Specialist support workers jobs

Make a real difference in people's lives - and let us make a real difference to your life and career.City of Chelmsford Mencap is an independent charity that supports people affected by learning disability across mid-Essex.  It provides lifelong learning, social opportunities, work experience, advocacy and information.

Summary of the Role

The Support Lead plays a key hands-on role in delivering high-quality, person-centred support within the Outreach Academy, CCM’s lifelong learning service. They help coordinate daily activities, promote independence and wellbeing, and ensure service users experience meaningful learning in a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment.

The Support Lead works closely with the Senior Support Leads to implement care plans, support learning sessions, uphold safeguarding responsibilities, and model best practice based on key social care values. They guide and assist specialist support workers, tutors, volunteers, and work placement students during sessions, helping to create a positive and enriched learning experience for all participants.

Key Social Care Values and Approaches Required

The Support Lead must demonstrate understanding and use of:

• Person-centred thinking, planning and co-production
• Strengths-based and outcomes-focused practice
• Active Support approaches
• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
• Making Safeguarding Personal
• Supported decision-making and the relevant legislation
• Trauma-informed approaches
• Accessible communication methods (e.g., visual supports, Makaton, easy-read)
• Dignity in Care and principles of respect, choice, independence and inclusion

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting Daily Operations
• Direct Support and Person-Centred Practice
• Guiding and Supporting Staff, Students & Volunteers
• Communication and Partnership Working
• ​Safeguarding, Safety and Risk Management
• Record-Keeping and Administration
• ​Quality, Reflection and Development​

We are Hestia. We make a difference.
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Job Title to play a pivotal role in our Service in location.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
This role is responsible for delivering person-centred support that promotes wellbeing, independence, and tenancy sustainment for service users with diverse and often complex needs. You will assess referrals, co-produce and review SMART support and risk management plans, and work in partnership with external agencies to ensure access to health, education, employment, and community resources. ?
?The role involves supporting independent living
skills, financial stability, and recovery while preventing relapse or hospitalisation. You will maintain accurate records, uphold organisational policies, and contribute to service monitoring and development. Acting as a positive representative of Hestia, you will build strong relationships with service users, colleagues, and key stakeholders.?
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
You will support service users to maximise their financial security and independence by addressing arrears, maintaining benefit claims, and enabling access to employment, training, and volunteering opportunities. You will ensure organisational strategies, values, and policies are embedded in all aspects of service delivery, while working closely with the local and Senior Management Team to contribute to service development and continuous improvement. You will positively represent the organisation internally and externally, building strong relationships with service users, colleagues, commissioners, and key partners. The role also requires maintaining accurate service user, financial, and service records using organisational systems, supporting monitoring and reporting requirements, and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk
, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Learning Support Assistant (LSA) – Autism / SEND

Ambitious About Autism is recruiting a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to support autistic children and young people aged 4–19 at TreeHouse School (Ofsted Outstanding) specialist school in Muswell Hill.

• Full time, permanent (term time only)
• Hours: 8.45am – 4.35pm
• Salary: £26,638 – £28,005 per annum (paid across 52 weeks)
• Location: Muswell Hill, North London (N10 3JA)
• Start date: February 2026 (flexible depending on notice period)

Please note, this role may not meet Skilled Worker visa sponsorship criteria.

You will work 1:1 with autistic pupils, supporting them to access the curriculum while building independence, confidence, and self-esteem through classroom learning and community based activities. This role includes personal care.

This role is ideal for candidates with experience or interest in:

• SEN / SEND
• Autism
• Learning Support Assistant or Teaching Assistant roles
• Care, youth work, education, or psychology backgrounds

What we offer:

• Term time only working (paid across 52 weeks)
• Autism specific training and ongoing CPD
• Supportive leadership and a strong wellbeing culture
• Varied, meaningful work with real impact
• Full benefits package: please see our website

The official internal title for this role is Specialist Teaching Assistant, but it is advertised externally as Learning Support Assistant to reflect the nature of the role and maximise reach.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Prospectus is pleased to be partnering with a mixed gender homelessness charity based in South West London. It’s mission is to provide secure accommodation to those experiencing homelessness, and to support working towards independence and lasting stability. They do this through the provision of a safe and secure hostel with 14 rooms, and communal areas and kitchen, along with a team of great support workers.

As a Support Worker, you will ensure a safe and welcoming service within this 24 hour hostel where welfare dignity and protection is key. Working with vulnerable adults you will remain alert to risks and respond appropriately to concerns or incidents following safeguarding and risk management procedures. You will also hold a small caseload, supporting clients with their key work support that is person centred and trauma informed, focussed on promoting independence, stability and well being.

Due to the nature of the role, you will have experience in building relationships and supporting vulnerable, disadvantaged, or excluded client groups, as well as dealing with challenging behaviours within a similar setting to the homelessness sector.

The ideal candidate will be able to easily demonstrate similar experience, and also be available to work shift patterns based on site in Richmond. 

If you are interested, please apply with just your CV in the first instance (in Microsoft Word format). We are reviewing CVs on an ongoing basis, so it is highly recommended to submit your application as soon as possible. The successful candidate for this role will also be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Please note this is a full -time role Monday-Sunday, 37.5 hours per week, working on a 5-week rota basis (one week early / one week late, working 1 in 5 weekends):
•   AM – 8:00 – 4:00
•   PM – 14:30 – 22:00 

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus is committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invests in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Job Title: Children's Support Worker

Location: Warwickshire - Travel required across Warwickshire, predominantly South Warwickshire. Use of a car is essential to the role. 
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum 

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We are recruiting for a Children’s Support Worker who will be working closely with children and their parents who are living in our dispersed accommodation refuges escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse, to provide personal welfare support and ensure that our clients are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.

A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. The post holder will support children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence and plan and provide stimulating, safe, and appropriate play opportunities.

Please note that 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.

A driving license and access to a car is essential to the role. 

Closing Date: 09:00 am 13 March 2026

Interview Date: 23 March 2026

Are you passionate about supporting victims of domestic abuse and making a real difference in their lives? Join our dedicated and compassionate team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA).

In this role, you will provide high-quality, survivor-centred support to standard and medium-risk victims of domestic abuse, helping them to increase their safety, navigate their options, and make informed choices about their future.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, trauma-informed, survivor-centred support to high-risk victims of domestic abuse
• Carry out comprehensive risk assessments and safety planning, using tools such as DASH
• Advocate on behalf of survivors with statutory and voluntary agencies, including police, social care, housing, health, and legal services
• Represent and support clients through the MARAC process, ensuring risks and actions are clearly communicated and followed up
• Support survivors to understand their options around criminal justice, civil remedies, housing, and welfare
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records in line with GDPR, safeguarding, and organisational policies
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving adults and children
• Build strong multi-agency relationships to improve outcomes and reduce risk for survivors
• Empower survivors to make informed choices and increase their safety and independence

You will need to be a compassionate and resilient professional with:

• A minimum of an A level, NVQ3 or equivalent, a degree or SafeLives (Desirable not essential)
• IDVA qualification (Desirable not essential)
• Comprehensive knowledge of domestic abuse, it's impact and relevant legislation
• Excellent communication, advocacy and problem solving skills
• Experience of working with victims of domestic abuse
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable individuals
• Able to travel across Bedfordshire

We welcome applications from candidates who are either qualified IDVAs or those who do not yet hold the formal qualification but have relevant experience supporting survivors of domestic abuse. If you have demonstrable experience working with high-risk victims, strong safeguarding knowledge, and the skills to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centred support, we would be keen to hear from you. We recognise the value of lived and professional experience and are open to supporting the right candidate to achieve the IDVA qualification as part of the role

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship accept applications from individuals who already have the right to work in the UK for the position applied for

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

At One YMCA, we are an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, welcoming the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We are committed to creating a working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to building a diverse workforce made up of a wide range of skills, experiences, and abilities.

This is a  Full Time role.
Hours per week: 37.5
Working Pattern: Monday-Friday

Are you looking for a new Challenge?

Do you have experience of working within drug services and with volunteers?

Do you have relevant experience? This might be alcohol, injecting drug use, viral hepatitis or other liver disease. Have you supported anyone who has?

We are looking for self-motivated individuals who like to be part of a team but equally can work on their own. The post holders must have a desire to make a difference in promoting hepatitis awareness & liver health among services and affected communities and by increasing access to hepatitis treatment and liver disease care. We are looking for a passionate and skilled peer lead who will work on the Community Liver Health Bus and in community outreach locations in North Central London 

We are a patient-led organisation – you will be working in an environment where the patient/service user/client is placed at the centre of all that you do.

The post holder is required to hold a clean driving licence.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Lambeth, London
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum, Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call Rota).

We are looking for a Refuge Worker to work within our culturally specific refuge to provide specialist, high-quality support to women and children escaping domestic abuse. Based in Lambeth, London, this role involves delivering practical and emotional support to survivors, ensuring their safety, and helping them rebuild their lives. Working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, you will create a safe and welcoming environment in line with Refuge’s values and commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

As a Refuge Worker, you will support women through crisis, providing keywork sessions, safety planning, and advocacy. You will assist with accessing housing, welfare, legal support, and other essential services while maintaining accurate case records. You will also play a vital role in ensuring the effective operation of the refuge, managing referrals, and working collaboratively with partner agencies. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and resilient individual with strong communication and organisational skills. While experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector is beneficial, we also welcome applications from those with transferable skills and a commitment to supporting survivors. Above all, we value individuals who are dedicated to making a difference, thrive in an inclusive environment, and are committed to their own personal development while supporting others.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while developing valuable frontline support and advocacy experience. Refuge offers ongoing training, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package, ensuring that our staff are valued and supported in their roles. If you are passionate about empowering survivors and want to be part of a dedicated, compassionate organisation, we encourage you to apply.

Closing Date: 09:00am 27 February 2026

Interview Date: 12 and 13 March 2026

About the role

Join us in building safer futures by giving a voice to male survivors of domestic abuse and strengthening professional awareness 

This is a unique and rewarding role that combines direct survivor support, specialist partnership work, and awareness-raising in the community.  

As part of our dedicated Domestic Abuse Service, you’ll focus on three main areas:  

Supporting male survivors at standard and medium risk  

• Provide one-to-one, trauma-informed support to men affected by domestic abuse.  

• Complete risk assessments, safety plans and ongoing recovery-focused support.  

• Help survivors build confidence, make safe choices and achieve long-term positive change.  

Survivor support alongside the Your Choice Project (YCP)  

• Work in line with Respect Standards, which ensure that survivors are supported while their partner or ex-partner attends the YCP behaviour change programme.  

• Deliver specialist parallel support to male survivors, ensuring their voice, safety and wellbeing remain central.  

• Collaborate closely with YCP colleagues to provide a balanced, holistic approach to safety and recovery.  

Community outreach and awareness-raising  

• Attend and run events across Nottinghamshire to connect directly with male survivors and the professionals who may encounter them.  

• Deliver training and briefings to raise awareness of male survivors’ experiences and increase professional confidence in responding to them.  

• Contribute to the development of innovative outreach strategies that challenge stigma and make services more visible and accessible to men.  

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is:

•  Experienced in supporting people in crisis, ideally in domestic abuse or frontline services.

• Knowledgeable about the challenges and barriers faced by male survivors of abuse.

• Skilled in communication, problem-solving and building strong partnerships.

• Confident working with both survivors and professionals in community settings.

• Passionate about equality, inclusion and ending domestic abuse in all its forms. 

How to apply

• Applications can be made via our recruitment portal. 
• CVs cannot be accepted. 

Closing date

• 9am on 25th February 2026.
• Interviews will be held w/c 9th March 2026.  If applying, please ensure you have availability for an interview during this week as we may not be able to offer an alternative. 

Location

• Hybrid Working

Salary

• £25,870.51 pa FTE (£14,683.26 pro rata)   

Hours

• 21 per week 

Contract

• Fixed Term until March 2027

Safeguarding

Equation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and to work in accordance with our safeguarding policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will be subject to safer recruitment checks including an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references covering the past five years, and completion of our safeguarding disclosure questionnaire.

This post involves regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults.

Equation operates a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse, discrimination, bullying, harassment or exploitation. We are dedicated to creating a safe environment where everyone we work with feels protected and able to speak up if they have concerns.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Support Worker to play a pivotal role in our Complex Needs Service in Tower Hamlets.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

The main purpose of the role is to prepare individuals to move on to independent living in the community. Service users may step down from the intensive support service to high, medium or lower needs before moving into the community.

From the outset of an individual's tenancy the focus of the support is on preparing them for their journey of recovery and independence over an agreed period. Our support service is provided 24 hours a day 365 days per year with tailored flexible support delivered in accordance with need. ​

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

You will bring demonstrable experience of working with individuals who have mental health and/or dual diagnosis needs, alongside a strong understanding of recovery principles and a range of recovery approaches. You will be confident working both independently and as part of a team, including supporting the induction of peer staff and volunteers, and collaborating effectively with statutory services such as the NHS. You will have sound knowledge of mental health legislation, including CPA processes, and be skilled in crisis management, communication, and providing dignified, person-centred support. A good awareness of health and safety and safeguarding is essential, as is the ability to work flexibly across early and late shifts, weekends, and bank holidays to meet 24-hour service needs. You will also bring strong IT, literacy, and numeracy skills, with the ability to produce clear written correspondence and maintain accurate records.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Deputy Manager to join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets. No personal care or experience is required, just the right values.

£36,000 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? 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
* 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
* 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.
The Deputy Service Manager will play a central role in the day-to-day leadership and development of Barnsley Street Project, a co-located pilot service operating with East London Foundation Trust (ELFT - NHS) and the Third Sector Mental Health Alliance partners. The service provides six hospitality beds for short-term stays and a drop-in service operating 8am-8pm for anybody in the community needing support with their mental health. This role is designed for a reflective, values-led manager who is comfortable working without fixed templates, and who can hold clinical, ethical, and organisational complexity.
Barnsley Street is intentionally experimental. It seeks to move away from coercive, compliance-driven models of mental health support and instead develop humane, relational, psychologically informed ways of working that prioritise choice, collaboration, dignity and proportionality in risk management. The Deputy Service Manager will work closely with the Service Manager to build, test and refine new processes in real time, while maintaining accountability, safety, and learning.
The post holder will provide operational leadership, line management and practice leadership to frontline staff. They will deputise for the Service Manager when required and act as a key interface between Look Ahead, ELFT and Third Sector colleagues, commissioners, and wider system partners.
Working pattern is 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, with some flexibility to support the supervision of Waking Night Support Workers.

What you'll do:

Practice & service leadership
* Provide day-to-day operational leadership of the service, supporting the development of a psychologically informed, anti-coercive and relational culture.
* Act as a visible practice leader, modelling curiosity, reflective thinking, and ethical decision-making in complex and uncertain situations.
* Work collaboratively with ELFT and Third Sector partners within the shared building, contributing to genuinely integrated ways of working.
* Support the development, testing and refinement of new ways of working, including alternatives to traditional risk assessment, escalation, and containment-focused responses.
* Hold and communicate the service's values and purpose, particularly when under pressure and scrutiny.

Risk, safeguarding & governance
* Lead a proportionate, relational and least-restrictive approach to risk, balancing safety with autonomy, dignity, and psychological safety.
* Support staff to think critically about risk management, encouraging a proportional response that puts the customer at the heart of the process.
* Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, held and responded to in line with statutory requirements, while maintaining a trauma-informed and non-punitive stance.
* Work alongside the Service Manager to ensure appropriate recording, learning, and reflective review of incidents, near-misses, and complexities.
* Contribute to a learning culture where mistakes, uncertainty, and anxiety can be thought about.

People management & staff development
* Provide direct line management, supervision, reflective space for Support Workers, Specialist Support Workers and Waking Night Support Workers.
* Deliver high-quality supervision that integrates performance, wellbeing, emotional impact, and practice reflection.
* Support staff to develop confidence in working relationally and tolerating uncertainty.
* Identify learning and development needs within the team and support progression, retention, and succession planning.
* Foster a culture of trust, shared responsibility, and mutual accountability, avoiding micromanagement while maintaining clear boundaries and expectations.

Please see our jobs site for the full job description.

As Youth Worker you will use your experience of working with children and young people to:

• Work alongside the Youth Coordinator to develop and deliver an agreed project plan that meets the requirements of funders and local team priorities, in line with Diabetes UK processes and policies.
• Support young people and volunteers to understand and grow their strengths and skills, empowering them to take action, support others and make change happen.
• Continuously improve our impact and engagement with young people and the diabetes community, identifying opportunities to share learning and good practice across teams.
• Work with colleagues to grow and enhance our engagement with young people, creating opportunities for long term relationships and involvement of young people in the wider work of the charity.

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Our Young People & Families (YP&F) Operational Hub delivers a wide range of integrated support services designed to help resolve complex difficulties experienced by young people and their families/carers.

Support is provided to people who find themselves in a range of circumstances; they may be missing from home or have emotional, housing or substance misuse issues. We also support families where parents/carers are experiencing domestic abuse, substance misuse, emotional issues, homelessness or unemployment. Whatever the situation, we work alongside young people and their carers to find a way of stabilising their lives.

Redthread is a hospital based youth work service, working alongside NHS staff and other professionals in emergency departments.

Our experienced, specialist youth workers engage with and support young people, aiming to support them with their needs in hospital and post-discharge. We often meet young people at a moment of change and work with them to find a positive way forward.

We provide long-term, holistic support. We consider every aspect of a young person’s life and build support around them.

About the Mental Health Youth Work Service Pilot

The prevalence of reported mental health challenges in children and young people living in England have been increasing.  In addition, research tells us that children and young people facing such challenges with their mental health are more likely to self-harm. For some children and young people, A&E Departments may be a first point of contact with healthcare services following self-harm. While in recent years the number of attendances by children and young people for mental health needs and/or self-harm have stabilised, there was a sharp increase in attendances following the pandemic. For children and young people who have gone to A&E for support with their mental health, such as following self-harm, waiting a long time in A&E can be hard. A&E Departments are often very busy and loud places and there is not always access to secluded space for those who have gone to A&E when experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Children and young people who are also neurodiverse may find the environment particularly challenging and overstimulating while they are waiting to access care and support. This pilot aims to strengthen the offer of support to young people aged 11-18 in A&E, and also consider the wider social and emotional wellbeing needs of those individuals whilst in that environment and following discharge by ensuring there is follow up support for a variety of services.

The Mental Health Youth Work Service model has been informed by young people with experience of hospital attendances after self-harming, and their feedback has been used to shape the care we aim to deliver.

The service runs across two hospital sites in London: King’s College Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There will be a team consisting of one Senior Youth Worker and a Youth Worker embedded in each site.

Job Description

Where you fit in

This is an exciting new service working in partnership with King’s College Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. The project is a pilot that aims to provide specialist Youth Work support for young people presenting to a hospital because of their mental health, and specifically where they attend because of self-harm.

The Senior Youth Worker will lead on the Mental Health Youth Work service embedded within the A&E department. This will involve line management responsibilities for the Mental Health Youth Worker, partnership working to build relationships both internally within the hospital and externally in the local community, and with both statutory and non-statutory partners.

The Senior Youth worker will be expected to support and build trusting relationships with young people who present with acute needs and are often in a crisis. They will manage a caseload of their own, with contact taking place both in the hospital and post-discharge in the community.

The Senior Youth Worker will ensure the integration of the service at their respective hospital A&E department, and work alongside the Team Leader in reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements

Main Duties & Accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of the Mental Health Youth Work service for young people aged 11-18 who attend the A&E department. Ensure that all young people are assessed holistically and care plans are tailored, trauma-informed and empowering, with the aim of reducing further harm.

• Line manage the Mental Health Youth Worker, providing guidance and direction through regular contact and meetings, case allocation, caseload oversight and one-to-one supervision, both formally and informally.

• In collaboration with the other Senior Youth Worker, provide overall support to the team to develop and improve skills, including assessment and recording, to ensure that Redthread’s model of intervention is delivered consistently.

• Promote high levels of wellbeing for staff members who are working with young people who have experienced acute and chronic mental health challenges

• Hold a caseload and work with young people with often complex needs, in a range of settings, including in A&E, in the community, face-to-face and virtually where required, and promote their personal, educational, health and social development through all interactions

• Assist with the on-going development of the service model to ensure that young people and other stakeholders gain the maximum benefit from Redthread’s interventions

• Along with the team, tailor and design youth work resources that are specific to the young people we are working with

• Contribute to the training programme that Redthread provides for hospital staff, including informal microteaching and more formal presentations.

• With support from the Team Leader, maintain strong working relationships within the Hospital, and NHS staff ensuring that Redthread youth workers are fully embedded in the health setting and are working with clinical staff to deliver a service that meets the needs of young people, including promoting the service within the hospital and attending appropriate internal meetings

• Assist in building and maintaining strong working relationships with Redthread stakeholders, project partners and with other agencies working with young people and to represent Redthread at external meetings as required.

• Ensure that as a team, you are proactive in researching and networking with other organisations working with young people in the area served by the hospital to ensure that the Youth Workers have a good knowledge of other services and projects that may be of interest to the young people we work with or appropriate for us to refer to.

• Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings in hospital, working with ED staff and CAMHS teams to support and safeguard young people

• Maintain a good level of professional knowledge of the issues affecting young people, particularly related to their mental health needs and self harm.

• In all areas of the work, apply an in-depth understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working with children and young people, and provide guidance to your team members that adheres to Redthread’s Safeguarding policy and procedures and safeguarding policies of respective NHS Trusts.

• Ensure information resources such as client forms, databases and contact files are kept fully up-to-date and secure, in line with GDPR, the Data Protection Act and our Confidentiality Policy and Consent Policy. Maintain high-quality recording of interventions with young people on our database, Salesforce, in line with Redthread’s best-practice requirements. (Training will be provided.)

• Collect and record evidence of project outcomes and young people’s achievements, to ensure the completion of monitoring forms and project progress reports as required.

• Work as part of a team to continue to develop the programme’s monitoring and evaluation in order to facilitate internal reflection and learning, and to demonstrate its effectiveness and impact to external stakeholders.

 • To ensure that the Youth Worker accurately captures and records data on the CRM system. To ensure that it can be used to identify trends and provide insights. To use these insights and trends to shape service delivery and share information with partners.

• With support from the Team Leader and oversight from the Service Manager, produce monthly and quarterly reports as required by funders and to inform leaders of the operational performance of the organisation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

Relevant level 3 or 4 qualification in health & wellbeing, youth provision or similar or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable:

A degree-level qualification in social work, youth work, social science, education or another relevant field
Qualifications in counselling and/or mental health first aid for young people

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the physical, social and emotional developmental needs of young people • Understanding of the issues faced by young people living in inner city areas • An awareness of child protection and safeguarding issues and knowledge of current best practice within the youth work sector • Knowledge of Mental Health systems and processes and the function of statutory services such as CAMHS • Knowledge of the specific needs of young people who self harm • A knowledge of best practice in case recording

Desirable

• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence • Knowledge of solution-focused brief therapy tools or a similar counselling methodology. • Knowledge of psycho-education tools appropriate to share with children and young people who also may be neurodivergent • Knowledge of health inequalities and how these can affect different groups/individuals

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Significant professional experience of working with vulnerable young people in a range of activities and settings • Experience working with young people in a health and well-being context, especially with young people experiencing mental health challenges • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team • Experience of leading and managing a project to enable growth and continuity • Experience in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with partner organisations • Experience in planning and delivering training

Desirable

• Experience of working in a London borough • Experience in leading, managing, supporting, and motivating a team in their work • Experiencing of developing a project’s processes, procedures, and policies • Experience of monitoring and evaluation systems to measure programme impact

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

• Resilient and reflective • Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and an ability to interact young people on a one-to-one basis within a range of contexts • Ability to plan and manage own workload • Accurate data entry and record keeping and monitoring processes Ability to use up-to[1]date IT systems • Able to analyse and evaluate information and provide effective management oversight of high-risk complex cases. • Able to oversee cases using an electronic database

Desirable

• Leadership and management skills to enable the team to have a clear sense of direction, feel motivated and have a clear understanding of how their own roles contribute to and enhance the work of the organisation • Able to provide supervision, guidance, and support to youth work teams, particularly around task allocation, setting priorities and personal development
 

OTHER

Share Catch22 values
Awareness of and commitment to Equality & Diversity
Willing to travel and work flexibly
Desire to develop and undertake training as required
● Enthusiasm for Redthread’s work
● Approachable, self-motivated and committed to continuous personal development
● A commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities as they apply to all aspects of Redthread’s work

Additional information

Those interested in applying for this opportunity should review the Job Description & Person Specification to find out more.

When applying please be cautious over the answers you provide. If you select “NO” to the screening question regarding Right to Work in the UK, your application will automatically be closed. 

Contract: Permanent

Hours & work pattern: 37 hours per week, with regular evening and weekend shifts required. Evening shifts cover the hours of 1pm to 9:00 pm 

Salary: £32,917.50 per annum

Location: King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London. With regular travel to other Redthread sites and offices when required.

Screening: Successful admission to post subject to enhanced DBS check and employer Right To Work in the UK check. The post-holder must have right to work in the UK. Catch22 does not currently provide a licence to sponsor visas but please see this register to see those that do.

To Apply: Please provide your CV and cover letter, along with the completion of the screening questions to express your interest in this opportunity. Please note, in the interest of safer recruitment and ensuring that applicants are a right fit for the role, submitted applications must contain a CV, satisfactory responses to the screening questions, and information detailing interest in the role, to be considered for this position.

Closing date: Thursday 19th February at 5pm

Interviews will be held in week commencing 2nd March

AI generated applications are not acceptable and could lead to a disqualification of your current and future applications across Catch22 jobs. In order to ensure that applications are fair, genuine, and representative of the candidate applying, our teams may use a number of tools to identify occurrences where candidates have not given an honest response during the application process. 

Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box

Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. 

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See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media. 

Permanent | Full Time | Circa £38,000 + Excellent Benefits

Location: London

Make a Difference Every Day

For more than 100 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting the RAF Family. We are a key partner in the Royal Air Force’s mission to look after its people during and after service, ensuring that this service is valued, recognised, and people are supported even when uniforms are eventually shed. We are a national charity with international reach, delivering emotional, financial and practical support wherever and whenever it is needed. Each year, our vital services and support continued to help those serving, families, veterans, and the bereaved, in 30 other countries and in 2024 more than 64,000 people benefitted from the charity’s work.

As an organisation, we encourage learning and development and there will be ample opportunity to learn more about the Royal Air Force, the broad impact of the Fund’s work as well as developing your own skillset. 

Do you want to play a part in what we do?

People are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we:

• Provide personalised support to members of the RAF Family – listening carefully, offering guidance, and tailoring our services to individual circumstances so no one is left behind.
• Improve quality of life for serving and former RAF personnel and their families through life-changing financial assistance, housing support, and help with essential living costs.
• Increase independence by enabling members of the RAF Family to live life on their own terms, whether through mobility equipment or housing adaptations.
• Enhance wellbeing for those who serve and have served, and their families, through mental health and emotional support, youth programmes, and restorative respite and holiday breaks.

About the Role

We are seeking an individual to undertake holistic assessments of need, both remotely (over the telephone and online) and in person across their region. They will be expected to work with individuals who may have complex and sometimes challenging welfare needs, assisting them by identifying appropriate support from within both the RAF Benevolent Fund and the wider statutory and military charity sector, ensuring that support is made available to meet their need through the case working process.

In addition to their primary casework role, they will provide specialist social work related advice and guidance to our Single Point of Contact Helpline team and our wider welfare teams. Applicants must be an experienced, registered social worker with a minimum of five years’ post-qualification experience within a Local Authority or the Charitable sector.

Applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation, policies, and best practice relating to the safeguarding of adults and children.

The successful candidate will have experience of working in a social welfare role supporting individuals and will have strong people and relationship-building skills, as well as empathy with or understanding of issues affecting the Armed Forces community.

 

This role will be based in our Central London Headquarters, with a hybrid working pattern, with up to 2 days per week working from home. Occasional travel to support cases and wider Fund activity, outside of this region, may be required.

Additional Information

· Enhanced DBS Checked

· Must have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply
Click [here] to submit your CV and a cover letter explaining why you’re the perfect fit, including examples of how you meet the job profile.

Closing Date: Tuesday 24th February 2026, 5:00pm

A copy of the Fund’s Candidate Privacy Notice can be found on our website. As an equal opportunities employer, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. The Fund takes safeguarding seriously, and appropriate background checks will be completed. You can find out more about our commitment to safeguarding on our website.

The RAF Benevolent Fund follows Safer Recruitment practices as it strives to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with the Fund will be protected from harm. The successful candidate for this role will need to be Enhanced DBS checked and prove they have the right to work in the UK. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Fund.

 

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is a Registered Charity (No. 1081009).