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EQUISS Caseworker
Reports to: Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
Purpose of the Role
EQUISS is an independent organisation working to strengthen safeguarding, welfare and accountability across the equestrian sector.
Across the equestrian world - from riding schools and training yards to competitions and affiliated clubs - concerns about abuse, misconduct and unsafe practices have too often been difficult to raise, navigate or resolve. EQUISS has been established to help change that: ensuring individuals affected by harm are heard, supported and able to access clear and safe pathways for raising concerns.
This role represents the first advocacy caseworker position within EQUISS, playing a central part in establishing a new, independent support service for the equestrian sector.
The Caseworker will provide trauma-informed advocacy, guidance and practical support to individuals experiencing abuse, harm or misconduct within equestrian environments. The role will help individuals understand their options, access appropriate support and navigate reporting processes within sport and, where appropriate, statutory systems.
Working closely with the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, the Caseworker will help deliver EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line, ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred support.
As one of the early roles within a developing organisation, the Caseworker will also contribute insight from frontline casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding challenges within the equestrian world, supporting the organisation’s wider mission to drive meaningful reform.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy and Support
- Provide empathetic, trauma-informed support to individuals seeking guidance relating to abuse, misconduct or safeguarding concerns within equestrian environments
- Act as a single point of contact (SPOC) for individuals engaging with the criminal justice system, helping them understand processes, maintain communication with relevant agencies and access appropriate support throughout the process
- Listen to and respond to disclosures in a sensitive, survivor-centred manner while always maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring clients understand the remit of the service
- Help individuals understand their rights, options and available pathways for raising concerns
- Support individuals to make informed decisions about next steps, while respecting their autonomy and choices
- Where appropriate, accompany and support individuals at face-to-face meetings, including meetings with organisations, safeguarding professionals or governing bodies, and provide advocacy support during interactions with police or court processes
- Maintain appropriate and supportive contact with individuals seeking assistance, ensuring clear communication and follow-up where appropriate
Case Management
- Manage a caseload of advocacy enquiries and support requests under the supervision of the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
- Conduct structured needs and risk assessments to understand the circumstances and support needs of individuals contacting EQUISS
- Maintain clear, accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements
- Ensure individuals are appropriately signposted or referred to specialist services such as counselling, legal advice, advocacy organisations or statutory services where required
Safeguarding
- Identify safeguarding concerns involving children, young people or adults at risk and respond in line with EQUISS safeguarding procedures.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns to the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding where appropriate, seeking guidance on complex or high-risk situations while maintaining confidence in managing routine casework independently
- Support the safe handling and documentation of safeguarding concerns, including gathering relevant information and assisting with referrals where appropriate.
- Maintain clear and confidential records of safeguarding decisions and actions taken
Partnership and Liaison
- Work collaboratively with relevant organisations and professionals where appropriate, including safeguarding leads within equestrian sport, statutory agencies and specialist support services
- Support individuals in navigating organisational processes where concerns relate to equestrian environments
- Help build constructive relationships with relevant safeguarding and welfare partners
Learning and Insight
- Contribute insight from casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding issues within the equestrian world
- Contribute insight from casework and engagement with individuals to help inform EQUISS communications, campaigns and sector awareness work, supporting the organisation in highlighting safeguarding issues within the equestrian sector
- Support the development of organisational learning by sharing themes and insights emerging from advocacy work
- Assist the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding in identifying areas where sector guidance or safeguarding training may be beneficial
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Safeguarding training at Level 3, or willingness to undertake Level 3 safeguarding training within the first six months of appointment
Desirable
- ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or equivalent advocacy training.
- Additional training in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or victim-survivor support
Where candidates do not yet hold an ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, EQUISS will support the successful candidate to undertake relevant advocacy or safeguarding training as part of their professional development.
Essential Experience
- Experience supporting individuals affected by abuse, safeguarding concerns or trauma within a professional setting
- Experience providing advocacy, casework or support within safeguarding, welfare, social care sport or related sectors
- Experience working with sensitive and confidential information
- Understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
Knowledge
- Understanding of safeguarding principles relating to children, young people and adults at risk
- Awareness of barriers individuals may face when reporting abuse or misconduct
- Understanding of professional boundaries and safe information sharing
Skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Ability to engage sensitively with individuals discussing difficult experiences
- Ability to assess needs, prioritise actions and manage casework effectively
- Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
Additional Information
- The role may involve occasional travel to provide in-person advocacy support, including attending meetings with organisations or statutory agencies, and accompanying individuals to police stations, court hearings or other relevant appointments where appropriate
- Some evening or weekend availability may occasionally be required
- The role requires an enhanced DBS check
- The postholder will participate in regular supervision and reflective practice
- The postholder must demonstrate a commitment to EQUISS’ values of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion
About EQUISS
EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.
Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.
As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.
Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.
Employment package:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
- Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
- Reporting to Head of Advocacy & Safeguarding
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Reconnect Worker (London)
Apply for this role if you want to make a real, immediate impact by helping young people and families rebuild relationships, reduce conflict and prevent homelessness before it begins.
Location: Sherborne House, London
Salary: £11,896.80 per annum pro rata (FTE £29,742 per annum – ILW)
Closing Date: 22 March, 2026
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours per week: Part time, 15 hours per week
About the Role
Join us as a Reconnect Worker and help prevent youth homelessness by supporting young people and families experiencing conflict or crisis. You’ll deliver focused mediation and personalised family support across London—working with young people aged 11–25 in schools, emergency placements, and Depaul services to strengthen relationships, improve communication and reduce the risk of homelessness. Your work will be grounded in detailed assessments, collaborative support planning and strengths‑based interventions that help families rebuild stability and stay connected.
In this flexible, fast‑paced role, you’ll manage a small caseload, work independently across multiple locations and build strong partnerships with schools, local authorities, Nightstop hosts and colleagues across Depaul. You’ll maintain clear, accurate records, contribute to safeguarding processes and advocate for young people when needed. Your creativity, impartiality and ability to engage families in challenging moments will be key as you help define and strengthen Depaul’s national approach to family mediation and homelessness prevention.
Please note that this role is offered as a part time (15 hours per week) permanent basis.
In this role, you will:
• Provide focused family support and mediation to young people aged 11–25 and their families experiencing conflict or breakdown.
• Manage a small caseload, completing risk assessments, needs assessments and structured support plans that drive measurable outcomes.
• Work across schools, Nightstop placements and Depaul services to stabilise situations and reduce the risk of homelessness.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, schools and external agencies to strengthen referral pathways and holistic support.
• Maintain clear, accurate case records and follow all safeguarding, EDI, health and safety and lone‑working procedures.
• Advocate for young people and families when safeguarding concerns arise, ensuring safety and appropriate escalation.
• Work independently across multiple London locations, prioritising tasks and managing time effectively.
• Contribute to Depaul’s national prevention approach through peer learning, reflective practice and continuous service development.
About You (What we are looking for from you – Person Specification)
When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.
Essential
• Significant experience working with young people and families in crisis; reflective, creative and solution focused in your approach and committed to working in an assets based way.
• To hold or complete a Level 4 Interpersonal Mediation Practitioner’s Certificate (IMPC). Training will be provided if candidate doesn’t hold the qualification but training will have to be completed before the end of the probation period.
• Experience of working independently and managing own caseload; self-motivated and able to prioritize tasks and carry out efficient organisation and administration.
• Experience of carrying out risk and needs assessments and support planning for clients.
• Ability to develop strong, collaborative and productive relationships with colleagues and key external agencies, promoting the value of our work and its impact on families.
• High level understanding of professional boundaries and ability to maintain impartiality
• Willingness and ability to travel independently and work from a number of different locations across the London region.
• Commitment to working in a manner, which promotes diversity and equality ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and no one, suffers from discrimination.
Desirable
In order to attract the higher salary banding you will need:
• Demonstrable experience providing effective mediation services to families experiencing conflict
• Hold an accredited Interpersonal Mediation Certificate
• An in-depth understanding of issues relating to youth homelessness
• Independently manage and maintain a full caseload of families (15-20 families per FTE, or as identified by the service manager).
• Evidence through case recording, support planning and outcome monitoring that families are being supported effectively to make progress against the relevant national outcomes and that mediation is being used confidently and effectively to support this, when appropriate.
What You’ll Receive
• Tailored training and development
• Flexible working options where suitable
• 26 days annual leave, rising with service
• Family‑friendly leave policies
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
• Cash health plan for you and your family
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Access to legal and practical support
Safer Recruitment
Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.
About Depaul UK
In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.
What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.
As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.