Main purpose of job:To work in the Navigator team supporting individuals who have or are experiencing sexual violence and or sexual abuse. As a first contact worker, you will act as a gateway to both specialist counselling and advocacy services and additional specialist support services in Essex. You will use your considerable experience to provide a high-quality telephone information and support service.
The support you deliver will help individuals on their pathway to wellbeing, recovery, and social inclusion through building trusting and collaborative relationships. You will guide users to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing, maximising their independence and engaging in appropriate community or clinical resources/interventions.
You will work within a team of first contact navigators under the supervision of a service lead. You will be highly motivated and dedicated, have strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
Start date: As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).
Salary:£26,496 - £28,845 (NJC Scales 12-17) per annum, pro-rata.
Contract: This will be a permanent contract.
Hours: 35 hours per week.
Place of work: CARA premises in Colchester and some remote home working if a suitable environment is available. Some travel to other locations in Essex may be required, particularly during the induction period.
Holiday: 25 days per year, pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.
To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.
Applications must specifically address each essential and desirable criteria, giving evidence from previous experience or qualifications.
Application deadline: 10am Friday 24th July 2026
Interviews: Week beginning 3rd August 2026
Start date: Immediate, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1
Job Description
The First Contact Navigator posts will play a central role in the CARA team, ensuring that our service users and other agencies receive a high-quality service from the moment of first contact. You will work as part of a wider team of First Contact Navigators across Essex, based at our Synergy Essex Partner centres. The post liaises with clients, the CARA team and external agencies, providing advice, support and information.
The First Contact Navigator will engage with individuals who are experiencing, or who have experienced, sexual violence and or sexual abuse who require information, signposting and short-term support. You will be the first contact and conduct first meetings, managing your own caseload and co-ordinating personalised support for individuals on their pathway to wellbeing. You will have strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to work under minimal supervision. You will support people who use CARA services to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, maximising their independence and engaging in appropriate community or clinical resources. You will work collaboratively with service users, the CARA team and other professional agencies to navigate and coordinate services.
At the outset, the main responsibilities of the post will be:
- To act as a first point of contact for new referrals and enquiries, providing information, emotional support, advice and signposting.
- To complete first contact calls and assessments with clients over the telephone, assessing client needs and suitabilty for services.
- To ensure information about new referrals/enquiries is accurately recorded on CARA’s database in real time.
- To work collaboratively and build trust with service users, agencies, personal and professional support networks to collate relevant information to effect individualised support requirements.
- To assess and engage service users not currently engaged in appropriate specialist sexual violence services.
- To seek and respond to referrals from a variety of internal and external sources.
- To assist survivors and relatives/supporters of survivors in understanding the range of resources and services available to them.
- To support service users to engage effectively with appropriate services to meet their individual needs and aspirations.
- To identify and respond to any safeguarding concerns
- To work as a link between clients, CARA staff and external agencies, ensuring appropriate information is passed on.
- To work closely with the Essex-wide team of First Contact Navigators and Information and Referral Coordinators to ensure effective referral processes across Essex.
- To act as a point of contact for external agencies making referrals to CARA, answering queries about our referral process.
- To cover the enquiry line and the office phone and deal with enquiries as required.
- To pro-actively promote CARA’s services to external agencies, ensuring they are aware of our referral procedures.
- To contribute to development of promotional information, to ensure information about the referral process is clear and accessible.
- To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.
- To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.
- To report to the Service Engagement Manager, Head of Operations, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports.
- To be administratively self-servicing.
- To undertake any other related activities as required by the Head of Operations, CEO or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
About CARA
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex. We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.
CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers. We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.
You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
About Synergy Essex
CARA is part of Synergy Essex – the Essex Rape and Sexual Abuse Partnership. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.
We are Hestia. We make a difference.
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 Administrator to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Service in Newham
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
Newham Domestic and Sexual Violence Support Service is a community based integrated service providing support to individuals who have experienced domestic and/ or sexual violence including Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence, Forced Marriage, Honour Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation and Sex Workers. The services are being provided in a variety of ways including through Casework, IDSVA, and MARAC. We will be working closely with key partner agencies within the Newham Borough to provide holistic support to all individuals who have or are experiencing domestic and/ or sexual violence and to improve awareness within the community of domestic and sexual violence and the support that is available for victims.
In this vital role, you will manage incoming referrals, liaise with partner agencies, provide compassionate short‑term support via our phone line, and ensure accurate case management across our systems. You'll also deliver domestic abuse awareness workshops, develop culturally sensitive resources, and build strong relationships with local community organisations to improve early intervention pathways. Working closely with colleagues, you'll help ensure every client receives a safe, respectful, and effective service, while upholding Hestia's values, confidentiality standards, and commitment to inclusive practice.
This is a hybrid role, with two days working from home, one day based in a co‑working location in Newham, and two days spent delivering community‑based work across Newham.
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 will have a solid background in domestic abuse support, safeguarding, or related community‑based services, with experience handling highly sensitive information, offering advice to survivors, and working across multi‑agency domestic abuse teams. A deep understanding of the dynamics and impact of domestic abuse, gender‑based violence, multiple disadvantage, and trauma is essential, alongside knowledge of local community services and networks. The ideal candidate will bring strong administrative experience, including accurate data entry, confident use of MS Office, and the ability to manage complex tasks within tight timeframes. You will be calm, resilient, and able to manage challenging situations, while maintaining excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills. Experience delivering workshops or training, engaging grassroots organisations, and building strong multi‑agency partnerships is highly desirable, as is familiarity with MARAC processes. Self‑motivation, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and a commitment to inclusive, culturally sensitive practice are key to success in this role.
Female applicants only please - Section 7(2) b & e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply to this position
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
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Job title: Programme Officer
Reports to: UK Programme Coordinator
Contract: Permanent, full-time role (40 hours per week)
Location: Remote, North UK-based, with occasional travel within the UK
Annual salary: £28,000 per annum
Introduction
THINK EQUAL is a global education initiative with a mission to ensure that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) becomes a mandatory subject for all children in early years settings globally. SEL is the process through which knowledge, attitudes, values and skills such as emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making are developed.
SEL helps young people to:
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build and maintain psychological resources;
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know themselves and their emotions and to engage in positive relationships;
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make good decisions, behave ethically and responsibly;
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learn self-regulation and avoid negative behaviours;
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undo gender stereotypes and be gender equal;
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have self-worth, confidence and the right to voice and agency; and
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transition into ambitious and empowered young adults.
To support educators and governments to achieve this mission, THINK EQUAL has developed a global SEL Programme for 3-6 years-olds. The Programme is constructed around narrative children’s books, lesson plans and teaching resources which provide the concrete tools educators need to teach SEL in a low-cost and adaptable format.
The THINK EQUAL Programme has a global presence across six continents and has undergone three RCT trials in contexts as varied as Colombia, Botswana and Australia. There is a growing demand from other countries for the THINK EQUAL Programme and the organisation is now strengthening its team to be able to respond to this demand.
Purpose of the Role
Working at the forefront of Think Equal’s mission to bring the ‘missing subject’ to the hearts and minds of children in the UK, the role of the UK Programmes Officer primary focus would be to ensure the successful delivery of the Think Equal programme across early years classrooms in the UK. Working within the dynamic Global Programmes team alongside dedicated UK-focused colleagues, this role is highly motivating, and requires great organisation and communication skills as well as an enthusiastic, solution-focused attitude. This may include providing support to the Business Development team regarding potential expansion of the programme into new areas.
Responsibilities
Programme support
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Support and coordinate the delivery of the Think Equal programme across UK projects. This includes:
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Plan and deliver information sessions, training sessions, launch events and other activities engaging Think Equal practitioners, both online and in person.
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Enrol new practitioners into the Think Equal training platform as they sign up to the programme.
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Provide general administrative and research support to the Programmes Coordinator and other staff, representing the organisation as the first point of contact and responding to queries in a timely and professional manner.
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Process individual orders from schools and manage shipping requests on behalf of the staff team.
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Support and communicate with TE classroom teachers and other key stakeholders - including nursery workers, primary teachers, primary heads and local authorities - to ensure fidelity and a high quality of implementation.
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Check and regularly update stock levels, liaising with relevant stakeholders, and order new stock as required with prior confirmation from the Line Manager.
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Effectively and efficiently update, report and analyse relevant data relating to projects.
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Plan and lead focus groups with participating practitioners.
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Arrange and attend occasional on-site visits to participating schools, reviewing fidelity to the Think Equal model and programme impact.
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Collect and manage feedback from participating schools and settings, contributing to Think Equal marketing while adhering to data-sharing laws.
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Work with the UK Team to proactively identify and resolve operational challenges. Evaluate operational systems and suggest solutions to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness
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Other duties
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Liaising with the Business Development team regarding potential expansion of Think Equal in the UK.
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Supporting the UK Programme Coordinator with the relationships with Local Authorities to further expand the Think Equal programme either within the area or beyond.
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Undertake research-based tasks relating to UK programme growth, funding opportunities or project development.
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Undertake any other reasonable initiative and or activity as required to support other members of the team.
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Participate in occasional in-person UK team meetings.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential:
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Experience working in or with the UK education sector, ideally early years’ classrooms
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Experience of planning and/delivering workshops or presentations.
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Experience working to deadlines, establishing priorities in a multi-layered workload.
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Experience in administration and data management.
Desirable:
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Experience working with the Think Equal programme.
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Experience working for or with a Local Authority.
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Experience of Project/Programme coordination.
Qualifications and skills
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Training competency.
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Proficient technology skills, including a strong ability to use Microsoft (including Excel, PowerPoint and Word), as well as Google suite and Canva
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills - able to interact with different audiences and all levels of people
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Ability to establish and maintain constructive professional relationships and perform effectively as a member of a team.
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Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines.
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Aptitude for supporting the design of communications materials using programmes such as Canva and Google Slides. (Desirable)
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Ability to manage efficient administrative systems and proactively suggest improvements to unblock issues and improve processes.
Knowledge and understanding
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An understanding of the Think Equal Classroom Programme, UK education sector, including systems and frameworks in place to support staff and ensure effective learning outcomes
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Exhibit passion and excitement about the mission of the work and have a can-do attitude
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Works with independent flair, using strong initiative alongside honouring the core values of the organisation
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Working collaboratively within a growing organisation
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Understanding and practice of the values of inclusivity, equality and diversity
Other
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Eligible to work in the UK and based in the North of UK.
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Willingness to work flexibly to accommodate occasional duties outside of working hours (time can be reclaimed in lieu)
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In possession of, or able to secure, an enhanced DBS check
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Support the vision, values and objectives of the organisation
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Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post
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Willingness to travel across the UK to deliver training and attend relevant programme activities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.