Entry level jobs for the Social Welfare sector

*This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Stop Domestic Abuse is a trauma informed organisation; the work we do to support those effected by domestic abuse may be triggering for those with past trauma. Please only apply if you are living free from abuse. If you’d like to talk to us about this, please get in touch.

Location: Southampton

Salary: £25,750 - £26,383

Hours per week: 37.5 

Contract Type: Permanent 

Reference Number: STOPDA841 & STOPDA842

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:

The focus of this role is on reduction of risk and minimising impact of domestic abuse by providing support, advice and assistance to adults and any children living within Stop Domestic Abuse’s dispersed accommodation who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse.

Dispersed accommodation is safe, self-contained accommodation with a similar level of specialist domestic abuse support as provided within our refuges but which may be more suitable for victims-survivors who are unable to stay in a refuge with communal spaces, and/or where peer support from other residents may not be appropriate. This may include: women with male children over 16, male victims-survivors, including men with children, LGBTQ+ victims-survivors, older adults, victims-survivors with disabilities, victims-survivors facing multiple disadvantages and victims-survivors with pets

To provide safety planning, support, advice, and assistance all adults, children those living within dispersed accommodation.  

The post-holder will work to empower and support all victims and survivors of domestic abuse to make positive choices.

To participate in the delivery of the on-call out of hours on a rota basis.

What We Offer:

Time off and Flexibility:

- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (Increasing with service)

- Birthday day off

- Child’s first day of school off

- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ leave per year

- Flexible and hybrid working

- Protected time of up to one hour each month

Family-Friendly Benefits:

- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave

- IVF Leave

Health and Wellbeing:

- Westfield Health Healthcare Cashback Plan (after probation)

- Westfield Health Personal Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Eye care vouchers

- Cycle to Work Scheme

About Stop Domestic Abuse:

Stop Domestic Abuse is a proud women-led organisation supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Portsmouth and Hampshire. Our vision is a world without domestic abuse, and we work to ensure that it’s ‘everyone’s business.’

We provide refuge and community-based support, delivering in a trauma-informed way for adults, children and young people, tailored to individual needs. Our 19 refuges offer safe, welcoming homes, and across our services we provide one-to-one support and group activities to help improve their safety and to meet others with similar experiences. We support children process their experiences and help regain a sense of safety.

Our UP2U programmes support those seeking to change abusive behaviours, and we also offer specialist support for victims of stalking. We also deliver training to professionals, including the hair and beauty industry, to recognise domestic abuse and connect people to specialist support services.

Our Values:

Equality, Openness, Honesty, Respect for individual dignity and diversity, Empowering women and children, and Care and Compassion – are at the heart of everything we do. By committing to these values, we aim to significantly improve the lives of those we support and work towards our vision of a world without domestic abuse.

Job Title:                       Community Coordinator 
 

Reporting To:               Regional Manager 
 

Salary Range:               £25,000 Per Annum
 

Contract Type:           Full Time, 12 month Fixed Term 
 

Location:                      Field Based role covering Yorkshire, Licolnshire, Humberside 
 

Working days/hours per week: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm                     
 

Our Vision: A UK where “No good food goes to waste”. 

The Felix Project and FareShare have recently merged to form the UK's largest food redistribution charity. Its vision is a UK where good food is never wasted, and nobody goes hungry. 

The organisation rescues high quality edible surplus food, from across the food industry and gets it to over 8,000 organisations across the UK who are working to strengthen communities and improve lives. 

The charity manages seven depots across London, Suffolk, Merseyside and Hampshire and works with 16 network partners who operate a further 26 regional depots across the UK. 

Over the next year our ambition is to rescue enough food nationally to provide nearly 200 million meals, turning an environmental problem into social good with measurable impact for people, planet, and the economy.

Purpose of the Job 

To focus on the growth and sustainability of the FareShare Go programme; through maximising relationships and adding value to create the best experience for the charity and store community in your designated area.  
 

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Annual and on-going charity account management  

• Liaison with store or retailer personnel to ensure positive charity experience and issue resolution 

• Strong skills in relationship management and networking for programme development 

• Compliance and safety of charity food use 

• Community engagement  

• Operational support and data reporting for performance improvement 

• Provide pro-active leadership and support in ensuring the delivery of all functional demands. Ensure the functional processes and procedures are appropriately controlled. 

• Create and maintain an innovative environment that encourages colleague participation in raising standards of quality, team working and communication

Smart Works Reading are recruiting for a Service Delivery Assistant based in our Reading centre to lead on the smooth running of our service, and create a welcoming atmosphere for all clients, volunteers and visitors. Our team is friendly and professional, and we work closely together to make sureevery client has an outstanding experience when they visit us. 

The Service Delivery Assistant will be the first point of contact a client will have with Smart Works Reading. Therefore, we are looking for a friendly, organised and hard-working individual. The role requires strong administrative skills, excellent communication skills and a drive to ensure all women who visit us have the best possible experience. If you’re passionate about supporting women, then this is an ideal opportunity for you. The role would be based in Reading city centre. 

Smart Works Reading is part of Smart Works Charity which has 11 centres across the UK. There will therefore be some travel and frequent liaison with local centres across the UK and HQ in London, to support induction and training, as well as the day-to-day role.

For full details, please see the attached job pack and apply via our online portal by 12 noon on Friday 27th March.

Are you passionate about social justice? Do you want to help women heal and thrive?

One25 is a Bristol-based charity supporting women to move from crisis and trauma towards independence in the community. We are looking for an organised and proactive individual to take on the role of Support Team Assistant and play a crucial role in the smooth running of the charity and its core functions.

The Support Team Assistant will be part of One25’s friendly and skilled Organisational Support Team (OST) who together manage the charity’s administration, finance, HR, IT and premises, ensuring that One25’s systems are efficient and effective, and that staff work in safe and well-run premises.  This is a generalist role that would suit someone who is flexible, who thrives on variety and who enjoys finding solutions for things. This role would also serve as a good introduction for those looking to move into charity sector operations and administration. 

As the Support Team Assistant, you will have your own responsibilities, but you will also work closely with other team members across all aspects of the team’s work.  The successful candidate will be a team player who is proactive with a can-do, solution focussed approach, will possesses good interpersonal skills, will be organised with good attention to detail, and be able to use their initiative.  Above all though, they will be excited about working in a role that equips the One25 and its employees and volunteers to provide the best possible services to the women we work with.

Please refer to the job description for more information about the responsibilities in the role. You are also welcome to attend our online Ask Us Anything session on 2 April at 12:00 to find out more.

“When I first came through the doors, I remember being made to feel welcome, and I felt safe. At last, I knew I wasn't alone. I wouldn't have my flat without being supported when I was homeless. One25 has helped me throughout my addiction and what goes with it.“ – One25 Service User

At One25 we seek to imbed our values into the daily work and activities of One25 employees and volunteers. We are looking for candidates who understand, demonstrate and apply our workplace values:

· Compassion – we care

· Justice – we fight for change

· Learning – we grow together

These values reflect the way that we work with and for the women, each other, partners and within society and its systems.

One25 is committed to being an inclusive workplace that represents the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from across the global majority, LGBTQ and disability groups, and those who have lived experience of multiple disadvantages as these groups are underrepresented within our workforce.

As part of our efforts to increase ethnic diversity, we are taking positive action under the Equality Act 2010 (Section 159). We will guarantee an interview to applicants from global majority backgrounds who meet the essential criteria for the role.  Applicants are therefore asked to ensure they complete the Equalities Form when submitting their details in order that their application can be considered appropriately. Please refer to One25’s Recruitment Data Privacy Policy for more information.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require once in post, but also during the application and interview process to make it as inclusive as possible. This could include (but is not limited to) different ways of applying, sharing interview questions in advance, or allowing more time for tasks during the interview.

Occupational Requirement

This post is open to women only, as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010. Following the recent Supreme Court judgment, this part of the Equality Act now means we may only consider applications from women who were assigned female at birth for this role. We welcome applicants to get in touch with us if they’d like to discuss this further.

Basic DBS disclosure will be required.

Benefits: Generous leave allowances: 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays; additional holiday linked with length of service, 2 days wellness leave; up to 13 additional days’ time off in lieu; plus, additional time off on any working days that fall during the Christmas and New Year closure.

Enhanced company sick pay

Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity/partner pay

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Access to HSF Health Plan

Mental Health Champions & EDI Allies

Reflective practice sessions

Cycle Scheme

Opt-out pension scheme.

One25 are currently trialing a 4 Day Week. This means that staff work 20% less for the same salary following a successful probation period. It is a pilot and a decision about its continuation will be taken in May. With this in mind, we are highlighting it as a potential benefit, but not guaranteed.

Ask Us Anything session:   2 April at 12:00pm (online)

Closing Date:  Monday 13 April at 09:00am

Interviews: Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 April

Expected Start: As soon as possible  

Our Vacancy

Care Support Worker – Help People Live Their Best Lives Every Day 

Do you love making a difference? Are you the kind of person who brings warmth, energy, and compassion wherever you go? As a Care Support Worker at Peabody, you’ll be a vital part of someone’s journey—helping them live independently, confidently, and joyfully.

Whether it’s supporting with daily routines, encouraging hobbies, or simply being a kind presence, you’ll help people feel safe, heard, and empowered. This is a role where your care truly counts—and where every day brings new opportunities to brighten someone’s life.

What You’ll Do

• Support people with personal care, health needs, and daily living tasks
• Help individuals express themselves and make choices that matter to them
• Encourage hobbies, interests, and community activities
• Build strong relationships with families, friends, and professionals
• Work flexibly across services—including evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to reviews and team meetings
• Promote health, safety, and uphold quality standards

What You’ll Need

• A kind heart and a compassionate mindset
• A sense of humour and a resilient attitude
• Great communication skills and a team spirit
• Willingness to work flexibly, including unsociable hours
• Respect for diversity and individual needs
• Ability to maintain accurate records and meet deadlines
• A satisfactory DBS check
• Experience in care or support (voluntary or paid) – desirable but not essential
• Care Certificate or NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care – desirable but not essential

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Two paid volunteering days each year
• Flexible benefits scheme and discount portal
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Up to 10% pension contribution
• Paid training and development opportunities
• Employee assistance programme
• Staff recognition schemes

Please Read Before Applying

This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

This role follows a 24/7 working pattern, which includes overnight shifts, weekends, and bank holidays. You’ll need to be flexible and ready to support people when they need you most.

If this sounds like we are right for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you.

Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Closing date: 10 April 2026

Interviews will be ongoing and take place in person at Gallimore Lodge, Meesons Lane, Grays, Essex, RM17 5HR by no later than 17th April 2026. 

PLEASE NOTE: As an employer, Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licenced UK employer.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

We are recruiting for a Refuge Worker to join our team in Kingston; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Kingston
Salary: £11,542.85 per annum
Contract type: Part-time, Permanent

Hours: 15

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. The role of the refuge worker is to complete health and safety duties as well and ensure that the refuge accommodation meets compliance requirements.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 9:00am on 1 April 2026

Interview Date: 9 April 2026

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

We are recruiting for a Community and Events Assistant to join our team in London; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Community and Events Assistant

Location: Hybrid with a requirement to occasionally work at our Head Office (Vauxhall)
Salary: £27,926 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

Are you a positive, kind, and empathetic individual with strong organisational and time management skills? Do you enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life and want to develop your career in fundraising?

At Refuge, we’re looking for a passionate and proactive Community and Events Assistant to support the delivery of our ambitious plans to expand our Community and Events programmes. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fundraising, supporter engagement, and event coordination within a supportive and passionate team.

In this role, you will:

• Be the first point of contact for many of our incredible fundraisers, offering outstanding supporter care and guidance.
• Provide administrative support to the Community and Events team.
• Help to ensure our fundraisers feel valued, informed, and inspired throughout their journey with Refuge.

We’re seeking someone who:

• Is enthusiastic about learning and developing a career in fundraising.
• Communicates clearly and compassionately.
• Believes in equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of the women and their children we support.

Join us and be part of a team that’s changing lives every day.

Closing date: 9.00 on 7 April 2026

Interview date: 15, 16 & 17 April 2026

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

EQUISS Caseworker

Reports to: Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding

Purpose of the Role

EQUISS is an independent organisation working to strengthen safeguarding, welfare and accountability across the equestrian sector.

Across the equestrian world - from riding schools and training yards to competitions and affiliated clubs - concerns about abuse, misconduct and unsafe practices have too often been difficult to raise, navigate or resolve. EQUISS has been established to help change that: ensuring individuals affected by harm are heard, supported and able to access clear and safe pathways for raising concerns.

This role represents the first advocacy caseworker position within EQUISS, playing a central part in establishing a new, independent support service for the equestrian sector.

The Caseworker will provide trauma-informed advocacy, guidance and practical support to individuals experiencing abuse, harm or misconduct within equestrian environments. The role will help individuals understand their options, access appropriate support and navigate reporting processes within sport and, where appropriate, statutory systems.

Working closely with the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, the Caseworker will help deliver EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line, ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred support.

As one of the early roles within a developing organisation, the Caseworker will also contribute insight from frontline casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding challenges within the equestrian world, supporting the organisation’s wider mission to drive meaningful reform.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy and Support

• Provide empathetic, trauma-informed support to individuals seeking guidance relating to abuse, misconduct or safeguarding concerns within equestrian environments
• Act as a single point of contact (SPOC) for individuals engaging with the criminal justice system, helping them understand processes, maintain communication with relevant agencies and access appropriate support throughout the process
• Listen to and respond to disclosures in a sensitive, survivor-centred manner while always maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring clients understand the remit of the service
• Help individuals understand their rights, options and available pathways for raising concerns
• Support individuals to make informed decisions about next steps, while respecting their autonomy and choices
• Where appropriate, accompany and support individuals at face-to-face meetings, including meetings with organisations, safeguarding professionals or governing bodies, and provide advocacy support during interactions with police or court processes
• Maintain appropriate and supportive contact with individuals seeking assistance, ensuring clear communication and follow-up where appropriate

Case Management

• Manage a caseload of advocacy enquiries and support requests under the supervision of the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
• Conduct structured needs and risk assessments to understand the circumstances and support needs of individuals contacting EQUISS
• Maintain clear, accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements
• Ensure individuals are appropriately signposted or referred to specialist services such as counselling, legal advice, advocacy organisations or statutory services where required

Safeguarding

• Identify safeguarding concerns involving children, young people or adults at risk and respond in line with EQUISS safeguarding procedures.
• Escalate safeguarding concerns to the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding where appropriate, seeking guidance on complex or high-risk situations while maintaining confidence in managing routine casework independently
• Support the safe handling and documentation of safeguarding concerns, including gathering relevant information and assisting with referrals where appropriate.
• Maintain clear and confidential records of safeguarding decisions and actions taken

Partnership and Liaison

• Work collaboratively with relevant organisations and professionals where appropriate, including safeguarding leads within equestrian sport, statutory agencies and specialist support services
• Support individuals in navigating organisational processes where concerns relate to equestrian environments
• Help build constructive relationships with relevant safeguarding and welfare partners

Learning and Insight

• Contribute insight from casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding issues within the equestrian world
• Contribute insight from casework and engagement with individuals to help inform EQUISS communications, campaigns and sector awareness work, supporting the organisation in highlighting safeguarding issues within the equestrian sector
• Support the development of organisational learning by sharing themes and insights emerging from advocacy work
• Assist the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding in identifying areas where sector guidance or safeguarding training may be beneficial

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Safeguarding training at Level 3, or willingness to undertake Level 3 safeguarding training within the first six months of appointment

Desirable

• ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or equivalent advocacy training.
• Additional training in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or victim-survivor support

Where candidates do not yet hold an ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, EQUISS will support the successful candidate to undertake relevant advocacy or safeguarding training as part of their professional development.

Essential Experience

• Experience supporting individuals affected by abuse, safeguarding concerns or trauma within a professional setting
• Experience providing advocacy, casework or support within safeguarding, welfare, social care sport or related sectors
• Experience working with sensitive and confidential information
• Understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice

Knowledge

• Understanding of safeguarding principles relating to children, young people and adults at risk
• Awareness of barriers individuals may face when reporting abuse or misconduct
• Understanding of professional boundaries and safe information sharing

Skills

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Ability to engage sensitively with individuals discussing difficult experiences
• Ability to assess needs, prioritise actions and manage casework effectively
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment

Additional Information

• The role may involve occasional travel to provide in-person advocacy support, including attending meetings with organisations or statutory agencies, and accompanying individuals to police stations, court hearings or other relevant appointments where appropriate
• Some evening or weekend availability may occasionally be required
• The role requires an enhanced DBS check
• The postholder will participate in regular supervision and reflective practice
• The postholder must demonstrate a commitment to EQUISS’ values of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion

About EQUISS

EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.

Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.

As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.

Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.

Employment package:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
• Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
• Reporting to Head of Advocacy & Safeguarding