Involvement And Volunteering Manager Jobs

Are you a strategic, passionate, and experienced leader with a big heart for the older generations? If so, you could be the person we are looking for to lead Embracing Age.

Introduction

We live in a world that is ageing, and with that come opportunities and challenges.  At Embracing Age we want to harness those opportunities and respond to the challenges. We’re motivated by the heart of God towards the older generations, particularly those no longer able to live independently, and needing to draw on care and support. 

If you’re motivated by a similar heart and that message resonates, then perhaps you are the person to take Embracing Age forward in this next season. It’s an exciting time, we’re a growing charity with an amazing staff team and trustee board.
 

About Us

Embracing Age is a Christian charity working towards a world where older people are valued, connected and full of hope. We do this by befriending care home residents, supporting informal carers and equipping churches in their work amongst older people. Care home residents are twice as likely to feel severely lonely than older people living at home and we want to embrace them with God's love.

About the Role

The CEO will provide leadership to Embracing Age and to be responsible for the management and administration of the charity, in partnership with and reporting to the trustees. You'll lead, inspire and motivate staff and volunteers, whilst upholding and developing the Christian ethos, vision, mission and values of Embracing Age, along with the strategic objectives and priorities.

About You

You’ll be a strategic, passionate person with a big heart for the older generations and a desire to mobilise churches and communities in coming alongside them. You’ll be a friendly, confident individual with good communication and organisational skills who is looking for a part time flexible role. 

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please read through the recruitment pack and send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides, outlining your interest in and suitability for the role.

Your application should include a brief description of your faith journey and Church involvement and the details of two referees, one being a Church leader and the second a professional referee.

If you would like an informal chat about the role please get in touch

Closing date 8th June 2024

One in seven people in the UK experience tinnitus.  This role will positively and proactively innovate, manage and improve Tnnitus UK's services and build on the reputation of Tinnitus UK to date.  This role leads Tinnitus UK's efforts in providing direct support to Tinnitus through multiple channels including telephone, and online.  In addition liaises with regional support group leaders in the provision of support, face to face and locally.  Given that Tinnitus UK is the only charity in the UIK to provide such services delivery of these services at the highest standard is essential and consequently enhances the reputation of the charity,

The position is responsible for the development of the strategic and annual plans associated with the provision of these support services, and has direct day to day responsibility for implementing them through multiple channels (helpline services, support group and volunteer programme, events) nationally in Tinnitus UK.

This role provides strategic oversight and management of the services portfolio (helpline services, support group and volunteer programme, events) nationally in Tinnitus UK.  The post holder works with the Chief Exeutive and the rest of the Leadership team to deliver services, ensuring that goals are achieved through effective management practices, that staff are motivated and supported to build sustainable services to meet the needs and expectations of the tinnitus community and work closesly with research to remain up to date on the latest understanding of the issues that cause tinnitus and solutions that help address and mitigate the challenges facing sufferers.  The role ensures that all activities are carried out in accordance with statutory requirements, quality standards, information governance requiremens and organisational policies.

This role will maintain and develop Tinnitus UK's digital offerings, ensuring these are delivered in ways that help and encourage people to access our services now and in the future.  This will include maintaining and monitoring existing services and developing, testing and embedding new ones.

Main Responsibilities

1. Develop and implement our services strategy

• Strategic and operational oversight of all Tinnitus UK's services to the tinnitus community, optimising both digital and traditional models and ensuring relevance and quality
• Innovatively improve and extend Tinnitus UK service provision, with a primary focus on people living with tinnitus, recognising that Support Services should be available at all times when people need them, calling for a strong digital capability
• Identify relevant people and organisations and build relationships to enable better support around the UK for poeple with tinnitus.
• Work with all staff to ensure Tinnitus UK's information and engagement services are understood and well delivered by all staff.

2. Intergrated approach to service user involvement

• Continually analyse and understand the needs of people with tinnitus, care givers, regional co-ordinators, partners and other stakeholders and develop appropriate services to meet them
• Ensure Tinnitus UK's support group network maintain best practice and work with colleagues to identify under-performing groups and develop action plans for improvement
• Establish links with key internal teams and external bodies, managing risk and helping to evaluate our involvement in partnerships and collaborative work.

3. Understanding the needs of the tinnitus community

• Run focus groups to fully understand the needs of people with tinnitus

4. Develop Tinnitus UK's outreach services to people who experience tinnitus

• Lead strategic development of Tinnitus UK's helpline and other outreach services.
• Identify gaps in tinnitus support service provision and work with colleagues to ensure they are filled
• Ensure connectivity between service users' journey across Tinnitus UK's services
• Oversee development of Tinnitus UK's chatbot function in relation to tinnitus support

5. Volunteering and placements

• Work with relevant staff to develop the programme for internal and external volunteering opportunities designed to enhance service delivery and encourage growth of individual volunteers
• Coordinate placements as and when required to ensure the organisation benefits from them

6. Events

• Work with relevant staff to implement a programme of events (conferences, awareness events, training courses) to meet the needs of the tinnitus community
• Lead the innovation of events, using digital and other tools to widen their availability to make them more diverse

7. Quality

• Lead Tinnitus UK's work to assess social impact and value
• Ensure Tinnitus UK's tinnitus support services are founded on evidence-based research and that our advice to people living with tinnitus remains accurate and appropriate in response to developments in the treatment of tinnitus.
• Work with colleagues to identify underperforming services and drive improvement of standards and quality
• Work with staff and volunteers to ensure a high quality information service

8. Leadership

• Work as part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure oversight of strategic and operational matters and support the Chief Executive
• Lead the development and delivery of Tinnitus UK's annual operational business for Services and contribute to the overall charity's business plan
• Provide evidence, data and ideas to support the fundraising team to develop proposals to underpin Tinnitus UK services.

9. Drive change and maximise our potential

• Explore cost effective digital solutions that optimise our use of resources
• Apply management techniques, tools and solutions to drive the change and transition to greater use of digital tools in service delivery

10. General

• Co-ordinate and attend internal and external meetings and events
• Contribute to the general administrative running of Tinnitus UK
• Adhere to and promote Tinnitus UK's organisational values
• Show flexibility to carry out such other associated duties that may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the post
• Undertake a maximum of 4 hours per week on the helpline/webchat service

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. Experience

• Management and leadership of service delivery services in the charity sector
• Strategic and operational planning and implementing organisational change
• Monitoring and evaluation of systems, processes, service quality and team performance
• Management of service delivery projects to meet targets and funding criteria
• Managing staff and volunteers, including remote and matrix management

2. Skills an Abilities

• Senior management skills appropriate to a complex leadership role in a national organisation
• Ability to think strategically and translate strategic goals into achievable objectives
• Solution-focused approach and effective and timely decision-making
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills that encourage staff and stakeholders to engage and participate
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, diplomatically, efficiently and effectively
• Fluent use of standard office equipment and information and communication technology
• Ability to manage risk and recognise potential impact of decisions across the organisation
• Ability to manage own time and workload efficiently in order to prioritise and to meet tight deadlines
• An ability to recognise the challenges of colleagues on the front line who are handling difficult and some times very distressing calls from sufferers and hear with empathy their needs and provide support to them.

3. Knowledge

• An understanding of the practical operation of performance and quality requirements in contracts and the regulatory environment in relation to Tinnitus UK's services.
• Knowledge of data protection, monitoring and evaluation of systems; safeguarding policies and practices

4. Education/Training/Qualifications

• No single specific qualificaitons is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area relevant to the post is required.  For example: Management and leadership; Quality systems; Monitoring and Evaluation; Project ManagementAI learning and communication systems.

5. Other Requirements

• Able to travel occasionally when required to present on Tinnitus UK services i.e. Support Groups across the UK
• Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary
• Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work
• Committed to anti-discrimatory practice and equal opportunities.  Able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work

Who we’re looking for

You will be an excellent communicator, as well as a practical, well organised and hardworking individual, preferably with experience in the voluntary sector or equivalent transferable experience.

Reporting to the Regional Service Manager, you will support the Service Manager with managing the Cardiff Support Through Court service. You will provide support to volunteers and oversee the daily running of the service when on duty to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. 

Due to funding requirements, the successful applicant must be fluent in Welsh.

About Support Through Court

Support Through Court is an independent charity providing practical and emotional support to people facing the court process without the benefit of legal representation. Most people are unfamiliar with - and may be frightened of - the courts, and may be facing serious issues that could affect their children and relationships, finances, or the security of their homes. Our staff and volunteers empower people facing court alone, helping them to go through the court process with dignity and confidence. Together, we can ensure that no one faces court alone.

35 hours a week, Monday – Friday with occasional weekend working

£26,856 - £29,904

Based in Moss Side and Ardwick, working across central and north Manchester

Do you have the right mix of enthusiasm and passion for leading a team committed to making a real difference children and young people?

We are recruiting a manager to lead Manchester Young Lives’ adventure play and youth work in Moss Side, Ardwick, Blackley, Moston and Harpurhey. We provide open access and targeted play and youth work activities. Our after-school adventure play provision is Ofsted registered and provides activities for 6-13 year olds. Our youth provision engages with young people aged 11+ after school and during the evenings, in centres and on the streets.

Our work enables often disadvantaged children and young people the opportunity to learn, develop and connect with their communities, build safe and supportive relationships with committed workers, and let off steam on our adventure playgrounds.

You must have relevant skills and experience in working with children and young people, sometimes in challenges situations, and the ability to manage a team of staff and volunteers.

If you can build relationships with staff as well as you can with children and young people, and lead with motivation, creativity and determination, we would love to hear from you.

Please note CVs will not be considered as part of your application for this position. Application and Demographic forms must be returned either via email or by post to Manchester Young Lives, The Addy Young People’s Centre, Woodhouse Lane, Wythenshawe, M22 9TF. Please ensure you complete the final section of the application from, giving information as to how you meet the person specification.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We anticipate this to be a popular role. So please apply early as we may have to close prior to the deadline.

If you need further information, or you would like to discuss any aspect of the role, please ring Beth Aze, Head of Operations.

Exciting Opportunity!!! If you have experience working with young people in a youth work setting and you would like the opportuntiy to open and develop the KFC Youth Foundation's first youth hub in Middlesbrough we want to hear from you NOW!

We are opening our first Youth Hub in Middlesbrough this summer. It is our intention to deliver open access youth services with a particular focus around food education, employment and food aid, by creating a training kitchen and cafe.

Our core values are to empower young people to take control of their lives and make positive changes for themselves and to create viable career opportunities for youth workers. We want to be champions for change, leading the way in making youth work a credible profession and providing a platform and a voice for young people and youth workers, by offering Youth Work Apprenticeships and Training. We know that the power of change comes from the ability to collaborate, so we want to work with trusted partners to execute our shared goal of supporting young people to fulfil their potential.

What will you be doing?

Ahead of the KFC Youth Foundation Hub opening you will be feet on the ground in Middlesbrough during the development of the Youth Hub to opening, supporting with the recruitment of youth workers and hub employees, engaging and recruiting young people and co-designing opening programming and the opening of the hub.

Service Delivery & Partnership

• Responsible for the management and preparation(s) of programme delivery - play and youth work and early help provision onsite, that meets the needs of children, young people and families including through direct and partnership delivery with third sector providers.
• Develop and maintain the support needed for a varied 7-day programme of term-time and holiday youth provision (open access and targeted); inclusive of sports, arts, cultural and recreational activity that promotes the development of physical and emotional well-being
• You will have a local knowledge and be able to develop a meaningful dialogue with children, young people and families, with the purpose of assessing their needs and creating services to meet them.
• Establish an inclusive culture within the youth hub; where all are welcome and supported to participate, and where respect, honesty, and trust enables children and young people to thrive.
• Develop initiatives and partnerships to build strong links with the local community and support the growth of positive perceptions of children, young people and their families.
• Implementing methods for observable or measurable indicators of success.
• Organise regular outreach to facilitate the involvement of children, young people from across the ward and borough; targeting those who have had little contact with services and may be hard to engage.
• Work with other key agencies to manage risk.

Leadership

• Ensure all staff are aware of practice standards, expectations and timescales, and establishing a culture of responsibility and accountability building trust, good morale and teamwork.
• Manage service area delivery in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity and collaborative working; ensuring that all youth workers and hub employees are aware of the requirement to deliver non-discriminatory services and to promote greater equity for disadvantaged groups.
• Consistently promote and apply the KFCYF policies and standards in managing employee sickness absence, unsatisfactory performance, conduct, discipline, and grievances, and customer complaints according to the Foundation’s policies.
• Support the recruitment and induction of staff and carrying out regular supervision and annual performance appraisals for line reports.
• Take responsibility for staff timetables, rotas, and annual leave; arranging and authorising any necessary staff cover that may be required.
• Take authority for expenditure for events and activities within established KFCYF financial processes and accounting for all budget spending as required.
• Ensure that KFCYF policy and procedures for health and safety are adhered to and that all equipment is maintained, taking action as necessary to ensure compliance.
• Ensure risk assessments are carried out for the premises, activities and services and updated as and when necessary.
• Ensure regular health and safety audits are carried out and that any areas of non-compliance are quickly rectified.

Administration

• Oversee the keeping of accurate and up to date records of attendance data and other management information as required.
• Maintain records of interventions; keeping files current, well organised, and able to provide concise and accurate information for the Foundation on outcomes achieved.
• Prepare and present quarterly reports for the review of the Foundation Manager/ Trustees

What we'd love from you?

• A personal commitment to the KFC Youth Foundation’s mission to help young people achieve their potential and our ambition to become a delivery organisation
• Experience of managing and delivering open access and targeted youth work/ youth participation programmes
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• A satisfactory DBS check at enhanced level is required.

Desirable

• Understanding of RPA duties, apprenticeships and support for non-engaged young people in employment pathways.
• A professional or occupational qualification; in Youth Work, Teaching, Health or social work is required.
• Experience of managing and delivering a range of preventative programmes focussed on improving education, health or youth crime reduction outcomes, including restorative solutions.
• Knowledge of accreditation programmes and experience of curriculum development and implementation
• Knowledge and experience of youth participation legislation, strategies and methods
• Experience of safer volunteer recruitment programmes.
• First Aid qualification

Experience

• Experience of successfully managing service change and development with evidenced outcomes for users.
• Experience of managing within an urban and ethnically diverse context and developing and delivering appropriate services.
• Experience in working on an inter-agency basis.
• Ability to motivate and empower staff so as to build effective teams and relationships, trust, good morale and teamwork.
• Experience of planning and leading programmes of informal education in large and small group settings
• A strong track record of developing and embedding a performance management culture with a clear development focus, including translating strategic plans into individual and team objectives.
• Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of key agencies working with young people, including their statutory responsibilities and the ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with all partners.
• Ability to initiate and maintain effective communication and working relationships with a relevant range of people and organisations
• Ability to work with children and young people who present challenging behaviour
• Ability to plan and implement programmes for disabled young people and those with SEN

Strategic Thinking and Planning

• Able to demonstrate a track record of strategic planning and the delivery of high-quality customer focused services.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to devise strategies for service delivery and improvement and translate them into realisable plans.
• Able to influence widely, achieve solid buy in from staff, colleagues, and officials across the Foundation, external partners and all stakeholders.

Financial Management

• A proven ability to manage expenditure budget to the standard required by the Foundation, while delivering high quality value for money services.
• Able to manage, support and direct service delivery by members and projects from inception to implementation within budget and within set timescales.
• Financial sustainability – including business development and income generation.

The KFC Youth Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity.

The KFC Youth Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

About the KFC Youth Foundation

The KFC Youth Foundation is the corporate foundation that was setup in 2015 and is financially supported by KFC UK&I. The KFC Youth Foundation is a charity.

Since its inception the KFC Youth Foundation has made donations and grants of more than £8m. In 2021 we became a community grant maker, offering grants of up to £2,500 to grass roots organisations working with young people in their communities. Organisations who share the passion we have for developing young people. Since setting up the programme we have made grants to a value of £351,570, supporting 10,271 young people.

But we aren’t ones to rest on our laurels and over the last 18 months we have been developing a strategy to transform ourselves into a service delivery organisation. It is our ambition to create KFC Youth Foundation Hubs; amazing spaces with awesome youth workers that allow young people who most need it, to feel safe and secure.

Volunteer Development Officer
Reference: APR20246930
Location: Flexible in UK
Salary: £26,379.00 - £28,319.00 Per Annum, Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-time, 30 hours per week
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave (pro rata)

Nature is in Crisis, and here at the RSPB we are working across the UK and overseas to save it.  As the UK's largest nature conservation charity, with a workforce of over 14,000 employees and volunteers, we have an ambitious programme of work to revolutionise our volunteering approach and deepen the impact volunteers have as individuals and collectively.

The Volunteer Development Officer (Assemble) will work within the Volunteering Development Department to deliver the volunteering elements of our new corporate strategy, which has a focus on increasing people powered conservation, focussing on diversity and raising our internal people capabilities.

Assemble is our volunteering management system and this role will be the lead contact, champion and be the system expert from the RSPB business perspective (volunteering) for Assemble – ensuring volunteering and volunteers get the best from Assemble.

The Volunteering Development Department are the subject matter experts for volunteering and will drive the culture change needed to achieve the required change and growth in volunteers and volunteering delivering our ambitious strategy demands.

You can be based anywhere in the UK, and we are very supportive of flexible working. We value and understand the importance of different voices, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds within our workforce and strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community.

What's the role about?

The Volunteering Development Department are the subject matter experts for volunteering and will drive the culture change needed to achieve the required change and growth in volunteers and volunteering delivering our ambitious strategy demands.

As the Volunteer Management System (Assemble) lead, this role will:

• Proactively make changes to Assemble (through the System Administrator) as required to support, improve and develop business operations.
• Document RSPB Business processes linked to Assemble
• Assist in developing and delivering training and other resources such as promotional talks, intranet articles and team presentations, to promote uptake of the system and support users in getting the best from Assemble
• With the System Administrator (in our Digital team) ensure Assemble functionality (existing and new), work as required for users and the RSPB
• Provide excellent Customer Care and support to all Assemble Users resolving issues and challenges within our service level agreement.
• Ensure data and metrics from Assemble are available to meet business need, funding bid requirements and our annual reporting requirements internally and externally Identify and champion opportunities to get even more from Assemble to meet our volunteering strategy and improve and enhance our support for volunteers and the user experience on Assemble.
• This role would have an individual specialism but with the ability to be flexible to cover the priorities required across the department and the UK wide needs.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Comprehensive understanding and knowledge of volunteering innovation, best practice and sector standards.
• Demonstrable track record of having successfully and effectively developed a range of volunteering roles and schemes across an organisation.
• Experience of providing operational advice and guidance on volunteer involvement to people at all levels and building effective stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of working in a customer-focused environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, successfully influencing, persuading, guiding, listening to, and negotiating with others, constructively challenging thinking where appropriate.
• Strong skills in identifying and analysing problems, issues and areas of improvement, working collaboratively to develop creative strategies and solutions.
• Ability to be proactive, use initiative and work independently.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills; ability to manage and deliver a diverse portfolio of work and to balance the priorities and needs of multiple stakeholders.

Closing date: 23:59, Friday 24th May 2024
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing 10th June 2024.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.

Job description

Caseworker Role (OISC Level 1, 2 and 3)

About us

The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) is an established, multi award winning charity that provides a safe, welcoming environment to thousands of refugees and migrants living in the Black Country and Birmingham.

Our highly skilled and diverse staff team provide a broad range of services including advice and support on immigration (OISC regulated level 1, 2 & 3), employment, welfare, education, ESOL, housing, homelessness, destitution, citizenship, health and wellbeing.

RMC have been assisting beneficiaries to access and sustain appropriate accommodation and improve their housing and living conditions for nearly two decades. RMC also deals with many aspects of homelessness, destitution, rough sleeping, exploitation, etc.

Why work for us

Our culture is what makes us unique. We encourage an open, honest working environment where people are valued. We're always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes.

What you will be doing

All Caseworkers (Levels 1,2 and 3) will be required to carry out the tasks shown below. The skill level to progress from one level to the next level is also detailed below.

· To provide professional and effective OISC regulated casework as well as advice, guidance and support to a broad range of RMC’s service users.

· To assist/support the team and the management to meet the needs of the beneficiaries and achieve targets.

· To support and supervise colleagues on a lower level of OISC regulation and designated volunteers.

· To deliver presentations and represent RMC at meetings/events when required by management.

· To take responsibility of projects related to the job

Working within the team

· To ensure the requirements of OISC are respected and met during the delivery of immigration-related advice and casework.

· To assist the senior colleagues and managers in order to drive efficiency, quality, systems improvement and target achievement.

· To supervise and/or manage colleagues on a lower level of OISC-regulation and designated volunteers.

Casework and advice

· To offer advice & casework to service users with various aspects related to their immigration case.

· To deliver the appropriate level of casework either independently or under supervision, depending on the level of OISC registration.

· To provide appropriate support and mentoring to any caseworkers and/or advisors that are under this role’s supervision.

· To maintain confidentiality in all dealings with service users and ensure their needs are met in a satisfactory and sensitive manner.

Other

· To be responsible for the day to day delivery of specific projects if requested by the Senior Management Team–this is flexible and could change depending on the nature of funding.

· To represent RMC at external meetings and events when required by senior colleagues.

· To maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Flexibility
In order to deliver the stated aims of this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties will fall within the scope of the job within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed
___________________________________________________________________

OISC Level 1

Skill / experience Essential Desirable

· OISC Level 1 Accreditation or equivalent

· Commitment to working towards level 2

· Experience of advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants.

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients.

· Commitment to equality and diversity.

· A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

· An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

· Fluent in a community language

· Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

· Educated to degree level or equivalent.

· A proven record of team work and flexibility.

· Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement.

OISC Level 2

Essential Desirable

· OISC Level 2 Accreditation or equivalent

· Commitment to working towards Level 3

· Experience of complex advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees, vulnerable migrants and ‘outside of rules applications

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients

· Commitment to equality and diversity.

· A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

· An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

· Fluent in a community language

· Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

· Educated to degree level or equivalent.

· A proven record of team work and flexibility.

· Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as

· establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement.

OISC Level 3

Essential Desirable

· OISC Level 3 Accreditation or equivalent

· Experience of delivering complex advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees, vulnerable migrants, ‘outside of rules applications’ and representation at tribunal.

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients.

· Commitment to equality and diversity.

· A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

· An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

· Fluent in a community language

· Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

· Educated to degree level or equivalent.

· A proven record of team work and flexibility.

· Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

We are looking for a new Advocate to join our team in Bedfordshire. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

About us

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a part time Advocate to join our team covering Bedfordshire. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Professional Development?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.

Benefits:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata for part time colleagues
• 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Separate Life Assurance Cover
• Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
• Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
• Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance
• Support with continuous professional development

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; 5pm on 27/05/2024, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

We look forward to hearing from you.

NB:

If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training.  VoiceAbility will fund this training.

ABOUT US

Our ESOL service was established in 2017 and now runs 5 days per week and offers English lessons for resettled refugees and an English Club with an emphasis on learning skills for integration into UK society. We are a growing team of ESOL tutors and creche teams providing training to help refugees and their families to resettle in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.

SUMMARY OF POST

The ESOL Creche Deputy is a qualified childcare professional able to deputise and support the ESOL Creche Team Leader. You perform a key role caring for children, maintaining a high-quality, stimulating learning environment and imparting your knowledge and skills to others. You are a creative and reflective leader able to implement new ideas and use a range of strategies to continually improve practice. You will also be expected to hold a minimum NNEB/NVQ Level 2 in Children’s Care Learning & Development, or equivalent qualification and will have experience of working with pre-school age children. Clean driving license and access to a car are essential for this role. Creche operates 9.30am-2.30pm. Staff meetings will take place outside these hours.

Reports to: ESOL Creche Team Leader.

Key Internal Relations: Refugee and Migrant Services: Support Team, ESOL Tutors and ESOL Coordinator.

Key External Relations: Venue contacts and clients.

You will also be expected to hold a minimum NNEB/NVQ Level 2 in Children's care, learning and development, or equivalent qualification and will have experience of working with pre-school age children.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To contribute to the creation of a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all children.
• To deputise for the ESOL Creche Team Leader, ensuring that the room is set up appropriately, prior to the children arriving. 
• At the end of the session, ensure the room is packed away and returned to the same condition as when you arrived. 
• To assist in the development of the Crèche’s policies and procedures in accordance with EYFS standards.
• To be aware of the Crèche’s policies and procedures and ensure these are adhered to.
• To be responsible for the welfare of all children in your care, organising systems to ensure consistent, high-quality care. 
• To be vigilant and protect children from harm or abuse, reporting any concerns immediately – in accordance with child protection and whistleblowing policies. 
• To deploy staff and resources effectively, maintaining ratios in the room. 
• To reflect on practice and routines, tailoring them to meet the individual needs of each child throughout the day. 
• To lead planning and the provision of a stimulating range of age-appropriate activities and ensuring your room is well-resourced and creatively set-up. 
• To lead observations and the assessment of children’s learning and development ensuring records are kept up to date, are of a high standard and are shared effectively. 
• To work in partnership with all parents/carers, building and maintaining relationships that encourage trust, open communication, and involvement in Crèche life. 
• To contribute to the effective recording and resolution of any complaints or investigations, always ensuring confidentiality. 
• To be professional and a good role model to the children and other staff members, always. 
• To work flexibly as part of the larger team, assisting and supporting colleagues wherever required, to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. 
• To cooperate and work effectively with the Refugee Support team, taking on additional responsibilities/duties and positively promoting developments in policies and procedures to team members.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Click the link to ‘Apply’ and follow the instructions under the ESOL Creche Deputy role on our vacancies page.
• Applications should consist of a CV and a letter of application.

Purpose and Scope of the Role

We are seeking a dynamic individual to join our team and take on the role of providing professional and impactful advice and guidance to individuals and families accessing RMC services. As part of this position, you will be instrumental in supporting the team and management in fulfilling the needs of our beneficiaries and achieving organisational targets.

The successful candidate will excel in delivering personalised support that meets the unique requirements of each service user, ensuring their journey with RMC is both productive and fulfilling. Additionally, they will play a vital role in collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders to drive collective efforts towards meeting our overarching objectives.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in people's lives and thrive in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities;

Working within the team  

· To ensure the professional and organisational requirements are respected and met during the delivery of advice.

· To assist the senior colleagues and Operations Manager in order to drive efficiency, quality, systems improvement and target achievement. 

 Casework and advice  

· To offer advice, advocacy and support to service users with various aspects related to their welfare as requested by the management of RMC and funders’ requirements.

· To maintain confidentiality in all dealings with service users and ensure their needs are met in a satisfactory and sensitive manner. 

· To provide appropriate support and mentoring to any volunteers under supervision. 

· To represent RMC at external meetings and events when required by the senior colleagues.

· To maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders. 

A DBS check will be carried out for this post.

Flexibility

In order to deliver the stated aims of for this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above, such duties will fall within the scope of the job and be directly related within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed

Person Specification

Experience and Skills

Desirable

Essential

Experience of advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants

X

Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients.

X

A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

X

Ability to produce high quality written work to deadline, organisational skills and the ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload.

X

Commitment to equality and diversity

X

Strong commitment to work towards OISC regulation

X

To be fluent in at least one of these community languages – Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi, French, Amharic, Tigrinya, Polish, Russian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Punjabi, Urdu. Essential. 

X

An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

X

Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures

X

Educated to degree level or equivalent

X

A proven record of team work and flexibility

X

Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over-involvement

X

Our current administrator is progressing to a new role managing relationships with our volunteers and with partner schools, and we are rercuiting to fill her role.

Background - Number Champions

We set up Number Champions in 2018 to transform the lives of children in state primary schools who struggle with numeracy or lack confidence in maths.  We employed our first staff member, our Head of Operations (HoO), in 2022 and our second, an administrator, in 2023.. 

We are the only charity systematically working in-person with young children in our field.  Early support will put children on track to achieve their full life potential in a world where some fluency with maths is an essential building block. Success in this one area can increase their self-esteem and their involvement in education as a whole. 

Now in our sixth year, we are working across 14 London boroughs in 32 partner schools, with over 110 In-School Volunteers supporting more than 300 children. We plan to increase these numbers each year. Our medium-term vision is to expand across London, while maintaining the highly positive impact we have achieved to date. 

We are proud to have received two national awards last year recognising the work of our volunteers, and we are currently shortlisted for a 2024 award.

Everyone at Number Champions is passionate about improving children’s educational and life chances. 

The Administrator role 

Our HoO has taken the lead in developing the charity and in giving us the capacity to expand further while maintaining quality of delivery. The administrator reports to the HoO and manages the bulk of the administration processes of the charity.  

The role is for an equivalent of 2 days a week, during school term-time only. It will be almost all remote, although you will be expected to attend occasional meetings in Central London (or possibly North London if that is more convenient for you).We therefore are looking for candidates living in Greater London as this gives maximum flexibility for both the employee and the charity.

We intend the role to be permanent, but we are offering an 11-month contract September to July pending confirmation of funding. 

Impact on the organisation 

You will take on key responsibilities for administration and for contact with different groups of stakeholders. In a small professional team, you will have the opportunity to suggest ideas and to influence the development of the charity.

Core responsibilities 

• Manage the administration processes of onboarding volunteers and schools
• Gather, capture, and maintain the charity’s data in our management system
• Communicate with volunteers and with office and finance staff at partner schools
• Raise invoices
• Manage basic bookkeeping
• Assist in purchasing
• Provide occasional cover for other staff, as required
• Other activities as required from time to time to support the HoO, SRM, and charity.

Required skills and experience 

• Administrative or professional background
• Attentiveness to accuracy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (and knowledge of Google Suite would be advantageous)
•  Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships remotely with staff, volunteers, and schools
• Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise
• Commitment to the mission of the charity to help young children with maths.

Basic bookkeeping experience is desirable but not essential.

Benefits 

25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays, prorated for a 2-day-a-week role. 

(Although the role is for only 39 weeks a year we will pay you for  33 days annual holiday reduced only by 2/5 for working 2 days a week.  This increases your take home pay by about 4% compared to also reducing holidays by 39/52 for weeks worked.)

Employer’s contribution to pension of 3%. 

Additional Requirements 

• References
• Successful DBS check (organised and paid for by the charity) 
• Agreement to all policies and procedures of the charity. 

About us:

Community ConneX is a campaigning organisation and a multi-project service provider working across West London. We support autistic people, people with a disability, and people and families experiencing barriers to live healthier, happier, and inclusive lives. We do this by ensuring their needs, rights and aspirations are met.

Advocacy 1st is a free, independent service provided by advocates who specialise in the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.

Location: Remote based in Oxfordshire

Key duties:

· Recruiting, training and providing ongoing support to volunteers

· Working with the children and young people to assess their service requirements

· Working with stakeholders to raise awareness and recognise and identify care leavers and young people in need of the Independent Visitors and Care Leavers service

· Looking at opportunities to engage and work with services to identify care leavers and independent visitors

· Reporting and discussing all safeguarding concerns with the service manager

· Completing initial assessments and matching volunteers to young people

· Raising the profile of the Independent Visitors and Care Leavers service

Our ideal candidate:

· Has qualifications relevant to the role

· Has experience of working with children and young people.

· Is aware of legislation such as Care Act 2014, Children and Families Act 2014, Children Act 1989, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child (UNCRC)

· Has excellent communications and writing skills, and the ability to tailor written and verbal communications to a wide range of different audiences

· Can maintain existing relationships and develop new relationships with clients, families, colleagues and volunteers

· Can generate reports and make presentations

In return we offer a range of benefits including:

· Pension contribution up to 5%

· Death in service insurance

· Employee assistance programme

· Bluelight Card

· Cycle to work scheme

· 23 days of annual leave + bank holidays (increases after 2 years of service)

· Gym membership

· Healthcash plan

· Professional development

We are committed to safeguarding and equal opportunities, and we guarantee an interview to all applicants with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the post.

We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable facilities to participate in job applications or interviews to perform essential job functions. To support this, we are a Disability Confident committed employer.

Job Description

Job Title:  Training Lead: Parents and Volunteers

Hours:         2.5 days a week 

Salary:    £32,000 for Cardiff Based/£34,000 for London Based

Reports to:     Head of Services

Location:        Cardiff or London (Brockley SE4)

We are seeking a motivated, compassionate and engaging training lead for our parent and volunteer training programs. The training lead for parents and volunteers will lead on the design, development and delivery of a program of training support for parents impacted by Child Sexual Abuse and will support with the delivery of the training for new We Stand volunteers.

Role Description 

To plan, develop and deliver parent training and workshops for protective parents and carers whose

children have been sexually abused; to support parents and carers to understand and process the impacts of child sexual abuse and learn strategies for supporting their children after abuse together with those who share similar experiences. To work collaboratively with We Stand colleagues, to provide support that is accessible, appropriate, timely and tailored to suit the needs of individual clients.

To contribute to the recruitment and selection of We Stand volunteers including student therapists on placement and helpline volunteers. To lead on the delivery of induction and training for all new volunteers and ensure that they are adequately prepared and supported to begin their placement with We Stand.

Parent Training: 

Parent training and workshops are designed to support parents following a disclosure of CSA. The training focuses on providing parents and carers with the useful information and strategies they need to manage and support their child or young person’s journey of recovery. Via 1:1 or group sessions, parents gain the knowledge they need to help them support their child and regain confidence in themselves.

Key Responsibilities

Design and development of content 

• Setting up an annual program of training and workshop delivery for parents and carers

• Ongoing review and development of content to ensure the program is up to date and tailored to the needs of clients

Managing referrals and Assessment of clients 

• Working collaboratively with We Stand colleagues to promote training and workshops to relevant parents and carers

• Managing referrals to training and workshops and assessing the suitability of clients for the program

• Be a point of contact for parents and carers on the waiting list for training and workshops

Delivery of group and individual training 

• Deliver We Stand’s 4-week training programme for parents and carers

• Be a point of contact and support for parents during and immediately after their involvement in the program

• Where appropriate, deliver 1:1 training slots to parents and carers who require this additional support due to e.g. those with additional needs, high levels of anxiety or a particularly complex situation (including sibling abuse)

• Keep accurate and appropriate records for every parent/ carer attending training and workshops

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation processes are in place to capture the experience of all parents and carers attending training and workshops

• Analyse evaluation data against programme aims and objectives to ensure outcomes are being met and to inform service developments

• Take responsibility for continuous improvement of processes to support the effective delivery of training and workshops for parents and carers

• Contribute towards reports for funders, and the We Stand Board of Trustees 

• Contribute to relevant fundraising applications, as required

Volunteer Training 

We Stand relies on a team of dedicated and skilled volunteers to help us deliver life-changing support to families impacted by child sexual abuse. We are committed to ensuring all volunteers have the information, resources and support they need to carry out their role effectively and have a positive experience during their time with the organisation. This includes via a comprehensive training and induction programme and ongoing professional development.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment and selection

• Contribute to the recruitment and selection of new volunteers following a best practice volunteer recruitment process

Induction training programme 

• Oversee and coordinate an annual program of induction training for new and existing volunteers

• Lead on the delivery  of a 4-week programme to induct new volunteers

• Assist with the review and development of content to ensure the program is up to date and tailored to the needs of volunteers

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation processes are in place to capture the experience of all volunteers attending induction training

• Analyse evaluation data against programme aims and objectives to ensure outcomes are being met and to inform training developments

Other duties: 

• Attend regular clinical supervision, supported by We Stand

• Attend regular We Stand staff and team meetings

• Carry out any other reasonable duties required from time to time by the charity

Person Specification

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of design, delivering training programs for families impacted by trauma

• Understanding of the impact of trauma

• Experience of service coordination and project management

• Experience of providing support to volunteers

• Experience of working with clients who have experienced high levels of trauma

• High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing

• An ability to develop, monitor, review and take responsibility for the implementation of a project plan including the monitoring and evaluation of projects 

• Excellent IT skills – with a good knowledge of Google applications

• Excellent organisational and time management skills

Personal Attributes and behaviours

• Empathy with We Stand’s clients

• Ability to manage own/ joint workload and prioritise tasks

• Conscientious, resilient and self-disciplined

• Ability to build rapport quickly and to understand needs, wants and expectations

• Ability to work to deadlines/targets for self and others

• Works effectively and calmly under pressure

• Attention to detail in all aspects of work

• Ability to work on own initiative

• Active team player

• Ability to guide, support and develop volunteers

• Non-judgemental

In this varied and rewarding role, you will engage with a range of groups; providing support through a variety of methods, you will empower and help them to clearly identify issues and design and co-produce their own sustainable solutions. This will include working with for example, seldom heard groups such as children and young people; promoting active community involvement and supporting initiatives to ensure their neighbourhood is a great place to live.

We are looking for someone who can quickly build relationships with people, create activities they want to take part in and identify ways these activities can be sustained.

You will be passionate about building capacity and resilience and be enthusiastic about sharing knowledge with people in an accessible and creative way.

You will have excellent communication skills and be comfortable working with local residents, volunteers and other stakeholders. You will have experience of community work and a track record of achieving positive outcomes at a neighbourhood level.

You should be comfortable in taking the lead, with an open and supportive style that encourages community participation and volunteering.

You will have a desire to get things done and a passion for people.