Specialist family support worker jobs in Liverpool
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Specialist & Expert Advocate for Children - based in Scotland
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse AAFDA
Remote – Based in Scotland with regular travel across Scotland
Salary – £33,000 pa
Full-time
Fixed term for 12 months (potentially 36 months dependent on funding)
Closing Date – 10th April 2026
AAFDA is a growing charity, and we are looking for a specialist Children’s Advocate to be based in Scotland. Although home based, travel will be required across Scotland. We welcome applications from candidates who are registered social workers and who have professional experience of working with people who have experienced domestic abuse.
We are also committed to diversity and strongly encourage applications from those with Black and/or Minoritised backgrounds.
AAFDA was founded by Frank Mullane in memory of his sister Julia Pemberton and her son Will who were both killed by her ex-partner in 2003.
Scotland is expected to introduce Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews (DHSRs) in April 2026. We are looking for a candidate with a good understanding of the Scottish legislative system and good understanding around domestic abuse and how it impacts on children to join our growing charity. Each year, in Scotland, around 25 families lose a loved one to fatal domestic abuse, perhaps one third of this number being domestic homicides and the others being suicides following domestic abuse. The actual number of domestic abuse related suicides remains unknown.
Many of these families suffer significant problems including relationship breakdown, job difficulties/loss and mental and physical health issues. The Children’s advocate will provide expert advocacy, specialist peer support to children, and other services, helping them practically and emotionally. This may include helping them to contribute to DHSRs and providing opportunities to recover from harm for example via trauma therapy and other services.
Through trauma-informed approaches, you will help the children bereaved by fatal domestic abuse:
-To enhance their voice after fatal domestic abuse including by helping them to contribute to domestic homicide and suicide reviews and formal / informal meetings with various professionals.
-By providing residential peer support events, or access to these events for both the children and their carers.
-Via virtual support tools and other resources.
-By developing pathways into groupwork programmes for carers of bereaved children.
-Cope and recover by direct support and by linking into other services, for example, specialist trauma therapy.
In return for joining us, we will offer you:
· 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays
· Excellent development and training opportunities
· Pension Scheme
· Healthcare Scheme
· Employee Assist Scheme
Application Instructions
To apply for this role, please submit a supporting statement along with your CV. The closing date is 10th April 2026. 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
Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification. Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants.
Please note that we will not progress applications where the supporting statement does not address the criteria for the role being applied for.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to shape Shine’s strategic direction while managing the operational delivery of our services for children, young people, and families aged 0–25. Building on the success of our Little Stars/Ser Bach programme for members aged 0–12 and the development and extension of the FIRE (Friendship, Independence, Resilience, Empowerment) programme for those aged 13–25, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our support for children, young people and their families.
Working across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you will lead the delivery of an established, evidence-based programme that improves health, social, and emotional outcomes for those living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and associated conditions.
You’ll lead a passionate team and work closely with Shine’s Adult Services Team (25+), Health Team, Wales and Northern Ireland Managers and wider colleagues across the organisation to ensure work is coordinated, complementary, and beneficial to members. At the same time, you’ll forge strong partnerships with NHS professionals, statutory services, and voluntary organisations—driving collaboration that will support our vision of providing consistent, high-quality support for children, young people and families nationwide.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership & Team Management
- Programme Development & Delivery
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Member Support & Engagement
Please see the full Job Description & Person Specification below and on our website.
Benefits to working at Shine:
- Competitive salary: Review due April 2027
- Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)
- 3% pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year
- Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’
- Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
- Broadband allowance for home-based roles
- Life insurance after 12 months’ employment
- Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
- Support to learn and develop
How to apply
Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.
If you would like to discuss the role with our Deputy CEO, Gill Valentine, please contact Shine to arrange a convenient time for a call.
To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.
We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.
*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted*
Closing date: Thursday 16th April 2026 at 11pm
Interviews: Monday 27th April 2026
Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Providing specialist advice and support for spina bifida and hydrocephalus
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Specialist Housing Worker
Salary: £32,000 | Contract: Temporary, Full-time, 12 months with potential to extend | Location: St Helens
Are you passionate about supporting refugees and individuals with humanitarian protection status to build a secure future? YMCA St Helens is seeking a Specialist Housing Worker to provide person-centred, trauma-informed support and improve access to long-term accommodation. You’ll play a vital role in helping people transition to independent living as part of our Housing Support Team.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality, person-centred housing support to refugees and those with humanitarian protection status
- Assess housing needs and develop personal housing plans
- Support clients to secure suitable and affordable housing and maintain tenancies
- Advocate for clients’ housing needs and liaise with relevant agencies
- Build strong relationships with landlords, agents, and stakeholders
- Negotiate rehousing opportunities and work with local authorities on housing schemes
- Maintain accurate records and produce reports for funders
About You
Essential:
- Experience working with refugees or individuals with humanitarian protection status
- Strong understanding of resettlement and integration challenges
- Experience working with housing stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams
- Ability to manage a caseload and create detailed support plans
- Excellent communication and advocacy skills
- Knowledge of UK welfare benefits, housing rights, and immigration services
- Cultural competence and commitment to equality and inclusion
- Ability to work flexibly and independently, including outreach
- Full driving licence and access to a car
Desirable:
- Experience working with families and children
- Experience delivering workshops or community events
- Fluency in a relevant community language
- Lived experience as a refugee or asylum seeker
- Chartered Institute of Housing qualification
Why Join Us?
- Make a real difference in the lives of refugees and vulnerable individuals
- Be part of a supportive, values-driven team
- Help shape innovative housing solutions in the community
Closing Date: 27th March 2026 at noon
Interviews: Week commencing 6th April 2026
Apply with your CV and covering letter
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for someone experienced, proactive, organised and confident in delivering on tasks. Someone who values collaboration, co-production and working in a culture rooted in trust, flexibility and compassion.
This is an opportunity to provide trauma-informed, gender-sensitive casework support with women impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling who are experiencing complex and intersecting challenges including mental health difficulties, debt, homelessness, relationship breakdown, neurodiversity, coercive control, isolation and safeguarding risks.
The role provides longer-term, structured support and advocacy, primarily online and by telephone, helping women stabilise, rebuild safety, access services and strengthen resilience.
This role requires high emotional literacy, strong boundaries, and safe risk management within a multi-agency framework.
Key Responsibilities
Intensive Casework Support
- Provide structured 1:1 support to women with complex needs.
- Develop collaborative support plans with clear goals and review points.
- Provide safety planning where risk is identified.
- Support women navigating debt, housing, legal and safeguarding systems.
- Facilitate access to specialist services (mental health, housing, domestic abuse, financial advice, substance misuse, etc.).
- Support women experiencing homelessness risk, including advocacy with local authorities and housing providers.
- Maintain ongoing contact over medium-to-longer term support journeys (as agreed in service model).
Risk Assessment & Safeguarding
- Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Conduct proportionate risk screening and escalate concerns to DSL.
- Work in accordance with safeguarding policy.
- Maintain awareness of suicide risk indicators and escalate appropriately.
- Record safeguarding actions accurately and promptly.
Advocacy & Systems Navigation
- Advocate on behalf of women with external agencies where appropriate.
- Support women in understanding rights and entitlements.
- Attend multi-agency meetings (online) where required.
- Work collaboratively with associate counsellors when women are accessing therapy.
Trauma-Informed & Gender-Sensitive Practice
- Deliver support grounded in trauma-informed principles.
- Recognise impact of shame, stigma and gender-based inequality.
- Understand intersection of gambling harm with coercive control, domestic abuse, and financial exploitation.
- Maintain non-judgemental, strengths-based approach.
- Respect women’s autonomy and lived experience.
Record Keeping & Data
- Maintain accurate case notes in our CRM system.
- Complete outcome measures as required.
- Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR and safeguarding frameworks.
Professional Boundaries
- Participate in supervision and reflective practice.
- Escalate complex clinical risk appropriately.
Working Relationships
Internal:
Service Manager
Peer Support Coordinators
Associate Counsellors
Operational Manager (for data compliance)
External:
Housing services
Debt advice agencies
Mental health services
Domestic abuse services
Local authorities
Primary Care and GP services
Voluntary sector partners
Person Specification
Essential Education & Qualifications
- Level 3 or Level 4 qualification in:
- Health & Social Care
- Counselling Skills
- Community Work
- Social Care
- Or equivalent relevant field
- Safeguarding Level 3 (or willingness to obtain)
- Understanding of trauma-informed practice
Desirable Qualifications
- Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
- Domestic Abuse awareness training
- Suicide prevention training (ASIST or equivalent)
- Debt, welfare or housing training
- Mental health awareness qualifications
- Neurodiversity
Essential Experience
- Minimum 2 years experience supporting women with complex needs.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing:
- Mental health challenges
- Financial hardship or debt
- Housing instability or homelessness risk
- Isolation or social exclusion
- Experience working remotely (online/phone support).
- Experience multi-agency working.
- Experience risk management and safeguarding escalation.
Desirable Experience
- working with gambling harm.
- supporting family members impacted by addiction.
- working within women-only services.
- working with domestic and financial abuse.
- experience of advocacy and case coordination roles.
- experience of supporting women who identify as neurodiverse
Skills & Competencies
- Strong relational skills.
- Ability to hold distress without rescuing.
- Clear professional boundaries.
- Excellent written case recording.
- Emotional resilience.
- Good digital literacy.
- Ability to work autonomously within structured supervision.
- Understanding of intersectionality and inequality.
Trauma-Informed & Gender-Sensitive Expectations
Postholder must:
- Understand the impact of shame and secrecy in gambling harm.
- Recognise coercive financial control.
- Be sensitive to caring roles and stigma.
- Work at pace appropriate to trauma recovery.
- Avoid deficit-based language.
- Recognise cultural and structural barriers affecting women.
Please note: This post is open to women only as a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Our current operational days are Tue-Thurs with potential evening work and appointments outside of these days. This is a remote role however applicants must be based within the UK.
Working with thrivin’ together
· Application deadline: Tuesday 31 March 12 noon 2026
· Provisional Interview date: Wednesday 15 April 2026
Non Charity Employer
1 - 5
We stand alongside women impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling and create space for healing, connection and confidence.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.