Outreach support workers jobs

Following a successful application to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we are seeking a Youth Worker to lead on systems change as part of our Brighter Rainbow Project. A key requirement of the post is to hold a JNC Level 6 Youth and Community Work qualification or equivalent (or due to complete 2026- 2027). We also welcome applicants with related subjects including nursing, primary teaching, secondary teaching, social work etc.

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

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

This is an exciting role working with the guidance of the Peer Coordinator and in partnership with the London Joint Working Group, local substance use services, the Harm Reduction Peer Support Lead  will support the delivery of a peer led needle and syringe program (NSP) across the borough of Hackney at SWERVE the Harm Reduction Hub. This will include supporting delivery of the service and developing relationships and partnership working with local statutory and voluntary service providers who provide support and care for our potential client group.

The Female Harm Reduction Peer Support Lead will assist in the delivery of secondary NSP provision, naloxone distribution and educational workshops to communities where women are in need including outreach from the Hackney Harm Reduction Hub to for example sex workers, BAME communities, LGBTQI and people who suffer domestic and gender based violence, with a view to enhancing harm reduction provision across the area.

The role is only open to women, in accordance with the sex-based exemptions of the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1. 

Both full time and part time applicants will be considered.

Following a successful application to the Henry Smith Foundation we are seeking a passionate, committed and flexible Support Worker (35 hours per week) to join our team to support young people and families, primarily focusing on LGBTQ+ young people but working with the wider team to ensure all young people and families are supported.

The main aims of the post are to ensure:

• The charity delivers quality information, advice, guidance and advocacy services which improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people in Calderdale & Kirklees.
• LGBTQ+ young people who face additional access barriers are reached and given the opportunity to engage with the service, reducing their isolation and loneliness.
• LGBTQ+ young people have emotionally healthy relationships with their family, friends and intimate partners.

The above would be achieved through group work, youth groups, parent and family groups, 121 work, attending professional meetings such as Team Around The Family and Child In Need meetings, mediating between families and schools, networking, stand events such as Pride’s and Freshers events, offsite activities and family support sessions.

This is a service user and public facing role. The successful candidate will be expected to attend sessions, meetings and events across in Calderdale & Kirklees

The right candidate will have:

• JNC Level 3 Youth and Community Work qualification or a willingness to undertake training. We welcome applicants with equivalent qualifications and experience in relevant sectors inclusive of child care, teaching, social work, nursing etc (or due to complete 2026 - 2027).

• A minimum 12-months experience of working with children, young people aged 25 and under and/or families
• An ability to assess needs and involve young people in identifying appropriate self-action plans
• Knowledge and understanding of the impact of Homophobia, Biphobia and transphobia on LGBTQ+ young people
• A flexible approach to work and willingness to work some evenings and weekends
• A full clean driving license and access to a car

What you'd get from us:

• Training and development opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement, 31 day per year plus bank holidays
• 6% pension contribution
• Life Assurance at three-times salary rate
• An employee health plan, helping with the costs of dental, optical treatments etc
• Access to staff counselling
• Perkbox Employee Benefits - 1000+ deals and discounts
• Travel expenses
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Earn between £26,510.82 – 27,836.36
• Pay award pending

Why you'd work for us:

• So you can use your skills and passion to influence change and improve outcomes for some of the most stigmatised and marginalised people in Calderdale & Kirklees
• Gain experience, build your transferable skills and learn new ones
• Be part of an amazing, committed team challenging stigma, bias, and inequalities

Our Vacancy

Senior Support Worker – Young People’s Supported Housing
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people?

We’re looking for a proactive, inspiring Senior Support Worker to lead and support a team of Housing Support Workers at an Ofsted-registered scheme in Berkhamsted. These services provide accommodation and trauma-informed support to young people aged 16–25 with complex needs, helping them build independence and move towards long-term housing.

About the role:
In this role, you’ll lead by example - supporting and motivating your team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. You’ll ensure safeguarding and risk management are prioritised, oversee personalised support plans, and promote a culture of trust and emotional safety. You’ll also facilitate one-to-ones, team meetings, and training sessions, while working closely with partner agencies to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting a team working across 7-day shifts, including weekends.
• Ensuring trauma-informed, person-centred support plans are in place and regularly reviewed.
• Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns and liaising with external agencies.
• Supporting young people to develop life skills and prepare for independent living.
• Promoting a positive, collaborative team culture.

About you:

• Experience working with vulnerable teenagers/ young adults aged 16–25.
• Proven ability to lead or supervise a team in a 24/7 support environment.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and trauma-informed care.
• A Level 3 qualification in social care, youth work, or housing (or willingness to work towards it).
• Excellent communication, empathy, and resilience.

Why Join Us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values – Be Kind, Do The Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

We offer:

• 25 days’ annual leave. 
• Flexible benefits package – including healthcare, dental, and lifestyle discounts.
• 4x life assurance and up to 10% pension contribution. 
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships. 
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying:
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship, so you must have the right to work in the UK.

As part of your application, we’ll ask you to answer a few questions to help us understand your suitability for the role, including one focused on our values.

The successful applicant for this position will have to take part in an on-call rota. 

Closing date 17 February 2026  

Interviews will be held in person, on-site on 02/03/26 and 03/03/26.

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

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

One of two Outreach and Project Workers pivotal to the delivery of an exciting new Women at Risk (WaR) project which will support women at risk of rough sleeping, homelessness and exploitation. Working across key areas of Enfield and Haringey you will, through a combination of nighttime outreach and daytime service provision, be critical to supporting a coordinated response across multiple agencies already engaged in this work.

You will undertake at least twice weekly nighttime outreach, support additional services and existing outreach provision and develop a daytime offer that meets the needs of women engaged through outreach and identified as at high risk of harm and homelessness.   

You will have responsibility for a caseload of women identified through outreach, referral and presentation at ours and other services. You will provide advocacy, casework support and connection and referral into other agencies which can help them address their needs.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a passionate, high performing team and support the development of a new service which is meeting identified gaps in local provision.

You will lead, with support, on the development and delivery of an exciting new Women at Risk (WaR) project seeking to support women at risk of rough sleeping, homelessness and exploitation. Working across key areas of Enfield and Haringey you will, through a combination of nighttime outreach and daytime service development, support a coordinated response across multiple agencies already engaged in this work.

You will coordinate and lead a minimum twice weekly nighttime outreach, support additional services and existing outreach provision and develop a daytime offer that meets the needs of women engaged through outreach and identified as at high risk of harm and homelessness.   

You will have management responsibility of a small staff team, take overall lead on case management, coordinate outreach and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to support women to access and engage with a range of services to meet their needs through effective and professional communication.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a passionate, high performing team and develop a service which is meeting identified gaps in local provision.

Would you like to make a lasting difference in the lives of children affected by domestic abuse? Join an award-winning trauma recovery service provider that is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and families.

Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) is a lifeline for children healing from the trauma of domestic abuse. From April next year, we’re expanding our service and looking for new Support Workers to join our team – helping guide children and families on their healing journey.

Position: Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker

Location: Homebased with frequent travel. Role covers casework activity across Oxfordshire area including Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and the wider Oxfordshire area.

Contract: Permanent part time – 18.5 hours per week, weekdays.

We’re open to discussing working patterns that match both your needs and our service delivery. We’re also open to discussing an opportunity for 24 hours.

Salary range: £12,868 - £15,727 pro-rata per annum (full time equivalent range £25,735 - £31,453 per annum) 

About the role:

As a Support Worker you will play a significant role in supporting children and families affected by domestic abuse, some of your key responsibilities will include:

· the completion of assessments to understand the needs of families

· delivering group work for children and parents

· provide 1-2-1 sessions to children and families most in need

· supporting our families through providing outreach support

About you:

A successful Support Worker will need a good understanding of domestic abuse and the impact on children and families (or an interest in working in this field), with experience of delivering groupwork programmes for vulnerable parents and/or children.

If this sounds like you please apply today to join a collaborative and dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful.           

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those with personal lived experience of domestic abuse or from underrepresented communities, who meet the essential role requirements.

For more information about our BB4K service please visit our website where you will also find contact details and information about how to apply.

Closing date: 9am, Fri 27 February 2026      

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Family Support Worker, Family Key Worker, Children’s Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Key Worker, Recovery Worker, Assistant Support Worker, IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, ISVA Independent Sexual Violence Advocate, etc. 

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.

Outreach Worker  

£16,386 - £17,248  

Sandown  

Permanent, Part Time (25hrs per week)  

A variety of shift patterns, including early morning and evening outreach

Our client works in partnership with the Council and housing associations to deliver intensive person-centred support and accommodation choices. 

Their priorities are to ensure each homeless person is safe, has access to amenities such as food/water, has their own bank account and to support them in either accessing Hostel accommodation through the single homeless pathway or private sector housing.

If you are passionate about working with individuals with complex needs and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference in the lives of those you support, then this is the role for you!

JOB PURPOSE  

To lead on the case management of clients and be part of a team that supports them in keeping them safe and helping them achieve their goals. 

To provide people with homes and specialist support so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES  

• To assess the needs of each client, helping to develop their individual support plan to achieve their goals

• To produce and regularly review comprehensive client-based risk assessments 

• To manage a caseload of clients on a one-to-one basis, providing personalised, intensive support via assertive outreach to long-term rough sleepers in the local area

• To engage with local authorities, health providers and other agencies, creating and maintaining constructive working relationships to maximise the opportunities available to clients

• To work with individuals to create clear housing plans, and to support individuals to access support services around health and wellbeing, money, benefits and housing

• To engage and support rough sleepers on the street working alongside local health care teams

• To help keep clients safe by reducing their contact with police and emergency services

• To identify barriers to accessing maintain safe tenancies and prevent eviction

• To attend community meetings and presentations with managers to support additional funding

• To support clients in trauma informed and psychologically informed ways

• To adhere to safeguarding responsibilities, following our safeguarding policy and procedure   

• To help maintain health and safety, ensuring clients, visitors and buildings are safe in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, policy and procedures

• To provide basic first aid assistance until help arrives (full training is provided)

• To work confidently and efficiently when lone working

• To maintain accurate records on our client management system and ensure these are stored in line with GDPR

• To maintain confidentiality 

• To represent the organisation in a professional manner

• To carry out any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation

ROLE REQUIREMENTS  

• This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role.

• This role will require a full drivers’ licence and access to a vehicle

• This role will require you to work flexibly across several sites

• This role will require you to work with clients on a one-to-one basis

• This role will require you to work early mornings and/or weekends

• This role will require you to lone work

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA    

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written 

• Clear verbal and written English 

• Good keyboard skills for data inputting

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word

• Confident and assertive manner

• Ability to self-motivate as you will work on your own 

• Effective team working

• Ability to respond calmly to crisis

• Deal promptly with and effectively react to challenging situations

• Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues

DESIRABLE CRITERIA    

• Experience of managing a caseload of clients

• Understanding of the complex support needs of people experiencing homelessness or those with complex needs

• Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, housing regulations and the benefits system

• Understanding of risk assessment and person-centred, outcomes-based delivery

They reserve the right to close their adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Purpose of Job 

To deliver a high-quality service to and facilitate opportunities for individuals with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families/carers through Shine membership.To empower and enable members living with the conditions to lead healthy and happy lives through greater independence, better condition management and by creating links to the Shine community across England. 

SHINE has over 15,000 members with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. This post will bring a real focus to the Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk area and will be an exciting opportunity to engage with members and develop and deliver the services we offer. 

We work with members of all ages from our Little Stars aged between 0 – 12, young people are members of our FIRE project and we have established adult support. Working alongside our multi skilled, established team, you will be supporting members across all age groups and building on the great foundations already in place. 

The role is home based but you will be required to attend clinic at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge on the first Friday of every month. You may also be required to cover other clinics, events in London and meet members one to one where necessary within your allocated area of Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk and occasionally across wider areas and nationally including meetings at our head office in Peterborough.

Shine will offer you:  

• A competitive salary of £28,471 (pro-rata for part-time hours)

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)  

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays + additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year (pro-rata for part-time hours)

• Additional annual leave due to length of service 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment  

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders 

• Support to learn and develop 

How to apply 

Please see the full Job Description & Person Specification below and on our website. 

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job. 

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Sarah Carrier, England Services Manager to arrange a convenient time for a call. 

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications. 

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

Closing date:  Wednesday 25th February 2026 at 11pm 

Interviews:  Friday 6th March 2026  

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible. 

Job description  

We are looking for people with the values and commitment to increase the independence, self-confidence and access to new opportunities for people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health support needs across our Supported Living Services in Kingston and Richmond. You will be supporting people to live within a support living setting including sleep-ins, to enable them to remain as independent as possible while receiving person centred care.

Who we are  

At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independent, fulfilled and self-confident lives. We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services. We operate a range of services in SW London including outreach and small homes-based services in Kingston and Richmond.  

Who you are  

You are someone with experience of or a commitment to developing a person-centred approach in working with people with complex needs and challenges. You will be a collegiate player, and someone able to see beyond the barriers that people with disabilities experience every day. Your values and working practice will align with those of the charity to maximise the independence of those you are working with; to enable their ability to make decisions about the types of service they are in receipt of and to ensure that your approach is both professional and sustainable.  

Key Responsibilities of this role  

Your primary responsibilities will include:  

• To work as part of a diverse and experienced team providing personalised support, advice and advocacy to people living independently or in supported accommodation.  

• To apply a collegiate approach to deliver strengths-based support that maximises independence, knowledge and confidence of those using our services.  

• To provide a key point of reference for information and support to those using the services and professionals and carers dependent on it.  

• To work independently across the boroughs we operate in, with people in their homes or in accessing support and resources across the community.  

Critical Values in the delivery of this role  

• A commitment to building independence and self-confidence amongst your colleagues as well as those you provide services to.  

• Recognition of the skills, knowledge and commitment of those working around you and your contribution to them.  

• A professional, can-do attitude that finds solutions in the darkest corners.  

• A willingness to empower those around you to exercise authority to make mistakes, test things out and lead from the front.  

Benefits in working for us  

The charity ensures the following benefits for all its operational staff:  

• A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front-line staff.  

• A commitment to training and professional development to at least Care Certificate  

• Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme, if eligible  

• Access to a range of discount schemes  

• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme 

Application Instructions  

Please complete a covering letter and CV that indicates how you meet the key criteria in the person specification .

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. 

We're excited to welcome an opportunity for a dedicated Young Persons Resilience Worker to our Newham service! 

Our Young Person Resilience Workers play an integral role within Change Grow Live, engaging young people in a range of interventions, using a young person-centred approach, and empowering our young service users to reduce risk, increase resilience and lead a safe, happy, and healthy lives.

Where: Newham

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £27,861.26- £32,002.35*

Allowance: £4,133.14 Inner London Weighting, pro rata 

* Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the role: 

• Supporting young people from the point of entry into the service and through their treatment/recovery journey
• Providing screening, assessment, psychosocial interventions, integrated care planning, post-treatment support, including transfer of care
• Identifying and responding effectively to potential safeguarding issues
• Reducing drug and alcohol related harm to young people and the wider community
• Identifying and responding to young people and children impacted by parental or familial use (Hidden Harm) and providing screening, assessment, psychosocial interventions, integrated care planning, post-treatment support, including transfer of care
• Promoting carer, service user and community involvement
• Providing advocacy for access to partnership services
• Working with young people to support positive, holistic outcomes in relation to their health and wellbeing, enabling them to lead safe, healthy, and purposeful lives: reducing risk and increasing resilience
• Working flexibly across sites where required 

About you: 

• Experience of working with young people and knowledge of the issues they face
• Knowledge of safeguarding concerns in relation to children and young people and the Fraser Competence framework
• Have an excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working
• within a related field
• Knowledge of working with evidence-based practice around young people’s substance misuse treatment services and methods, including relevant best practice guidance
• An accomplished communicator, both verbal and written with a high degree of personal IT competency
• Be able to accurately update and maintain records and to work to deadlines for the submission of information, e.g., reports
• Have excellent team working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a highly cooperative
• approach to supporting colleagues in delivering service objectives 

 What we will give to you: 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

Inner London Weighting (£4,133.14)

Closing Date

22/2/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Spires was established as a response to homelessness in the late 1980s. Spires has developed into an organization that provides a range of services, including day centre style drop-ins for homeless people, a Women’s drop in, a Refugee drop in and outreach targeted at supporting Women who are sex working. Our core mission is to support homeless people into housing and to assist those who have been homeless in maintaining their accommodation.

Part 1:  The Role

This role sits within our Housing and Homelessness [H&H] team. The post holder will support with the running of our drop-ins and support a caseload of clients who will be homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Part 2: Key duties and responsibilities

Service Delivery & Support

· Welcome and engage service users in a non-judgemental, compassionate manner.

· Provide basic needs support such as food, clothing, and access to a safe space.

· Offer advice, advocacy, and signposting on housing, health services, and other support agencies.

· Conduct assessments of need and develop personalised support plans.

Case Management

· Maintain accurate, confidential records of interactions and support plans.

· Liaise with housing teams, healthcare providers, social services, and other partners to coordinate support.

· Monitor individuals’ progress and update plans as required.

Centre Operations

· Assist with daily tasks such as setting up service areas, distributing supplies, and managing donations.

· Ensure safeguarding procedures and organisational policies are always followed.

Crisis Support

· Identify signs of crisis, risk, or safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately.

· Support individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health issues, or substance misuse challenges.

General                                                                               

· Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development

· Undertaking other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff, including session cover

· Attend and participate in staff and team meetings and other meetings as required

This job description covers the current range of duties and will be reviewed from time to time. It is Spire’s aim to reach agreement on changes, but if an agreement is not possible, Spires’ reserves the right to change this job description.

Part 3: Person specification

Essential experience

· Working with vulnerable and socially excluded people, particularly people experiencing homelessness or insecure accommodation and associated culture – drugs, alcohol, violence, mental and physical ill-health.

· Managing a caseload, needs assessment, planned support, key working, goal setting and advocacy.

· Experience of challenging appropriately and maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries

· Networking and effectively liaising with specialist service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve access to services for clients   

Desirable experience

· Working with volunteers

· Working in the charity sector and/or a day centre environment

Essential knowledge

· Sound understanding of the issues faced by homeless or vulnerably housed people and the difficulties they experience in accessing services that are fully responsive to their needs

· Good understanding of safeguarding practices in a social care and/or day centre environment

· Good understanding of confidentiality and working with sensitive information

· Working knowledge of health and social care services

Desirable knowledge

·A relevant NVQ2/3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

Essential skills and personal qualities

·Excellent written and spoken communication skills

·Information and relationship management skills

·Ability to effectively manage time, work under pressure and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines

·IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and databases

·Non-judgemental with the ability to empathise

Part 4: Summary of terms and conditions of service

Location: The postholder will be an employee of The Spires Centre. This post is based at

Elmfield House 5 Stockwell Mews SW9 9GX. However, the post holder will be working across Spires’ drop-ins in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Croydon.

Probation: This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.

Notice: This post is subject to a four-week notice period.

Annual leave: The annual leave entitlement is 35 days per year pro rata, made up of eight bank and public holidays and 27 days annual leave. The 27 days annual leave is normally split between 24 ‘bookable’ days and three closure days that fall between Christmas and the New Year. Although the centre is closed between Christmas and the New Year.

Pension: The Spires Centre will contribute 5% of annual salary for those who qualify for our group pension plan.

Other benefits: The Spires Centre will provide life and income protection insurance for those who qualify for our group plans. We operate a staff loan scheme.

Expenses: The role may require travel within the UK. Out-of-pocket expenses will be paid when incurred in accordance with our expenses policy.

Safeguarding: The postholder will adhere to The Spires Centre’s safeguarding policy for vulnerable adults. This post is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Responsible to: Youth Services Manager

Hours: Full time 37 hours (Job share considered)

Salary: £27,500

Based: Hybrid (Bedford + one day per week in Q:alliance Head Office, Milton Keynes)

Contract: Fixed term for 2 years, with possibility of extension (subject to funding)

Closing Date: 18th February 2026 at 23:59

Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March

Context

Q:alliance provides support, information, and representation for LGBTQ+ young people in Bedford, drawing on our wider experience delivering established services across Milton Keynes for the last 50 years.

We have detailed knowledge of the issues and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and organisations locally, and it is our goal to create more safe spaces and resources to ensure the LGBTQ+ community in Bedford is visible, well represented, and supported.

Scope

This is a newly created role within our Bedford services, delivering Q:alliance’s established youth support model developed in Milton Keynes and shaping pathways and support that respond to local need in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.

You will manage a one-to-one caseload of support for LGBTQ+ young people, while building relationships with schools and developing a collaborative schools’ network informed by young people’s insights. You will also develop and deliver LGBTQ+ inclusion training for teachers, education staff, and youth workers. This work will contribute to safe, affirming environments that strengthen resilience, wellbeing, and mental health.

You will work closely with the Youth Services Manager and youth teams across our service areas, building on existing Q:alliance provision in Bedford, where a dedicated youth team already leads on LGBTQ+ youth group delivery.

The role includes outreach across Bedfordshire’s urban and rural communities, supporting young people who may experience increased isolation due to limited access to LGBTQ+-affirming spaces.

You will work collaboratively with the Youth Services Manager to agree outreach and engagement targets, contributing to effective monitoring and reporting systems to ensure robust evidence of impact.

What you’ll bring to the team

This role is a key opportunity for Q:alliance to grow our work in Bedford, build local relationships, and better understand and respond to the needs of LGBTQ+ young people across the area. You will play a central role in shaping a new service, reaching young people who may not yet be connected to support, and helping both staff and the board of trustees develop a strong, place-based understanding of LGBTQ+ youth experiences in Bedford.

You will act as a first point of contact for schools, colleges, and youth settings in Bedford, building trusted relationships and establishing a collaborative network of school and college leads. You will share insights gathered through this work with the wider Q:alliance team, helping to strengthen our responses to local need and inform the development and sustainability of services, including future funding.

You will help ensure continuity of support between schools, our support spaces and Q:alliance’s wider youth service provision.

Main Responsibilities

· Networking – Support teachers, education staff and youth workers to access resources, implement inclusive learning environments and provide support for LGBTQ+ young people in their settings. Develop a network of school representatives to provide peer-support on shifting needs, priorities, and situations in a local and national context.

· Data capture and intelligence - Support Q;alliance’s commitment to sustaining a contemporary data and monitoring mechanism, guaranteeing we can deliver thorough evaluations of our services and competent feedback to our funders and stakeholders on the efficacy of our work. Analyse local intelligence directly from LGBTQ+ youth communities and use this to co-produce plans with young people to ensure our youth services are engaging and meeting needs.

· Support, information and empowerment – develop and implement resources for 1:1 education and resilience work with LGBTQ+ young people, provide support and advocacy for young people, ensuring effective signposting to relevant services and collaboration with parents, guardians, teachers and education staff where appropriate.

· Innovation – work with the Youth Services Manager, school representatives and young people to innovate a schools accreditation system that will acknowledge and cultivate schools’ competence to provide safe spaces and support for LGBTQ+ young people.

· Stakeholder and community engagement – Forge and support enduring relationships with key partners, strengthening our commitment to building an alliance of cross-sector compassionate advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in its diverse forms.

· Education – Plan, develop and deliver positive and engaging classroom workshops and school assemblies to a wide range of young people, ensuring key messages are inclusive of diverse perspectives, including those from black and minoritized communities.

· Training - Develop and deliver training for teachers, education staff and youth workers with the aim of improving the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth communities and the capacity of those with the power to assist in this endeavour.

Skills and Experience

Expertise

· Experience working with and supporting young people

· Experience of developing and sustaining a network

· Ability to deliver innovative education and training packages, delivery, and evaluation

· Knowledge of the challenges affecting young LGBTQ+ people

· Knowledge of issues affecting young people’s mental health and the skills required to build resilience

· Excellent planning, organisation and administrative skills

· Expertise in safeguarding young people, ensuring welfare of all by following policy and procedures in relation to recognising, recording, and responding to safeguarding concerns and liaising with the Designated Safeguarding Lead

· Ability to observe strict confidentiality at all times with respect to matters concerning young people and the schools, colleges and youth settings in which you support through your role in the developing network

· Capable to respond to a young person in crisis, signposting to appropriate resources and support.

Communication

· A high standard of written English, including an ability to write thorough reports, make referrals to partner agencies, maintain outreach files, and record minutes of forum meetings

· An engaging and charismatic public speaking style with the ability to adapt delivery style dependent on context and audience

· Ability to adopt a positive constructive language style when talking to young people 1:1

· Confidence to communicate with relatives, guardians, social workers and related professionals or advocates of young people

· Knowledge of social media and a recognition of the role it plays in young people’s lives

Behaviours

· Skills in forming constructive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels

· Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of professional boundaries when working with young people and the importance of consistency

· Passionate about equality, the rights of LGBTQ+ people and neurodiversity.

· Evident desire to improve service delivery using co-production initiatives with young people

· An ability to listen with empathy and act compassionately

· Competence to work on own initiative and demonstrate innovation and creative problem solving

· Model conduct essential for successful teams, such as reliability, honesty and courage

Desirable

· Qualifications in youth work, teaching or mental health support

· LGBTQ+ lived experience

Other

· Full driving license and use of own vehicle

· Ability to work flexibly, with occasional evening and weekend working

· Commitment to further personal development and training

· Please note: Enhanced DBS is required for this role

The LGBTQ+ Youth Outreach Practitioner will have responsibility for the following documents.

· Contact Evaluation forms/data capture

· Monthly Outreach Report

· Resource library pertaining to our work with young people

· Network minutes (schools forum)

Apply via our website and complete an application form