29 Specialist family support worker jobs in East of England

Please note - this role is homebased in Scotland, with some travel througout Scotland and to London required.

Independent Age is the national charity working towards ending financial hardship in later life.  

Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free information and advice to older people without enough money to live on, while our external training equips professionals with the information they need to support older people on low incomes. Through our grants programme, we fund and support hundreds of local charities working with older people across the UK.  We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.  

We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life. We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

This new role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing. 

As an Adviser (Scotland) you will be responsible for providing specialist support to older people, their families and carers through our advice service with their enquiries relating to housing and welfare benefits in Scotland as well as providing generalist level support on a range of issues through our duty service.

You should have in depth, specialist level knowledge of Housing or Welfare Benefits in Scotland as they relate to older people. Experience of working within a high-volume advice setting and advice supervision framework such as the AQS framework.

We plan to further develop our advice offer in Scotland to cover advice around charging for Social Care, so whilst not essential, knowledge of this area, or a desire to develop will be beneficial.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 21 hours per week.

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all. But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

With an employee engagement score of 98%, colleagues say Independent Age is a great place to work. You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting the Careers page on our website.

Application Process:

To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification. 

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you require any specific arrangements or adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the recruitment process, such as having the job description in a larger text format or to apply in an alternative format, please get in touch with us via the email address on the ‘Contact Us’ page on our jobs site. 

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Please don’t include your name, photo, or any information that could indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement, and don’t include your name in the title of any documents that you upload. However, please do include all dates of employment.  

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require a minimum of two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A Level 1 (Basic) Disclosure check will be carried out for the successful candidate.

Closing Date: Sunday 4th October 2026 11:59pm

Interview Dates: 

First round of interviews will take place online on Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th October

Second round of interviews will be held in person, in Glasgow, on Wednesday 21st October

To work as a Opiate Recovery Worker which includes: 

To provide allocated clients with 1:1 support with achieving their substance misuse recovery goal, using psycho-social interventions, SMART goals, motivational interviewing, risk management planning and working closely with our clinical staff and pharmacies around prescribing needs and partner agencies. 

To ensurethat patients receive the right level of help at the right time and experience ajoined-upservice between health and social care, especially where multiple services are going in.

About Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest: 

We are a multi-disciplinary provider of specialist mental health services and a part of the Mind Federation.

We promote both recovery from ill health for people with recurrent and enduring mental health difficulties and early intervention for those at risk of developing mental health issues, or who struggle with common mental health conditions. We currently support around 5,000 people a year through a variety of services focusing on psychological, social, economic and workplace wellbeing, and support minoritised communities.

Working with Mind CHWF means you’ll be part of a dedicated, passionate, and professional workforce who cares about the work they do and make a real difference to the lives of the people in the City of London, Hackney, and Waltham Forest. 

Our values are: 

Connected: Creating a compassionate and supportive community.

Fair:  We strive for equity- no-one's needs should go unmet. 

Brave: We walk with people, offering help by doing what works - proven or new 

We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

Those with lived experience of Mental Health are encouraged to apply. 

Value-based Recruitment:  

We know that for various reasons, not everybody who can successfully perform in a role, performs their best under traditional interview/selection procedures. We are therefore seeking ways to breakdown further barriers in our recruitment & selection process.

Shorted-listed candidates will be provided with some questions to help them prepare for the interview.

  

How to apply:  Please apply using the application form found here:and your CV: 

The closing date is by Monday 28th September at 5pm, however, please do not delay applying as this advert may close before the stated deadline if we find a suitable applicant for the role. 

We are a disability confident employer. All applicants with a disability, who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. If this applies to you, please let us know in your application. 

Your privacy and the security of your data is our top priority. Please take a moment to read through our applicant’s privacy notice. 

If you are passionate about making a difference for PWS families in Northern Ireland, we want to hear from you!
PWSA UK is a small charity providing lifelong support to all those affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). PWS is a rare genetic condition causing an overwhelming and uncontrollable drive to eat that can be life-limiting, as well as learning and physical disabilities. We provide a dedicated helpline, a comprehensive information hub, a network of peer support groups, a varied programme of community events, training for professionals working with those with PWS, and support for vital research. Our aim is to help our amazing community overcome the challenges and live life to the full with PWS.
We are looking for a part time PWS Specialist Adviser for Northern Ireland to support the PWS community in Northern Ireland. PWS is a rare and isolating condition and our ambition it to reach families in Northern Ireland to provide impactful advice, support, information and training. The ideal candidate will have an in-depth working knowledge of health and social care systems and education in Northern Ireland as well as a belief in the potential and value of people with Prader-Willi syndrome. 
You will need to be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as being self-motivated and able to engage with families, health care professionals and policy makers. You will build on the excellent work of our existing support worker to continue engage and enable the PWS community. 
The position is part time (14 - 18 hours a week) and is home based and ideal for someone living in Northern Ireland

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Family Support Team. This role will suit someone with experience supporting parents and carers of ADHD and autistic children and young people, who is highly organised and shares our passion for making a difference.

About the Role

• Provide specialist advice, information and support to families through one‑to‑one appointments.
• Facilitate groups, courses and workshops which help parents understand ADHD and autism.
• Signpost families to appropriate services and resources across North-West London.
• Work collaboratively with professionals to share best practice, support reasonable adjustments, and contribute to developing autism‑aware communities.

In this role, you will join the CAAS Family Support Team as we work to educate, empower and improve quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, their families, and the communities they live in.

We work in a variety of settings, so a flexible approach is essential.

Some evening or weekend work may be required depending on scheduled sessions

Who We Are Looking For

• Someone with a genuine passion for supporting neurodivergent children and families.
• Strong organisational, IT and communication skills.
• The ability to offer empathetic, strengths‑based support.
• Lived experience as a parent or carer of a neurodivergent child is highly valued at CAAS

About Us:

The Centre for ADHD and Autism Support (CAAS) is a registered charity (Charity Registration Number: 1193799) and we provide information, training, support groups and practical help to residents of North-West London. Our support services encompass education, benefits, parenting and care advice with signposting to other agencies if appropriate.

Remuneration Package & Contract Details

Annual FTE salary: up to £33,000 (pro-rata for part time), depending on experience

Contract Type: 12 month fixed term contract (potential to extend)

Working Weeks Per Annum: 52 weeks

Working Hours Per Week: 35

Working Days: Mon-Fri, some weekend and evening work will be required.   

Annual Leave Entitlement: 33 days, including UK bank holidays, plus your birthday off each year

If you’re looking for a supportive, inclusive workplace with an excellent reputation for family‑centred practice, we’d be delighted to receive your application, along with a short covering note.

Safeguarding Statement:

The Centre for ADHD and Autism Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to provide two satisfactory references, undertake pre-employment checks and have a cleared Enhanced Disclosure & Barring check.

Please note

If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to respond to everyone individually.

Thank you for considering a role with us – we genuinely value your interest and hope you will consider applying for future opportunities.

Children and Families Worker

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Please note, due to the nature of the service, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder is female and the post is therefore exempt from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in terms of Schedule 9, Part 1, and Paragraph 1 of the Act.  

Job Title: Children and Family Worker

Location: Based on site in West London (This location is hidden due to the sensitive nature of the service) Unfortunately this service does not have step free access.

Salary: £28,800

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (One Saturday once every 3 months instead of a Friday) on a rolling rota including 07:30 - 15:30, 09:00 - 17:00 and 11:30 - 19:30. You may be required to work outside these hours dependent on service and resident requirements including weekends and bank holidays 

About the role

As a Children and Family worker, you will be based within our Women's Refuge service, supporting women and children up to the age of 15 who have escaped domestic abuse. You will deliver trauma-informed, child and family centred support to promote safety and wellbeing, working collaboratively with mothers to strengthen the parent-child relationship during a time of crisis. You will support with both emotional and practical day-to-day support. This is typically done through key work sessions, risk assessments, and empowerment focused activities. 

You will play a vital role in supporting families, being the sole specialist within the service, which gives you autonomy to shape the role based on your expertise and experience. You will lead on child-focused support, as well as working part of the wider team to provide the support to mothers. You will deliver a range of support for children and young people, as well as family and parenting support. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Support parents to build confidence, parenting skills, and resilience while promoting positive family relationships. 
• Deliver age-appropriate play, learning, and developmental activities that support children's education, wellbeing, and personal growth. 
• Facilitate family support sessions and interventions to rebuild relationships, improve life skills, and address the impact of trauma. 
• Develop and maintain trusting, trauma-informed relationships with children, families, and residents, providing both practical and emotional support. 
• Contribute to support planning, risk assessments, safeguarding actions, and regular reviews to ensure residents' safety and progress.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, mental health issues, incidents, and emergencies, ensuring effective intervention and support. 
• Maintain accurate case records, reports, and confidential information in line with GDPR and organisational procedures. 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, external agencies, social services, and community partners to deliver integrated support and improve outcomes for children and families.

About you

We are looking for someone who has a real passion to support families and children who have experienced domestic abuse. You will have a trauma-informed understanding of domestic abuse and the impact it has on families, and will be able to engage in sensitive conversations, recognising signs on trauma, and being proactive to support families to overcome this. This is a hands-on, active role, ideal for someone who is creative, energetic, and passionate about working directly with families. You will be a team player, able to collaborate and provide support to colleagues as needed. 

• A background in working with adults and children, particularly from trauma affected backgrounds
• Experience in supporting mothers in helping children transition to new schools
• Proven ability to plan and deliver engaging play sessions, after school activities, and family events as well as religious and national celebrations
• Confidence in working with children who may have behavioural challenges, being able to signpost to early intervention services
• Experience/ability to support children with special educational needs or additional behavioural needs
• Ability to work in a fast changing environment
• Patience, empathy and resilience
• Creativity, flexibility, and a can-do attitude
• Non judgmental approach and genuine commitment to empower families to overcome their barriers
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Are you passionate about making a direct financial difference in the lives of unpaid carers?

Join the Carers’ Hub Lambeth team and help ensure carers across our borough receive the financial recognition, stability, and specialist support they deserve.

In this vital role, you will deliver specialist, high-quality welfare and disability benefits support across our Young Carers and Adult Carers teams. Working directly with unpaid carers and their families, you will help maximise household incomes, navigate complex benefit systems, and ensure their rights are upheld.

What you’ll be doing:

• Specialist Casework & Income Maximisation: Deliver 1-to-1 welfare benefits casework, carry out calculations, complete application forms, and support carers through mandatory reconsiderations and appeals (covering PIP, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, etc.).

• Workshops & Outreach: Design and facilitate engaging information workshops and drop-in sessions (online and face-to-face) on key benefit topics affecting carers.

• Collaborative Support: Respond to internal and external referrals (from health, social care, and voluntary partners), working closely with team leaders to support particularly vulnerable carers.

• Partnership & Impact: Maintain accurate case records, track outcome metrics (e.g., financial gains), and represent Carers' Hub with local statutory and voluntary services.

What we are looking for:

• Benefits Expertise: In-depth, practical knowledge of the UK welfare benefits system and proven experience delivering 1-to-1 casework, form-filling, and reconsideration support.

• Strong Communicator: Excellent written and oral skills with a knack for breaking down complex benefit regulations into clear, understandable advice.

• Organised & Database Literate: Confidence managing a busy caseload, prioritising deadlines, and using CRM databases (e.g., Charity Log) and benefit calculation software.

• Empathetic & Inclusive: A genuine commitment to carers' wellbeing, safeguarding protocols, and non-judgmental, inclusive support.

About Carers' Hub Lambeth

Unpaid carers make huge sacrifices to look after loved ones, often facing steep financial, emotional, and practical challenges. At Carers' Hub, we work to limit these obstacles by raising awareness, influencing local policy, improving carer wellbeing, and connecting carers to essential resources and networks.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and warmly welcome applications from carers, disabled people, ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and South London residents. As part of our disability commitment, we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant meeting the essential criteria.

Ready to apply? Download our full Application Pack for detailed person specifications and instructions on how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!

Closing date: 9am Wednesday 7th October
Interviews will take place on Thursday 15th October at 336 Brixton Road

We are Hestia. We make a difference.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Support Worker to play a pivotal role in our Mental Health Service in Croydon.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

As a Support Worker, you will provide person-centred support to service users by carrying out comprehensive assessments, support planning, and safety planning that promote recovery, independence, and individual wellbeing. Working closely with the Service Manager, Team Manager, external agencies, families, carers, and other key supporters, you will help develop and review support, risk, and move-on plans tailored to each individual's needs. You will encourage participation in social, educational, training, employment, and skills-development opportunities, while supporting access to relevant health services. You will also help maintain a safe and positive environment, monitor housing-related responsibilities, and promote tenancy sustainment, including supporting occupancy agreement compliance and rent payments.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Displays skills to convince, persuade and influence others including excellent negotiation skills Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and collaborative approaches with colleagues and stakeholders. Professional Consultancy Skills- Operates professionally and ethically with the ability to gain the trust and respect of others Excellent IT and Digital skills and confident in the use of Microsoft Office functions Use of MS Word –ability to compose bids and reports Use of MS Excel –ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets Use of MS Powerpoint – ability to prepare presentations Use of MS Outlook – ability to read and compose emails and maintain Outlook Ability to maintain and develop the contracts database with IT colleagues Ability to work flexibly as this role is to work shifts and will require occasional weekend work.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

At One YMCA, we work alongside young people to help them develop confidence, skills, resilience, and positive futures. We are looking for an inspiring, experienced and motivated Youth Work Manager to lead and develop our local youth work provision, ensuring that high-quality, impactful services reach young people across our communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering our Youth Work Strategy, managing a dedicated team, driving quality and developing services that make a real difference in the lives of young people.

About the role:

Reporting to the Head of Youth Work, you will take operational responsibility for the delivery, development, monitoring, and quality assurance of our youth work services. You will lead and support Youth Work Coordinators and wider youth work staff, ensuring services are safe, effective, youth-centred, and aligned with One YMCA's strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of youth work programmes, specialist support services, mentoring initiatives, life skills courses, and large-scale youth events.
• Managing and supporting staff through recruitment, induction, supervision, training, and performance development.
• Monitoring contract performance, outcomes, impact data, and key performance indicators to demonstrate the difference our services make.
• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, safeguarding, and continuous improvement across the service.
• Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and participating in the safeguarding on-call rota.
• Working with young people and teams to ensure youth voice is at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership, experience in managing contractual compliance, with a genuine commitment to young people.

You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering and managing youth work programmes, projects, or contracts.
• A strong understanding of issues affecting young people's lives and a passion for helping them achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience leading, motivating, and developing staff teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and partnership-working skills.
• The ability to analyse data, monitor impact, and use insight to improve services.
• A youth work or related community-focused qualification at degree level, or significant equivalent experience.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Location: Home-based role but with regular travel to YMCA youth work delivery sites across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, as well as to support the broader youth work within One YMCA. 

Driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

If you are an experienced youth work leader ready for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you! 

Important: Please include a supporting statement with your application/CV.

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday but with flexibility of working pattern to support both the ideal candidate and business need. Some evening work expected, and occasional weekend, overnight stays or residential work.

The Community Support Worker will provide direct, practical and person-centered support to mentees approaching release from prison and after release into the community. Working under the direction of the Project Manager, the post-holder will help mentees identify priorities, develop and progress action plans, access appropriate services and maintain engagement during a period of significant transition.

This is a front-line resettlement and community support role. The post-holder will work alongside mentees, volunteer mentors, prison and probation colleagues and community services to reduce barriers to stability, support safe mentoring relationships and help mentees progress towards realistic goals.

The role requires someone who can build trust while maintaining clear professional boundaries, work confidently across prison and community settings, manage a varied caseload, respond proactively to changing needs and escalate safeguarding or risk concerns appropriately.

Key relationships

· Project Manager and Service Delivery Director.

· Other Trailblazers staff and project colleagues.

· Volunteer mentors and prospective volunteers.

· Mentees and, where appropriate, family members or other community support networks.

· Prison staff, including resettlement, offender management and other relevant departments.

· Probation practitioners and other statutory services.

· Community organisations, accommodation providers, DWP / Jobcentre Plus, employers, education and training providers, health and substance misuse services and other local partners.

Housing is one of the biggest factors affecting people's health and wellbeing. We are looking for two Community Wellbeing Coordinators to join our Community Connect Social Prescribing Service, with a specific focus on housing advocacy and support.This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of health, housing and community support, helping residents navigate complex systems, understand their options and access the support they need. 

You will support residents whose wellbeing is affected by issues such as: 

• Housing insecurity 
• Risk of homelessness 
• Overcrowding 
• Disrepair 
• Temporary accommodation 
• Digital exclusion 
• Difficulties understanding housing processes and evidence requirements 

The role is about practical support, advocacy and navigation. You will work alongside residents to understand their circumstances, explore options, gather evidence, complete applications where appropriate and connect them with relevant services. 

We're looking for someone who: 

• Has experience supporting people in health, social care, housing, advice, voluntary sector or community settings. 
• Can build trusting relationships with residents facing difficult circumstances. 
• Understands how housing and other wider determinants impact health and wellbeing. 
• Is confident working with multiple agencies and coordinating support. 
• Can manage expectations sensitively whilst maintaining hope and motivation. 
• Has strong organisational and case management skills. 
• Understands safeguarding and person-centred practice 

If you're passionate about reducing inequalities, empowering residents and finding practical solutions to complex challenges, we'd love to hear from you. 

Please note, a member of the housing team will be on the interview panel therefore CV’s & supporting statements will be shared with them.

Interviews are likely to be held Friday 23rd October 2026.

Why Work for Us:

• Hybrid working 

• Additional Birthday Day off 

• Flexitime and TOIL 

• Pension employer contribution 6%

• Two volunteering days (pro rata)

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

• Access to the Blue Light Card 

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

• A positive, inclusive team culture where your ideas are valued

• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

• Employee Assistance Programme

Advert

CARE (Child at Risk of Exploitation) Boys and Young Men Practitioner

Permanent contract but funding for this role ends on 31st March 2028 (with the potential for further funding)

35hours per week

£29,855 per annum

Essex - Countywide role based in Chelmsford

Benefits include but not limited to:

-36 days' annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service

-Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

-We match up to 8% pension

-Free counselling service

-Opportunities to develop and widen your skills

-2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us:The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.

Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.

About the role:

This role sits within our children and families directorate, which works to provide immediate one-to-one and group support for young people who urgently need support. Your role will be to help us maintain and develop innovative practice to support our work in our services within the Essex area.

We wish to recruit a specialist Boys and Young Men's workerto join our established Essex CARE (Child At Risk of Exploitation) Together team, supporting male young people aged 8-25 who are at medium risk of exploitation; criminal, sexual, financial or domestic servitude.

You will provide direct therapeutic support to vulnerable young males and support and signpost families who are affected by exploitation. You will provide professional expertise in various panels that review individual risk as well as offer training and resources for other professionals supporting potentially exploited young people.

Support offered will include one to one face to face interventions, targeted group work & online support across the County as well as consultation with professionals.

The young people will require a skilled practitioner who is experienced in working with hard to reach, vulnerable young people at risk through the use of therapeutic approaches. You should have experience of facilitating groups or delivering training with knowledge of the issues and legislation affecting young people who are at risk of exploitation.

Key skills and experience

-You will have substantial experience in working with vulnerable young people either in a paid or unpaid capacity.To be able to evidence your ability to build positive relationships with groups of young people to raiseawareness aboutsubstance use and the associated risks and impact.

-You will haveexperience of carrying out individual and group work interventions with young people and/or adults, either in an intervention or educative capacity.

-You have an understanding of exploitation inclusive of weapon carrying risk.

-You will haveexperience in using Microsoft Office Applications and other relevant data systems.

-You can demonstrate the ability to work on your owninitiative as well as be able to contribute to a multi-agency approach so as to enable effective interventions with young people, including delivering training to a range of professionals.

-You hold a full UK driver's license and have access to you own transport.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 11th October 2026.

Please note that if we receive a high volume of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier.

Interview date: Monday 19th and Wednesday 21st October 2026.

Please note that interviews will be held in person at our Chelmsford office.

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.

AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

Assistant Headteacher – Inclusion, Safeguarding and DSL

• Location: TreeHouse School, Woodside Ave, London, N10 3JA
• Hours: Permanent, full time (37.3 hours per week)
• Salary: £62,541 to £66,744 per annum
• Start date: January 2027

About TreeHouse School:

TreeHouse School, part of Ambitious about Autism, is an Ofsted outstanding specialist school supporting children and young people aged 4–19 with autism and complex learning needs. We are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment where every pupil can thrive and achieve their full potential.

About the role:

We are looking for a resilient and values led Assistant Headteacher of Inclusion, Safeguarding and DSL to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is a pivotal role with responsibility for safeguarding, inclusion and pupil welfare for autistic children and young people with complex needs.

You will lead on child protection and safeguarding, working closely with our team of deputy and assistant DSLs and with external partners including Social Care, Health, Police, LADO and Prevent.

You will also provide strategic oversight of inclusion, behaviour, wellbeing, healthcare, therapeutic support, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and least restrictive practice, working collaboratively with education, nursing and wider multidisciplinary teams.

This is not an office based role. You will need to have a strong presence across the school, supporting pupils, families and staff, providing visible leadership and responding calmly and effectively when complex situations arise.

What we are looking for:

• Has strong safeguarding experience and ideally experience as a DSL or Deputy DSL.
• Has a good understanding of autism, SEND and complex needs, with experience in an education or specialist setting preferred.
• Could be an experienced education professional, SEN specialist or social worker with substantial relevant experience and a strong understanding of education.
• Is confident making difficult safeguarding decisions, managing referrals and escalating concerns when necessary.
• Is resilient, persistent and able to manage complex cases involving vulnerable children.
• Can build strong relationships with pupils, families, staff and external agencies.
• Can lead and develop staff, ensuring safeguarding training, recording and procedures are consistently followed.

What we offer:

You will be well supported by an experienced safeguarding team, Senior Leadership Team and receive regular supervision and mentoring. There will also be opportunities to develop your expertise through DSL, trauma informed, autism and CALM training.

This is an opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of autistic children and young people, while leading a team and helping shape excellent safeguarding and inclusive practice across the school.

If you are a confident safeguarding professional who combines expertise with compassion, resilience and determination, we would love to hear from you.

Shortlisting date: Friday 2nd of October

Outcome of application: Friday 2nd/Monday 5th of October

Interview date: Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th of October

Ambitious About Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious About Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are as per the job description and person specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Youth Team. This role will suit someone with experience supporting and/or working with ADHD and/or autistic young people who is highly organised and shares our passion for making a difference.

About the Role

• Support the operational management of the Youth Service, assisting the Youth Services Manager with the day-to-day leadership, coordination, and development of youth programmes across North West London.
• Line manage and support Youth Support Workers, providing supervision, guidance, and oversight to ensure high-quality service delivery and achievement of programme objectives.
• Deliver direct support to neurodivergent young people and families through one-to-one sessions, group activities, courses, and peer support programmes that improve understanding, wellbeing, and quality of life
• Undertake administrative, project management, and strategic planning activities, including scheduling appointments, creating content, facilitating groups, monitoring service delivery, and ensuring funder requirements are met.

In this role, you will join the CAAS Youth Services Team as we work to educate, empower and improve quality of life for neurodivergent individuals, their families, and the communities they live in.

We work in a variety of settings, so a flexible approach is essential.

Some evening or weekend work may be required depending on scheduled sessions

Who We Are Looking For:

• You’ll have experience or strong knowledge of working with ADHD and/or autistic young people
• You’ll have previous experience of managing people and projects
• Enjoy working with people, and feel confident running groups and courses
• You’ll be organised, a good communicator, and committed to neurodiversity affirming, person-centred support.

About Us:

The Centre for ADHD and Autism Support (CAAS) is a registered charity (Charity Registration Number: 1193799) and we provide information, training, support groups and practical help to residents of North-West London. Our support services encompass education, benefits, parenting and care advice with signposting to other agencies if appropriate.

Remuneration Package & Contract Details

Annual FTE salary: Up to £37,250 FTE per annum (based on 35hrs a week) / Pro-rata £29,800 based on 28 hours a week 

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Weeks Per Annum: 52 weeks

Working Hours Per Week: 28 hours

Working Days: Flexible hours - evening and weekend work may be required, and the hours may differ each week, depending on the activity that is being undertaken.

Annual Leave Entitlement: 20 days annually, plus bank holidays, plus your birthday off each year

If you’re looking for a supportive, inclusive workplace with an excellent reputation for family‑centred practice, we’d be delighted to receive your application, along with a short covering note.

Safeguarding Statement:

The Centre for ADHD and Autism Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to provide two satisfactory references, undertake pre-employment checks and have a cleared Enhanced Disclosure & Barring check.

Please note

If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to respond to everyone individually.

Thank you for considering a role with us – we genuinely value your interest and hope you will consider applying for future opportunities.

We are looking for an exceptional, highly motivated and dedicated individual to join our team as a full-time Youth Worker (Youth Voice), supporting our mission to enable young people who are homeless, facing homelessness or unsafe to achieve independence and positive futures.

The successful candidate will work within the Youth Work Team to deliver our frontline drop-in service and support our weekly and monthly activities to all young people experiencing homelessness.

You’ll specialise in youth participation, ensuring that a diverse range of young people’s voices are heard. You’ll also facilitate and lead on supporting our Youth Advisory Board and work alongside them to cultivate inclusive activities which increase youth participation across all our services. We have an ambitious plan to improve and accelerate our youth voice strategy and this role will be at the heart of this delivery.

You should be experienced in designing, planning and facilitating a range of activities and group work with and for young people and be able to work dynamically in a fast-paced day centre environment. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about youth engagement and skilled in bringing out the ideas, voices and opinions of young people to shape service delivery. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a background in running participatory youth projects, co-production, youth engagement sessions and/or community engagement.

The ideal candidate is a team player who enjoys working collaboratively across our organisation. This role also includes working closely with our Campaigns, Impact and Policy team to ensure young people’s voices are at the heart of our external campaigning work.

Finally, you will also be committed to the safeguarding of young people and delivering an inclusive and trauma-informed service.

This role will be based at our day centre in Camden, with some travel to other New Horizon projects within London.

Closing date for applications: Monday 21st September

Interviews: Thursday 1st October

Please note interview dates are fixed and will not be changed. Please ensure you are available on these days when applying for this role.