Full-time jobs

We're looking for a passionate, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Social Care Service in Kent

£26,228.00 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
* Free DBS
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The working pattern for this role is: - 7.30am-3pm, 2.30pm-10pm, 7.30am-10pm

What you'll do:
* Supporting the customer to undertake a full timetable of preferred activities including sport and leisure activities, attending community groups, visiting local amenities, and introducing them to new activities to expand their horizons and networks;
* Developing the customer's independent living skills and involving them in all aspects of maintaining and developing their home, including cooking, shopping, cleaning and decorating;
* Enabling the customer to keep up with the important people in their life and to meet new people with shared interests;
* Supporting the customer to communicate their wants and needs, and communicating with them in a person-centred way;
* Supporting the customer to manage their anxieties and frustrations, using Positive Behaviour Support and Autism-specific approaches;
* Collating a range of behavioural data and essential paperwork to be analysed within our local management structure;
* Driving the customer to activities using the customer's vehicle, in rotation with the wider team;
* Communicating with family members and a range of other key stakeholders including social work, psychology and commissioning teams;

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments

What you'll bring:
Essential
? NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
? Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Challenging Behaviour/learning disabilities and supporting them in line with a PBS framework

Desirable
? Has some experience in Trauma Informed care
? Has some experience in working with people with Mental health
? Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

 Role purpose:

To deliver comprehensive, client-focused debt management advice and supervision

Key responsibilities:

• Manage debt casework with professionalism and care
• Attend weekly outreach sessions and fulfil funder obligations
• Supervise volunteer debt case work and complete a monthly debt IFR
• In conjunction with Case Checkers and Advice Session Supervisors, help monitor the quality of advice given to debt clients and identify where further support is needed
• Contribute to reporting for CAEW and our funders, including FCA and Consumer Duty requirements

Other

• Attend regular meetings of paid staff and volunteers as required
• Ensure that Citizens Advice and the office’s policies in relation to confidentiality, equal opportunities and anti-discrimination are observed and actively promoted
• Abide by Health and Safety policies and procedures and share responsibility for your own safety and that of colleagues, clients, and visitors to the office
• Undertake any other duties as are necessary to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service and which are commensurate with the responsibilities of this post

Person specification

Essential:

1. Accredited (MaPS/Wiseradviser) Debt Case Worker/Specialist

2. A thorough knowledge of benefit and debt management advice gained through working/volunteering at Citizen’s Advice

3. Experience of working to prescribed quality standards

4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

5. Ability to prioritise own work and the work of others, meet deadlines and manage workload in a pressured environment

6. Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively and a willingness to challenge constructively

7. A flexible approach and the ability and willingness to work as part of a team

8. Ability to monitor and maintain recording systems and procedures, using IT as appropriate

9. Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies

Desired: 

10. Experience of supervising staff or volunteer workers to achieve required standards

11. Approved DRO Intermediary

Staff Benefits

• 6% Employer Pension Contribution
• Employee Assistance Scheme
• Ongoing personal training and development
• A company that is committed to its employees, valuing their knowledge, creativity, and flexibility
• The chance to work with amazing people and a nationally recognised charity

Citizens Advice Hounslow is a well-established charity serving the London Borough of Hounslow. We work to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who come to us for support. Our high-quality, agile advice service responds to the issues and needs of our community, always putting people first. Thanks to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, we support over 16,000 clients each year through our face-to-face, telephone and digital services.

We are looking for an experienced Debt Caseworker to join our team and help meet the growing demand for debt and income‑maximisation advice within our service. In this role, you will guide and empower clients to understand their options, while also taking direct action on behalf of those who are particularly vulnerable. This includes negotiating with creditors to prevent escalation and protect clients from further financial harm.

You will assess each client’s situation in depth, identifying the most appropriate strategies to resolve their debt issues while exploring every opportunity to maximise income. Through practical support and casework, you will take the necessary steps to halt creditor action, prepare accurate financial statements, make repayment offers, and apply strategies to reduce, write off and manage debt effectively. Alongside this, you will provide budgeting guidance to help clients regain control of their finances and build long‑term stability. Your ability to work confidently with third parties—including local authorities, bailiffs, landlords and lenders—will be essential in preventing enforcement action and resolving arrears.

We will offer the right candidate a generous salary with other benefits such as annual season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, generous annual leave and the opportunity to develop professionally. You will be part of a warm and friendly work culture where opinions are valued.

For more information about the role please download the Job Description and Person Specification from our website via the Apply button.

Please note: We are unable to respond to applicants who have not been shortlisted.

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, pension contribution, and training and opportunities to continue your professional development.

We consider applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.