INDEPENDENT DISABILITY AND DOMESTIC ABUSE ADVOCATE 

Help us to support disabled survivors of abuse Stay Safe East is a leading user-led Disabled People’s Organisation which supports disabled victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence, hate crime and other forms of abuse. Our practice is inclusive and holistic. We are looking for hard-working and knowledgeable advocates who are passionate about helping us promote the rights of disabled people to safety and quality of life.

INDEPENDENT DISABILITY AND DOMESTIC ABUSE ADVOCATE 35 hours per week. Salary £27,455 per annum To support and advocate for disabled survivors in London. Post funded to 31.3.2023 by MOJ/MOPAC. The Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate post is open only to Deaf or disabled women with the relevant skills. Please note: the post is open to disabled women only for the following reasons:  95% of our Domestic Abuse clients are disabled women facing gender based violence, so working with a female IDDVA is essential to our clients’ sense of safety, integrity and well-being. (Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010)  We are a user-led organisation of disabled people. Peer support and positive role models from our disabled staff are essential to building the long term self-confidence and resilience of our clients.

We have a positive policy on training and employing disabled people. We particularly welcome applications from disabled women who reflect London’s diverse communities of age, faith, sexuality and ethnicity. JOB VACANCIES at Stay Safe East Stay Safe East is committed to employing disabled staff, as we believe that peer support and positive role models from our staff are essential to building the long term self-confidence and resilience of our clients. We have a positive policy on training disabled people. We especially welcome applications from disabled people who reflect London’s diverse communities of ethnicity, sexuality & faith. 

Would you like to work for an established, quality, and leading Advocacy Service?

Do you want a rewarding career where you can really make a difference?

If yes, join us here at Swindon Advocacy Movement.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Statutory Advocate to join our inspiring and friendly team in Swindon Wiltshire. Your role will be a permanent, full time 37-hour position working in Swindon.

Our advocacy services provide specialist advocacy services as appropriate across a range of specialties including, IMCA, DOLS RPR, IMHA, Care Act and Community Advocacy. We provide a range of statutory (instructed or non-instructed) and non-statutory advocacy support in secure units, hospitals, care settings or in the community.

Who are we?

Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM) has a well-established reputation of providing a range of advocacy services for people with care and support needs in Swindon. We are passionate about speaking out for the most vulnerable in our society and have created a flexible and responsive advocacy service enabling people to access their rights within health and social care services.

What will you be doing?

Providing a high quality, responsive and effective advocacy service in accordance with the service specification, contract, and legislative timescales.

Ensuring that individuals understand and can exercise their rights; supporting people to access information, to understand better what is happening, what is planned, and the options available to them to make better informed decisions and be more involved in their care and support.

Acting on allocated referrals in accordance with the service standards and engagement protocols, communicating with referrers as required to ensure the client’s rights under the relevant act are observed.

Representing patients’ interests when they are not able to do so themselves, including working within a best interest’s framework for any eligible patient who lacks the mental capacity to instruct the advocate

Keeping accurate factual records relating to the service users and their cases, including keeping the case management database up-to-date.

Do you have what we are looking for?

Completed, working towards or willing to undertake the National Qualification in Independent Advocacy (Level 3 or new Level 4).

Completed, working towards or willing to undertake additional specialist units: IMCA, DoLS , IMHA, ICAA.

Experience of working in one or more of the following specialist areas: learning disabilities; mental health/capacity; older people; physical disabilities; sensory impairment; substance misuse;

A good understanding of advocacy practice and principles of empowerment and knowledge of relevant legislation.

Ability to respect and promote a person’s right to make informed choices and decisions without influence.

Ability to manage a complex caseload covering a wide range of subjects ensuring independence and clarity of decision making.

Ability to support clients who may have a range of particular communication and other needs.

Ability to collate information and write formal reports to a high professional standard.

Ability to travel throughout the Locality, including travel when required to the local office.

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development and a range e-learning courses. You will also receive:

Salary of £22,060 to £24,304

Contributory pension scheme

21 days per year rising to 26 days with service plus bank holidays plus 3 discretionary days at Christmas.

Flexible working

Closing date for applications is midday Friday 29th October 2021 for interviews being held Wednesday 3rd November 2021.

Swindon Advocacy Movement is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults.  Swindon Advocacy Movement expects all staff and volunteers to share that commitment.  All posts are subject to Enhanced DBS check.

Swindon Advocacy Movement is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from anyone regardless of disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

The safety and wellbeing of our service users and colleagues is our priority. It is a condition of employment for anyone joining us in a front-line role that they have either had the recommended Covid-19 vaccine or agree to have it when offered by the NHS. We also require all staff to undertake regular testing to ensure the safety of service users and staff.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN INTERVENTIONS AND WOMEN’S CENTRE COORDINATOR TO WORK WITH OUR MINERVA TEAM ON THE DELIVERY OF A NEW SERVICE ACROSS KENT

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Advance is committed to equality and diversity and strongly encourages applications from women with disabilities, from BME backgrounds and the LBT community, and with personal experience of the criminal justice system.

What we do:

Advance is a well-respected, award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women experiencing domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.  Through the Minerva service, our goal is to divert women from the Criminal Justice System at the earliest opportunity and prevent families breaking down as a result.

The project:

We are in the process of expanding our service beyond our London footprint to Bedfordshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Kent, along with Thames Valley, providing one-to-one advocacy and specialist work including workshops and group activities delivered by Advance in partnership with voluntary organisations.

This role plays a critical part in coordinating the group offering for women accessing our services, as well as providing administration support across the region. The role is part time but we can offer flexibility with how the 14 hours are spilt across the week - whether this be 2 full days or reduced days across the course of the week.

In short you will:

• Be the first point of contact for clients coming to the Women’s Centre; offering a warm welcome and trauma informed approach. 

• Hold responsibility for the Minerva telephone number and email account in your region. 

• Assist in researching additional resources and events for service users; both within the Centre and across the region. 

• Contribute to creating and lead on updating the local Services Directory with details of local organisations, key contacts and details of services on offer, including eligibility criteria.

• Assist the Service Manager in managing the smooth running of the Women’s Centre in your region, including managing the group workshops timetable, arranging meetings and booking external venues for client groups or training events.

• Facilitate direct group delivery and events at the Women’s Centre and regional venues 

• Assist the Service Manager with the quality assurance and collation of data and information as required, including for funder reports.

What we offer:

• 30 days holiday plus public holidays 

• Pension scheme 

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

• Staff away days

In addition to the great benefits listed above, you will have the opportunity to work in a flexible, supportive environment with a team of committed, inspiring women.

Applications close on Sunday 31st October; interviews will take place on Tuesday 2nd November 

To apply: Please submit your CV along with a supporting statement addressing your suitability for and interest in the role, paying particular attention to criteria in the person specification. 

Please note that any offer of employment will be made subject to references and confirmation of the right to work in the UK, verification of a UK driver’s license and an enhanced DBS check. 

We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who has supported survivors with varying experiences and needs. You will be supported by our Head of Adult Services and HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun’s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification on passing your probation.

The Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) will be part of our dynamic, responsive and highly regarded HIDVA team, providing crisis intervention, advocacy and support to survivors in hospitals, both patients and staff.

Survivors are often in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, such as physical assault, drug/alcohol medical need, attempted suicide or self-harm and the HIDVA will work with hospital staff to provide high quality support focussing on a strengths based, needs led approach. The HIDVA will offer initial advice and crisis safety planning to the survivor, carry out assessments of needs and risks. They will also advise on criminal justice, civil remedies, housing and any other relevant matters.

As part of our passionate and committed team of approximately 35 staff, our aspiration is that you will thrive and develop in this varied role. You will be contributing to the invaluable work of the Rising Sun and making a lasting difference to the lives of those who are impacted by domestic abuse.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support to Survivors

• Be present in the hospitals to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors. 
• Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
• Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
• Carry out needs and risk assessments, including DASH, to effectively establish client needs and enable support to be offered as quickly as possible.
• Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
• Work in partnership with other agencies and services e.g. the police, housing etc. to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
• Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
• Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics. 
• Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
• Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
• Participate in an out of hours rota, providing a HIDVA service in the hospital on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.

Partnership Working and Training

• Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
• Attend safeguarding, doctor and nurse handover meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse.
• Deliver training to hospital staff to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.

General

• Uphold the values and good name of Rising Sun at all times, represent the organisation in a way that is consistent with its philosophy and ethos and in line with all Rising Sun’s policies.
•  Actively participate in clinical supervision, training and development opportunities.
• Develop your understanding of trauma informed work and embed in your day-to-day practice.
• Maintain an up to date working knowledge to be able to advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, such as housing options, legislation and welfare.
• Comply with organisational policies and procedures, including Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities in keeping with the nature of this post, as may be required from time to time.

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles.

We are looking for a driven individual to join our busy team, to establish and implement a LGBT+ Carers Support, development & training programme in Wandsworth and across London

.LGBT+ Project Coordinator

Salary £30,451

35 Hours Per Week

The successful applicant will have lived experience as an LGBT+ person, experience of delivering training and working with a diverse client group. They will also be able to advocate on behalf of others, excellent communication and IT skills, and a commitment to working in the voluntary sector.

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer, committed to the continued development of a diverse workforce.

Wandsworth Carers Centre, 46 Balham High Rd, London, SW12 9AQ

Closing date for completed applications: 9am Monday 8th November

Successful applicants will be notified and invited to interview by Friday 12th November.

This post is funded by Carers Trust’s Making Carers Count programme, which is supported by the Covid-19 Support Fund

Registered Charity No. 1053121 Company Number 3152094

Job Title: Advocacy & Patient Support Officer, Greater London

Responsible to: Lead Advocacy Officer for South England.

Location: Home-based, with travel as required.

Hours: 20 hours per week. Some evenings and/or weekend work will be required during the course of the job. 

Salary: £27.5K per annum pro rata (plus expenses, pension & generous annual leave).

Actual part-time salary: £14,867pa.

Job Title:  Advocacy & Patient Support Officer, Yorkshire and Humber

Responsible to: Lead Advocacy Officer for North England

Location: Home-based, with travel as required.

Hours: 25 hours per week. Some evenings and/or weekend work will be required during the course of the job.

Salary: £27.5K per annum pro rata (plus expenses, pension & generous annual leave).

Actual part-time salary: £18,584pa.

Job description

Two exciting opportunities have arisen to work for Kidney Care UK as Advocacy & Patient Support Officers, covering either London or Yorkshire and Humber. This is a challenging but rewarding role with opportunity for career development and personal growth.

Kidney Care UK is the leading national charity working to improve quality of life for kidney patients through advocacy, direct grants, educating and informing patients, counselling and funding patient-centred research, healthcare professionals and projects. The charity was established over 40 years ago to address the many issues associated with kidney disease and kidney failure.

We wish to appoint an enthusiastic, sensitive and professional individual who has excellent communication skills and the ability to work with patients, carers, health professionals and relevant health and community stakeholder groups. You should be a natural problem-solver, proactive in your approach and really enjoy working with people.

The successful applicant will join our team of experienced Advocacy Officers. Full training will be provided, including Safeguarding. The position will be home-based; travel within the region will be required, once safe to do so. This opportunity may suit someone with kidney disease, a carer or family member, health professional or someone who has worked closely with people with long-term conditions.

Kidney Care UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expect all staff and volunteers to actively support this commitment. An Enhanced DBS will be required for this role.

We want to hear from all interested candidates, and to be considered for the position we strongly recommend submitting a detailed covering letter along with your CV, outlining why you're right for the role.

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The Baytree Centre is a social inclusion project supporting local women and girls in the heart of Brixton.We are recruiting a Welfare and/or Housing Adviser to join our Women’s Services Team.  Your role will be to provide high quality, effective information, advice and guidance in the areas of welfare benefits and/or housing to Baytree’s beneficiaries.  You will work closely with our team of Social Mobility Coaches so that the advice you provide is embedded within a longer term holistic programme of support for the women. 

Centre 33 is an equal opportunities employer. We are keen to encourage applications from a diverse range of people without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or any other protected status.

Get in touch – we want to hear from you!

£31,371 - £37,849 per annum pro rata (new NJC scale 28-35)

37 hours

We are looking to recruit an experienced Engagement & Support Manager to join our operational management team.

The Engagement and Support Manager will manage excellent, safe, impactful and responsive services to young people while maintaining and expanding local relationships with other organisations.

You will be an experienced leader, with a strong background working in service or programme delivery. You will work closely with the wider operations team including other service managers at Centre 33.

There is flexibility to the location of the role with a minimum of 2 days per week based in our Cambridge hub. Some travel around the county will be required. Some Saturday working will be required

This post is subject to a DBS check and references.

Applications must be received by 9am, on 11th October with interviews to take place week commencing 18th October.

Centre 33 strives to be an equal opportunities employer.

We welcome discussions about part time and flexible working arrangements

Part-time hours: 28 - 37 per week

Application deadline: 11/10/2021

Enfield Carers Centre is a member of the Enfield Wellbeing Network, a new consortia of local voluntary sector agencies working across the London Borough of Enfield to address health challenges and inequalities within the community.

We are looking to recruit an outstanding Health and Wellbeing Worker who can manage a caseload of clients, develop, and facilitate community activities and lead health and wellbeing empowerment sessions.

This is an exciting new role that includes working alongside health and social care professionals, community organisations and members of the public to empower carers and the person they care for to manage their physical and mental health needs.

The successful candidate will have experience in information & advice, advocacy, community development, housing, health & social care or have a VCS background.

Who Should Apply?

• The Person Specification (in the Job Description above) provides you with a breakdown of the skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed in the role and highlights whether these are either essential or desirable to the role.
• This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
• Key skills needed:
  • Excellent communicator
  • High level of computer literacy
  • Ability to successfully engage with a diverse range of stakeholders
  • Confidence in presenting awareness sessions and ability to facilitate groups and activities around the borough
  • Experiencing of recruiting, training and managing volunteers is desirable

This role will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Enfield Carers Centre aims to protect children/ young people and adults who receive Enfield Carers Centre’s services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.

To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child and adult protection. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Enfield Carers Centre including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and work experience students.

If you would like more information about how your information is used, how we maintain the security of your information and your rights to access information that we hold on you, please ask for a copy of our full privacy notice or contact:

The DPO

Enfield Carers Centre

137 – 143 Baker St

EN1 3JL

New Horizons post based in Cambridgeshire

20 - 35 hours per week (full time/part time negotiable)

Fixed term contract to 31st May 2023

£25,927 to £28,227 per annum pro rata (new NJC scale 19-23)

Centre 33 is recruiting for a New Horizons coach

The New Horizons project provides up to 20 hours one-to-one coaching designed to help young people to manage their money, get closer to the job market, and overcome digital exclusion.

As a New Horizons Coach you will support young people in identifying their goals around money, work and being online; develop their skills and confidence around those issues; and enable people to make progress towards their goals

You will take a person-centred and holistic approach in understanding young people’s individual needs, advocating on their behalf as to the support required and working in partnership with other services to deliver this support.

New Horizons is managed by Cambridge Housing Society (CHS) – this post sits within Centre 33.

Your role will work to Centre 33’s values of being inclusive and specialist; supportive and non-judgemental; and collaborative and accountable.

The New Horizons project is funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund.

A driving license and use of a car is essential for this post as county-wide travel may be required.

This post is subject to a DBS check and references.

Applications must be received by 9am on Monday 25th October 2021. Interviews will be held on Thursday 5th November 2021.

Centre 33 strives to be an equal opportunities employer.
We welcome discussions about part time and flexible working arrangements

Contract length: 28 months

Part-time hours: 17-35 per week

Application deadline: 25/10/2021

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract

Salary: £25,927.00-£28,227.00 per year

Schedule:

• Day shift

The Work Rights Centre charity is looking for a confident employment solicitor to supervise the work of a team of employment rights caseworkers, for 3 days a week. If you trust your judgement, have 4 or more years of PQ experience in employment law in the UK, and can see yourself supporting a multilingual team in bringing unscrupulous employers to justice, we want to hear from you.

Main duties

Our employment rights team includes three full time and three part time advisers. They are well trained and experienced, and have recovered over £113,000 in unpaid wages and fees to date. But none of them hold a legal qualification yet. We are looking for a legally qualified colleague to:

• supervise complex casework across the team;

• manage their own caseload, advocating on behalf of and representing our clients before tribunals and other courts, instructing and working with counsel in cases in the higher courts, as required;

• Use their expertise to develop the profile of the organisation by preparing public legal information, identifying important policy changes, and participating in media interviews as required.

Person specifications

We seek to appoint a colleague who trusts their employment law experience, judgement and voice, and who shares our mission to end in-work poverty by helping vulnerable workers find justice. In summary, we’d like you to have:

• 4 years PQE in the UK;

• A record of supervising casework;

• Excellent case management skills, demonstrating an ability to quickly gather case facts, draft good case summaries, plan actions accordingly;

• Excellent client management skills, including courtesy, professionalism, an ability to set realistic expectations and keep the client informed of case progress.

Please download the job description for complete person specifications.

Why join Work Rights Centre

We’re a vibrant, multilingual team of frontline advisers, researchers, and communications professionals, who make a mission of ending in-work poverty. As a small organisation we constantly train, learn from, and work closely with each other, and foster a culture of excellence powered by mutual help. We accommodate flexible work, and 28 days of leave + winter holiday break.

This is a new and exciting role, which involves developing and coordinating a programme of regular online and face-to-face groups for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

Salary: £24,982 - £27,041 (NJC Scales 18-22) per annum pro-rata, with pay rise expected.

Hours: 28- 35 hours per week (to be agreed). 

Contract: This will be a one-year fixed term contract in the first instance, but we hope to secure funding to extend.

Place of work: To work flexibly at CARA premises across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester and Dunmow as well as potential hired group spaces. The post will also involve some home working, running and coordinating online groups.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from the CARA website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.

Application deadline: Thursday 28th October 2021, 9am.

Interviews:  Wednesday 3rd or Thursday 4th November 2021

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

About the Role

This is a new and exciting role offering significant potential for the post holder to use their own initiative to develop and run a programme of online and face-to-face groups for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

The role will involve working closely with CARA therapists, ISVAs (Independent Sexual Violence Advisers) and advocates to develop and run at least 5 groups a week.  These are likely to include – a women’s social group, a young person’s group, and a short-term structured group with a focus on learning coping mechanisms and understanding trauma reactions. There is also huge potential for the post holder to put forward and develop other ideas for CARA groups.

Main Responsibilities

• To develop a programme of groups for survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.
• To plan group content and activities, drawing on the skills and expertise of the CARA team.
• To make contact with new referrals to CARA groups
• To organise room bookings, online links and preparation for groups.
• To maintain regular communications with group members.
• To facilitate groups.
• To recruit and manage volunteers to support group facilitation.
• To work flexible hours, including some evening work and occasional weekends.
• To participate in CARA team meetings, supervision, training and development. 
• To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in delivery of training sessions.
• To keep appropriate records in accordance with CARA policies and procedures.
• To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.
• To be administratively self-servicing.
• To report to the Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.
• To undertake any other related activities as required by the Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich.  We also provide remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy Essex

CARA is part of Synergy Essex – the Essex Rape and Sexual Abuse Partnership. We work closely with SERICC  Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.

As Head of Programmes you will be leading the team that works with young people and partners to plan and deliver engagement opportunities that enable young people to find their collective voice and use it for social and political change.

As the national youth council of the UK, we bring young people together through our membership network and a range of partner programmes to advocate with and for young people. We are a small but ambitious charity working across the UK to empower young people and to use our national mandate to influence UK Parliament and the Government.

You will be an experienced leader with experience of working with young people, ideally within a youth participation setting. You will bring your passion for youth work and youth engagement to help the British Youth Council to increase our reach and impact, ensuring that all our activity is delivered in a way that is equitable and inclusive, and that puts young people front and centre.

As part of the leadeship team you will be shaping the charity and working closely with our Board who are all young people.  As Head of Programmes you will also be the lead for safeguarding within the charity.

The British Youth Council is committed to safeguarding and protecting the young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safe recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working across our services.

Sebastian's Action Trust is a registered charity providing specialist respite holidays and practical and emotional support to seriously-ill children and their families.  We walk alongside families of life-limited and seriously-ill children from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.

The charity was formed in 2004 to fulfil the last wish of nine-year-old Sebastian Gates to build a holiday home that would give other children a chance to enjoy precious time with their families.  Our respite holiday house, The Bluebells, opened in July 2011and is now welcoming families with very sick children from all over the country. Although The Bluebells remains at the core of our charitable activity, since 2004 we have developed an outreach service across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey, which is supported by additional specialists in childcare, finance and welfare, wellbeing and bereavement. Ever increasing demand for our services has led us to replicate our model in Berkshire, where we are currently completing a second outreach/respite centre, called The Woodlands.

We are also committed to a programme of practical support, helping families in the community in a variety of different ways; including transportation to and from specialist hospitals, equipment provision, well-being therapies for parents and support for siblings.

Job Purpose and Context

The successful post holder will have overall strategic responsibility for the Family Services team, working to ensure our professionals delivering vital frontline services to families in need do so within our social palliative care model.  The post holder will also take responsibility for monitoring and evaluating our impact, implementing systems and processes, engaging service-user consultation and developing a framework to ensure that the charity is appropriately communicating the outcomes of its work. 

Areas of Responsibility

• Direct line management of two Family Service managers and the Impact Administrator

• Responsible for ensuring targets are set, monitored and achieved across the department in line with annual business plans and strategic development

• Responsible for ensuring the team operate in a safe, health and safety compliant working environment

• Responsible for working with the Trust and Foundations Manager to initiate and execute project applications for funding, managing their implementation and evaluating their impact

• Supporting HR with recruitment, induction and performance management of departmental staff in line with procedures and continuous professional development

• As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to the formulation of annual business plans and engage in regular review with the Board of Trustees

• As the lead in Family Services, liaise with the Trust’s strategic advisory board to ensure regular dialogue and consultation in respect of service delivery 

• As the lead in Family Services, ensure services are delivered in line with relevant regulatory bodies and seek further engagement with potential funding opportunities

• As the lead in Family Services, advocate for the Trust in internal and external campaigns, sharing networks and platforms relating to service delivery and our model of care.

• As the lead in Family Services, manage and direct the written and oral narrative encompassing our model of care.

Operational and Project Planning

• To lead the monthly Family Services meetings

• Monitor service delivery and keep the Senior Management Team abreast of key developments ensuring that funded projects are running in line with application

• Assist in shaping budget based on team and beneficiary feedback

• Keep abreast of changes in policies that may impact Family Services

• Take individual responsibility for agreed objectives and targets

• Ensure collaterals received by families are up-to-date and accurate including; leaflets, new referral packs, website and the Trust’s app.

Working with Beneficiaries and Service Delivery

• Support initial family needs assessment and oversee annual assessment of need

• Attend relevant professional meetings and maintain effective relationships with referrers and other health professionals

• Work within the Sebastian’s Action Trust safeguarding policy

• Work with other health, education and social care professionals and significant others providing services to the families

• Ensure prompt responses to requests for information and action from service users and other stakeholders

• Relay information and supporter contact to appropriate internal and external contacts 

• Consult with families for feedback

Developing, Maintaining Systems and Procedures

• Ensure spend is kept in line with budget

• Help to inform Family Services strategy

• Ensure accurate records of service delivered and service outcomes according to Sebastian’s Action Trust policies

• Ensure that data relevant to areas of responsibility and activity is adequately and safely recorded and stored

• Effectively use care database Evide and the suite of MS Office products to keep team records current, complete and accurate

• Responsible for strategic service delivery policy and practices

Team Working and Collaboration

• Senior Management team fortnightly meeting

• Monthly Trusts & Grants meeting 

• Host an annual professionals day

• Monthly meetings with identified hospital representative to discuss referrals in conjunction with the Family Services Managers

• Promote Sebastian’s Action Trust to other organisations through key talks/networking 

• Monthly meeting with PR & Communications

Special Conditions

• The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across our two sites, The Bluebells and The Woodlands, with occasional visits to a range of venues, including families' homes, hospitals and other community-based locations

• This role may occasionally involve driving significant distances and as a member of the Senior Management Team there is an expectation of evening and weekend work on occasions

• Full driver’s licence required

• This is not a complete list of the duties and responsibilities of the post, which may change dependent on the needs of the service, following discussion with the post holder

Benefits

21 days’ holiday pro rata, plus Christmas shutdown (4 days) in addition to bank holidays.  Training budget provided for continual professional development and uniform.  Upon successful completion of 6 month probation the post holder will receive pension and death in service benefits