Community inclusion worker jobs

Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker 

Location: Lewisham. This service does not have step free access

Salary: £27,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week on a rota basis Monday to Sunday working including bank holidays and alternative weekends. Shifts can vary between 08:00 - 16:00 and 13:30 - 21:30. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service and resident requirements. 

About the Role

We're hiring a Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker to join our team based in Lewisham. New Hope is a 24 hour supported accommodation service for adult males with diagnosis of mental health and convictions. As a Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker you will identify individual resident needs, and provide person centred, tailored support to residents to help them overcome their personal challenges and achieve their goals. We support our residents in developing coping strategies and building supportive relationships, with a commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and customer service. 

You will support with tenancy matters proactively, providing responsive support and fostering a positive environment where residents feel secure and valued. You will do this through a combination of producing tailored support plans, activities, and partnership working. You will support us continue to work in a trauma informed way, and create a psychologically informed environment, which supports us in creating a safe, respectful, and responsive environment which puts our people and communities at the forefront. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Build and maintain positive therapeutic relationships with residents, offering both practical assistance and emotional support.
• Equip residents with the necessary skills, experiences, networks, and training to help them transition into semi‑independent or independent living.
• Provide support with personal needs as required by residents.
• Take part in, and encourage residents to engage in, the delivery and development of projects, initiatives, training opportunities, and volunteering activities.
• Manage a caseload of residents, contributing to the creation and review of support plans, risk assessments, and progress reviews.
• Identify residents’ interests, needs, and preferred activities through assessments, observations, and conversations.
• Recognise early indicators of declining mental health and implement suitable interventions to prevent crisis situations.
• Promote financial and economic wellbeing while supporting residents in reintegrating into the community.
• Complete safeguarding referrals and other relevant referrals when required.
• Additional duties may include, but are not limited to: keeping environments clean and organised, disposing of waste, reporting maintenance issues, ordering supplies, and undertaking other general tasks as needed.

About You

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building effective relationships, and approaches challenges with compassion and a non-judgmental attitude, and is motivated by finding practical solutions to support residents in achieving their goals. We’re looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives and a team player, driven to provide high quality care and support to others, an effective communicator who is able to build rapport with others from various backgrounds. You will be compassionate, supportive, and empowering to others, whilst able to form effective, positive and motivational relationships.

What are looking for:

• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds, particularly within mental health
• Knowledge of risk management and risk assessment
• Knowledge of license conditions and public protection
• Knowledge of tenancy management, able to share knowledge with others in the team and residents
• Understanding of the housing and social needs of people with multiple and complex needs
• The ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral. Ability to form and build effective relationships and rapport with others
• Ability to influence and negotiate positive outcomes with others; Proactive in making decisions
• Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

The Head of Community Services Development will lead the growth and evolution of Day One’s national offer for people affected by serious and life-changing injury, while designing and implementing a new service to support individuals transitioning from Hospital to Home. The post holder should combine strategic leadership with hands on service design and development expertise, ensuring the national offer becomes the charity’s returning home service in line with the new strategy for 2026-2029. Newly designed services will deliver high-quality, compassionate support and that are well designed, evidence-based and responsive to the real world needs of people with serious and life-changing injury. Working closely with the Head of Lived Experience, to ensure lived experience insight is central to all design and implementation, and that new pathways complement Day One’s existing Peer Support model.

What You Will Bring 

To be a highly organised, outcome focussed self-starter, with excellent communication and leadership skills who is able to work in a fast-paced environment and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You will be highly skilled and experienced in scoping and designing a service and seeing it through to implementation, adapting it in accordance with ongoing analysis and feedback.

How to apply 

Please upload your CV and supporting cover letter to Charity Jobs outlining why you’re interested in the role. Please take your time to explain how your experience is relevant to this post.

Closing date: 9am Monday 13th April 2026 

Interviews:  

First stage virtual: Monday 20th April 2026 

Second stage in-person (Leeds): Thursday 30th April 2026 

For further information, please refer to the attached recruitment pack.

Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker (Nights)

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker (Nights)

Location: Lewisham. This service does not have step free access

Salary: £15,000 

Shift Pattern: Part time role covering gaps within the rota which may mean one week working 10.5 hours, and the following week working 21 hours. Shifts will vary Monday to Sunday and will be pre-arranged on a monthly rota. You may be required to work outside these hours as per resident and service requirements. 

About the Role

We're hiring a Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker to join our team based in Lewisham. New Hope is a 24 hour supported accommodation service for adult males with diagnosis of mental health and convictions. As a Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker you will identify individual resident needs, and provide person centred, tailored support to residents to help them overcome their personal challenges and achieve their goals. We support our residents in developing coping strategies and building supportive relationships, with a commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and customer service. 

You will support with tenancy matters proactively, providing responsive support and fostering a positive environment where residents feel secure and valued. You will do this through a combination of producing tailored support plans, activities, and partnership working. You will support us continue to work in a trauma informed way, and create a psychologically informed environment, which supports us in creating a safe, respectful, and responsive environment which puts our people and communities at the forefront. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Build and maintain positive therapeutic relationships with residents, offering both practical assistance and emotional support.
• Equip residents with the necessary skills, experiences, networks, and training to help them transition into semi‑independent or independent living.
• Provide support with personal needs as required by residents.
• Take part in, and encourage residents to engage in, the delivery and development of projects, initiatives, training opportunities, and volunteering activities.
• Manage a caseload of residents, contributing to the creation and review of support plans, risk assessments, and progress reviews.
• Recognise early indicators of declining mental health and implement suitable interventions to prevent crisis situations.
• Promote financial and economic wellbeing while supporting residents in reintegrating into the community.
• Complete safeguarding referrals and other relevant referrals when required.

About You

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building strong relationships, approaches challenges with compassion and a non-judgmental attitude, and is motivated by finding practical solutions to support residents in achieving their goals. We’re looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives and a team player, driven to provide high quality care and support to others, an effective communicator who is able to build rapport with others from various backgrounds. You will be compassionate, supportive, and empowering to others, whilst able to form effective, positive and motivational relationships.

What are looking for:

• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds, ideally within mental health
• Knowledge of risk management and risk assessment
• Knowledge of license conditions and public protection
• Knowledge of tenancy management, able to share knowledge with others in the team and residents
• Understanding of the housing and social needs of people with multiple and complex needs
• The ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral. Ability to form and build effective relationships and rapport with others
• Ability to influence and negotiate positive outcomes with others; Proactive in making decisions
• Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Deliver hands-on advice, outreach, training and mentoring as part of a new countywide partnership programme.

This four-year role, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, sits at the heart of the Small and Mighty (SaM) infrastructure support programme, delivered by a partnership of Community First Oxfordshire, OCVA, Oxford Community Action, Charity Mentors and Volunteer Link-Up, working directly with grassroots voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups. You’ll help organisations navigate challenges, build capacity and connect with others through outreach clinics, tailored training and collaborative spaces. Alongside staff within partner organisations and the existing CFO and OCVA team, you’ll play a key role in strengthening Oxfordshire’s community sector for the long term.

Job-share will be considered.

Deliver hands-on advice, outreach, training and mentoring as part of a countywide partnership programme.

This four-year role, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, sits at the heart of the Small and Mighty (SaM) infrastructure support programme, delivered by a partnership of Community First Oxfordshire, OCVA, Oxford Community Action, Charity Mentors and Volunteer Link-Up, working directly with grassroots voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups. You’ll help organisations navigate challenges, build capacity and connect with others through outreach clinics, tailored training and collaborative spaces. Alongside staff within partner organisations and the existing CFO and OCVA teams, you’ll play a key role in strengthening Oxfordshire’s community sector for the long term.

Job Title: Community Nurse

Salary: £40,355 - £46,089 per annum

Team: Community Care

Hours: Full Time,37.5

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Guildford and Community Based around Surrey and London,GU3 1LP

About Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Nurse to join our team at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.

At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism mean every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.

It’s a great time to join Shooting Star Children’s Hospices as we continue to strengthen our services and invest in improvements that will enhance the support we offer to children and families.

About the role

This rewarding Band 6 Hospice Community Nurse role offers the opportunity to deliver specialist, compassionate care to children and young people with life‑limiting or life‑threatening conditions. You will provide holistic, responsive nursing support across the community, including in family homes, hospitals and wider care settings, ensuring each child receives the right care at the right time.

This role requires experience of delivering high‑quality clinical care and the ability to work collaboratively with Community Children’s Nursing Teams, hospital specialists, palliative care services and hospice colleagues to ensure seamless, joined‑up support for families.

You will be the first point of contact for many families following referral, taking time to understand their needs, explore their understanding of hospice care and guide them towards the most appropriate support. You will provide symptom management, anticipatory guidance and responsive care during periods of uncertainty, and you may act as a hospice key worker for some children, coordinating services to maintain continuity.

You will also participate in a 24‑hour on‑call rota to support children approaching end of life at home, offering hands‑on nursing care, practical advice and emotional support. Working closely with our psychosocial team, you will help deliver truly holistic care for every family.

About you

This role requires experience of working as a Registered Children’s Nurse (Band 6), with the clinical confidence, compassion and communication skills needed to support families facing complex and often uncertain situations. Community or palliative care experience is advantageous but not essential; you will also have the ability to learn and develop specialist skills with the support of our experienced team.

You will be a resilient, adaptable practitioner who can work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, bringing warmth and professionalism to every interaction.

You will also have the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with families and professionals alike, communicate clearly and sensitively, and provide holistic, family‑centred care. You will be confident in assessing clinical needs, responding to changes in a child’s condition and offering guidance that empowers families. As part of the role, there will be opportunities to contribute to educating and supporting other professionals caring for children with complex and palliative needs.

If you are motivated, compassionate and committed to making a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you.

Please see the attached job description for more information about this opportunity at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

What we offer

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:

Pension scheme

• NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions
  
  Annual leave

• 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
  
  Contractual benefits

• Generous sick pay scheme
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
• Flexible working arrangements
• Death in service benefits
• Reimbursed professional membership fees
• Eye care
• Employee referral scheme
• Blue Light discount card
  
  Health and wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Mindfulness sessions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Mental Health First Aiders

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

OR

In addition, an enhanced/standard disclosure will be required for this role. Our recruitment checks, induction and ongoing support and supervision reflect our commitment to safeguarding the families we support and consider all applicants in line with the Rehabilitation of Offender Act 1974.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Shooting Star Children’s Hospice is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospice to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

Please contact Phoebe Robinson if you have any questions about this role.

Closing Date: 15/04/2026

Family Support Worker: Targeted Support and Community Programmes

Oasis Hub Lord’s Hill, Southampton

PART TIME, 20 HOURS PER WEEK

FIXED TERM CONTRACT  12 months (with a view to extend – subject to funding)

SALARY: £15,250 per annum (£30,501 for 1 FTE)

We have a unique opportunity to join Oasis Hub Lord’s Hill as part of our work with students and families. This role will create real impact in the Lord’s Hill Community by working alongside our Academy colleagues to support families of Oasis students and the wider community. Helping more families to engage with support and provision, including the therapeutic space of our city farm.

We’re looking for an individual who has a passion for supporting families and compassion for all, to take on this exciting role. You’ll need to be an effective communicator and ready to work with some of our hardest to reach families with drive and initiative. Best of all, you’ll be supported by a thriving team of people who are dedicated to supporting families and young people in our community, city farm and academy

The successful post holder must have:

· Experience of family support

· Experience of managing and working with volunteers

· Good project management skills, able to balance a range of priorities.

· Good standard of basic education, including English and Maths Level 2

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing national organisation, making a real difference to communities on a local level. As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution

· A generous holiday allowance

· Working as part of a friendly, community-minded team of professionals

If you are interested in being part of this service, then please:

Email your CV including a Supporting Statement. Your Supporting Statement should be no more than two A4 pages and must address the following:

Please expand on your CV to tell us about the relevant experience you have in family support

We will review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert if we identify suitable candidates. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible

If you have any questions about the role, please contact us via the Oasis Charity Jobs Website

Interviews will take place at the Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill,

The successful candidate will need to be provide proof of the right to work in the UK. Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. 

If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889

Our Purpose

Unlocking Potential is the charity that supports schools and communities to ensure no child or family struggles alone with their social, emotional and mental health needs. We provide flexible, over-time, multi-disciplinary therapeutic support that meets children and families where they are, and enables them to feel safe, understood and the best version of themselves.

Vision

Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.

Mission

Our mission is to provide tailored therapeutic support to more children, while training the practitioners of the future to build holistic, resilient social systems that equip children and their families with the confidence, tools, and skills to thrive at school and within their communities.

Values

Individual: Everything we do is about the individual and what is right for them – no two children, families or schools are the same.

Innovative: We look for new solutions, evolving our thinking and approach – ensuring the use of bold, co-designed practice.

Collaborative: We choose to work with others to find the best solutions – we are stronger together.

Overview

We launched our new programme in September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this. This service will offer flexible, relationship-based support to families facing a range of challenges, helping them navigate systems, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for children. Operating across extended hours, the service will be accessible and responsive, with a strong focus on early intervention, collaboration, and building trust with families.

The role

This is a unique opportunity to take on a senior, hands-on role within an innovative early help service working within a small, dynamic team to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and their families. As a Senior Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible,and therapeutically minded support to families often facing multiple and complex challenges, drawing on your experience to provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced colleagues. You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and provide practical support—facilitating parents and carers to feel empowered to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your work will be informed by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family.

As Community Connector you will play a vital role in fostering meaningful relationships between Raw Material and its diverse local communities, and stakeholders across the education, arts, youth work, community, and social and healthcare sectors. 

Working as part of the Programmes Team (and closely with other Raw Material staff) you will develop, coordinate and participate in the delivery of Raw Material’s CEP, building awareness of the charity’s creative and wellbeing programmes, facilities and broader services (e.g. workspaces).

You will develop creative ideas, partnership opportunities and produce and organise activities, events and initiatives that amplify Raw Material’s mission, and boost our reach, increase participation and engagement in our services, and enhance the accessibility, relevance and impact of our work, particularly amongst marginalised communities.

You will champion the use of music and creativity as tools to support wellbeing, personal development and social inclusion; communicate the benefits and value of Raw Material’s programmes and services; and create inclusive pathways for underrepresented and marginalised communities with lived experience to access Raw Material opportunities.

Job Title: Children's Support Worker

Location: Warwickshire - Travel required across Warwickshire, predominantly South Warwickshire. Use of a car is essential to the role. 
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum 

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We are recruiting for a Children’s Support Worker who will be working closely with children and their parents who are living in our dispersed accommodation refuges escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse, to provide personal welfare support and ensure that our clients are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.

A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. The post holder will support children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence and plan and provide stimulating, safe, and appropriate play opportunities.

Please note that post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

A driving license and access to a car is essential to the role. 

Closing Date: 09:00 am 17 April 2026

Interview Date: 28 April 2026

At Dandelion Time, we support children facing significant emotional challenges, often, but not always, rooted in adverse childhood experiences such as domestic violence, abuse, or neglect. Our systemic, trauma‑informed approach focuses on the whole family, helping them build healthier relationships, create positive change, and move towards brighter futures.

Nature is at the heart of everything we do. Through hands‑on activities in the natural world, children and families connect with the earth, plants, animals and with each other.

About the Role 

As a Family Support Worker, you’ll play a key role in delivering our therapeutic programme. Working alongside the Therapeutic Programme Manager and Family Caseworker, you will help plan, prepare and facilitate meaningful therapeutic sessions for children and their families. This may include leading group sessions supported by Teaching Assistants or collaborating with teaching staff involved in each child’s care.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a welcoming, energetic and committed team making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. The work is deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to help families rebuild relationships and create new beginnings.

What can you bring to Dandelion Time?

To thrive in this role, you will have experience supporting disadvantaged children or those with SEND, as well as an understanding of the challenges faced by parents and carers managing their own wellbeing. Experience as a Youth Leader, Scout Leader, Forest School Leader,  or in a similar child‑centred, outdoor or community role, will be a real asset.

You’ll have a genuine passion for hands‑on, creative activities, whether that’s crafting, working with the land, or caring for animals. An interest in our land‑to‑table ethos, including the preparation and cooking of healthy, nutritious food, will help you feel right at home.

Above all, you’ll bring a warm, joyful presence to the families you support, helping to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow, explore and flourish.

Sydenham Garden is seeking to appoint a Community Engagement and Fundraising Lead for two days per week on a fixed term contract for two years. They will join our team of 14 staff and 70 volunteers supporting people living with mental ill-health and dementia in south-east London. 

Positions:  Community Engagement and Fundraising Lead 

Contract:  Fixed term for 1 year,

Hours: 0.4 FTE 15 hours per week 

Salary: £38,000 pro rata 

Annual leave: 33 days including bank holidays pro rata

Location: Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, SE23 2LW or working from home – minimum 1 day a month in office

Application closing date: 9am Monday 13 April 

Interview date:  Friday 24 April

Our Organisation 

Sydenham Garden, based in Lewisham in South-East London, is a special, unique and beloved wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We were established in 2002 and will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2027. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give our primary beneficiaries). People are referred to us from community organisations and health professionals and we use an integrative approach where those with different degrees of mental and physical ill health come together with volunteers from the local community to reduce social exclusion and prejudice. Each year we work with on average over 250 co-workers and over 70 volunteers. 

About you 

You’ll have experience in building relationships with individual donors, increasing income from community sources and engaging and enthusing volunteers and supporters around a cause. You’ll have excellent communication and people skills and feel comfortable both thinking strategically and managing competing priorities day-to-day. Most importantly, you’ll thrive in a small team working to make a big impact for people living with mental ill-health and dementia. 

Why you should join us  

Sydenham Garden is a small team rooted in our local community, and that community is at the centre of everything we do; from the people we support, to the volunteers and neighbours who get involved in our gardens and our work in all sorts of ways. 

We work collaboratively, support each other across different areas of the organisation, and aren't afraid to try new approaches and learn from what doesn't work. We're values-led, we care deeply about our impact, and we hold ourselves accountable to the people and communities we serve. 

We're also confident advocates for our work, and comfortable making the case for Sydenham Garden to funders, partners and the wider community. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Sydenham Garden is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve. 

Are you an approachable, friendly, people person who feels at ease engaging with people facing homelessness?

Do you have the confidence to hop on the Justlife minibus and participate in outreach to temporary accommodation across Manchester, going out and meeting people where they are? Are you able to adapt to changing situations, think on your feet and problem solve?

Are you passionate about navigating through various systems to get the best outcomes for people who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation?

Are you open to supporting people using a trauma informed approach and reflecting on your practice with colleagues?

If you do want to work for an innovative, collaborative and solution focused organisation that supports homeless adults living in temporary accommodation then please apply! See below for details.

About Us

Why do we exist?

Justlife is in existence because we know thousands of people struggle to manage in poor and unsuitable temporary accommodation. Their stay isn’t temporary, they are likely to be suffering with deteriorating mental and physical health, becoming victims of crime, losing control of their life and even dying prematurely. We are working towards making their stays as short, safe and healthy as possible.

How do we operate?

Our values guide our work and are very important to us:

• Collaboration before competition
• People before programmes
• Innovation before institutions

What do we do?

Justlife delivers impactful services in Greater Manchester and Brighton & Hove, supporting and empowering people experiencing homelessness in temporary accommodation. We also drive positive system change across the national temporary accommodation sector, convening those with a common interest; people with lived experience, landlords, charities, local and national government, and carrying out research and gathering insights.

We aim to grow our impact and reach, supporting more people in temporary accommodation and to build a movement that brings about lasting positive change.

Why work for us?

Here at Justlife, we're committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to be an organisation that's representative of the communities we serve, which is why we strive for diversity of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective.

Perks of working at Justlife

• Great holiday package! Starting at 27 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays (increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• Additional 5 days annual leave purchase scheme through salary sacrifice
• Enhanced pension contribution scheme, 5% Justlife contribution (correct at time of print)
• Cycle to work scheme
• 2 Volunteering days per year
• Access to regular clinical supervision

About the job

About this role:

The role of Specialist Support Worker involves supporting a caseload of clients who are experiencing homelessness and taking part in regular outreach visits to temporary accommodation (TA) across Greater Manchester. The role requires the use of specialist knowledge and relationship skills to support clients with varying degrees of mental and physical health, addiction and trauma related issues to engage with health services and to access suitable housing solutions. The Specialist Support Worker is also expected to develop good working relationships with TA Landlords and Managers ensuring that their residents experience of TA is as positive as possible.

This will include advocacy in registering them for medical services and accompanying them to appointments, assisting them in addressing all aspects of physical and mental health and substance addiction needs, as well as advocating for them to get access to suitable housing and social security benefits. The role is dependent on excellent communication and collaborative working with colleagues and a variety of partners, including the Probation Service, local council services and other third sector organisations.

The role requires a high degree of motivation in addition to creativity and flexibility to support people with multiple and compound needs. With a passion to work collaboratively with others for the good of our clients, and with experience of working in a related field in a voluntary or paid capacity.

Making decisions ‘in the moment’ to mitigate risk with clients can place high emotional demands on the job holder. A high degree of emotional intelligence is required to support clients, many of whom have complex emotional needs, with backgrounds of trauma, neglect, abuse and involvement in the criminal justice system. In a role of this nature, you will experience a range of emotions from joy to grief and as such it requires a high level of resilience and self-awareness to cope with the emotional demands of the role.

The role sits within a highly supportive team with all staff in receipt of regular line management and external clinical supervision; with reflective practice actively encouraged in team meetings.

Key terms and conditions

Job Title: Specialist Support Worker

Hours: 31 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Normal hrs to be worked: Monday/Wednesday 9am-5pm and Tuesday/Thursday 9am-5.30pm

Location: Justlife Centre, Manchester

Salary: £15.33 p/h (£29,894 per annum pro rata)

Application Process

To apply, please upload an up-to-date CV and a covering letter addressing how you meet the person specification. The person specification details key areas of knowledge, experience, skills and personal attributes required for the role. Please describe in this section, using examples from your experience, how you meet the person specification. Short listing will be based upon how well you demonstrate your ability to meet the person specification in your cover letter.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We value authentic applications but recognise that Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn.

Deadline for applications is midnight 9th April, but we may close this early if enough suitable applicants are identified.

Provisional interview dates will be the week of 20th April.

Role description

Service Delivery:

Using frontline practical and procedural knowledge of working with people with multiple and compound needs to support them to engage with health care, wellbeing services, benefits and housing services during their housing vulnerability.

This could include, but is not limited to:

• Assisting people in addressing housing, financial, health and wellbeing needs through the support pathway.
• Connecting people with appropriate support services such as substance misuse services, GP, mental health services, advocating on behalf of the client and accompanying them to appointments.
• Supporting the delivery of outreach to TA’s across Greater Manchester on the Justlife minibus. This includes engaging with residents, managers and landlords of TA to build effective working relationships and establish support needs.
• Helping to increase the self-confidence of clients to improve their chances of moving on from their housing vulnerability through one to one key work sessions, group activities and outreach.
• Maintaining regular contact, a listening ear and emotional support during times of crisis.
• Liaising with Landlords and property Managers to identify residents who would like support and to help prevent evictions.
• Manage own calendar to deliver a caseload during periods of work-related pressure, including actively pursuing the project outcomes set for the project and individual clients.
• Use interpersonal and communication skills to provide support to clients and collaborate with others including colleagues, partner agencies, health care professionals and external agencies through joint working.
• Take duty of care seriously by assessing the client’s social and environmental conditions, identifying and passing on information to and from relevant professionals, ensuring client confidentiality is maintained.
• Use of excellent writing skills to prepare and submit referrals and housing applications along with a good working knowledge of housing legislation in order to advocate on behalf of people.
• Brief and liaise with other members of the team and external agencies regarding clients, enabling them to effectively carry out their roles.
• Ensure accurate and up to date client data and case notes are recorded within our Inform database within the standards set by the organisation.
• Carry out light physical tasks, such as travelling to visit people on outreach, shopping, organising deliveries or lifting office equipment.

Service Development:

• Collaborate with the entire Specialist Support team to ensure support requirements are in place for all registered clients.
• Contribute to initiatives that seek to influence service improvements, implement changes and develop new interventions and support for clients.
• Provide data, reports and impact studies when requested.
• To be part of and contribute to the Justlife staff team, attending meetings as appropriate and to be involved in staff development, training, supervision and reflective practice as well as continuing professional development and training events where appropriate and be committed to team events.

Research:

• Supporting the wider Justlife vision to feed into research and help develop the service including the involvement of clients in design and delivery of the service.

Responsible to: Service Manager

Responsible for: N/A

This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in light of the changing needs of Justlife. It is expected that the post holder will be as positive and flexible as possible in using this document as a framework, and in performing other duties commensurate with these responsibilities, the band of the post and skills and qualification of the post-holder.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Experience of working with vulnerable adults (those experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability, or a comparable client group).
• Experience of working with drug and alcohol dependent adults and those experiencing poor mental health.
• Experience of working with people in contact with the criminal justice system.

Skills:

• Care, empathy and skilled in dealing with emotionally vulnerable clients.
• Excellent ability to engage with clients in an empowering manner.
• Effective communication; written and oral skills.
• Effective administrative and IT skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Driving licence holder and access to a vehicle (desirable).

Knowledge:

• Demonstrate knowledge of assessment, support planning and interventions that help clients experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability to feel connected and healthier.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the challenges and solutions to working with a client group who may be experiencing one or more of the following: poor health (physical and mental), substance misuse, homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system.
• An understanding of health and safety and safeguarding policies and procedures that aim to keep staff and clients safe.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to equal opportunities in our service delivery.
• High level of self-awareness and the ability to maintain personal wellbeing through periods of pressure and stress.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work well in a team and as a lone worker.

We are very excited to announce that we have been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Community Fund to help us support our most valued micro and small voluntary and community groups in Oxfordshire.

As the Programme Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving forward this partnership initiative, working collaboratively with our delivery partners, with local stakeholders, community and voluntary sector groups, and our funder The National Lottery Community Fund to ensure that impact measurement and activity reporting is kept on track. You will work with two new SaM Community Development Workers, and with our partner organisation staff to develop a new outreach programme of infrastructure support shaped with and for the micro and small organisations across the county. You will develop a tailored action plan of outputs and outcomes with our Partnership Advisory Group and dovetail this with a pathway to gather data, stories and feedback on learning, impact and change. This monitoring and evaluation will be reported back to the Advisory Group and the National Lottery on a regular basis.

As the SaM Programme Manager you will manage a county‑wide partnership, contributing not only to delivery but also to shared learning, reflection and continuous improvement. You will balance representing your host organisation with acting in the best interests of the partnership and the communities it serves.