Jobs for the Social Welfare sector

Job Title:  Head of Operations

Location: Head Office Camden and different project locations - London

Salary: £48,847 - £55,165 

Hours: 37.5 per week  (Participation in on call rota - currently once every 7 weeks)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 23 May 2025

Interview Dates: 3 June 2025 (online) and 2nd round 10th June (at the Head Office)

(Please note successful candidates are usually appointed at bottom of relevant band)

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as Head of Operations at Solace.

We exist to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse, as well as providing services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives, free from abuse.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Role

This role is part of the operational senior leadership team.  You will lead on a portfolio of services, providing effective leadership and support to service managers who report into you.  You will have a key role in ensuring quality of service, contractual and financial compliance.  As well as operational leadership you will have input into organisation wide strategic planning, service development and decision making.

About You

We are looking for an experienced leader with an excellent track record of quality service provision.  You will have an in depth understanding of the impact and causes of different forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).  Our ideal candidate will be someone who can effectively hold and manage complex issues, is comfortable with assessment and management of risk.  You will be an adaptable and effective team player who is able to switch tasks and lead on areas of work they may not always have prior experience of.  Key to Solace’s success are being able to build effective relationships with others including those who fund and commission our work and partners whom we work with to deliver high quality services. 

We understand that you may not have all the knowledge, experience, and skills mentioned in the Job Profile Document. However, your interpersonal skills, passion to have a positive impact, commitment to our purpose, and ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively will be equally important. .

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

· Flexible working

· Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)

· Generous holiday entitlement

· Employer pension contribution

· Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay

· Access to Inclusion Networks

· Daily clinical debriefing

· Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice

· Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings

· Flow & Restore yoga classes

· Meditation sessions

· Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

· Values, Behaviours & Competencies

· Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. 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. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

We are looking for an inspirational, qualified trainer/practitioner with experience and knowledge of health and social care provision and management theory to develop and deliver training to our bright and enthusiastic staff teams. This is a central role within our staff development team and you will be based at our vibrant Stockport Head Office.

Working closely with the Head of Engagement & Learning, the Training Manager and other key personnel, you will develop and participate in employee learning and development programmes relating to all aspects of service provision. Developing and delivering staff education and skills enhancement and development opportunities in accordance with Care Quality Commission, Skills for Health, Skills for Care, national occupational standards and NICE guidelines.

 

As part of a fast paced team, and as a self-directed practitioner, you will inspire and develop a workforce focused initiative to enhance the skills and knowledge of the national health and social care workforce.

Come and join an inspirational team of practitioners dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and skills of our workforce and the lives of our service users.

As a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion we actively encourage applications from the LGBTQ+ community.

Vacancy Reference Number: 81555

Applications for this role must be submitted via the Creative Support website using the above vacancy reference number

We are a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organization - Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received the Investors in People Platinum awarded.

Applications are reviewed as they are received, we do not provide feedback for unsuccessful applications. We can only accept applications from candidates who are located in and eligible to work within the UK.

Overview:

Job Title: Food Redistribution Manager

Salary: £30,000 - £32,000

Responsible to: Head of Food

Location: Birmingham but with a requirement to travel to farms and across the city meeting partners etc.

Contract Type: 1 Year Fixed Term Contract March 2026

Hours of Work: 36.5

The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) is a community benefit society and cooperative working with communities to identify, mitigate and remove barriers that prevent them from living active and connected lives.

Our vision is for a society where people have the autonomy, capacity, resources, and skills to become the architects of their own destiny; where our individual wellbeing is recognised as being bound up in our collective responsibility to and dependency on each other; and where all of us feel empowered as agents of social change to make a difference – whether at an individual level or more widely.

In 2024, TAWS was given the opportunity pilot a Surplus Hub Project at Birmingham Wholesale Market, where edible waste food destined for anaerobic digestion can be diverted to human consumption. To purpose of this role is to maximise the amount of surplus food available to the Food Justice Network groups via the Birmingham Wholesale Markets.

Food Redistribution Manager:

The Food Justice Network is a network of around 300 independent partner organisations, all of who are providing support across the city. FJN Partners offer a range of services from foodbanks to community cafes, to community pantries and warm spaces, all delivering vital support to some of Birmingham's most vulnerable citizens.

Your role will be the sourcing and procuring farming surplus and collective buying of fresh produce for the Food Justice Network. Part of this opportunity will be facilitating the set-up of a city-wide network to make surplus food redistribution more coordinated and effective.

There is already a significant amount of surplus food redistributed across the city and lots of work going on in terms of reducing waste in businesses but we know that sometimes unexpected surplus food arises and not every food business is plugged in to the surplus food network.

Alongside the core of the role, you will also be managing two to three people who you will be working in conjunction with but on separate projects.

This will provide less reasons for businesses to waste food with a strong, well connected and promoted network.

Experience, Knowledge and Values:

What you'll bring with you:

1. Excellent partnership, networking and relationship management skills.
2. Commercial awareness of purchasing of food.
3. Good project management skills with demonstrable experience of managing all areas of project, and general resource management.
4. High level of organisational and administrative skills, good levels of entrepreneurial and practical thinking to solve real world problems.
5. Years of background in the food industry, ideally specialising in surplus food.
6. Experience of community work, stakeholder working, and partnership working at a local level.
7. Line management experience of a small team would be desirable.
8. Driving licence required

Requirements:

As part of your role, you will: 

• Negotiate collective purchasing of fresh produce to reduce food waste.
• Build relationships with growers to redistribute food through the Food Justice Network and beyond, while identifying and improving local surplus food donation processes.
• Coordinate surplus food collection and collaborate with the Food Justice Network Engagement Officer for effective distribution.
• Partner with Xcess, a national surplus food network, to oversee haulage of surplus food into Birmingham.
• Support the development of a city-wide network to improve coordination collaboration and efficiency in surplus food redistribution.
• Work closely in partnership with and provide cover for the Surplus Food Lead at the Markets.
• Produce comms and improve relationships with potential local sources of surplus food in Birmingham.
• Lead, support, and develop a team of three, conducting regular 1:1s and performance reviews in line with company values.
• Manage workloads and resource planning to ensure team efficiency and delivery against departmental goals.
• Handle day-to-day people management issues, including absence, performance, and development.

Role: To support adults (19+) or young people (aged 12 – 19) who have experienced any form of sexual violence

Hours required: Flexible, although most sessional counsellors work with a minimum of 8 clients a week.

Rates: Rates are £25-£30 per session, counselling rooms provided free-of-charge.

Qualifications:  Counsellors must be qualified and have completed a course by a recognized accrediting body such as, but not limited to, BACP or UKCP.

Time/Locations: Counsellors work flexibly, but we are currently prioritising counsellors able to work face-to-face and at the times outlined in the role description to meet the needs of our clients.

To Apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website 

Application deadline:  10am, Monday 2nd June 2025.

Interviews:  Young Person’s Sessional - Monday 16th June / Adult Sessional - Monday 23rd June.

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

Mandatory specialist sexual violence training dates: To be confirmed. 

What we expect from our sessional counsellors:

· All counsellors must abide by BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

· All counsellors must attend and complete specialist training.

· Attendance at one CARA Meeting per month.

· Attendance at monthly meetings with a CARA Point of Contact.

· Attendance of clinical supervision, in line with BACP guidance, provided by a CARA-approved supervisor.

· Commitment and understanding of the importance of clinical supervision.

· An open, non-judgemental and reflective attitude.

· Commitment to keep and maintain confidential database records.

· Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding, both in relation to children and to vulnerable adults.

· Reliability.

· Counsellors will be working with clients on behalf of CARA and not on a private basis.  As such, they will be bound by CARA’s processes, policies and procedures.

· Commitment to the feminist ethos of CARA.

· Willingness to commit the necessary time to supporting vulnerable clients.

What the counsellor can expect from us:

· Full training and support will be provided.

· Ongoing training opportunities.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and those with additional language skills, including BSL.

About us

Carers UK is the leading national charity supporting, advocating for and connecting unpaid carers across the UK. We exist to make life better for unpaid carers, however caring affects them. Despite being a relatively small charity, we regularly punch above our weight and we have achieved meaningful change and we have influenced almost every piece of legislation concerning carers over the past 60 years.

This is an exciting time to join Carers UK as we celebrate our 60th anniversary, an important milestone to look back on our achievements and to highlight what more needs to be done to ensure that carers are treated equally in all aspects of their lives and that no one has to care alone.

About the role

Our best practice employer forum, Employers for Carers (EfC), works as a department of Carers UK and helps businesses create carer-friendly workplaces. With the change in employment law, now is an exciting time for our forum to grow in size and influence, ultimately helping millions more carers.

We are seeking a new business Account Executive to help grow the membership of Employers for Carers at this exciting time. While this role sits within the Income Generation and Communication directorate, it is not a fundraising role but focuses on selling our Employers for Carers product as earned income. As such, the successful candidate will meet with leading organisations to improve their workplace practices, engaging with HR and D&I teams.

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Wednesday 28 May.

Please send in your application as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application.

Carers UK anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Carers UK reserves the right to appoint at any stage, should an outstanding candidate emerge.

Carers UK are actively interviewing for this role as we receive applications.

We may carry out online and social media checks before a formal offer is made. 

We have an opportunity for a highly motivated HR professional leading a strong HR advice and support team. The team is focused on advising and supporting our managers and staff across the organisation to maximise the performance and positive impact of our people. You will ensure that the HR service is highly responsive to current and future corporate and regional business needs and priorities. You will be based in our highly regarded, Investors in People Platinum, HR team in Creative Support’s friendly and accessible Head Office located in Stockport town centre.

You will promote the highest levels of internal and external customer care, positive person-centred values and a respectful, confidential approach. This job will offer great job satisfaction to people who enjoy hard work and achieving great outcomes for our business and our people. A commitment to continuous improvement is essential.

With the support of the Head of People and Performance, you will lead a small team of staff to deliver high quality, holistic HR advice and support aligned to our core values, business needs and priorities in the areas of:

- Employee engagement

- Employee communications

- Competence, capability and performance management

- Conduct and discipline at work

- Attendance and sickness management

- Welfare support and stress prevention/management

- Employee health and wellbeing

- People motivation, satisfaction and retention

- Employee career development and upskilling

- Workplace inclusion and diversity

- Relationships with workplace representatives/trade unions

- Promoting a positive and productive working culture

You will need to demonstrate significant HR experience and demonstrable expertise in the areas listed above. You will be able to lead and motivate a team and to empower each team member to flourish and develop in skills and confidence. Applicants should be personable, solution and outcome-focused and able to engage positively with staff and managers at all levels. You will need to be able to communicate clearly and professionally and you will demonstrate your people focused values in your practice.  

You will have excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage a busy personal caseload. You will have a good eye for detail, be able to manage data and produce professional reports derived from spreadsheets and databases. A good standard of written English is required. A degree or comparable level of education is desirable. You must have gained, or be working towards a recognised accredited HR qualification. We can offer opportunities to develop your professional career in HR by offering support for further professional training as well as investment in soft skills.

The willingness to travel to any of our sites and offices across the country is essential, but it is not necessary to be a car driver. Your duties may be carried out mainly in office hours from Monday to Friday but some flexibility in working hours is required. Full Time and Part Time hours will be considered.

Interviews for this role will take place on 03 and 04 June 2025

Vacancy Reference Number: 84057

Applications for this role must be submitted via the Creative Support website using the above vacancy reference number

We are a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organization - Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Gold awarded.

Applications are reviewed as they are received, we do not provide feedback for unsuccessful applications. We can only accept applications from candidates who are located in and eligible to work within the UK.

 

We’re seeking a dedicated Quality and Performance Manager to join our team at Lister House, our care home in Ripon. In this key role, you’ll take the lead on audits, data analysis, quality initiatives, and policy implementation to ensure we continue to deliver the highest standard of care. Working alongside the Senior Care Management team and the Quality and Care Standards team, you’ll help drive continuous improvement, share best practices, and support quality enhancements across other RBL care homes.

This role offers 37.5 hours per week, working 5 shifts out of 7 days. 8:30am to 5:00pm. Offering a salary between £45,793 to £49,506 per annum.

Please note that we are currently only able to consider applications from candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visas at this time. A full UK driving licence is required.

Key responsibilities:

- Plan and deliver a programme of audits, ensuring action plans are implemented and monitored. Communicate findings with Registered Managers, Department Leads, and the Senior Care Management team to drive service improvements.
- Identify trends, lessons learnt and support the development of robust quality strategies.
- Work closely with clinical colleagues to implement best practice guidance and evaluate its impact. Lead and support quality improvement projects within the care home.
- Support audits at other RBL care homes, collaborating with other Quality and Performance Managers to align standards and share learning.
- Lead on HR processes and manage the Practice Development Facilitator

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

Employee benefits include:

- 25 days’ paid holiday per year plus bank holidays, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 14%, subject to eligibility
- Death-in-service Life Assurance, with a benefit of 3x annual salary
- Professional subscription paid by RBL (where it is essential to the role)
- Free enhanced DBS check
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Exclusive retailer discounts on popular brands
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Free on-site parking

Lister House is one of six care homes, set in the historic city of Ripon, North Yorkshire. A place where ex-servicemen and women and their spouses can feel completely at home, providing care for those who have served in the Armed Forces and their dependants. We offer Nursing Care, Residential Care, Dementia Care, and Day Care. The home also features a chapel and is supported by a dedicated team. As part of our award-winning team, you will receive full support with training and personal development.

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Immigration and Asylum Caseworker

This charity has an exciting opportunity as an Immigration and Asylum Caseworker (IAA LEVEL 2/3) to make a real difference to asylum seekers and refugees in the Reading area.

Position: Immigration and Asylum Caseworker (IAA LEVEL 2/3)

Location: Reading

Hours: Full-time, Office based

Contract: 1-year contract – renewed subject to funding

Salary: £32,364 - £33,559 + 6% pension

Closing date: 5pm on Friday 23rd May 2025

Interview date: Thursday, 29th May 2025 in person

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (additional day per year of employment, max 5 days), cycle to work scheme, confidential counselling support and welfare days.

About the role:

We are looking to recruit an experienced one full-time Caseworker IAA level 2 or above to join our Casework Team and directly support our clients by advising and addressing issues including immigration, asylum and holistic matters. The successful candidate will also take the lead on our newly implemented fee charging service.

We are looking for an experienced and methodical caseworker who is able to prioritise cases competently and confidently follow the processes already in place. You will be working at our Reading or Newbury office and be available to do outreach work as and when required.

Key areas of responsibility include:  

• To provide competent IAA level 1 and level 2 Asylum and Immigration advice, specifically to, undocumented persons, asylum seekers and refugees in Berkshire area.
• Casework includes supporting service users with initial asylum applications, fresh claims and supporting with actions following refusal.
• Casework under the fee charging service would include running immigration applications including extensions/renewal of leave to remain.
• You will be able to manage your own caseload and oversee the current casework team providing supervision and guidance on processes.
• Adhere to casework procedures as outlined in the office manual and the IAA standards where applicable.
• Conduct all tasks permitted under the direction of your manager with competence.
• Lead on the continuing development of our new fee charging service.
• Interview clients sensitively and professionally to enable them to explain their problems.
• Keep updated with legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to immigration, welfare benefits and housing advice issues.
• Participate in team & staff meetings and other relevant meetings and events.

About you:

The role would suit someone who is confident in communication, has some cultural awareness and can uphold the values of the charity. All candidates should have strong ethical standards, and team spirit and be passionate about working with asylum seekers and refugees. You will have practical IT skills, be able to work to strict deadlines and have good organisational and methodical skills.

Key skills required for this role:

• Qualified to IAA level 1& level2
• Ability to work from the office – Reading or Newbury
• Ability to handle own case work
• Experience of providing or managing provision of a client focused advice service
• Undergraduate degree in law or similar subject or at least two-year experience in a relevant role, paid or voluntary
• An understanding of how the UK’s Asylum and Immigration system works.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Proficient in MS/other office applications
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

About the organisation:

The employer is a charity in Berkshire that offers comprehensive assistance to refugees, including free legal advice through IAA (formerly OISC) accredited solicitors, integration support via a drop-in centre, social activities, and a refugee football team. They also engage in advocacy and campaigns for refugee rights. The organization encourages community involvement through fundraising, volunteering, and membership. They have made significant impacts, such as providing extensive casework support and distributing food parcels.

The employer aims to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

You may also have experience in areas such as: Refugee Support Worker, Community Caseworker Integration Caseworker,  Immigration Caseworker, Welfare Officer, Resettlement Officer, Migrant Support Worker, Support Worker, Key Worker, Outreach Worker, ETC

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Are you ready for your next position in Individual Giving? In this new role you will be primarily responsible for developing, marketing and managing individual giving. As a key member of the fundraising team you will produce compelling fundraising communications, stewarding individual donors, including regular donors and gifts in memory.

To thrive in this role, you will need prior experience of working in a fundraising setting, with an understanding of good stewardship practices.

This is a hybrid role with 2 days a week in the Oxford office.

The Charity
A social welfare charity committed to providing financial, emotional and practical support and services.

You will be joining a long standing well respected organisation with access to competitive employee benefits which include, Free onsite parking, Options for flexible working, 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance (3 x salary) and a Pension scheme that offers 10% employer contribution.

The Role
Day-to-day management of the regular giving programme, project managing appeals and overseeing the thanking process for individual donors.

Create, plan, deliver and evaluate multi-channel, compliant, insight-led, supporter-centric campaigns.

Manage the newly appointed fundraising agency.

Review and develop operational plans for individual giving (including regular giving, in memory, digital fundraising and appeals) working to achieve agreed targets.

The Candidate
Experience of using direct marketing methods to recruit, retain and develop supporters.

Previous direct marketing or transferrable experience, this should include project managing or assisting a project manager to plan and deliver activity and evaluate results.

Experience planning, delivering and managing individual giving programmes.

Experience of delivering donor recruitment and retention projects from initiation to completion.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful and your details will not be held further but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.
We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.
Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

The NVR practitioner will work with the parent/care giver predominantly, other members of the family who are impacted or experiencing the abuse from their sibling or grandchild, and if willing, with the young person causing harm.

RISE specialises in designing and delivering behavioural change and pyscho-educational programmes. We strive for a world where harmful behaviour is marginalised and fewer people are victims of abuse and crime; a world where people can lead safe, purposeful lives as a result of better relationships within families and communities.

Benefits of working for RISE
You will work for an award-winning organisation (featured in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024) that celebrates diversity, culture and individual differences, and that will help you to grow and thrive in your career. As a learning organisation, RISE has created a culture of continuous professional development. Employees are the heart of our business – we have an Employee Council that gives employees a way to channel their voice to improve their employee experience. As an employee, you will be invited to regular staff meet-ups and can connect with others in different ways.

Specialist Child to Parent Violence delivery:

• Advocate for the rights of children to be respected, heard and protected.
•  Deliver sessions for parents using Non Violent Resistance (NVR) techniques and child and family members, applying a systematic family approach to managing violence and abuse in the home.
• Adhere to the relevant programme manuals for parents as well as for the children and young people.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques and strength based approaches to engage with families.
• Support parents and young people to learn skills and knowledge to deal with behaviour in a non-violenct way, using NVR and trauma informed CBT methods.
•  Work closely with other statutory and voluntary professionals to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect where there is an imminent risk to another person. Apply RISE’s escalation procedures.
• Be responsible and accountable for working with Team leader and/or Service Manager and Advanced practitioner to ensure risk is reviewed on a weekly basis.
•  Attend monthly risk review and practice development meetings with Team leader or Advanced practitioner to ensure effective risk management procedures are applied at all times.
• Attend training sessions to enhance their delivery and understanding of NVR.
• Be personally accountable for the completion of assessments, pre and post questionnaires, and End of Intervention reports, and ensure they are to a high standard.
• Provide support and consultancy to other professionals to ensure appropriateness of referrals  and improve understanding on NVR and CBT techniques and working with families (parents and children and young people.
•  Ensure effective planning for the delivery of each intervention in advance of the session.
• Partake and pass all relevant NVR and other child, young people  and parent centred training to undertake this specialist work.
• Deliver community training as required.

Description

Exciting Opportunity in Halton to work in our Community Shop.

Join the Community Shop revolution and make a real impact as our Community Wellbeing Practitioner and shape the future of your local community.

About us: Company Shop Group is the largest commercial redistributor of surplus food and household products in the UK, enabling some of the biggest retailers, manufacturers, food service and logistics providers to unlock value from surplus stock, which may have otherwise gone to waste.

The surplus we handle is redistributed through our Company Shop stores and our award-winning social enterprise Community Shop where we build stronger individuals and more confident communities. Working with our partners, we deliver an incredible impact and we're proud to be a good business doing good.

About the role: This position has responsibility for the delivery of Community Hub’s programmes and community based initiatives that align in responding to a community needs. You will need to have the potential to solve community-based problems, be ready and willing to create positive changes in our community and to question and rethink concepts, assumptions and practises.

You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders demonstrating your leadership, initiative, ability to problem solve and capacity to respond flexibly to unexpected demand.

Operational Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all Health, Safety & Environmental policies and practises are upheld
• Locally lead and deliver Community Hub’s Social Impact and Development services including the promotion and support of communities through development and engagement initiatives
• Ability to deliver membership drives to broaden Community Hub’s Social Impact
• The delivery of in-house training and development programmes
• Delivery of effective social programmes with housing providers and more widely across the not-for-profit, social enterprise, public and private sectors – with the aim of taking forward new social impact opportunities that maximise the synergistic and financial benefits of joint working
• Implement, data gather and formulate bespoke projects including the project design, setting budgets, managing resources, and ensuring good knowledge transfer alongside Regional Social Impact & Development Manager
• Build understanding within both the social sector and beyond Community Shop to developing social impact business offer, continuing to consolidate with Social Impact & Development department
• Deliver and develop effective Membership practises to ensure access and promotion for service users to Community Shop
• Engage your team both within your department and within other departments to support cross functional and positive working relationships
• Employ a supportive and high performing culture with consistent delivery, through excellent leadership and motivation, that fully utilises and develops your teams’ skills and capabilities
• Keep up to date with information relevant to your department and cascade this accordingly to your team

Requirements

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Lead by example and uphold Company Shop Group values at all time
• Solution focused mind-set; bringing solutions and opportunities
• Sound understanding of and experience in social change objectives and strategies
• Ability to deliver effective training and development programmes
• Experience in implementing and administering data collection tools
• Demonstrated capacity to work at a community level; working with multi-faceted, integrated team operational environment.
• High level experience in shared implementation of social programmes with relevant multi-disciplinary organisations.
• Highly developed communications skills, strong interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to achieving high quality, innovative results.
• Ability to work collaboratively, flexibly and with initiative to fulfil both individual and team performance targets
• Confident presenter and trainer

 Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Professional qualification in community or social science discipline
• Awareness of current issues affecting community based working and how these might impact on the profession
• Knowledge of recent and relevant educational legislation including related regulations and guidance
• Knowledge of social science/community development theories and evidence as applied community based setting
• Full driving licence

Benefits

Why you’ll love Company Shop Group

• Free membership to Company Shop for you and 10 x nominees.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Annual Flu Injections, High Street and Leisure discounts and on-site Parking.
• Subsidised staff Canteen, Free Tea & Coffee, and Free Fruit Friday
• Employee Assistance Programme – Grocery Aid.
• Eligible for Costco membership, Cycle 2 Work, and UK Fuel card discounts.
• Life assurance benefit

Salary-£30'048

Location-Community Shop, Priory House, Northway, Palacefields, Runcorn WA7 2FS

Hours-08:00-17:00 Monday-Friday onsite 40 hours per week

If you're ready to embrace a role where innovation meets social impact, apply now to be part of our journey towards a brighter future together and Lead with Purpose-Impact Communities.

We're looking for two kind, compassionate and resilient Mental Health Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Hackney.

£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
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
Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
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.

Mixture of early, late and sleep in shift as rostered.

Early shifts: 8am-4pm. Late shifts: 2.30pm-10.30pm, Sleep in shifts: staying over to sleep after the late shift till following morning.

If you enjoy making a difference and passionate about mental health, why not join us?

What you'll do:

Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere in the home.
Following lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness to health and safety for self, colleagues and customers.
Supporting customers to maintain a healthy and clean living environment, where appropriate, provide assistance to maintain their living areas are clean and safe from hazards.
Providing support and assistance to customers during the day who may be experiencing difficulties with their own mental health and seeking appropriate support.
Providing support with daily living activities including practical assistance to customers who may require this.
Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation
Support customers actively in the community and engage with the local area.
Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community
Pro actively manage health and safety on a daily basis for self, colleagues and customers.
Empower customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits they are entitled to

For the full list please see our website.

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
Approachable 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
Flexible
Open to feedback and self development
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is essentially customer-focused
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector

Desirable:

Experience working in mental health
Experience working in a CQC registered care setting
Experience of delivering personal care / assistance.

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.

Start date:  Mid-August 2025 (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £36,411 - £38,261 per annum, pro rata.

Hours: 35 hours a week, with some flexibility possible.

Contract: This is a 9 month maternity cover contract, with possibility of extension to 12 months

Place of work: To work flexibly at CARA premises across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harwich and Dunmow, with some remote home working.

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, Monday 2nd June 2025 

Interviews:  Monday 9th June 2025 

Start date: Mid-August, 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 role of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice Manager is to lead CARA’s teams of Young Person’s Practitioners and Child and Family Practitioners and manage the provision of specialist sexual violence counselling for young people, play therapy and support for parents and carers.  The post holder may hold a small caseload of clients and undertake some assessments, but the main emphasis of this role will be on the management, support and coordination of the team.

This is a varied and interesting role, giving the post holder opportunity to lead a talented and committed team of practitioners.   As well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the team, the post holder will be part of CARA’s management team and will have the opportunity to play a key role in CARA’s wider development, working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO.   The post holder will work with our sister centres, SERICC and SOS Rape Crisis to gain an understanding of Child and Young Person’s services across Essex and coordinate these as appropriate.   

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• To manage all operational aspects of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice, including overseeing the delivery of our specialist young person’s counselling service, play therapy and support for parents and carers.    This may also include managing any new Child and Young Person’s Practice projects that CARA develops.

• To work in accordance with CARA’s policies and procedures and embed a feminist approach in CARA activities.

• To co-ordinate, review and develop effective processes within the Child and Young Person’s Practice, working closely with the Deputy CEO, the Young Person’s Practitioners and the Child and Family Practitioners.

• To line-manage a team of Young Person’s and Child and Family Practitioners, providing day-to-day support, monitoring performance and identifying training and development needs.   This will include keeping up to date notes of line management meetings and conducting and recording annual staff appraisals.

• Work with our Adult Practice Manager to oversee the work of a wider team of sessional counsellors, including supporting Practitioners in line managing sessional and volunteer counsellors and identifying training needs. This will include helping to co-ordinate a monthly sessional and volunteer counsellor meeting. 

• To support practitioners and sessional counsellors in maintaining up-to-date client records and ensure that gaps in data are proactively addressed, as required.

• To work with CARA’s Deputy CEO to recruit and train new staff and sessional and volunteer counsellors, as required.

• To lead regular Young Person’s Practice and Child and Family Practice meetings, producing notes to share with team members and with senior management.

• To maintain an overview of waiting lists, working closely with practitioners and with the Deputy CEO and CEO to ensure that staff and resources are deployed effectively.

• To keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy and practice issues, including BACP and child safeguarding guidance and ensure the practitioners are aware of changes.

• To liaise with CARA’s other teams and more widely with Synergy Essex teams, resolving problems and ensuring good communication and mutual understanding of respective roles and ways of operating.

• To liaise with external agencies, including children’s mental health and social care, ensuring CARA is represented at meetings as required and developing effective relationships to ensure our services co-ordinate with statutory and voluntary services.

• To be part of the CARA management team and attend regular management team meetings, contributing to CARA’s ongoing development.

Counselling and client support

• To oversee client work within the teams, working closely with all team members to resolve client issues and ensure high quality service provision.

• To undertake client assessments and make appropriate arrangements for support.

• To provide specialist counselling for young people and/or play therapy for children and support for their parents, holding a small caseload of clients.

• To keep client records up to date. 

• To work flexibly at CARA centres across mid and north Essex, providing face-to-face and remote sessions, as required.

General

• To work flexible hours, including some evening work and occasional weekends.

• To participate in CARA team meetings, supervision, training and development.

• To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in delivery of training sessions.

• To raise awareness of sexual violence and its impact in the community and within other agencies.

• To keep appropriate records in accordance with CARA policies and procedures.

• To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.

• To be administratively self-servicing.

• To report to the Deputy CEO, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

• To undertake any other related activities as required by the Deputy CEO, 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 East

CARA is part of Synergy East and we work closely with South Essex-based SERICC 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.

Location: Northampton
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 p/a benefits
Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Benefits: 30 days annual leave, Health Cover, free onsite parking, personal training budget, sporting event tickets and discounts.
 
About the opportunity:
 
Our client is proud to partner with incredible organisations who are making a genuine difference every day. This opportunity is no exception.
 
They’re looking for a Finance Director who brings a great mix of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and operational excellence. Someone who can shape future plans with a clear eye on opportunity and risk, while ensuring robust processes, controls, and best practice are firmly embedded.
 
This is a true business partner role; you’ll need to see the bigger picture and contribute at board level, while still being able to roll your sleeve up and strengthen day-to-day financial operations. Building financial awareness and capability across all departments will be key too, developing and upskilling teams to ensure financial thinking is at the heart of decision-making across the business.
 
This is your chance to be part of something special. You’ll join a passionate leadership team who are committed to creating positive social change through education and inclusion programmes that empower individuals, build confidence, and unlock potential.
 
You’ll bring strategic financial expertise to the table, helping to ensure that funds are used wisely and well, allowing these life-changing programmes to continue, grow, and evolve.
 
This isn’t just about the numbers. You’ll be a key voice at the leadership table, influencing decisions, challenging thinking, and helping shape the future direction of the organisation.
 
What you’ll be getting stuck into:
 
• Acting as a strategic finance partner to the CEO and leadership team - your insight will shape plans, drive decisions, and keep the mission on track.
• Leading on all financial reporting, planning, forecasting, and risk management - keeping the board, Trustees, and senior leaders fully informed.
• Ensuring robust financial controls, compliance, and governance across the charity.
• Leading the charge on data and insights - including developing meaningful KPIs, social value metrics, and an annual Impact Report that tells the real story of the difference being made.
• Managing the charity’s use of Salesforce and looking at how data can be used even more effectively to support decision-making.
• Keeping a sharp eye on VAT returns, payroll, gift aid, pension schemes, and investment administration.
• Line managing and supporting a small Finance team and succession planning to keep the team thriving.
• Business partnering with Heads of Department, helping each function understand the numbers and make smart, informed choices.
 
What they’re looking for:
 
• Proven experience in a senior finance role where you’ve combined strategic leadership with a hands-on approach.
• ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA (or similar) qualified.
• Confident working with Xero (or similar accounting software) and the Microsoft 365 suite.
• Skilled at translating financial data into plain English for non-finance colleagues - making the complex simple.
• A solid understanding of financial risk management, including how cybersecurity, fraud controls, and financial risks interact.
• Experience leading audits, preparing statutory accounts, and presenting at Board or Trustee level.
 
You’ll fit right in if you are:
 
• A strong communicator and influencer - able to build trust at every level.
• A strategic thinker who can see the bigger picture while staying close to the detail.
• Solutions-focused, proactive, and calm under pressure.
• Resilient, adaptable, and not afraid to challenge the status quo.
• Someone who leads with heart, champions collaboration, and believes in the power of purpose-driven work.
 
What’s in it for you?
 
Alongside a competitive salary and generous benefits, this is an opportunity to genuinely make an impact. You’ll play a critical role in sustaining and growing work that changes lives for the better — and you’ll do it alongside a leadership team who believe in what they do, care about each other, and are serious about making a difference.
 
REF-221319