Head Of Individual Giving Jobs

This exciting Senior Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) role will manage a portfolio of policy and influencing activities and play a significant role developing the Foundation’s policy and public affairs work in Scotland. This is an opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading charities and deliver social change by addressing the root causes of mental health problems and improving the mental health of people in Scotland.

What does the role involve?

• Developing and sustaining relationships with valuable decision-makers, influencers and allies
• Developing and implementing impactful influencing plans
• Providing policy intelligence and analysis and writing evidence-based submissions, policy reports, position papers, briefings and blogs
• Engaging with people with lived experience

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Ability to shape and lead policy programmes professionally and strategically, working with others
• Skill in building strong relationships with relevant external stakeholders including senior officials, elected representatives, people with experience of mental health problems and people who experience inequity
• Experience of working in a public policy role, with experience of a range of policy and public affairs approaches and work
• Knowledge of public health and/or mental health policy or a related field

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

How to apply

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application via our website. Please ensure you attach an up to date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification.

Applications will close at 5pm on Wednesday, 1 May and we are unable to accept late applications.

Interviews are planned for Wednesday, 15th May and you will be asked to deliver a presentation on the day of the interview.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

The interview for this position will be held face-to-face in Glasgow. We have moved to a hybrid working model of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.

The charity runs three integrated programmes:

• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.

• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.

• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.

Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.

This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.

We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.

Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.

Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.

Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER

Responsible to: Head of Margins

Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London

Salary: £32,500 - £35,000

Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.

Three-month probation, two months’ notice.

23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)

Start date: May 2024

Purpose of Job:

• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.

• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.

• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.

• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.

• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.

• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.

The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.

Responsible For:

• Working with caseload of guests

• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services

• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.

• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.

• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.

• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.

• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.

• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme

Key Duties:

• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.

• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.

• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.

• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.

• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.

• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.

• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.

• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.

• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.

• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.

• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.

• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.

• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.

• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.

• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.

• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.

• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.

• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.

• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.

• Embrace a strength-based approach.

• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.

• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.

• Excellent written and oral communication skill.

• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.

• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.

• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.

• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.

 

Desirable:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups

• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds

Equal Opportunities:

• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.

• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.

 

This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.

 

How to apply

Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.

Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am

Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024

FearFree deliver services across the South West for victims of domestic abuse, those who harm and their families and victims of sexual violence and stalking. We provide responsive, victim focused and trauma informed support and this post is fundamental to ensuring service users, stakeholders and partners experience this in our daily delivery.

This post will be based in our Devon domestic abuse service and is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of our services which include IDVA Support for high risk service users, Education and Recovery support for medium and standard risk, Behaviour Change Support for those who harm and support for children and young people who have witnessed domestic abuse and YPIDVA support for those in abusive intimate relationships.

Key responsibilities for this role include:

Leading day to day operations within the Devon services.

• Line management of team managers
• Ensuring the services work to Accreditation best standards including Leading Lights and Respect.
• Monitoring the outcomes of the service, data and reporting to commissioning partners.
• Overall responsibility for safeguarding across the service.
• Building relationships with partner agencies across Devon.
• Promotion of our service across the local area

• To provide leadership, direction and support to staff ensuring excellent management of the service, including direct line management of the team managers.

• To coordinate the development and maintenance of partnerships with other agencies, to ensure effective, allied approaches to client support.

• To promote an organisational culture of engagement, improvement and best practice to deliver a high quality and accessible service.

• Ensure performance targets are monitored and delivered on time.

  To make recommendations to the Head of Services and Director of Service about the best use of resources.

• To ensure all service users are provided timely and holistic support to help them change their behaviour.
• Deliver training to new staff, partner agencies and local organisations to increase knowledge and understanding of Domestic Abuse, including Bystander Training.
• Ensure the service is risk focused and trauma informed, with a clear focus on safeguarding.
• To lead on accreditations required such as Leading Lights and Respect.

Advising on new development opportunities

• Utilising data, local and national knowledge, identification of unmet needs, professional relationships and best practice to contribute to new opportunities.
• Ensure that the charity continually operates innovatively, flexibly and with service users’ needs at the heart of service design and delivery by horizon scanning, identifying emerging trends and new opportunities and lead through to successful implementation.

Leadership and management

• Provide inspirational leadership and effective management to the team ensuring that all staff and volunteers are actively working to achieve the charity’s vision, mission and strategic ambitions.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers are effectively performance managed and live the charity’s values and have all appropriate resources to achieve excellence in their field.
• Work alongside colleagues from across FearFree to provide support, assistance and management to over teams where required.

Budgets and Financial performance

• Contribute to the creation of annual and three year budgets and financial targets.
• Carefully monitor and evaluate both financial and non-financial performance and create contingency plans to predict and rectify any variables.
• Develop effective business cases to propose new developments within the annual budgeting process but also progress ad hoc opportunities as they arise.

Governance and regulation

• Provide regular performance and project reports to the Head of Services, Director of Services and Commissioning partners.
• Provide performance and project reports and attend regular meetings internally and externally as requested.
• Provide evidence based assurance that the service meets or exceeds the contract terms and report to commissioners against performance indicators

Relationships and partnerships

• Proactively build relationships with the wider statutory and voluntary partners across the charity’s areas of operation.
• Actively network across the operating area and beyond to build the charity’s reputation and harness support for the organization.
• Effectively manage contractor relationships including sub-contractors to ensure FearFree is a priority provider.

Development

• Demonstrate continuous professional development as part of the charity’s ethos as a learning organisation.
• Ensure the charity’s learning and excellence ethos is demonstrated through excellent performance management and continuous learning and development.
• Actively participate as required in the training of staff and others working as part of the charity’s ethos as a development organisation.
• Build networks across the charity sector to harness relationships and share best practice both to the organization and the wider sectors benefit.

Technology

• Ensure all staff are fully IT literate and have the necessary skills and technology to fulfill their roles effectively. 
• Work with the SMT to ensure all data is protected and systems are conversant with current Information Governance legislation.

For a full job description/person specification and to apply, please follow the link provided on this website. 

FearFree is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace.  We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued. 

Safeguarding Coordinator (18 months fixed term contract)
Type: Part-time (28 hours a week). We’re flexible on how you work the 28 hours per week but please note the 28 hours need to cover Mondays – Fridays in order to provide the cover required for the role.
Location: Office-based in London, N4 with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £25,724.80 - £27,403.20 per annum (FTE £32,156 - £34,254)
Salary Band: Band E1 

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK. 

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference. 

About this job

This post is a fixed term contract initially for 18 months, working 28 hours over 5 days per week. We’re flexible on how you work the 28 hours per week but please note the 28 hours need to cover Mondays – Fridays in order to provide the cover required of the role.

Are you an experienced and enthusiastic Safeguarding professional with a strong interest in protecting adults at risk and children from within the wider Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community?

Based within our Helpline Services team, you’ll have responsibility for:

• responding to concerns reported by staff and volunteers
• leading the coordination of responding to safeguarding concerns
• dealing with safeguarding issues (as they arise) and liaising with statutory services as needed
• giving advice and support to colleagues and our volunteers in relation to safeguarding and disclosure checking
• working collaboratively with colleagues across the MS Society
• liaising with external safeguarding agencies
• embedding organisational safeguarding policies, procedures and practices.

You’ll have experience of working in a safeguarding customer-facing environment within the Charity or Public Service sectors. You’ll have proficient administrative and IT skills with the ability to work accurately and consistently. You’ll ideally have had experience in supporting vulnerable people in person, over the phone and/or online. 

An understanding of safeguarding within the charity or public service sectors is essential. 

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check without barring list check will need to be obtained to undertake this role.

We recognise the significant and excellent contributions; experience; and skills our employees bring to the MS Society.

Working with external pay and reward consultants, we’re taking active steps this year to review our employees’ pay and benefits package. Ensuring we’re aligned with the most accurate and up-to-date benchmarks for the UK charity sector.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Friday 19 April 2024

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us to discuss.

You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

More about our recruitment and selection process

• The HR team will anonymise your CV and supporting statement before forwarding to the shortlisting panel. This is done as part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• The first round of our recruitment and selection process includes an interview with competency-based questions.
• Our recruitment and selection process might also include extra tasks. For example, a written or Microsoft Excel test or making a presentation.
• We’ll let you know what the selection process will include when we invite you to interview. You can ask for any more reasonable adjustments for the interview as part of the invitation. 
• You might also be invited for a second interview. We’ll let you know about this during the selection process. 

More about our employee benefits: 
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
• Flexible working options

Caring for you and your family

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
• Enhanced leave for new parents
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • in the event of miscarriage or still birth
  • to support fertility treatments
  • for antenatal appointments for both parents
• Cycle to work scheme
• Death in service scheme
• Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you and your family

Thinking about your finances

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing 

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal working hours

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of:

• gender
• race
• disability
• sexual orientation
• religion or belief
• pregnancy
• gender reassignment

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

No agencies please.