We are looking for an Operations Manager to join our East of England management team based in our delivery hub in Luton. We are currently working from home which will feature for the foreseeable period. This is a leadership role managing a small team of Operational delivery colleagues to support caseloads of Young People into Employment, Education, Enterprise or Engagement with us. You will help to deliver our ambitious plans to provide the very best support to young people across the area. Your responsibilities include direct line management of the team of executives who work directly with our young people, partners and volunteer colleagues. This role will have main focus on volunteers and employability/ development awards. The role holder will work closely within the area and regional Management team.

We have the ambition to become the very best organisation within the sector. You will be required to continually innovate, review and adapt our operations to ensure we deliver the very best for young people across the area. You will effectively manage those areas of operations assigned to you and support and develop our executives to do their best work. 

You will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders (internal and external) and ensure that our delivery plans are achieved, and the quality and impact is high. There are a range of KPIs relevant to the delivery team which you will be responsible for.

You will be responsible for the accurate planning, phasing and resourcing of our delivery, you will manage budgets and support the effective delivery of funding contracts. You will work alongside fundraising colleagues with the development of bids, reporting and attending meetings and events. 

The Trust has a behavioural framework which informs all our work with colleagues, young people and partners. Through the process, the successful candidate will demonstrate their ability to lead by example, communicate effectively, continually improve themselves and others and by working as one team deliver results for the benefit of young people.

Post Title: Talking Therapies: Operations Manager

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Operations

Responsible for: Suicide Bereavement Liaison Support Worker

Part Time Counsellor

Online Counselling Coordinator

Counselling and Office Administrator

Volunteer Counsellors

Salary: £30,000 per annum pro rata (£24,324pa actual for 30 hrs)

Location: Aylesbury, or High Wycombe offices and some home working required.

Hours of Work:  Part-Time 30 hours per week

Holidays: 25 days p.a. pro rata plus bank holidays and 2 additional wellbeing days pro rata

Probation: 6 months

ABOUT BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MIND

Buckinghamshire Mind was founded in 1914 as Buckinghamshire Association for Mental Health. The charity is independent and responsible for its own governance and income generation. We are proud to be affiliated to national Mind (the leading mental health charity in England and Wales) and to play our part in a diverse network of over 140 other local Mind associations.

Buckinghamshire Mind shares National Mind’s vision: “We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.”  It remains our mission to deliver high quality community-based services across Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire to reach out and ensure everyone with a mental health problem gets access to the help they need.

Working from offices in Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe we provide high quality services to some of the most isolated and vulnerable members of society. Services include wellbeing activity groups and peer support, older adults' dementia support, Safe Haven crisis service, befriending, community partnership outreach services, peer support in schools’ projects, employment support and counselling.

Buckinghamshire Mind has over 500 volunteers (including 16 volunteer counsellors, 400 peer ambassadors/mentors in schools and over 100 in befriending partnerships). These dedicated individuals support our passionate staff team alongside an active service user council, who all ensure our services are tailored to need and are of the highest quality. 

Purpose of the Role

This is an exciting time of growth and distinction for our Charity. We delivered our 2016-2019 strategic goals boldly and ahead of schedule and are currently pulling together a new strategic blueprint for the future. This role supports our vision for our strategic ambitions to enhance, develop and expand our Talking Therapies services.

The current services comprise our busy, well-established face to face and Online Counselling Services and a highly regarded Suicide Bereavement Liaison Support Service.

This is a Senior Operational Management position in a thriving organisation and requires an experienced counselling practitioner who is BACP, UKCP or BPS accredited. This role would suit an experienced practitioner/therapist who is looking for a more managerial, influencing role which includes budget, income generation, line management and service design responsibilities.

It is essential that applicants have experience and practice of mentoring trainees, assessing clients, delivering counselling, facilitating supervision and working in an income generation/business model organisational setting. They will also need to demonstrate a willingness to embrace and develop a broad range of counselling business models and short-term counselling modalities. Additionally, applicants will have significant experience of managing and developing staff, project management, ensuring operational quality and promoting equality and diversity.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate high levels of professionalism, leadership and management skills. Close liaison with the Head of Operations, Finance Manager and the Counselling and Office Administrator will be an integral part of the role.

Key responsibilities

Tasks will vary from week-to-week depending on priorities, but regular tasks will include:

Line management

• Provide effective monthly line management to 1 x part time Counsellor, 1 x Suicide Bereavement Liaison Support Worker and 1 x Counselling and Office Administrator and a team of Volunteer Counsellors.
• Line Management tasks will include; coaching and performance development, probation reviews, 1:1’s, supervisions, team meetings, annual appraisals, development plans, identifying training opportunities/needs and responding to ad-hoc support requests.
• Ensure staff understand and follow organisation and department policies and processes, including prompt and accurate completion of assessments and other administrative tasks.
• Ensure excellence in the recruitment, training and ongoing support of volunteer counsellors including organising an annual volunteer development calendar and a celebration event.
• Supervise groups of (up to four) volunteer counsellors and support/manage the remainder of the volunteer counsellors to access their own supervision and external support.

• Support the Head of Operations to deal with performance management/disciplinary issues confidently and effectively in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Service day to day management

• Coordinate, manage and lead a safe, professional and accessible Talking Therapies suite of services.  
• Develop and review appropriate contracts, policies and procedures, including referral, cancellation, assessment, financial and administrative procedures.
• Ensure all staff have read and understood and adhere to said policies and contracts.

• Ensure the Counselling and Office Administrator carries out the following duties:

• Allocate/book in clients for assessments;
• Allocate/book in clients to suitable free counsellors for start dates
• Maintain and manage the counselling and suicide bereavement waiting list including client record systems in line with GDPR.
• Ensure service outcomes and outputs are effectively monitored and evaluated and prepare service statistics monthly.
• Responds to information requests from staff, clients or external organisations efficiently in a timely manner.
• keeps bookings/diaries/room allocations up to date and keeps clients informed of where they are within any waiting lists (if appropriate).

• Hold regular team meetings with both staff and volunteers to collaborate, discuss and agree upon any required changes to service specifications and communications.
• Ensure counselling is carried out in a safe physical and/or online/telephonic environment, including providing staff cover whilst physical counselling taking place or on call cover for debriefs.
• Ensure Buckinghamshire Mind retains organisational membership of BACP and adheres to BACP ethical framework for the counselling professions.
• Assist with any allocation of complex clients to the right ‘counsellor’ - as far as is practicable.
• Ensure client assessments are carried out face to face wherever feasible (or requested) or ensure that - for online or telephone assessments - counsellors are suitably experienced and have had the right training to carry our remote assessments.  
• Ensure that the counsellor’s ‘counselling contracts’ are kept up to date, that all counsellors have clearly explained the terms and conditions of service to clients who have signed the relevant administration forms and have agreed to have their fees collected as agreed. 
• Manage income from counselling clients either via card, charity checkout or similar and ensure all money fees are kept surely and banked where appropriate.
• Ensure all client records are kept in line with all Bucks Mind GDPR policies and procedures. 
• If fees are a barrier to support for clients, ensure counsellors have significant knowledge to be able to refer elsewhere to alternative free support where appropriate (such as CBT via Health Minds).

Operational Management

• Work with the Head of Operations to manage the Talking Therapies services across the organisation effectively and in line with organisational values and performance KPI’s.
• Develop and implement a business plan and a sustainable business model for our counselling services.
• Attend and participate in quarterly contract review meetings with Public Health for the monitoring of the pilot Buckinghamshire Suicide Bereavement Support and Liaison Service.
• Monitor grants and collect evidence against KPI’s for end of grant/funding reports and evaluations – write up reports in collaboration with Finance Manager.
• To interpret performance and impact data and be responsible for reporting against service targets to the Head of Operations as and when required.
• To continually drive enhancements to operational effectiveness and maximise outcomes against targets from service delivery.
• To support the Head of Operations to mobilise new services in line with agreed project plans.
• To pro-actively develop relationships with external stakeholders in order to improve and develop service provision for people with mental health needs.

Financial Management

• Manage the counselling budget, including forecasts and income targets; collaborating with the Finance Manager and the Head of Operations as required.
• Client fee generation; ensuring all counsellors follow protocols and adhere to policies regarding fees.
• To work with the Head of Operations to ensure sound day to day financial management and work within agreed operational budgets; contributing to the annual budgeting cycle.
• Offset any gaps/shortfalls in counselling income generation forecasts by writing, or assisting in writing bids, for grants and trusts fundraising.

Quality and Compliance

• To be the designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead – training will be given.
• Ensure Safeguarding is maintained within services and carry out investigations in consultation consult with Safeguarding Team, as required.
• Ensure any counselling, suicide bereavement visitors to Bucks MIND properties are aware of building H&S procedures and provide induction (and PPE) where appropriate.
• To support the Head of Operations to draft and update operational policies (as pertaining to talking therapies services) when required and ensure a consistent approach throughout the organisation.
• Ensure all staff and volunteer teams are issued with and understand the use of personal alarms and where appropriate lone working procedures. 
• Ensure that client complaints are investigated and dealt with appropriately.

Service User Involvement

• To ensure high levels of meaningful service user involvement in service provision; responding to the needs of service users locally.
• Ensure bi-annual service users satisfaction surveys are undertaken.
• Review client evaluation and feedback to maintain and improve provision of service. 
• Use client evaluation as evidence of efficacy of service for funding opportunities.

Organisational

• Attend Operational Managers meetings and action tasks as appropriate.
• Represent Buckinghamshire Mind at external meetings as agreed with the Head of Operations.
• Work alongside line managed staff; establishing proactive working relationships
• Work closely with HR and Finance Manager to ensure operational issues are co-managed effectively.
• Assist the Head of Operations to produce a quarterly Operations reports for the Board of Trustees.
• Keep the Head of Operations fully informed of matters relating to operational delivery.

• To support the Head of Operations in the delivery of the organisational strategy with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of Buckinghamshire Mind.

General

• Undertake such duties not included in the job description as are reasonably requested by the Head of Operations. 
• This role on occasions involves out of hours working and a willingness to work flexibly is required.

Person specification

The person specification seeks to define a person most likely to be suited to the job of Buckinghamshire Mind Talking Therapies: Operations Manager.  Candidates are required to meet all the essential conditions and requirements listed (E) and the majority of the desired requirements (D). Please refer to these conditions and requirements in your supporting statement that accompanies your CV as they will be used to help select candidates for interview.

Conditions

• Positively supports the aims and work of Buckinghamshire Mind (E)

Qualifications and experience

• 5 years post counselling qualification experience (E)
• Recognised qualification in counselling or psychotherapy (Level 4 two-year diploma minimum) (E)
• Significant experience of client assessments (E)
• Minimum of certificate in counselling supervision or equivalent experience (for example approx.10 years of counselling experience.) (E)
• BACP accreditation/UKCP reg or equivalent (E)
• Significant adult safeguarding experience (E)
• Management Qualification or similar experience (E)
• Membership of a professional body, preferably BACP, UKCP or BPS (E)
• Experience of training counsellors to assess and allocate clients (E)
• Experience of managing counselling budgets (or other similar budgets) including annual budget forecasts and planning income targets. (E)
• Experience of bid writing/ applying for grant funding from Trust and Foundations and/or local Council funding pots. (D)
• Experience of delivering talks and presentations. (D)
• Significant experience of managing, motivating, developing and training staff/volunteers (E)
• Developing and implementing policy and procedure. (D)
• Working within internal and external quality frameworks and leading improvements in quality. (D)
• Compiling and interpreting performance data and reporting against service targets. (E)
• Successful track record in planning and project management. (D)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of and empathy for the issues facing people with mental health problems. (E)
• Knowledge of the day-to-day application of relevant legislation e.g. GDPR, Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding, HR Practice. (E)
• A thorough understanding of different counselling modalities and their pros and cons within a short-term counselling framework (E)
• Understanding of the principles of ensuring safe service provision for people at risk and how these are put into practice. (E)
• A thorough understanding of the BACP ethical framework for counselling professions (E)

Skills/attributes/abilities

• Excellent communication skills and able to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences. (E)
• Skilled in promotion and communications around sales/income generation campaigns including; social media, website management and production of leaflets and posters. (D)
• Commitment to service user involvement and able to work with service user groups to develop this.  (E)
• Is committed to working in an anti-oppressive way and striving to create equal opportunities for all people (E)
• Commitment to working within the policies of Buckinghamshire Mind including equal opportunities and confidentiality. (E)
• Positive attitude, passionate about working for Buckinghamshire Mind and able to inspire people to higher levels of performance. (E)
• Team player and able to form positive, professional relationships with staff at all levels. (E)
• Able to work effectively with external stakeholders and the Board of Trustees. (E)
• Creative approach in identifying appropriate opportunities to take Buckinghamshire Mind forward. (D)
• Strong organisational skills and able to take control of own workload and meet deadlines. (E)
• Confident in challenging poor performance assertively, constructively and successfully. (E)
• High professional standards and the ability to communicate these clearly to others. (E)
• IT literate to aid communication and analysis of data. E.g. Excel formatting/formulas word tables/publications and use of Microsoft Teams. (E)
• Willing to undertake training and development. (E)
• Access to own vehicle with appropriate licence and insurance - work related mileage will be paid at 45p per mile.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2 wellbeing days pro rata

• Sodexo employee benefits - access to a portal with discounts on supermarket shops, holidays, high-street shops, days out, cinema and gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme – free professional confidential counselling
• Childcare vouchers
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Flu vaccinations
• Free eye tests
• Pension: Auto Enrolment (currently 3% employee contribution, 3% employer contribution

Applications: Please send –

VERY IMPORTANT:  a comprehensive C.V. is essential, and applicants should also send a covering letter which includes a ‘Supporting Statement’ and must structure their statement by responding to each of the points listed in the Person Specification / Selection Criteria. Please let us know what skills and experience you have to match this criterion. The short-listing panel make their decisions based on this information and no assumptions about your skills or experience will be made. 

Buckinghamshire Mind is an Equal Opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Any offer made relating to this post will be subject to satisfactory references and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Closing date for applications is 15th November 2020.

Senior Business Consultant: Interim role with the potential to become permanent

A truly unique opportunity for an experienced senior executive to play a lead role in an innovative charity, building and growing a platform to harness the potential of dogs’ sense of smell to diagnose a range of diseases, including COVID-19.

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives

We are the pioneering organisation for research into canine olfactory diagnostics. We train dogs to detect the odour of disease with the aim of developing faster, more efficient and less invasive diagnostics that lead to better patient outcomes.

Our Bio Detection research includes cancer, neurological disease and bacterial infections, and now COVID-19, and has the potential to benefit millions. We already apply what we know about the science of canine olfaction to benefit people by training Medical Alert Assistance Dogs, which help individuals manage complex, life-threatening medical conditions including diabetes, PoTS, Addison’s disease, non-epileptic seizures and severe allergies.

Founded in 2008 by Dr John Church and Dr Claire Guest, since then we have published a further 13 peer reviewed papers and placed more than 160 medical alert assistance dogs with people who need them.

Until recently our income has been solely from public donations and grants from charitable trusts. It has grown slowly but steadily, and for the past three years has been between £1.9 and £2 million a year. In April 2020 we were successful in an application to the Department of Health & Social Care for funding towards the COVID-19 study, the first we have received from government. We believe there is potential for significant investment to realise the potential of our research.

Our Future

Accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, Medical Detection Dogs is at the point in its development where there are numerous opportunities we could pursue. Our aim is to be internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in the field of canine diagnostic innovation and to translate our research into practical outcomes that improve health. We know that to capitalise on future opportunities, changes to the structure of the organisation may be required.

We responded rapidly to the coronavirus pandemic with a research study looking at the potential for dogs to detect the odour of the COVID-19 disease. Our study presents an opportunity to harness the power of the dogs’ nose to help with the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic in a number of practical ways.

Other organisations have started their own activities, but the Medical Detection Dogs collaborative study adopts the same rigorous scientific approach we have brought to all our work and will result in robust and reliable data. We know that the outcome of the study is eagerly anticipated, and because of its robustness will be valued by government agencies. Therefore, we are confident that we have a central role to play both in response to COVID-19 and in future preparedness for the next pandemic.

The challenge is to take advantage of the results in a way which has a practical benefit for human health and the global economy, as well as providing a slingshot for Medical Detection Dogs to attract the investment needed to catapult the past 12 years of research into the reality of new diagnostic tools which revolutionise the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.

The role

We recognise the need to apply sound commercial practices in choosing where we focus our time and resources and are looking to appoint an experienced senior executive to:

• Contribute to the creation of a strategy for the Charity’s canine diagnostic research & development, most immediately the potential of the COVID-19 study, but also help assess and recommend options to focus our activities and maximise the opportunities available in a way that delivers public benefit.
• Develop a business plan to implement the strategy, with a particular focus on ensuring that the Charity has the means and opportunities necessary to develop the projects identified as strategic priorities.
• Lead on delivering the business plan. You will capitalise on the Charity’s potential by identifying, developing, and managing relationships with potential partners including investors, collaborators and end users of the various diagnostic platforms to ensure delivery of the strategic objectives. In doing so you will provide a critical appraisal of potential opportunities as they arise, develop proposals to attract investment and negotiate on behalf of the Charity.

Key details:

Senior Business Consultant

£60,000 to £70,000 pa

Full time for an initial 6 months with potential to become permanent

Milton Keynes, but not full-time office based

The successful candidate will have:

• Strategic skills: proven track record in leading in the development of, and implementing, practical, deliverable strategies within organisations;
• Strong commercial skills in senior roles (COO, CEO) in organisations of similar or greater scale and/or complexity to MDD, with experience of protecting and maximising the potential of intellectual property rights, including those that arise from academic collaborations;
• Strong relationship skills: able to work successfully as part of the Charity’s executive leadership alongside the existing CEO and COO, and to represent the Charity in discussions/negotiations with other organisations;
• Procurement/contracting knowledge: not as a lawyer, but familiarity and experience sufficient to apply a sound commercial assessment of the risks and adequacy of potential arrangements with third parties;
• Charity experience would be helpful, or at least an empathy for and understanding of the charity sector;
• Experience of fundraising activities and grant awarding bodies would be helpful but not essential;

If you would like to apply for this role please send your CV and a cover letter in confidence to our consultants Aled Morris and Jenny Hills via the apply button.

The role has an immediate start so applications will be welcome forthwith.

Looking for an exciting Trustee role where you can make a real difference?

At Talkback we enable everyone with autism or a learning disability to lead the fulfilling lives that they want and to actively contribute to their local community.

Our organisation began 22 years ago to provide people with a learning disability with a voice that was listened to.  Now we are a highly successful organisation that delivers a wide range of projects, diversifying and developing over the years in response to the changing needs of people with a learning disability as well as the requirements of local and national government and legislation. We work primarily across Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Reading.

Talkback has adapted and survived through difficult financial times and through the current pandemic, ensuring that the people we work with continue to be supported using new and innovative ways to offer services.

We are now looking for new trustees from a business and a social care background with skills in risk management, marketing and/or technology.  Board meetings are held  4 times per year with an additional session to review our strategy. Most Board members will also be members of one of our sub-committees and all Board members are invited to attend activities like our drama productions or sports sessions. You will be offered a full Induction into the organisation and appropriate training.

If you are interested in this voluntary role, please contact Monica Vicol by following the 'Apply here' button.

Closing date: Wednesday 9th December 

Interviews to be arranged at a mutually convenient time

Safeguarding Statements

‘Talkback is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults with care and support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.’

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will require a Disclosure & Barring Service check (DBS) and references. Successful applicants will also have to complete a Fit and Proper Person’s Declaration.

Do you want to join an award winning team that is making a difference to  people's lives and the natural world we live in?

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To take the lead in:

• Co-ordinating Tree and Wildflower Nurseries with responsibilities for ensuring supply meets all of Lindengate’s commercial needs, as well as creating year round tasks for gardeners and increasing/maintaining habitats at Lindengate and elsewhere.
• Co-ordinating development, and ongoing maintenance of the wildlife ponds, the Community Nature Reserve and Education facilities, and co-ordinating the Rough Around the Edges project.
• Developing training for volunteers in conservation practices as needed to fulfil gardener activities, and site and trading objectives.
• Co-ordinating conservation volunteers.
• Supporting Short Programmes for young people with conservation, bush craft and heritage craft activities.
• Liaising with the STH Co-ordinators and their team to ensure that all service users programmes are supported as is best for the service users and the overall site objectives.
• Assisting and supporting training for STH volunteers and gardeners, especially with conservation projects.

Other responsibilities:

• Support in planning a 3 month rolling programme for activities in the gardens, nature reserve and conservation areas.
• Support in the development of a programme of growing and productivity on the site to support its financial sustainability.

• Keep records of the tree and shrub nursery using the ‘Accessions’ file.
• Keep an up to date inventory of all site and horticultural tools and materials, and support in the liaising of suppliers for repairs, replacements and additions.
• Ensure the site is properly equipped for all H&S needs in line with current legislation and agreed policies, and implement monthly updates of risk assessments/ fire drills as the site develops.
• Support the Horticultural Manager with resourcing all that is needed for the site development and all programmes according to agreed deadlines and budgets.
• Support in the implementation of all site-based volunteer, corporate fundraising and community group events.  This will require some evening and weekend working.
• Implement agreed induction for new Site and Hort volunteers joining the team.

• Support all activities with effective communication and learning.
• Support in the implementing all aspects of site maintenance.
• Share general co-ordinator responsibilities with Site and Hort Co-ordinator (Hort).
• Develop a series of nature based walks and talks for gardeners, volunteers and visitors.
• Assist in the development of our conservation income streams.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A combination of specific conservation/horticultural qualifications and/or experience, supervisory skills, and a natural aptitude to deal with a highly flexible environment. An empathy for those dealing with mental health needs and a proven track record in working with young people is paramount.

• RHS Level 2 Horticulture equivalent with relevant experience working in horticulture.
• Proven experience in managing wild spaces and habitats.
• Able to demonstrate an in depth knowledge of native species, conservation methods and practices, including bush and heritage crafts.
• Experience of successfully working with volunteers, community groups and young people.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of mental health needs.
• Competency in Word & Excel.
• Competency in working to budgets and resourcing.
• Competency in project co-ordination.

Personal attributes

• An empathy for people with mental health needs, especially young people.
• Values that are in line with Lindengate’s policy to conserve nature and use eco-friendly and recycling methods.
• High personal standards, including good time keeping, ability to meet deadlines and general good husbandry with all activities.
• Good leadership skills, enthusiastic personality, able to motivate others and work as part of a team.
• Pleasant and patient manner, and ability to relate positively to many different kinds of people.
• Ability to deal with changing priorities and respond happily to the need to be flexible.

COMPLIANCE WITH POLICIES

All duties and responsibilities should be carried out in accordance with agreed policy and procedures, in particular the policies on Vulnerable Adults, Boundaries, Safeguarding, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Health and Safety. 

Marketing Officer – Supporter Engagement team

Looking to take your fundraising and marketing career to another level and use your skills where they really matter?

Salary: £25,650 per annum, depending on experience + good range of benefits

Contract: Permanent – 36.5 hours per week

Based: Milton Keynes

World Vision is an international children’s charity working with children, their communities, and with supporters and partners, in almost 100 countries.

Through long-term development projects, emergency responses and advocacy we’ve helped bring lasting change to millions of children, over more than 60 years. And as a Christian organisation, everything we do is motivated by our faith as we strive to reflect God’s unconditional love.

Work for World Vision UK and you will be part of a truly global Partnership, building brighter futures for vulnerable children.

Job Purpose

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced direct marketing professional to join the Supporter Engagement team within our Fundraising Group. In the team we love the fact that each day is different - from creating concepts, briefing and copywriting, through to project and agency management, data selection, analysis and insight. Within this role, you'll deliver exceptional experiences for World Vision supporters through the development and delivery of timely, high-value and inspiring multi-channel fundraising campaigns that demonstrate the difference they are making.

This role will give you the opportunity to develop fundraising campaigns that inspire our supporters and invite them to transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. It will be your job to ensure our communications truly reflect World Vision’s mission and Christian ethos to our diverse supporter base.

Working alongside our data team, you'll have the chance to understand supporter behaviour, analyse results and build learnings into future activities. You’ll create compelling copy, as well as manage relationships with our design, print, and digital agencies, working collaboratively to produce emotive communications that ‘reach’ our supporters and bring to life the change they are making.

With a particular focus on supporting digital innovation for our entry level products, specific experience in digital fundraising, online advertising, conversion journeys or web analytics would be an advantage.

As an active Christian, this role offers you the opportunity to integrate your Christian faith and be sensitive to its various expressions across cultures and denominations.

In addition to the salary offered, we offer good benefits including pension, generous holiday entitlement and free parking. Like many organisations we’re mainly working remotely right now, and longer-term this role could be carried out in part remotely. The role will have a significant stakeholder management component to it as well as a strong emphasis on networking and relationship building internally, so the postholder would need to be in the Milton Keynes office at least twice a week.

Please click the link provided to view the full job description.

Please upload your CV of full employment history explaining any gaps of employment and reasons for leaving your previous employer. This must be accompanied with a covering letter stating how you meet the essential criteria given in the Job Description.

Closing Date for applications: 10 December 2020

Interview Dates: w/c 14th December 2020

World Vision UK is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people representing all sections of the community. World Vision UK also operates flexible working policies and practices.

As a child focused organisation, World Vision UK is committed to the safeguarding of children, therefore any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks, including a criminal records check.

By submitting your application, you understand and accept that World Vision UK will process the data you provide for the purposes of your application and in accordance with the World Vision UK - Job Applicant Privacy Notice available on our website.

No agencies please.

Job Title: Mental Health Worker - Family Safeguarding Plus (FSP)
Hours: 18.5 Hours per week
Salary: £21,748 - £24,981 (SCP 11-18) per annum, pro rata
Location: Allocated FSP buildings within Oxfordshire
Contract Type: Fixed-Term until end March 2022

About Oxfordshire Mind

We’re Mind, the mental health charity. We’re here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support; in total over 20,000 people in Oxfordshire access our services each year. With one in four people experiencing a mental health problem at some point in their lives, people need Mind more than ever.

Purpose of the Family Safeguarding Plus (FSP) Model

Oxfordshire County Council is making changes to the way we support children and families. As part of these changes, we will be providing new services to help and support parents. The services will be for:

• Parents with Mental Health needs
• Parents with Substance/Alcohol Misuse needs
• Parents involved in domestic abuse

Oxfordshire Mind, Elmore Community Services, Connection Support and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust are delivering the service for parents with mental health needs in partnership.  The mental health team Manager will be employed by Oxfordshire Mind.

Purpose of the role

The purpose of this role is to deliver the mental health component within the Oxfordshire Family Safeguarding Plus approach. Workers will engage with parent/carers requiring time-limited support with their mental health, as part of the multi-disciplinary Family Safeguarding Plus team, to promote early engagement and aiming to de-escalate families in terms of social care intervention.

Workers will take a holistic and person-centred approach to supporting adults to identify their strengths, set goals and support motivation to improve their mental health and wellbeing through a variety of interventions.  Working alongside social care, substance misuse and domestic abuse colleagues the mental health workers will also be available for consultation and the mutual sharing of good practice between professionals.

The key responsibilities of Mental Health Worker (FSP) are to:

• Support the delivery of the mental health component within the project,
• Undertake assessments of parent/carer’s mental health using a suitable, evidence-based assessment tool.
• Work in a multi-disciplinary way under the direction of the Social Work Team Manager & Mental Health Team Manager
• Work as part of a multi-agency model with colleagues in the team to assure appropriate, timely intervention.
• Deliver interventions specifically related to parental capability, mental ill health and presenting need with individuals and groups
• Undertaking home visits and appointments in the community, in line with agreed risk assessment and management plans, to provide a service to parents/carers
• Facilitate referrals to secondary mental health services and IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological therapies) as appropriate, including proactively supporting people to attend appointments and tracking progress.

About you

You will have previous experience of working within mental health within a child/family setting and have knowledge of safeguarding children and adults. You will have worked with parents/carers and children who are vulnerable, children that are the subject of children in need or children who first come into care.

You will be able to provide support and guidance to individuals to enable them to identify their own goals to support personal wellbeing and recovery, and the ability to support them in pursuing these.

You will have sound team working skills and the ability to work under pressure whilst using your inactive to achieve the best possible outcome for all involved throughout the process.

Closing Date: Sunday 6th December (midnight)
Interview Date: W/C 14th December (TBC)

TO APPLY AND FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Exciting new opportunity for a Violence against Women and Girls Specialist Support Worker join our Young Peoples service in Milton Keynes!

GBP 23,543 per annum, 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension Scheme, staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Job Overview:

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post.
The Young People in Milton Keynes services will have complex and multifaceted needs. This could include emotional and mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, partaking in criminal activity and anti-social behaviours or being at risk of sexual exploitation.
Whilst the majority of young people referred will not yet be ready to live fully independently, they will be ready to begin the transition to adulthood and develop their independent living skills. The young people will require a supportive, structured and stable environment with clear boundaries in which to do this.
Specialist support workers are expected to work with the young people that have the most complex needs. They should be the lead in their team regarding their specialism, form partnerships with external agencies and lead on co production and customer engagement. You would work as part of a team of support workers and other specialists, providing support to the rest of the team as needed.

The VWAG Specialist should have experience of working with young people that have experienced trauma and the complex issues that arise due to this. You will provide support around healthy relationships and what these look like using your skills to facilitate meaningful conversations and workshops. You should have knowledge of domestic abuse policies and the procedures that support them. Your involvement will be needed in attending and referring to panels such as MARAC and MASE. Safeguarding and partnership working will be a key part of your role.

Key Responsibilities:

- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
- Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
- Create support plans for young people that are strength based and support them to achieve their goals.
- Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking
- Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their support independently
- Undertake support work in partnership with external stakeholders to compliment their interventions
- Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
- Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers
- Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
- Lead on group workshops for customers
- Share best practice and knowledge with the team.
- Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
- Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks etc.
- Being responsible for the handover of key information between shifts
- Provide structured support and guidance to other front line staff in their area of expertise
- Adhering to all other Look Ahead's policies and procedures. Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
- Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/ Manager

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

Exciting new opportunity for a Substance Misuse Specialist Support Worker join our Young Peoples service in Milton Keynes!

GBP 23,543 per annum, 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension Scheme, staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Job Overview:

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post.
The Young People in Milton Keynes services will have complex and multifaceted needs. This could include emotional and mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, partaking in criminal activity and anti-social behaviours or being at risk of sexual exploitation.
Whilst the majority of young people referred will not yet be ready to live fully independently, they will be ready to begin the transition to adulthood and develop their independent living skills. The young people will require a supportive, structured and stable environment with clear boundaries in which to do this.
Specialist support workers are expected to work with the young people that have the most complex needs. They should be the lead in their team regarding their specialism, form partnerships with external agencies and lead on co production and customer engagement. You would work as part of a team of support workers and other specialists, providing support to the rest of the team as needed.
The Substance Misuse Specialist should have experience of working with young people that have experienced trauma and the complex issues that arise due to this. You should have knowledge of the kind of substances young people use including new psychoactive substance or "legal highs" and the ability to work with young people to reduce the amount of substances they use as well as looking at harm reduction techniques.

Key Responsibilities:

- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
- Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
- Create support plans for young people that are strength based and support them to achieve their goals.
- Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking
- Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their support independently
- Undertake support work in partnership with external stakeholders to compliment their interventions
- Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
- Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers
- Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
- Lead on group workshops for customers
- Share best practice and knowledge with the team.
- Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
- Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks etc.
- Being responsible for the handover of key information between shifts
- Provide structured support and guidance to other front line staff in their area of expertise
- Adhering to all other Look Ahead's policies and procedures. Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
- Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/ Manager

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

Our Vision is 'to enable everyone with a learning disability and autism to lead fulfilling lives and actively contribute to their local community.'

Within Talkback, the Personal Development & Skills programme (formerly Nclude) was established 8 years ago, and provides activity groups and life skills training to people with a learning disability and autism. Our Project Workers deliver a range of services to promote and encourage independent living and lifelong learning.

We are currently recruiting for:

Project Workers - £18000 - £19200 p.a. (pro rata for part time staff)

Both full and part time roles are available ( a minimum of 3 days a week)

No shift work or evening/weekend work 

Core projects include social and life skills training, sports and wellbeing, men’s and women’s groups, a drama group which puts on regular shows, an upcycling and woodwork project, gardening and allotment groups and a creative arts group.

In addition to our building based sessions staff are also expected to plan, run and deliver virtual sessions via platforms such as Zoom. This addition to our traditional service was developed during the Covid-19 lockdown and not only provides vital support for people unable to attend a building based services, but connects our current sites and enables a wider range of activities to be shared with our members.

As part of the role you will work across Buckinghamshire at both our High Wycombe and Aylesbury locations, plus out in the community. You will work alongside people with a learning disability to meet their individual needs to achieve positive outcomes.

To succeed you will be able to work as part of a team and independently and have a 'can do' attitude. You will need to have good communication skills, as well a desire to help people with a learning disability learn new skills and build friendships. We can teach you all you need to know; you just need to have the passion and care.

You will have the opportunity to help someone develop and grow as a person whilst making a difference that will live with you forever. And, as one of our team said ‘Working with people with a learning disability is the most rewarding and fulfilling role’

“This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults with care and support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment”

We are looking for people who care, have patience and life experience and like working with young people. Due to increasing demands for our service, we have several Talkback learning assistant vacancies to deliver a range of services to our members with learning disability and/or autism. Within the Equip team, you will be working part of your time in local Further Education colleges supporting young people,( 16-25 years old) one to one, towards their education goals. We also do community based projects including gardening and allotment groups (some of which are based in National Trust properties), social and life skills training, a men’s independence group, travel training, a drama group which puts on regular shows, a recycling and tools workshop, a creative media group and a group working with animals.

We are currently recruiting for:

Project Workers – Learning Assistants - £18000- £19200 p.a. or pro rata

Both full and part time roles available (a minimum of 3 days a week)

Full year and term time roles available

No shift work or evening/weekend work

You will work at our High Wycombe and Aylesbury buildings, plus in local colleges and out in the community. You will work alongside people with a learning disability or autism to meet their individual needs also support young people with their families to achieve positive outcomes.

To succeed you will be able to work both as part of a team and independently and have a 'can do' attitude. You will need to have good communication skills and an understanding of how to build confidence in a young person. We can teach you all you need to know; you just need to have the passion and care.

You will have the opportunity to help someone develop and grow as a person whilst making a difference that will live with you forever. And, as one of our team said ‘Working with people with a learning disability or autism is the most rewarding and fulfilling role’

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including a Disclosure & Barring Service check (DBS) including checks with past employers (Applicant Declaration must be completed and returned with application).

Closing date: 31st December 2020

Exciting new opportunity for a Gangs and Offending Specialist Support Worker join our Young Peoples service in Milton Keynes!

GBP 23,543 per annum, 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension Scheme, staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Job Overview:

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post.
The Young People in Milton Keynes services will have complex and multifaceted needs. This could include emotional and mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, partaking in criminal activity and anti-social behaviours or being at risk of sexual exploitation.
Whilst the majority of young people referred will not yet be ready to live fully independently, they will be ready to begin the transition to adulthood and develop their independent living skills. The young people will require a supportive, structured and stable environment with clear boundaries in which to do this.
Specialist support workers are expected to work with the young people that have the most complex needs. They should be the lead in their team regarding their specialism, form partnerships with external agencies and lead on co production and customer engagement. You would work as part of a team of support workers and other specialists, providing support to the rest of the team as needed.
The Gang and Offending Specialist should have experience of working with young people that have experienced trauma and the complex issues that arise due to this. You will be required to work with young people to reduce their offending behaviour and prevent any recalls to prison. This will involve working with other agencies such as YOT and probation teams. You will also work with young people that maybe involved in gangs or on the periphery of involvement. Again this will involve working closely with partner agencies such as the police to support young people to exit gangs safely as well as providing alternative options to those on the periphery to prevent future gang activity and criminal behaviour.

Key Responsibilities:

- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
- Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
- Create support plans for young people that are strength based and support them to achieve their goals.
- Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking
- Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their support independently
- Undertake support work in partnership with external stakeholders to compliment their interventions
- Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
- Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers
- Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
- Lead on group workshops for customers
- Share best practice and knowledge with the team.
- Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
- Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks etc.
- Being responsible for the handover of key information between shifts
- Provide structured support and guidance to other front line staff in their area of expertise
- Adhering to all other Look Ahead's policies and procedures. Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
- Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/ Manager

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with the Inclusive Employers Standard 2020. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.