needs of young people and families.

• Build strong partnerships with families, professionals and community services.

Where: This role will be based across Hertfordshire County (Full UK driving licence and access to a car will be essential)
Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week
*Salary: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35
Allowance: Outer Fringe £683.99

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours. 

Responsibilities

Working in Hertfordshire

Across Hertfordshire, Change Grow Live works in partnership with children’s services, education, health and community organisations to deliver integrated, safeguarding-led support. Our services are designed to reflect local need, remove barriers to access and ensure young people receive timely, effective interventions. In this role, you will contribute directly to a coordinated, whole-family approach that is built on evidence and compassion and rooted in local communities.

About You

You will bring:

• Experience of working with young people and a strong understanding of the challenges they face.

• Knowledge of safeguarding practice for children and young people, including the Fraser Competence framework.

• A sound understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience in a related field.

• Familiarity with evidence-based approaches to young people’s substance misuse treatment and best practice guidance.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with strong IT capability.

• The ability to maintain accurate records and meet reporting deadlines.

• The ability to work flexibly and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

• A full UK driving licence and access to a car (essential).

We Thrive at Change Grow Live By:

• Recruiting for success and recognising the contribution of our people.

• Creating safe, healthy, agile and flexible environments where people can do their best work.

• Learning, developing and growing together, building confidence and capability.

• Fostering belonging, inclusion and openness, where every voice counts.

• Delivering world-class learning and organisational development, aligned to our values and strategy.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising by one day per year of service, capped at 30 days)

• A paid weekly Wellness Hour, access to our Wellness Hub and Employee Assistance Programme

• Contributory pension scheme

• A wide range of benefits, including discounts for shopping, cinema and holidays

• A friendly, supportive team environment

• Training, career development and progression opportunities

• Refer-a-Friend scheme

Apply Now

Please ensure your application and supporting statement clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the requirements outlined in the job description.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, so early application is encouraged.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

Outer Fringe (£694.25)

Interview Date

26/1/2026

Closing Date

15/1/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Children & Young Persons Independent Victim Advocate to join the Children & Young People team in Warwickshire , working 37.5 hours a week.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the role:

As a Children & Young Persons Independent Victim Advocate you will:

• Provide one to one support to children and young people
• Proactively promote the service, raise awareness of services & work collaboratively with professionals to improve the access to and quality of services for children & young people.
• Play a vital role in ensuring we provide high quality, end-to-end support to children & young people to help them to recover from the effects of crime.
• Undertake risk and needs assessments to address the specific needs of the client in line with VS operating procedures.
• Follow relevant safeguarding policies and procedures, working with safeguarding leads and other agencies to ensure an integrated approach to address any safeguarding concerns.

You will need:

• Experience of working with children and young people.
• Strong communication skills
• A good understanding of the impact of Domestic Abuse

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.