Independent social worker jobs in Sherborne, dorset

We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation. 

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 5,000 children and young people (0–25).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for children and young people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families/carers. Supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on children and young people (0–25), you will be primarily working within the Children, Young People and Families team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based but you will be required to attend regular clinics in London including GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). Other travel across Southern England including Bristol, Devon and Hampshire may be required. There will be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)   

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment   

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders  

• Support to learn and develop  

How to apply  

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.  

  

If you would like to discuss the role please email Gill Valentine, Deputy CEO, to arrange a convenient time for a call.  

  

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.  

  

Closing date:  Monday 17th May 2026 at 11pm  

Interviews:  Tuesday 26th May 2026  (Virtual) 

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.  

Please see full details on the Job Description and Person Specification document below and on our website.

About Police Care UK
Police Care UK is the national, independent charity supporting serving and veteran members of the police community, and their families, when they’ve been physically or psychologically harmed through policing.
Demand for our services has grown by more than 400% in the last decade. This reflects the increasing impact of trauma in modern policing – from major incidents and serious violence to cumulative and vicarious trauma. We understand that harm doesn’t end with a shift, and that families are often affected too. We’ve evolved from a traditional benevolent fund into a sector-leading organisation delivering evidence-informed support, trauma-focused recovery services and practical prevention programmes across UK policing. Our work is grounded in compassion, clarity and evidence, and we’re fiercely independent so we can focus on what people really need. 

Our vision is simple: a future where every member of the police community has access to the care and support they need, and nobody faces the impact of harm alone. Based in Woking and working nationally, we’re committed to strengthening the people behind the force – and we’re looking for those who want to be a part of that work.

About the role
As our Engagement Officer, you’ll play a key role in raising awareness of Police Care UK, strengthening relationships across policing and local communities, and supporting events and initiatives that increase engagement, partnerships, and income generation. You’ll be the friendly, confident presence representing the Charity at policing events, community activities, conferences, and fundraising opportunities - ensuring Police Care UK is always represented with professionalism, warmth, and impact. This is a varied, outward-facing role that will suit someone who enjoys meeting people, building relationships, and bringing our mission to life.

What you’ll do

• Grow awareness and engagement with Police Care UK across community groups, partner organisations, supporters, and potential beneficiaries, increasing visibility within key audiences.
• Act as a central point of contact for event, engagement, and speaking enquiries from community organisations, charities, corporate partners, event organisers, and other external stakeholders.
• Coordinate the Charity’s attendance at community events, fundraising activities, and conferences, including planning logistics, preparing materials, supporting volunteers, and gathering post-event insights.
• Support the Executive Leadership Team to ensure appropriate representation at higher-profile events, preparing briefing materials and ensuring consistent messaging
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Manager to identify and support volunteer involvement at events, community activities, and awareness opportunities.
• Support the Fundraising team by promoting community fundraising, challenge events, payroll giving, and corporate partnership opportunities to a wide range of audiences.
• Develop insight into our audiences, helping the organisation better understand supporter motivations, community needs, and engagement opportunities.
• Serve as a brand ambassador for Police Care UK and to represent the Charity values in all that you do. 
• Work within agreed KPIs to measure the success of engagement activities and ensure alignment with the Charity’s strategic objectives.
• Assess and prioritise event and engagement opportunities, ensuring each activity has clear objectives, outcomes, and value for the Charity.

What you’ll bring
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong time-management skills and the ability to stay organised in a busy environment.
• Confidence presenting and delivering key messages in an engaging, accessible way.
• Experience motivating and supporting people in a friendly, professional manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively and adaptively in a dynamic environment.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Experience engaging with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience using CRM systems to log and track engagement data.
• Experience managing projects or new initiatives.
• Experience organising events and preparing supporting materials.
• Understanding of, and empathy for, the mental-health challenges faced by those in high-pressure roles, including policing.

Desirable

• Evidence of CPD in communications, engagement, or related fields.
• Strong analytical skills and experience working with data.
• Interest in public service, community engagement, or the charity sector.
• Experience working within a policing environment.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience supporting fundraising or income-generation activities.
• Experience handling sensitive conversations or supporting individuals in challenging circumstances.
• Broad understanding of UK policing.

Why work with us
You’ll be joining a forward-thinking, committed and values driven team making a real difference to the people who keep our communities safe. We offer:

• Enhanced wellbeing support
• Pension scheme with up to 8% employer contributions
• Development opportunities
• A 35-hour working week
• A supportive, collaborative culture
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of police, staff, volunteers, and their families

Contract: 12 month , fixed-term
How to Apply:  Please submit your CV and a detailed cover letter explaining why you’re the right fit for this role. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as you are able. 

Limitations: This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time in the light of changing circumstances in consultation with the jobholder. The jobholder will be required to work within the rules and regulations of the Charity and accept the authority of the Chief Executive, who has the discretion to delegate authority to the jobholder and to withdraw it.

Equal Opportunities Policy: The Charity is committed to eliminating any discrimination and promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in all it does. The Charity is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and we will not unlawfully discriminate against job applicants, employees of the Charity, volunteers, workers, or contract workers on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins) religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. 

REF-228 175

Support Coordinator

We’re looking for an innovative, passionate and professional individual with excellent communication and organisational skills to join the Life After Stroke Service based across Plymouth.  

This is an exciting opportunity to work with stroke survivors and their families to support them following a stroke.

Position: S11346 Stroke Support Coordinator

Location: Home-based, Plymouth UK. However, frequent travel will be required as part of this role (may include team meetings or other work-related meetings)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary: Circa £28,300 per annum

Contract: This is a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2027

Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.

Closing Date: 29 April 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

The Role

The service aims to identify and provide key worker support to meet the needs of stroke survivors and carers across the stroke pathway. Providing a range of innovative support solutions, supporting them to meet their desired outcomes.

The Stroke Support Coordinator will:

• Support new stroke survivors and their carers from hospital discharge into the community.
• Provide personalised information, advice and support.
• Support stroke survivors to make informed lifestyle changes which will help them to prevent further strokes.
• Work collaboratively with NHS colleagues and other areas of the community to make a difference in the lives of people affected by stroke.

About You

The post holder will have experience/background in:

• A caring profession ideally with experience of supporting people with disabilities.
• Setting up and running virtual groups.

This role requires extensive travel across Plymouth to visit people at home and in community settings. Candidates must be able to demonstrate how they can meet this requirement of the role.

To fulfil the role, you must be a resident of the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

If you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme, please indicate this in your supporting statement, and in the main body of your email when applying for the role.

Finding strength through support

The organisation is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. Providing tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. 

They are here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.

It’s only thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors that they can provide vital support. 

The Association is driven by an ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means they’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by an approach to solving inequity in stroke, the team are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across the charity.

The charity are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Association and are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how the organisation work.

A Disability Confident employer, the organisation is making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. The charity has a variety of staff network groups and are committed to continuously improving diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.

You may also have experience in areas such as Care Coordinator, Stroke Support, Stroke, Care, Care Worker, Support Worker, Carer, Care Team Leader, Support Team Leader, Volunteering Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Support Group, Support and Advice, Social Care, Carer Support, Support Service. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Location - Hybrid (based at home or local community) with regular travel in the South of England 

Are you a communications professional looking for an exciting and rewarding new role? Emmaus UK is recruiting for a Regional Communications Officer to help support people on their journey out of homelessness.

About Emmaus

Emmaus (pronounced em-may-us) is a movement of charities that empowers people to overcome homelessness. We provide a stable home and tailored, life-changing support for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. By focusing on each person’s strengths, we help people rebuild their lives and work towards the future they want to create.

As part of a nationwide network of Emmaus charities, we provide skills, training and work experience to help people achieve their goals and regain independence.

Together, we are ending homelessness one person at a time.

About the role

The Regional Communications Officer role is an exciting and varied opportunity to work with Emmaus communities across the South of the UK, helping to raise their profile and engage supporters.

You will work closely with up to four Emmaus communities to identify their communications needs and deliver a mix of activity to help them achieve their goals. As part of a wider team, you will also share ideas and build on each other’s experience to maximise PR, digital and communications opportunities.

This is a hybrid role, offering the flexibility to work from home or from within an Emmaus community.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders will be key to this role. Regular travel to your allocated communities is essential, typically at least once a week, so we are looking for someone based in or around London. You will also attend quarterly team meetings, usually held in Birmingham, although these may occasionally take place elsewhere in the UK and may require an overnight stay.

This is a part-time role, Monday to Friday, with a minimum of 22.5 hours a week (three days) and the potential for the role to be four days a week (30 hours), to be confirmed at interview.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with a strong communications skillset and at least two years’ experience in a busy communications, public relations or marketing role. While not essential, knowledge of homelessness and the charity sector would be an advantage.

Creativity and passion are essential. You will have a broad range of communications skills, enjoy seeing your ideas come to life and be keen to continue developing your experience within a national homelessness charity.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys working with different people and communities. The successful candidate will be organised, adaptable and able to manage multiple projects, relationships and campaigns.

If you are passionate about making a difference and creating long-lasting impact, this is the perfect time to join Emmaus UK.
 

What we offer

· Salary: £18,696 (3 days)/£24,928 (4 days)

· Working hours: Part-time minimum of 22.5 hours a week (three days), and the potential for the role to be four days a week (30 hours)

· Contract: Permanent

· Pension: Stakeholder pension with employer contribution

· Annual leave: 25 days + Bank Holidays + 3 concessionary days leave

· Training & development: Individually tailored induction. Ongoing training and development

· Volunteering: 2 days allowance each year

· Employee assistance: A 24/7 employee assistance scheme is available

· Flexible working: Options available, subject to the requirements of the role

· Life assurance: Death in service lump sum of 3 x salary

To apply

To apply for this role, please complete our application form and equal opportunities monitoring form and email them to us, our email address is in the application pack.

Please ensure you refer to the job description and person specification when completing your application form. CVs and posted applications will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is Monday 11 May 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing Monday, 18 May 2026. As part of the interview process, candidates will also be asked to complete a set of tasks.

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please email us, our email address is in the application pack.

Equal Opportunities

Emmaus UK is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a working environment free from discrimination. We actively promote an inclusive culture and aim to create a workplace where people from diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, marital status or parental responsibilities.

To ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate, all applications are anonymised until the interview stage is confirmed. This means shortlisting is based solely on the relevance and suitability of experience.