Peer support worker jobs in merton, greater london

About the role

As a Foundation we are committed to learning together with others and reflecting and acting on what we learn. We learn to improve our understanding about how to approach the complex issues we are trying to address, to examine how our funding relates to the social change we want to see, and to improve how we work and fund.

The Learning & Insight Officer will play a key part in delivering our learning, monitoring and research activities, and we want the successful candidate to be able to develop their skills and interest within the role. They will work closely with the Head of Learning & Insight, wider Grants team colleagues and others across the Foundation to gather insights from our grants and wider work. These insights will inform our strategic direction and contribute to wider sector learning and understanding.

This is a permanent, full time role (35 hours) but we will also consider a part time role at 4 days/ 28 hours equivalent.

We are committed to best practice and accountability in equity, diversity and inclusion. We value, welcome and respect all the differences that make us who we are including: age, disability and mental health, neurodiversity, cultural background, ethnicity and race, sex, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation including LGBTQIA+ identities, religion and socioeconomic background.

Main Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues to design and implement systems for the LEF to collect data and to capture and share learning in a systematic way that reflects our values and our commitment to Power, Cuture and Inclusion.

• Coordinate a timetable of activities for LEF to learn from its grants and direct work (such as regular feedback surveys and internal reflection sessions).

• Work with colleagues to collate and analyse evidence from organisations we fund to identify key insights and learning (such as reports and notes from grant management calls).

• Work with the Head of Learning & Insight and wider grants team colleagues to prepare our grants data for publication (for example through 360Giving and as part of the Funders for Racial Equality Alliance (FREA) Audit)

• Support the LEF to communicate insights in accessible and engaging ways.

• Work with colleagues to prepare key insight reports and data for a range of audiences such as colleagues, trustees or other funders.

• Work with colleagues to run internal sessions with staff and trustees to reflect on our processes (what is working well, less well and what we can improve about how we work) and understand the progress the LEF is making towards its strategic objectives.

• Work with colleagues to run online and in-person events to bring together the organisations and people we fund to reflect and learn from one another.

• Support the development of a ‘culture of learning’ within the LEF and with grantees and 

• Work with the Head of Learning & Insight to commission and manage external contractors for particular pieces of work (for example, research briefs or learning partnerships).

• Provide administrative support on tasks, such as scheduling meetings.

• Carry out such tasks as the Director of Grants & Learning or Head of Learning & Insight may from time to time deem necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Foundation.

To see a full description of the role and what we are looking for, download the candidate recruitment pack.

Emmaus Greenwich is a unique charity that offers a home, work and individual support to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. We don’t just give people a bed for the night; we offer a home, work opportunities and a sense of belonging.

At the heart of Emmaus Greenwich is our companions. Companion is the name given to those who live in an Emmaus community and contributes to the social enterprise, where they support themselves and one another. Living in a stable environment with the opportunity of work and individually tailored support helps our companions to regain lost self-esteem and the confidence needed to get back on their feet.

Some of the things that we are looking for in our Community Manager:

• The ability to focus on impact and deliver results.
• Experience of planning, developing, and managing support services for clients with support needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of Strength-based practice and Trauma informed care.
• Knowledge and understanding of In-form client management system.
• Experience of managing the performance, learning and development of staff.
• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness issues.
• Demonstrable commitment to inclusive working, ensuring equality and valuing diversity.
• A belief in the potential of each individual and an understanding of the importance of the Community in helping an individual achieve their potential

Some of the things you would be responsible for as a Community Manager:

• Responsible for the admission welcome including assess new referrals, interviewing potential Companions, welfare and care of Companions, their integration into the Emmaus Community and the wider community at large, developing a sense of extended family.
• Lead and implement a culture which provides confidentiality, promotes professional boundaries, protects data, and safeguards Companions, Volunteers and staff.
• To manage support relating to Companion’s needs regarding their daily living requirements, physical and mental health, safety and personal development.
• To assist and encourage Companions to move into independent accommodation where appropriate
• Ensure that effective Safeguarding systems are in place and maintained, acting as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Person, with delegated responsibility for policy development, implementation, and reporting.
• Working in partnership with the Retail Manager, facilitate, encourage, and support companion engagement and training within the social enterprises to ensure they are viable businesses.
• Assist the Multi Site Property and Facilities Manager in the upkeep and maintenance of the Community, to ensure that it provides a pleasant and comfortable home for the Companions, whilst adhering to health and safety requirements.

So, if you hold optimism for change, advocate for social justice and have in-depth understanding of challenges faced by people with experience of homelessness and migration and have a positive “can do” attitude we would love to hear from you. You will be joining a friendly and enthusiastic team who are passionate about what they do. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of trauma informed practice, asset-based approaches, quality assurance frameworks or from a background of supporting vulnerable adults into work; experience of working in partnership with a range of agencies to coordinate activities and initiatives and achieve positive outcomes. 

About the role

As one of two Regional Programmes Manager, you’ll inspire and lead a team of Senior Programmes Officers and Kinship Family Workers to effectively deliver high quality support services for kinship families across Greater London, the South of England and the Midlands.

You’ll do this by working in close collaboration with local authority teams who have commissioned our services and other funders where appropriate.

You’ll have accountability and ownership for ensuring we deliver impactful services for kinship carers and that we meet targets for our commissioned services. Working collaboratively with our other managers in other services, you’ll ensure we’re delivering high impact programmes.

You’ll ensure your team have real clarity and direction on their role and responsibilities - encouraging curiosity, learning and solutions-focused thinking. As a leader in the organisation, you are a key model for the team.

Your team will deliver the following programmes:

• Kinship Connected – in-person one-to-one support and support groups in the community
• Kinship Reach – remote one-to-one support and virtual support groups
• Kinship Ready – online workshops to prepare new and prospective special guardians for their role, as well as wraparound one-to-one support (in one local authority)

You will also manage a new role of Grants Officer - London, funded by the Aviva Foundation.

As one of our deputy safeguarding leads, you’ll be part of our key safeguarding structure.  This means you’ll take ownership to make sure our people feel confident and well supported to demonstrate best practice and making sure safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Key responsibilities include:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of programmes, supporting mostly home-based Senior Programmes Workers and Kinship Family Workers to ensure high quality, consistent and impactful programme delivery.

• Meet performance targets as directed.

• Create and keep developing processes and systems which support consistency across all programmes, ensuring good quality documentation and manualisation on Notion.so

• Develop quality assurance frameworks with other service managers and directors.

• Support your team to establish and deliver in-person and virtual peer support groups regionally and generate engagement with kinship carers.

• Line management and supervision of Senior Programmes Workers and Kinship Family Workers as required.

• Actively encourage personal development and support staff to deliver key targets and outcomes and ensure high levels of wellbeing.

• Work with the Director of Services and Digital, Head of Programmes and the Business Development team to develop proposals and present to local authorities to secure commissions.

• Manage the delivery of commissioned contracts through collaborative relationships with local authorities, ensuring targets are met.

• Manage the programmes and services within budget, in accordance with Kinship’s financial procedures and ensure the reporting of progress in line with funder requirements.

• Work actively and positively with other managers within Kinship to ensure sharing of best practice, problem solving, relevant connections and consistency of delivery across England and Wales.

• Act as a deputy safeguarding lead at Kinship

Essential requirements include:

• Substantial experience in managing a regional service or programme with high quality outputs (national experience desirable but not essential).
• Substantial experience of managing, developing and evaluating effective and innovative services for families experiencing crisis and experience in reaching ‘hidden communities’ and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Experience of leading and managing continuous improvement in changing contexts.
• Experience of governance and managing risk on high profile service delivery.
• Experience of ensuring that services are designed and led with user needs at the heart, ensuring that the voices of our kinship carers inform ongoing design and development of our programmes.
• High quality digital and data literacy and using technology to help us to be better in our processes. You’ll have to own Salesforce and be a massive champion for the team. You will be accountable for ensuring they use it well.
• Substantial experience of leading high-performing service teams including managing wellbeing, development and performance.

How to apply

In place of a cover letter, you will be asked to answer the following five questions, alongside providing your CV. Please keep your answers to a maximum of 250 words.

1. Tell us why you’re interested in working for Kinship in this role and what experience you bring that would make you successful? This is an opportunity to tell us about you, your experience and your values.
2. Please give an example where you have managed a successful regional programme or service (this could also be national). Please include scale, key performance indicators and outcome. What made it a success?
3. What makes you a great team manager? Give one example of how you have supported teams and individuals to flourish and one example when you have had to step in to address behaviour or performance issues. (This is an opportunity to share your enthusiasm for supporting others to develop and deliver to a high standard. You can share evidence of how your approach has worked and how you’ve tackled challenges and difficult conversations along the way).
4. Quality assurance and consistency is key to making sure our programmes deliver impact for our kinship carers. This includes ensuring your team are following processes, using our case management system effectively and have the tolls to do their role. Please describe how you would approach this at Kinship using a previous example.
5. In this role you will be a deputy safeguarding lead at Kinship. This is a key role, the lives of kinship carers are incredibly complex.  Give one example of a safeguarding situation that required your response in a previous role. Explain what your rationale and thought process was. How did you hold appropriate boundaries and progress actions to effectively safeguard vulnerable children and adults?

Key Dates

• Application deadline: Wednesday 30 April, 9am
• First interview: Online – Tuesday 6 May
• Second interview: In person (Vauxhall, London) – Tuesday 13 May (travel expenses covered if required)

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to.

We are made by and for our community of kinship carers. Like family, relationships run deep. And we hear their experiences; for too long they have been isolated without the help they need.

We support, advise and inform kinship carers. Connecting them so they feel empowered. Because a child needs the love and warmth of a thriving family.

We develop research, campaigns and policy solutions. Creating positive change across society. Because for kinship families, love alone is not enough.

Through our work we harness frustrations to fuel passion for change. And tough experiences to inspire ideas that transform lives.

And as we see momentum building, we keep using evidence to demonstrate the value of kinship care. Helping kinship carers navigate challenging circumstances. Believing in a child’s potential.

Join us. Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

Applicants who are based in the UK, EU, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are welcome to apply. Please note, however, that the listed salary is in reference to UK based applicants.

Background: 

Amna means safe in Arabic - representing the core of our work - supporting communities and frontline workers to bring non-clinical mental health support to every person affected by war, conflict and displacement. At Amna, our core values of respect, understanding, curiosity and connection guide everything we do. Our mission is to build community capacity for healing. Our vision is a world where refugees can determine their future unbounded by the impacts of conflict and displacement. 

We partner with local organisations and institutions working with displaced communities to set up psychosocial healing services in which individuals and groups can discover and connect to practices that promote their healing and wellbeing. We invest in and train people within these organisations to provide this support, and we help partners build psychosocial interventions in collaboration with refugee communities – all with a values-based, trauma-sensitive and identity-informed approach.

Our partnerships are not limited. We connect partners through our global healing network of peer organisations to exchange learnings and enhance their practices as the network strives to support forcibly displaced communities around the world.

Safeguarding: 

The role-holder will have experience working according to ethical and good practice safeguarding principles. They will be expected to adhere to and promote Amna’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policies as they will be involved and responsible for programmes working with children and vulnerable groups in different settings. 

How Will You Make a Difference? 

Amna is seeking a compassionate and experienced Arabic speaking facilitator to join Amna’s team of trainers, with therapeutic/clinical background. As a Trainer & Facilitator your responsibilities will involve delivering training sessions and group facilitation to support and create learning spaces for training participants on themes centred around trauma and identity informed psychosocial healing care with displaced communities. The role holder is expected to work on multiple responses, and will lead Amna’s Gaza and Syria responses, while working closely with Arabic speaking team members.  

Amna’s identity and trauma informed approach is centred around community healing practices with communities that aim to restore participants sense of safety, belonging, agency and joy. Amna services are co-created with the communities being worked with and we prioritise refugee participation and leadership in service design and delivery wherever possible. 

The role holders need to have experience working with communities affected by adversity, including displacement, war and conflict, poverty, abuse or marginalisation. Given the nature of Amna’s work in emergency settings with displaced communities, applicants need to be comfortable working in environments where there is uncertainty, change and exposure to distress.  

Specifically, successful candidates will have a strong experience in following areas: 

1. Work with children and families in an emergency context; 

1. Therapeutic experience – Individual and Groups; 

1. Community work experience; 

1. Designing and delivering trainings across different context; 

Amna will train role holders in Amna’s training and facilitation approach.

Responsibilities include: 

• To deliver high quality, interactive trainings in person and online.   

• To lead on Amna’s Gaza and Syria responses, working closely with a diverse, cross-cultural team and partners.  

• To develop Amna’s training materials including engaging content, structure, visuals and activities.  

• To provide ongoing support to Amna’s training participants from a range of countries on how to set up safe, community healing spaces with displaced communities.

• To facilitate learning and support groups for Amna training participants.   

• To coordinate the preparation and delivery of in person and online trainings.  

• Outside of Amna’s trainings, to maintain engagement with Amna’s training participants to share and exchange learning. 

• Travel to various countries to visit, train and observe partner organisations.

• To work in collaboration with all departments within Amna to achieve Amna’s objectives. 

  Qualifications and Experience:  

• Minimum three years of experience working therapeutically with communities affected by adversities. 

• Minimum three years of experience delivering therapeutically informed community programmes in emergency or acute contexts using creative tools. 

• Experience working in a therapeutically informed way, e.g. working with sensitivity to the needs and experiences of the communities worked with.   

• Comfortable working in English – spoken and written.  

• Comfortable in designing and delivering content in Arabic.

• Confident computer skills, especially in Microsoft Office and PowerPoint.  

• Able and willing to travel for work (if you have travel restrictions to some countries, please notify us in your application).

• Right to work in the country of residency.  

Desirable: 

• Life or work experience with refugee or/and displaced communities. 

• Education or experience in psychology, social studies such as community work, social work, intercultural education, or creative healing practices. 

• Therapeutic training (minimum 2 years training). 

• Work experience coordinating / project management role. 

• Experience in delivering trainings to groups with mixed genders, languages, cultures, ethnicities, religions, (dis)abilities. 

Work Location and Environment  

This role is a remote job opportunity, and open to applicants in the UK, EU, Middle East and EMEA region.

Amna offers a hybrid working environment to its employees allowing for a blend of remote and in-person work.  

Please note that the nature of working environment and hybrid schedule may be adjusted as per the organisation’s evolving needs.  

Remuneration Package  

At Amna we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering competitive compensation and benefit packages. We believe in rewarding talent and expertise at a level that corresponds with the local market conditions, ensuring that all our team members are fairly compensated for their skills and contributions.   

In compliance with international standards, Amna utilizes a global payroll provider to ensure seamless and efficient compensation processes for our diverse team. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  

Amna is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.   

As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disabilities status.   

Applications are strongly encouraged from people with personal or family lived experience as refugees and displacement, especially individuals from Palestine or individuals with experience working on living in Palestine.