We are seeking an exceptional leader who can act as a credible spokesperson and ambassador for the Catholic Union, building trusted relationships across the Church, parliament and wider society and helping to grow the Catholic Union’s influence and engagement in the years ahead.
Founded in 1870, the Catholic Union of Great Britain brings Catholic laity and Catholic social teaching to the public square across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, MPs, MSPs, MSs, peers and Catholic organisations, our vision is of a society in which Catholic laity are informed, equipped and encouraged to engage in public life.
Our work is shaped by three key themes: engagement, education and encouragement. Through these we foster informed participation in public debate, help Catholics and the wider public understand contemporary social and political issues through a Catholic lens, and inspire greater confidence for Catholics to contribute to civic and community life.
In recent years the Catholic Union has developed from being largely volunteer-led into a more professional and strategically focused organisation, strengthening relationships across the Church and wider society. Our Weekly Briefing, now read by around 6,500 people each week, has become a key channel for parliamentary reporting, Catholic news and reflection.
As Director, you will lead the Catholic Union at an exciting moment in its development. You will represent the Catholic Union publicly, strengthening relationships with bishops, diocesan leaders, parliamentarians and Catholic organisations. You will act as a trusted ambassador for the Union, grow our channels of influence and engagement, and work with Trustees, Council and a small experienced team to support the organisation’s continued development.
If you are inspired by the opportunity to serve as a public voice for a respected Catholic organisation and help foster thoughtful dialogue and engagement in public life, we would love to hear from you.
For more information, please see the job pack attached. Closing date 10th April.
Thank you!
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker
Salary: £27,000- £32,000 pro rata
Location: Advance Headoffice Hammersmith & Women’s centres across London, with co- location at HMP Bronzefield
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term – March 2027
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
This is an ideal post for someone with experience and interest in bereavement work, looking to join a forward thinking, new service. This is also a great chance to be working alongside the Healthcare & Education Department within HMP Bronzefield and be part of a prison services team in Advance.
Using a trauma informed approached, the Loss & Bereavement Specialist will conduct a person-centred assessment to understand the extent of the client’s emotional needs and the impact of loss due to imprisonment or contact with the criminal justice system whilst also identifying practical and specialist needs. They will work with women to develop a support plan, ensuring they are equipped with information and knowledge about how to navigate possible changes in circumstances related to her children’s care and offer crisis intervention and support during acute phases of loss/bereavement.
The Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker will liaise with the Prison Healthcare team, OMU, visits team and the Family Support Officer to facilitate interactions between women and their children/family members, particularly considering support is in place after visits and that the women’s emotional needs are met in custody and community via our Women’s centres.
The Specialist Worker will create a link between prison and the community, helping women to navigate support services and to positively re-integrate into their community upon release. The role will combine a casework- based approach, along with a signposting and advice service for the women. They will be based in the community and will provide a drop-in service in HMP Bronzefield to support women who are close to release.
A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential.
About You:
To be successful as the Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker you will need the below experience and skills:
Experience of working with bereaved individuals and providing grief counselling including knowledge of various therapeutic modalities relevant to grief counselling
Comprehensive understanding of the grieving process and experience of working with bereaved and loss as well as knowledge of traumatic and complex grief/loss.
An understanding of violence against women and girls and its links to women in the criminal justice system.
Proven ability and experience as a caseworker delivering trauma responsive interventions which support resettlement and rehabilitation of vulnerable people in the criminal justice system whether in the community or in prisons
Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of managing a caseload including maintaining and updating records, remaining focused on action plan goals, and keeping to deadlines
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
Closing date for applications: 16th March 2026
Interviews are taking place w/c 23rd March 2026
*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
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An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
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Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
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Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
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Pension scheme
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Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
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Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
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Employee eye-care scheme
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Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
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Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
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Organisation wide away days
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Thorough induction and training
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Career development pathways
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our vision is a world in which women and children lead safe, equal, violence-free lives so that they can flourish and actively contribute to society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
EQUISS Caseworker
Reports to: Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
Purpose of the Role
EQUISS is an independent organisation working to strengthen safeguarding, welfare and accountability across the equestrian sector.
Across the equestrian world - from riding schools and training yards to competitions and affiliated clubs - concerns about abuse, misconduct and unsafe practices have too often been difficult to raise, navigate or resolve. EQUISS has been established to help change that: ensuring individuals affected by harm are heard, supported and able to access clear and safe pathways for raising concerns.
This role represents the first advocacy caseworker position within EQUISS, playing a central part in establishing a new, independent support service for the equestrian sector.
The Caseworker will provide trauma-informed advocacy, guidance and practical support to individuals experiencing abuse, harm or misconduct within equestrian environments. The role will help individuals understand their options, access appropriate support and navigate reporting processes within sport and, where appropriate, statutory systems.
Working closely with the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, the Caseworker will help deliver EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line, ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred support.
As one of the early roles within a developing organisation, the Caseworker will also contribute insight from frontline casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding challenges within the equestrian world, supporting the organisation’s wider mission to drive meaningful reform.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy and Support
- Provide empathetic, trauma-informed support to individuals seeking guidance relating to abuse, misconduct or safeguarding concerns within equestrian environments
- Act as a single point of contact (SPOC) for individuals engaging with the criminal justice system, helping them understand processes, maintain communication with relevant agencies and access appropriate support throughout the process
- Listen to and respond to disclosures in a sensitive, survivor-centred manner while always maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring clients understand the remit of the service
- Help individuals understand their rights, options and available pathways for raising concerns
- Support individuals to make informed decisions about next steps, while respecting their autonomy and choices
- Where appropriate, accompany and support individuals at face-to-face meetings, including meetings with organisations, safeguarding professionals or governing bodies, and provide advocacy support during interactions with police or court processes
- Maintain appropriate and supportive contact with individuals seeking assistance, ensuring clear communication and follow-up where appropriate
Case Management
- Manage a caseload of advocacy enquiries and support requests under the supervision of the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
- Conduct structured needs and risk assessments to understand the circumstances and support needs of individuals contacting EQUISS
- Maintain clear, accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements
- Ensure individuals are appropriately signposted or referred to specialist services such as counselling, legal advice, advocacy organisations or statutory services where required
Safeguarding
- Identify safeguarding concerns involving children, young people or adults at risk and respond in line with EQUISS safeguarding procedures.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns to the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding where appropriate, seeking guidance on complex or high-risk situations while maintaining confidence in managing routine casework independently
- Support the safe handling and documentation of safeguarding concerns, including gathering relevant information and assisting with referrals where appropriate.
- Maintain clear and confidential records of safeguarding decisions and actions taken
Partnership and Liaison
- Work collaboratively with relevant organisations and professionals where appropriate, including safeguarding leads within equestrian sport, statutory agencies and specialist support services
- Support individuals in navigating organisational processes where concerns relate to equestrian environments
- Help build constructive relationships with relevant safeguarding and welfare partners
Learning and Insight
- Contribute insight from casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding issues within the equestrian world
- Contribute insight from casework and engagement with individuals to help inform EQUISS communications, campaigns and sector awareness work, supporting the organisation in highlighting safeguarding issues within the equestrian sector
- Support the development of organisational learning by sharing themes and insights emerging from advocacy work
- Assist the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding in identifying areas where sector guidance or safeguarding training may be beneficial
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Safeguarding training at Level 3, or willingness to undertake Level 3 safeguarding training within the first six months of appointment
Desirable
- ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or equivalent advocacy training.
- Additional training in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or victim-survivor support
Where candidates do not yet hold an ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, EQUISS will support the successful candidate to undertake relevant advocacy or safeguarding training as part of their professional development.
Essential Experience
- Experience supporting individuals affected by abuse, safeguarding concerns or trauma within a professional setting
- Experience providing advocacy, casework or support within safeguarding, welfare, social care sport or related sectors
- Experience working with sensitive and confidential information
- Understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
Knowledge
- Understanding of safeguarding principles relating to children, young people and adults at risk
- Awareness of barriers individuals may face when reporting abuse or misconduct
- Understanding of professional boundaries and safe information sharing
Skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Ability to engage sensitively with individuals discussing difficult experiences
- Ability to assess needs, prioritise actions and manage casework effectively
- Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
Additional Information
- The role may involve occasional travel to provide in-person advocacy support, including attending meetings with organisations or statutory agencies, and accompanying individuals to police stations, court hearings or other relevant appointments where appropriate
- Some evening or weekend availability may occasionally be required
- The role requires an enhanced DBS check
- The postholder will participate in regular supervision and reflective practice
- The postholder must demonstrate a commitment to EQUISS’ values of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion
About EQUISS
EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.
Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.
As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.
Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.
Employment package:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
- Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
- Reporting to Head of Advocacy & Safeguarding
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.