Dorset advocacy jobs

Job Purpose

This role offers an opportunity to play a vital part in sustaining our Helpline service, which sits at the heart of the support we provide to people living with PSP & CBD. As Helpline Care Navigator (HCN), you will act as the first point of contact for individuals, families and health professionals across the West and South West.

You will deliver compassionate, person-centred support and clear, practical information via telephone and email, ensuring people affected by PSP & CBD feel heard, informed and supported at every stage of their journey. Alongside direct support, you will actively engage with health and social care professionals, neurology clinics and wider partners to strengthen local awareness of PSP & CBD and enhance referral pathways across the region.

This is a key role in maintaining continuity, quality and momentum within our Helpline service and you will be reporting to the Helpline and Support Services Manager.

Contract Type

Full Time – permanent contract (6 month probationary period)

Salary

£27,500 per annum 

Hours of Work & Annual Leave

• 35 hours per week -  this may include working some unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.
• 28 days plus bank holidays. Pro-rated for part time role.

The main office is in Milton Keynes, and we have a hybrid working policy with staff expected to spend one day a week in the office and the remainder can be worked from home. HCN’s currently work from the office on a Wednesday. There is flexibility in the arrangements that need to be agreed upon with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities

To be ‘first point of call’ for people with PSP & CBD and their families living in the West and South West Region including Shropshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Isle of Wight. Providing people with support and information over the phone and via email.

• To raise awareness of PSP & CBD across all health and social care disciplines in he region by engaging with HSCP’s and neurology clinics.
• To provide accurate information in all aspects of PSP & CBD in response to enquiries and signpost onto other organisations where appropriate.
• Ensure a maximum response to all helpline calls, emails and enquires.
• To keep clear and accurate records and statistics of enquires received and actions taken.
• To carry out a maximum number of proactive calls to people affected by PSP & CBD within the region as directed by the Helpline Manager.
• Develop and maintain the existing database of key health and social care professionals and regional services.
• Attend outreach events to build the profile of PSPA services amongst health and social care professionals.
• To deliver awareness and learning sessions to HSCP’s within your region
• Work with the Director of Policy and Influencing to identify ways in which services and care can be improved for families affected by PSP & CBD in the region.
• To signpost to PSPA Support Groups and services.
• Liaise with external services to signpost to local support.
• Take an active part in the delivery and planning of information and support events, which may include the possibility of overnight stays and weekends.
• Liaise with the fundraising team to signpost to fundraising activities.
• Liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator to maintain and build volunteering in the region.
• To attend and contribute constructively to team and other meetings as required.
• To ensure the implementation of policies, procedures and quality standards as defined by PSPA.
• Contribute to the development of literature and articles for PSPA Matters.
• To undertake any other tasks, by agreement as required, in support of the work of PSPA.

The duties may be changed and/or varied to meet changing circumstances at the discretion of the CEO and Board of Trustees.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience in delivering helpline and/or information and support services
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to listen actively understanding different points of view
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Willingness to undertake training and continuing personal development
• Experience of and sensitivity to communicating with audiences from a range of backgrounds
• Strong IT skills, with experience in MS Office products and customer relationship management software
• Flexible and reliable attitude and the ability to self-organise and to work without direct supervision
• Good communication skills, both oral and written and excellent telephone manner
• Ability to manage difficulty questions, emotions and situations in a calm and confident way.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of PSP & CBD or other neurodegenerative diseases and/or experience of working in the NHS
• An understanding of Safeguarding and an ability to follow relevant policies and procedures
• Knowledge of healthcare or social care systems.

Job Purpose

This role offers an opportunity to play a vital part in sustaining our Helpline service, which sits at the heart of the support we provide to people living with PSP & CBD. As Helpline Care Navigator (HCN), you will act as the first point of contact for individuals, families and health professionals across the West and South West.

You will deliver compassionate, person-centred support and clear, practical information via telephone and email, ensuring people affected by PSP & CBD feel heard, informed and supported at every stage of their journey. Alongside direct support, you will actively engage with health and social care professionals, neurology clinics and wider partners to strengthen local awareness of PSP & CBD and enhance referral pathways across the region.

This is a key role in maintaining continuity, quality and momentum within our Helpline service and you will be reporting to the Helpline and Support Services Manager.

Contract Type

Full Time – permanent contract (6 month probationary period)

Salary

£27,500 per annum 

Hours of Work & Annual Leave

• 35 hours per week -  this may include working some unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends.
• 28 days plus bank holidays. Pro-rated for part time role.

The main office is in Milton Keynes, and we have a hybrid working policy with staff expected to spend one day a week in the office and the remainder can be worked from home. HCN’s currently work from the office on a Wednesday. There is flexibility in the arrangements that need to be agreed upon with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities

To be ‘first point of call’ for people with PSP & CBD and their families living in the West and South West Region including Shropshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Isle of Wight. Providing people with support and information over the phone and via email.

• To raise awareness of PSP & CBD across all health and social care disciplines in he region by engaging with HSCP’s and neurology clinics.
• To provide accurate information in all aspects of PSP & CBD in response to enquiries and signpost onto other organisations where appropriate.
• Ensure a maximum response to all helpline calls, emails and enquires.
• To keep clear and accurate records and statistics of enquires received and actions taken.
• To carry out a maximum number of proactive calls to people affected by PSP & CBD within the region as directed by the Helpline Manager.
• Develop and maintain the existing database of key health and social care professionals and regional services.
• Attend outreach events to build the profile of PSPA services amongst health and social care professionals.
• To deliver awareness and learning sessions to HSCP’s within your region
• Work with the Director of Policy and Influencing to identify ways in which services and care can be improved for families affected by PSP & CBD in the region.
• To signpost to PSPA Support Groups and services.
• Liaise with external services to signpost to local support.
• Take an active part in the delivery and planning of information and support events, which may include the possibility of overnight stays and weekends.
• Liaise with the fundraising team to signpost to fundraising activities.
• Liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator to maintain and build volunteering in the region.
• To attend and contribute constructively to team and other meetings as required.
• To ensure the implementation of policies, procedures and quality standards as defined by PSPA.
• Contribute to the development of literature and articles for PSPA Matters.
• To undertake any other tasks, by agreement as required, in support of the work of PSPA.

The duties may be changed and/or varied to meet changing circumstances at the discretion of the CEO and Board of Trustees.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience in delivering helpline and/or information and support services
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to listen actively understanding different points of view
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Willingness to undertake training and continuing personal development
• Experience of and sensitivity to communicating with audiences from a range of backgrounds
• Strong IT skills, with experience in MS Office products and customer relationship management software
• Flexible and reliable attitude and the ability to self-organise and to work without direct supervision
• Good communication skills, both oral and written and excellent telephone manner
• Ability to manage difficulty questions, emotions and situations in a calm and confident way.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of PSP & CBD or other neurodegenerative diseases and/or experience of working in the NHS
• An understanding of Safeguarding and an ability to follow relevant policies and procedures
• Knowledge of healthcare or social care systems.

Benefits

• Pension Scheme
• Employment Assistance Programme

For more information about this role, please visit our website.

Over the past decade, Escapeline has become a recognised leader in the prevention of child criminal and sexual exploitation across the South West. Through awareness raising, education, direct intervention, family support, professional training and strong partnership working, we have empowered thousands of children, young people, families and professionals to better understand, identify and respond to the risks of exploitation.

Our work has never been more important. As the nature of exploitation continues to evolve, so too must our response. We are therefore seeking an exceptional Chief Executive who can provide visionary leadership, inspire confidence among stakeholders, strengthen strategic partnerships and ensure Escapeline continues to be at the forefront of protecting vulnerable children and young people.

Building on our strong foundations, we see significant opportunities to expand our reach and deepen our impact, particularly across Dorset and Wiltshire, where support for the charity remains strong and continues to grow. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the next chapter of our development, broadening our influence, diversifying income streams, enhancing our services and securing long-term sustainability.

While preventing the exploitation of children will always remain our core purpose, we are equally committed to supporting the wider impact that exploitation has on families. Our specialist helpline and parent support community provide a vital source of guidance, understanding and hope for families who often feel isolated and overlooked by traditional support services. We are determined to strengthen and expand this provision, ensuring that no family faces these challenges alone.

We are looking for a leader who combines strategic vision with emotional intelligence, commercial awareness with compassion, and ambition with an unwavering commitment to our values. You will lead a dedicated team, work alongside an engaged and supportive Board of Trustees, and build on a reputation that has been earned through years of trusted and impactful work.

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families at a time when that difference is urgently needed.

If you are inspired by our mission and share our ambition to create safer futures for children and young people, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We're looking for a compassionate, highly motivated individual with experience in addiction recovery, behaviour change, wellness, and/or mental health to join our small, passionate team.

Role details: Full-time (30–37.5 hrs available) | £24,784–£28,734pa | Home-based, equipment supplied | 27 days leave + Christmas Eve, rising to 31 max | Now Pensions | EAP with Health Assured | Permanent, subject to probation.

You'll support volunteer facilitators and partners to grow SMART Recovery meetings across the South of England (excluding London), making our 4-Point Programme(s) more accessible to people managing addictive behaviour(s):

• South East: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex
• South West: Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire

Applicants must reside in the South of England, excluding London.

Job share considered: One employee can cover both regions, but we're open to a job share, i.e. one person for the South East 3 days per week, another for the South West. If full-time or dual-region work isn't feasible, please still apply.

What you'll need:

• Hands-on experience facilitating groups/meetings and an understanding of great facilitation.
• General awareness of addiction recovery and/or our 4-Point Programme(s); being a qualified SMART Recovery or SMART Family & Friends Facilitator, or former participant, is an advantage.
• Ability to bring people together, champion our mission, and create a safe, empowering space for growth and recovery.
• Strong presentation skills that engage, inspire, and inform, with volunteers, via Zoom training, or partners.
• Willingness to grow our footprint, diversify partnerships, and encourage uptake, including representing UKSR at events and conferences.
• Ability to work autonomously to a high standard.
• Stable internet connection and dedicated work space.
• Valid UK driving licence and a car for regular regional travel.

We welcome applicants with lived experience of addiction, your own journey or closeness to someone else's, bringing empathy, authenticity, and deep respect for others' experiences.

You'll be self-motivated, highly organised, able to manage time, workload, and travel independently, and skilled at uplifting and empowering others. Also with the emotional intelligence to support people who've faced adversity within clear professional boundaries.

Essential experience:

• Working with individuals/professionals in a relevant sector (addiction services, behaviour change, wellness, mental health).
• Supporting and developing volunteers.
• Delivering training, ideally in peer-support or recovery settings.
• Building strong working relationships with relevant organisations.
• Giving/receiving feedback and reflective practice.

You'll also contribute to key projects shaping SMART Recovery's future, so project management skills are required Particular interest in training and programme quality, volunteer management, social media/marketing, or business development can be developed as part of your role.

As a home-based role, you'll build meaningful relationships remotely, via email, phone, and video calls, bringing energy and adaptability to make remote working feel personal and productive. Regular travel across your region(s) is essential, visiting meetings and partners and supporting facilitators.

It is essential that you live in the South of England (excluding London).