Contract Advocacy Jobs
East Cambridgeshire working from home and in the community
Ref MYP-241
Are you a highly organised, collaborative and compassionate individual with direct or indirect experience of the criminal justice system? Do you have a proven record of supporting young people involved in, or at risk of, entry into the Criminal Justice System?
If so, join St Giles as our Mentor/Facilitator, where you will combine your lived experience of overcoming similar barriers to the client group and your professional experience to provide crucial guidance, support and mentorship to targeted at-risk young people, already within or at high risk of entering the criminal justice system.
About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.
About this exciting opportunity
As Mentor/Facilitator, your focus will be to oversee the delivery of a vital Mentor Programme to targeted at risk students and young people up the age of 25 years and to establish and maintain positive relationships with each young person to provide emotional support, guidance and mentorship. You will be expected to address each individual’s needs and challenges, utilising personal experiences, local knowledge, professional skills and St Giles’ materials to offer support and intervention, while also assisting each young person with setting and achieving academic, personal, and career goals.
We will count on you to collaborate with professionals to support and develop strategies to minimise the risk to young people and to maintain a trauma informed approach, that recognises and responds to trauma and amplifies the voices and experiences of individuals. Developing positive, pro-social attitudes, behaviour and social skills among those you mentor and supporting and/or co-delivering whole school awareness and professional sessions are also key aspects of the role.
What we are looking for
- Sound knowledge of the challenges and issues facing vulnerable young people
- An understanding and demonstration of professional standards and accountability
- Experience of working collaboratively with multi-agency partners
- Excellent record keeping and good technical literacy of Microsoft Applications
- A commitment to excellent safeguarding practice
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, verbal and written
- A flexible, collaborative and professional approach to your work
- Full Driving Licence and your own transport.
Please note this role requires an Enhanced Adult and Children with the Child Barred list.
In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, season ticket loan and much more.
We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.
St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
To apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button.
Closing date: 11 pm 21 May 2024
Interview date: 31 May 2024 on Teams.
Somerset (hybrid working, with desk space available at Somerset Council offices)
Ref ESE-243
We are seeking a highly organised Children and Young Person’s Specialist Exploitation Caseworker to work alongside Somerset Council’s Exploitation Service.
They will combine their lived experience of overcoming similar barriers to the client group and their professional experience to provide crucial guidance, support, and mentorship to children and young people who are being, or at high risk of being exploited.
Through 1:1 mentoring, you will ensure children and young people are equipped to think critically, assess risk, and make better life choices. You will also support them to overcome personal challenges and achieve personal goals. The resulting mindset shift and confidence makes them more resilient to the risks of becoming involved with substance misuse and/or supply; gangs; exploitation and violence.
We positively encourage applications if you have had personal adverse experiences that make you an ‘expert by experience’. This could include experience of the criminal justice system, having served a prison sentence, experience of gang involvement, county lines and criminal exploitation. You will need to demonstrate how your lived experience supports your ability to carry out the role to the benefit of the clients we work with.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
• Delivery specialist Exploitation 1 to 1 casework and mentoring to identified at risk young people and their families.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with children and young people to provide emotional support, guidance, and mentorship.
• Address individual needs and challenges, utilising personal experiences, local knowledge, professional skills and St Giles casework and mentoring materials to offer support and intervention.
• Assist children and young people in setting and achieving personal life goals.
• Collaborate with professionals to support and develop strategies to minimise the risk to young people.
• Maintain a trauma informed approach, that recognises and responds to trauma and amplifies the voices and experiences of children and young people.
• Develop positive, pro-social attitudes, behaviour and social skills with children and young people.
• Safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Provide guidance on resolving interpersonal issues.
• Maintain open and effective communication with mentees, professionals, parents/carers and partners.
• Maintain accurate records (including case notes and engagement data) of interactions, progress, and outcomes in line with St Giles delivery protocols.
• Use data to assess the effectiveness of interventions and make adjustments as needed.
• Support in the collation of evaluative data (in line with project protocols).
• Promote inclusivity and equity in your role.
• Attend relevant training and workshops to enhance mentoring skills and professional knowledge.
Person Specification:
• Relevant direct or indirect experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing the client group (i.e. involved in gangs, county lines and/or knife crime). (A)
• Experience of working positively with socially excluded children, young people or adults and able to engage successfully despite ‘challenging’ behaviour. (A)
• Knowledge of the challenges and issues facing vulnerable young people (A)
• Understanding and demonstration of professional standards and accountability.
• Empathetic and understanding attitude toward young peoples' needs. (A)
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively with multi-agency partners. (A)
• Commitment to promoting inclusivity and equity.
• Excellent record keeping and experience of using case management databases (A)
• Outstanding organisational skills.
• Total commitment to excellent safeguarding practice and understanding of professional boundaries. (A)
• Emotionally resilient.
• Commitment to upholding St Giles core values.
In your application, please demonstrate how you meet the person specification criteria marked with (A).
Please note this role requires Enhanced Adult and Children DBS checks with the Children Barred List.
In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, season ticket loan and much more.
We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.
St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
To apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button.
Closing date: 11pm 22nd May 2024 Interview date: 30th May 2024
Brooke is seeking expressions of interest to lead a study to understand decision maker’s needs in relation to the inclusion of working animals (with a focus on equids) in Disaster Risk Management policies in low and middle- income countries.
We are seeking a consultant to lead a desked based review of existing policy in relation to working animals in DRM in Brooke’s countries of operation (India, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Kenya, Ethiopia and Senegal) and a decision maker analysis. The consultant is encouraged to use and modify methodology/guidance shared from a recent study commissioned by Livestock Data for Decisions (LD4D), conducted by the Busara Center for Behavioural Economics (Busara).
At Brooke, we celebrate diversity and the creative new ideas it brings. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds, in particular global majority candidates, candidates from a social mobility background, disabled and neuro-diverse candidates, and candidates under 25 as these groups are currently under-represented at Brooke.
We are aware that studies have shown that women and global majority candidates are less likely to apply for a role if they feel they do not meet the full criteria of the job description. If you feel you meet the majority of the criteria, we would love to hear from you.
We offer a variety of flexible working options to best support our staff and to ensure our working practices are as inclusive as possible
We are looking for Volunteer Coordinator to be responsible for overseeing our volunteer programme
Key duties will include;
Recruiting volunteers through a variety of job boards, community pages and platforms.
Arranging and carrying out interviews with potential volunteers to assess the value and contribution they could offer the charity.
Carrying out new volunteer inductions to ensure they are confident and competent to deliver their responsibilities as a UCARE volunteer.
Supporting the continued development of existing volunteers
Maintaining accurate volunteer records to monitor training, development and performance.
Working with UCARE colleagues to ensure we have an engaged pool of volunteers that meets the resource needs of the charity.
Coordinate awareness events such as stalls, talks and workshops to build awareness within the Oxfordshire community of the mission of the charity.
Work collaboratively with other service providers and charities to maximise the impact of the charity for its beneficiaries.
We recognise that talking about Cancer can be difficult. During our induction we will provide you with all the tools you need to be successful in your new role, this includes;
Full training and resources to communicate our message to others and volunteers.
Tools to deliver effective presentations
Training on Cancer awareness to ensure you can communicate this effectively, this could include;
o How people can reduce their risk of getting cancer
o Help people understand the importance of spotting cancer early
o Appreciate and address the fears and barriers faced by people when talking about cancer
o How to have effective, supportive conversations about cancer and health
o Understand the impact health inequalities can have on cancer outcomes
o Encourage people to take positive action for their health, and see their doctor with any concerns
o Understanding how to offer support, provide signposting and guidance when working within the community and alongside our volunteers.
About you
We are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator who is compassionate, friendly, sensitive and have a sensible approach, able to demonstrate responsibility, reliability and integrity.
Highly motivated and enthusiastic, strong organisational skills and confident in their own judgement, we would like someone who takes initiative but will ask for help or advice if needed and has the passion to share our mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contact: Fixed Term Contract ending 30th September 2025.
Hours: 37 hours per week, working Monday to Friday
Salary: £23,069 per annum.
Place of work: You will be based at CASBA’s brand-new fully accessible office in Selly Oak. The role requires you to work in service users’ homes and community venues.
About us
CASBA is an advocacy charity in the south Birmingham area. We make sure the voices of people with disabilities are heard and their rights are recognised. We empower people with disabilities to speak up for themselves or advocate on their behalf when needed.
Our team are passionate about the difference we make and is now looking for someone to join us as an Advocacy Support Worker.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Advocacy Support Worker to join our team. This position is focused on providing essential support to carers who have learning disabilities. As an Advocacy Support Worker, you will play a crucial role in empowering and assisting carers to navigate the challenges they face, access resources, and ensure their voices are heard within the community.
Using your organisation and planning skills, you will work with carers with learning disabilities to create and implement a timetable of speakers, workshops, and training sessions to support carers in their role. You will also provide one-on-one advocacy support to carers, assisting them in increasing their knowledge of caring and ensuring they have access to necessary information.
You will also provide advocacy to ensure people with learning disabilities can secure their rights and entitlements, maximise their income, deal with crises and work to prevent them, access services and the community, and be valued as citizens.
About the person
You will have:
- experience of working with people with learning disabilities or other vulnerable groups
- experience of supporting vulnerable people in crisis or preventing crisis with a range of issues including finances, debt, housing, managing change, accessing rights and entitlements
- ability to work using own initiative, prioritising work, case management and time management
- ability to adapt communication depending on the needs of the person
- excellent IT skills including using Microsoft Office packages
- ability to work independently and as part of a team
As part of your professional development in the role, the successful candidate will be supported to complete their Level 2, or Level 4, Advocacy qualification as appropriate.
Why us
This is an exciting time to be joining CASBA, we have an ambitious five-year strategic plan due for publication shortly, and we will move to fully accessible offices in the Autumn, we have just rebranded and have many exciting projects and partnerships on the horizon.
Citizens are at the heart of our work and CASBA is making an amazing impact in our local community. Join us to be part of it.
What we offer
We offer hybrid and flexible working, including the opportunity to work compressed hours and if required term-time only options. We also offer a generous holiday allowance (up to 30 days) Entitlement increases with service and pension contributions.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community and people of all ethnicities and backgrounds, including people with disabilities.
We are dedicated to creating a workforce that is a true reflection of the communities we serve. If you are disabled, and have the skills, and or the experience to do the job, then we would love to meet you for an interview.
To Apply
Please click apply now to complete our short application form and to submit your CV.
You may have experience in the following: Liaison, Carer Assistance Specialist, Advocacy Project Manager, Caregiver Support Worker, Family Care Advocate, Supportive Care Coordinator, Carer Services Coordinator, Advocacy Outreach
REF-213789
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Purpose and Scope of the Role
To enable and empower newly arrived often vulnerable refugees to settle into their new communities with confidence.
Postholders will work closely with the volunteers, bank staff and Project Coordinators to provide a wraparound service to our clients across the region. Key elements of the service will include support with welfare benefits/income maximisation, immigration, housing, health, education and employment.
There will be a requirement to record and document contact using online systems, ensuring an evidence-based practice model of working and seamless support delivery for our clients.
Main duties and responsibilities
Manage a caseload of clients/households:
· Provide initial reception and orientation at client’s homes and within their local community settings
· Carry out a holistic needs assessment and prepare a Personal Integration Plan with every household on a quarterly basis, preferably in the clients homes.
· Negotiate specialist intervention with external agencies as appropriate according to the client’s needs.
· To be the lead contact for all agencies and responsible for coordinating support for your key clients.
· To work with families in a variety of locations such as within their home, RMC premises, on outreach and via digital means.
· To jointly agree a plan leading to beneficiary independence and service exit as per project requirements
· Where possible deliver the service in a community language
· To deliver a comprehensive action plan for welcoming the refugees from preparation prior to arrival and support for the first year. This includes but is not limited to:
· Housing situation and housing/tenancy related goals and checking suitability of accommodation with relevant hosts, landlords and/or any other housing partners.
Welcoming families upon arrival
· Registering with GP’s, dentists and opticians; attending medical assessments and appointments; securing appropriate specialist medical care and liaising with different health services;
· Working with Social Services to ensure all special needs are addressed;
· Registering for Biometric Residence Cards and ensuring that immigration paperwork is correct and any errors or discrepancies are reported to the relevant Home Office department by an OISC qualified adviser from the wider team.
· Ensure the Home Office is notified if BRP cards are not issued within the timescales set out by Home Office service standards.
· Ensure that all newly arrived are given immigration advice as required by referring them to an OISC qualified advisor within RMC.
· Ensure that every newly arrived adult above the age of 18 has access to their own bank account.
· Ensuring that refugees understand their financial rights and responsibilities
· Complete a full Entitled To calculation with all newly arrived households and apply for relevant welfare benefit provisions from DWP and HMRC.
· Support refugees with mandatory reconsiderations as required.
· Support with access to individual grants if required.
· Providing on-going orientation to the UK – information, classes, workshops and visits by key statutory services;
· Registering and supporting children with local schools;
· Facilitating access to ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes for all newly arrived adults;
· Signposting and assisting in training, education and employment to ensure long term independence
· Refer into other provision as provided by third party organisations
· Organising trips and outings to places of interest and providing opportunities for social interaction and accompany refugees if required as per ongoing Personal Integration Plan and risk assessment.
· To provide client centric support around all areas of need including housing, welfare, employment, substance misuse, family reunion and social engagement.
· To ensure that this work has a focus on fostering the independence of the clients and has respect for the culture, personal history and situation of all its users.
· To promote the long-term integration of refugees and the development of refugee communities by providing a range of tailored services to them and through working with other service providers to maximise opportunities for refugees.
· To work with clients to facilitate their access and engagement with mainstream statutory and voluntary sector services.
· To ensure that this work is carried out in accordance with RMC’s values, principles, policies and procedures, specifically those around equal opportunity, confidentiality, impartiality and non-directive advice.
· With the support of the Coordinator and Manager, to maintain and develop excellent working relationships with and between external stakeholders to improve the availability of mainstream and specialist services for newly arrived refugees.
· To work as part of a multi-skilled team, supporting your colleagues and volunteers to achieve outcomes.
· To keep full, accurate and up-to-date case records.
· To provide written and oral reports as required.
· To work with the coordinator in reviewing, planning and developing the service delivered to beneficiaries
· To carry out monitoring and evaluation processes as appropriate
For the Charity
· To play an active role in one or more RMC’s working groups as required.
· To liaise with other teams in RMC as appropriate.
· To attend regular team meetings, to share information, monitor services and foster effective and supportive teamwork.
· To participate in supervision, appraisal and training as agreed with the Manager.
· To carry out administrative tasks in support of own work (e.g. word- processing, filing and recording on RMC’s database).
· To carry out other duties consistent with the nature of the post, and in furtherance of the project.
· To carry out all the above in accordance with the aims, values and policies of RMC confidentiality, impartiality and Equal Opportunities.
The above duties will be prioritised by the Head of Services in consultation with the post-holder. The post-holder may be asked to re-organise his/her work to help RMC to respond to changes in type or extent of needs of refugees, which can arise from time to time. This would be done in a way consistent with the purposes of the post and in consultation with the post-holder.
A DBS check will be carried out for this post.
Flexibility
To deliver the stated aims of for this post, a degree of flexibility and agility is needed. The post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above, such duties will fall within the scope of the job and be directly related within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed
Person Specification
Experience and Skills
Desirable
Essential
Experience of working with vulnerable people and an understanding of the needs of refugees, and the issues or difficulties which may affect their resettlement.
X
Experience of comprehensively assessing need and creating risk management plans for multiple individuals.
X
Experiences of supporting people to address their needs through support planning, case management and an understanding of the importance of involving clients fully as possible in that process.
X
Experience of working with a wide range of professionals to access needs led intervention.
X
Experience of working within a multitier staff team, inclusive of supporting volunteers to support clients.
X
Knowledge and awareness of how to engage with hard-to-reach individuals, and understanding of the potential barriers to active engagement.
X
An understanding of the issues facing refugees during integration to a new community.
X
Good knowledge of the services available to support refugees.
X
Proven ability to communicate and negotiate to a high level and build strong partnerships, both verbal and non-verbally with shareholders and stakeholders.
X
Good organisational and monitoring skills, with the ability to prioritise.
X
Excellent administrative skills including good computing skills and the ability to use I.T. applications.
X
Understanding and a commitment to diversity and equality, with demonstrable cultural competence.
X
Ability to lone work and complete delegated task with own initiative.
X
Ability to be flexible to the needs of the organisation.
X
Enthusiasm and willingness to agile working and outreach activities.
X
Ability to speak a community language
X
Good local knowledge
X
OISC (Office of Immigration Services Commission) regulated
X
Experience of providing outreach support to families in their home and in community settings
X
Car driver
X
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
You have an understanding of drug, alcohol, and health related issues, and experience of working with adults and/or young people in an addictions or social care setting. All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Aquarius as a Practitioner.
Aquarius is a charity that helps people and communities overcome the harm caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling. Right now, we’re looking for someone like you to join our NGAGE Young People’s Service in Northampton. NGAGE is an early intervention drug and alcohol service for young people aged 10-18 and we provide information, education, advice and support to young people in relation to drug and alcohol use.
Your challenge? To provide advice, assessments, brief and structured interventions and group programmes. As a Practitioner, you will be the initial contact for referrals into the service, conducting assessments via telephone, face to face and offering relevant and appropriate advice, harm minimisation, family interventions risk assessment and management, actioning onward referrals to partner agencies. You will also be required to manage a caseload.
An energetic and confident self-starter, you have a qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (e.g. NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies). Alternatively, we’ll consider candidates with experience of working in the substance misuse field with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. As well as good knowledge of alcohol/drug and health related issues, you're used to liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals and comfortable engaging with clients in a variety of service delivery settings. You will also have the ability to collaborate and work professionally with service users, families and external agencies to provide a service which maximises outcomes for service users. What’s more, you have a flexible approach, a commitment to the principles of confidentiality and excellent record keeping and Microsoft Office.
This is a fixed term role requiring the post holder to work 37 hours per week.
We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.
To apply please submit a CV and supporting statement which should clearly outline your skills and experience.
This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.
Aquarius is a subsidiary of Richmond Fellowship, with both organisations being part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. From 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship will be merging with the mental health charity Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. At the same time, Aquarius will become a subsidiary of Humankind, with no impact to terms and conditions of employment. In October 2024, Humankind will then be renamed to reflect the new, bigger and better organisation, of which Aquarius will remain a subsidiary.