Specialist housing first worker jobs

Women & Families VAWG Specialist Service 

The Claudia Jones Organisation (CJ0) is seeking a Service Manager for our Women and Families, VAWG Specialist Service to ensure the best outcomes for the women and families we support. 

CJO’s Women and Families VAWG Service aims to provide a cohesive family and specialist support for vulnerable women and families of Caribbean/African heritage experiencing violence and present with complex layering of issues. We assist women and families through 1-1 advocacy, counselling, and therapeutic group support to increase wellbeing, reduce risk and increase safety.  The service provides social and learning opportunities for women and families alongside meeting their immediate needs.

Job:Women & Families VAWG Specialist Service Manager

Location:London     Salary:£40,000 per year, pro rata    Part Time/3 days weekly   Contract:  5 years

The Role

To manage and develop the delivery of the CJO VAWG service for African heritage women and families escaping violence and its impact through advocacy and therapeutic services.  You will be responsible for managing your team of domestic violence workers whilst working synergistically with our clinical lead and social work support to achieve the best outcomes for the women and families who access our service.

As a member of the senior management team, you will have a strategic focus and lead on safeguarding to protect women and their children. You will have both an internal and external focus of influence with local and national stakeholders including statutory services and funders to ensure a co-ordinated community response and service for African heritage women and families.

About You

As a strong communicator, you will bring your understanding and know how to support and navigate the criminal justice systems in relation to VAWG.  Able to work independently and prioritise a busy workload.  An effective communicator who is innovative with experience of managing, growing, and developing your team.  Excellent team player willing to get involved and support service users and staff, no matter the task or activity.

Key Objectives Within the Overall Purpose of the Post:   

The management of CJOs VAWG women and family’s specialist service ensuring it meets the needs of African Heritage women and families, is contract compliant with the service specification and the charity’s policies and procedures.

1. To lead and effectively manage the finance in line with the grant and annual budget.
2. Lead on and participate in national, local discussions, consultation, research, monitoring and evaluation, needs assessment, collaboration, networks, to sustain and grow the women and family specialist service and any other activity relevant to deliver the service.
3. Represent the service and organisation at both internal and external meetings and within multi-agency partnerships.
4. Lead on and facilitate monitoring and evaluation activities, which supports the voices of service user and their data, to inform legislation, policy, and practice, identifying synergies across the organisation’s work as well as opportunities to produce and share learning.
5. Facilitate a range of training for; professionals, service users, staff, volunteers, external audience to improve practice and service delivery.
6. Communications - directly produce, facilitate publicity and marketing material for the service, appropriately using social media e-leaflets, paper booklets etc to increase knowledge, awareness, skills, and the impact of VAWG on the lives of women and families.
7. Ensure written language is to good quality standard including emails and all other record keeping and documentation required of CJOs work.
8. Ensure that the service is delivered within safeguarding practice and safe standards as per our quality mark.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Contribute towards and/or write comprehensive reports that may include data, narratives, and case studies as required by funders, commissioners, CJO and others.
• Oversee the management of the Oasis database undertaking quarterly audits and monthly monitoring of data collection for performance management of the service.
• Dip sample and audit case files as held on Oasis, ensuring staff are recording information and delivering services in line with Imkaan and other quality standards.
• Oversee the consistent use of the ‘Safe Lives’ risk assessment tool, alongside other developed risk mitigation templates.
• Ensure staff appropriately represent women and advocate on their behalf when dealing with outside agencies such as the Housing department, Police, DSS, Solicitors, Social Services, Health Professionals, and all other relevant agencies.
• Document monitoring ensure that it is provided in the agreed and acceptable formats for  the VAWG women and Families Specialist Service  using standard templates.

Management of Service Finance

• Work closely with the finance team to oversee the income and expenditure of the service in line with all policies and procedures of the organisation, contract, policies and procedures relevant to CJOs funded work.  
• Ensure that small grants woman receive are appropriate working closely with finance, social work students and support worker(s) or volunteer.
• Take full ownership of strategic fundraising for the service, identifying funding sources and making direct applications, alongside the Director and fundraising team.  

Wellbeing

• Ensure the service is delivered within CJOs Community based approach to Wellbeing and that a therapeutic approach is embedded in your practice.
• Attend regular clinical supervision
• Ensure that your staff team attend regular clinical supervision.
• Lead and manage the Thinking Space facilitator and bi-weekly debriefs alongside working synergistically with CJOs Clinical Lead.

Operational

• Along with your team, to always work in the best interest of CJO and to avoid any action that may bring CJO and or its activities into disrepute.
• To undertake any other duty commensurate with the position of Service Lead and as required by your line manager.
• To engage in one’s own performance management through training and development as required.
• As a member of the senior management team work to promote CJO’s purpose, values, and our influence through evidence-based solutions to improving the lives of vulnerable women and their family experiencing VAWG/trauma and to act-up/step in the absence of members of the senior management team or staff.
• Regularly supervise, appraise, and support the development of staff and volunteers addressing challenges and implement necessary support measures to improve performance with staff, external contractors, and agencies.
• Participate in regular supervision, induction, training, and team meetings.

• Develop appropriate partnerships, collaborations, and communications to enable our family support and gender-based violence services to be seen as a leader in its field.
• To be the lead registered officer for CJSM and Safeguarding Lead 
• On occasions to work on a Saturday where time in lieu will be given.

Location: Waltham Forest

Salary: Unqualified Applicants £28,255 - £29,913 per annum

Qualified Applicants £29,923 - £32,623 per annum

(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term Contract (Until 15th January 2027)

Closing Date: Monday 10th November 2025

Closing Time: 00:00am

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Duty Worker at Solace Women's Aid.  

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

Waltham Forest Advocacy & Support Services provide free and confidential support to survivors of abuse within the community. The teams are made up of professional staff offering short to medium term support to women and men affected by domestic and sexual violence in the community. Our team offer information, advocacy and specialist services to increase safety and meet a range of needs – these can include ongoing safety concerns, emotional or housing support, legal options, reporting to the police, help around child contact, benefits and financial advice. As part of the support, we also ensure survivors can access therapeutic support via the Waltham Forest Therapeutic Marketplace. 

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen in this busy team for a Duty Worker.  The successful candidate will be responsible in dealing with all incoming referrals and queries to the Advocacy Service. The role will involve processing all referrals, liaising with professionals, establishing initial contact as per the service’s contract requirement. The process of initial contact will involve completing a Safe Lives risk assessment, assessing the service user’s practical and therapeutic needs and supporting with any urgent needs that arise during this contact. Additionally, the duty worker will make appropriate referral out, this includes MARAC and complete adult and child safeguarding referrals where required in line with Solace’s policies and procedures. The Duty Worker will maintain and manage any waiting list and will work closely with all members of the team in relation to the allocation of cases and case updates.

About You

Successful applicants will have in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on service users and their children, and experience of working with women who have experienced domestic and/or sexual abuse. It is essential that you have experience of using Office Excel and case management system. You will also have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
 

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Derby
Salary: £12,756.17 per annum
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent 

Hours: 18.5 hours per week (days to be discussed) 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker in Derby.

The post holder will provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 7 November 2025

Interview date: 20 November 2025

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £17,314.27 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent

Hours: 22.5 hours

Are you passionate about supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Refuge Worker to join our team, providing vital support in a safe and secure environment for those in crisis. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

As a Refuge Worker, you will be responsible for delivering practical and emotional support to residents, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they rebuild their lives. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, safety planning, supporting access to benefits and housing, liaising with external agencies, and maintaining accurate case records. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, resilient, and highly organised, with experience of working in a support or advocacy role, ideally within the domestic abuse or safeguarding sector.

This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact every day. In return, we offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for training and development, and the chance to be part of a cause that truly matters.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 14 November 2025

Iterview Dates: 24 and 25 November 2025

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £28,857.12 (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours

Are you passionate about supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Refuge Worker to join our team, providing vital support in a safe and secure environment for those in crisis. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

As a Refuge Worker, you will be responsible for delivering practical and emotional support to residents, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they rebuild their lives. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, safety planning, supporting access to benefits and housing, liaising with external agencies, and maintaining accurate case records. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, resilient, and highly organised, with experience of working in a support or advocacy role, ideally within the domestic abuse or safeguarding sector.

This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact every day. In return, we offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for training and development, and the chance to be part of a cause that truly matters.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 19 November 2025

Iterview Dates: 2 and 3 December 2025

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £28,857.12 (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)
Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract (until March 2026)

Hours: 37.5 hours

Are you passionate about supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Refuge Worker to join our team, providing vital support in a safe and secure environment for those in crisis. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

As a Refuge Worker, you will be responsible for delivering practical and emotional support to residents, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they rebuild their lives. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, safety planning, supporting access to benefits and housing, liaising with external agencies, and maintaining accurate case records. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, resilient, and highly organised, with experience of working in a support or advocacy role, ideally within the domestic abuse or safeguarding sector.

This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact every day. In return, we offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for training and development, and the chance to be part of a cause that truly matters.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 17 November 2025

Iterview Dates: 27 and 28 November 2025

We Are Survivors are excited to be on the search for a Social Worker to come and join our ever-growing team. In our efforts to ensure that NO male survivor is left behind, we are expanding and looking to fill the following roles:

You'll play a key role in supporting clients, managing communications, supporting in relationship management across the partnership. As well as working with partners like Pennine Care and TRC, you will work closely with our community development team and criminal justice teams to ensure survivors have access to the right support.

Why Join Us?

· a competitive salary.

· annual leave package with incremental rises plus bank holidays.

· company sick pay.

· Birthday annual leave.

· monthly clinical supervision.

· pension contribution.

· and a range of discount and benefit programmes.

Combination of early, mid and late shifts worked over a 6 week rota 

Our client provides supported accommodation for adults who have mental health needs and support for alcohol/substance use needs. Their clients have a mix of medium to high support needs and provide 24/7 support across two houses next door to each other, as well as floating support across 4 properties and sublets in Portsmouth. Thier sublet service support provides housing management support to clients living in self-contained units across the city to manage a tenancy independently. 

They are looking for a Mental Health Recovery Worker to join a small team that works collaboratively with clients to help them achieve positive outcomes. If you love working with people and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference in the lives of those your support, then this is the role for you!  

The role 

As their Mental Health Recovery Worker, you will lead on the case management of clients and be part of a team that supports them in keeping them safe and helping them achieve their goals.  You’ll provide people with homes and specialist support so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps. 

You will produce and regularly review comprehensive client-based risk assessments along with engaging with local authorities, health providers and other agencies, creating and maintaining constructive working relationships to maximise the opportunities available to clients. 

You’ll lead on client activities to help them gain practical life skills and encourage their engagement with the running of the service.

Helping their client’s to manage their finances, pay rent, manage arrears and access benefits will also form part of your role and you will provide encouragement as well as signpost clients to the local community and to resources relevant to their aspirations including education, training, employment activity or volunteering. 

Further information: 

• This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role. 

• This role will require a full drivers’ licence and access to a vehicle 

• This role will require you to work flexibly across several sites

• This role will require you to work with clients on a one-to-one basis 

• This role will require you to work nights and/or weekends 

• This role will require you to lone work 

Their ideal candidate will have: 

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written 

• Clear verbal and written English 

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word plus keyboard skills for data inputting

• A confident and assertive manner 

• Ability to self-motivate as you will work on your own 

• Effective team working 

• Ability to respond calmly to crisis 

• Deal promptly with and effectively react to challenging situations 

• Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues

Desirable Criteria: 

• Experience of managing a caseload of clients 

• Understanding of the complex support needs of people experiencing homelessness or those with complex needs 

• Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, housing regulations and the benefits system 

• Understanding of risk assessment and person-centred, outcomes-based delivery

They reserve the right to close their adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.  

About Women in Prison

Women in Prison is a national, women-led, feminist organisation. We deliver front line support to women harmed by the criminal justice system, through our work in prisons, in the community and ‘through the prison gate’ as they resettle back into their communities. We also campaign for systems change that addresses the root causes of offending, reduces the harmful impact of prison, and creates workable, community-based alternatives to imprisonment.

Job Purpose:

Women in Prison’s Project Workers deliver high-quality, trauma-informed, independent advocacy for women in communities and in prisons, which focuses on early intervention, and holistic provision as part of a ‘whole system’ multi-agency response that looks to address the root causes of women’s offending. The primary purpose of this role is to provide in-depth, ongoing support to a caseload of women in the community of Greater Manchester.

Key Responsibility Areas:

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive support to women in contact with, or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system.
2. Monitor case management systems to ensure accurate and timely data recording, aligning with contract KPIs and WIP policies.
3. Develop and maintain effective partnerships with statutory and voluntary sector services to ensure coordinated, multi-agency support for women.
4. Contribute to organisational development and personal growth through innovation, self-care, and professional learning.

​For the full job description, please download the recruitment pack.

Job Purpose

This role sits within our crisis alternative service, Safe Space, which is a core and out of hours service providing a safe and welcoming space for people who are feeling distressed and experiencing crisis. Our aim of the service is to keep individuals well in the community and prevent readmission into hospital. The service operates 365 days a year from 14:00-22:00pm across all of our boroughs.

Staff within the service will provide person-centred, practical and emotional support, face to face or via telephone or virtual on a one-to-one basis to individuals experiencing mental health crisis or preventing crisis.

The objectives of the service include:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental health and social crisis in HFEH.
• To proactively work with keeping people well in the community to reduce re-admitters into hospitals by working with WL NHS teams (e.g. discharge, LPS, CATT, MINT and SPA)
• To provide a true alternative to A&E via a non-clinical drop-in service to support clients
• To provide support to clients accessing the service- for instance: signposting, de-escalation and crisis recovery planning.
• To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• To treat service users with respect, dignity and personalised support
• To raise awareness of mental health services available with the goal to improve long term mental health and reduce social isolation
• To increase self-management skills of those accessing the service
• To reduce the use of police, ambulance and statutory mental health services whilst experiencing crisis via a drop-in service.
• To reduce the use of statutory crisis services by people experiencing mental ill health without positive outcomes for the individual.

The Role

The role of the support workers will be to support the rest of the team in delivering interventions on a one-to-one. The role will also involve triaging and assessing all clients accessing the service, signposting and delivering collaborative self-management plans with clients to improve mental wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing a person centred and recovery orientated approach in all aspects of the roles and responsibilities.
• Promoting people’ rights and responsibilities
• Considering each person as an individual
• Working collaboratively with clients to understand their needs and developing flexible and realistic crisis support packages/person centred plans
• Understanding of safety planning
• Experience with de-escalation, recognising and mitigating risks.
• Experience of working with challenging behaviour
• Listening to clients and encouraging positive steps towards self-management of crisis and recovery
• Good time keeping skills – Essential
• To attend all mandatory training including safeguarding and GDPR
• To work autonomously in a fast-paced environment and under pressure
• Providing advice, information, practical and emotional support to clients
• Proactively recognising the indicators of deteriorating mental health and facilitate appropriate action, whilst liaising with relevant agencies e.g. CATT, Emergency Duty Teams, CMHTS, etc
• Engaging with clients to show empathy, inspire hope and promote recovery
• Establishing supportive, empowering and respectful relationships with clients and carers/ family
• Maintaining accurate records, detailing interventions
• Ensuring that outcomes, outputs and impact are recorded
• Providing administrative support to the team
• Attend reflective practice, clinical supervision, peer supervision and line management supervision
• Create and maintain good working relationships with partner agencies
• Follow workplans and actively participate in training and development
• Provide and manage resources for clients and staff

Person Specification

• Minimum of 1 year working in mental health services and with clients experiencing mental health distress and crisis
• Experience of managing challenging behaviour and dealing with clients with complex needs
• Experience of managing safeguarding risks and understanding legal requirements for safeguarding adults and children
• Evidence of continual professional development
• Understanding of the Recovery Model in mental health
• Understanding of the principles of trauma informed care
• Understanding of suicide prevention and safety planning
• Understanding of the relationship between mental health and social issues and how these issues may impact on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
• Understanding of relevant legislation and policies
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals
• Creative and flexible approach to working with individuals
• Ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations in a calm manner and de-escalate challenging situations
• Awareness of issues in mental health service provision
• A good understanding of mental health conditions
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals
• Creative and flexible approach to working with individuals
• Ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations in a calm manner and de-escalate challenging situations
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload
• Ability to involve clients and carers in all aspects of work
• Empathy and non-judgemental approach
• Good communication skills
• Capacity to work within an agreed shift pattern
• Experience of delivering information and advice (housing, benefits, debt etc)
• Experience of non-clinical, therapeutic interventions like psychoeducation
• Good IT skills including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint, with proven ability to input and extract information and produce reports
• Car driver with sole ownership of a vehicle and willingness to travel to locations would be desirable.
• Ability to work out of hours and on weekends

We're looking for an organised, compassionate and resilient Deputy Manager to join our Homelessness Social Care service in Westminster.

£35,173.58 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Please see our website for a full job description.

The Deputy Contract Manager is responsible for the operational management of our specialist customer focused support services across the service. Working in partnership with stakeholders, external agencies and our Commissioning Team, you lead your Team to offer high quality support to customers to maintain their tenancies and empower people to live their best lives and move to independence. Responsible for Safeguarding our customers, you will promote sector best practice and legislative compliance to keep our customers safe within their environment.

The role provides direct line management, leadership, coaching and support to Support Workers, Specialist Support Workers and Night Support Workers, ensuring compliance with current legislation, contractual requirements financial regulations and Look Ahead Policy and Procedures.

This role deputises for the Service Manager and/or Area Service Manager when required.

The shift pattern for this role involves Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, with 1 Sunday per month.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Minimum 3 years' experience of supporting vulnerable adults
GCSEs in English and Maths (grade A-C)
Health and Social Care qualification
Knowledge of Safeguarding and Mental Capacity processes
Experience of leading and managing a team
Possess excellent leadership skills with a positive, can-do attitude
Ability to demonstrate positive personal authority and maintain proactive working relationships
Ability to create and maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders
Demonstrable verbal and written communication skills
Experience of using Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word

Desirable:

PBS qualification
NVQ Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification in Health and Social Care
Up to date knowledge of current social care legislation
Demonstrable experience of HR processes - Probation, Capability, Disciplinary

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

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

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

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Are you a dynamic, compassionate and ambitious leader who believes everyone should have the opportunity to live independently, feel valued, and be part of their community? We are looking for an inspiring Service Manager to lead and further develop our innovative Finding & Matching Service — supporting people with learning disabilities and/or Autism to build fulfilling lives in homes and communities they choose.

About the Role

As Service Manager, you’ll take the lead in shaping and growing a person-centred service that meets the highest standards of care and compliance. You’ll empower and develop a dedicated team of support workers, ensuring our values of community, inclusion, and respect are at the heart of everything we do. From managing day-to-day operations and staff development to driving service quality, you’ll play a vital role in creating real impact across the lives of the people we support.

We’re looking for someone with strong leadership skills, hands-on experience in social care, and a passion for innovation. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing operational management with creativity and collaboration. Importantly you will possess significant and demonstrable business development expertise, commercial awareness and the acumen necessary to not just manage but to progress and promote the outreach services offered by Centre 404.

In return, you’ll join a supportive and forward-thinking organisation that values its people, offers opportunities for growth, and is committed to making a difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Finding & Matching service
• Manage staff recruitment, supervision, and development
• Maintain compliance with CQC and safeguarding standards
• Drive service growth and build stakeholder partnerships
• Oversee budgets and resource management

About You

• From one year to many years of management experience within social care
• From two years to many years of working with people with learning disabilities and/or Autism
• Strong understanding of person-centred values and self-directed support
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• A commitment to equality, inclusion, and continuous improvement
• Significant business development and commercial growth expertise

About the Green House

At the Green House we believe in creative evidence-based support services led by the voices of young people and their families. Our specialist services are designed to grow connection and community with families who have experienced sexual abuse. Our services have a creative arts focus because we believe in the transformative power of creativity in helping families to rebuild their lives after abuse experiences. Research guides everything we do, it helps us to understand our service, develop best practice nationally in the sector and is a platform for amplifying survivors voices. 

Purpose of the job

The Senior Hr & Operations Officer is responsible for the charity’s day to day HR and operational functions to ensure efficiency and compliance. The role involves managing recruitment, onboarding and mandatory training records whilst maintaining accurate HR records.

Operational responsibilities include co-ordinating office administration, procurement and facilities management to ensure a safe, productive workplace. The ideal candidate will bring strong organisational, interpersonal and problem solving skills to streamline processes and the confidence and ability to lead change.

Duties and responsibilities

Human resources

1. Maintain employee records in line with GDPR principles and confidentiality requirements

2. Support health and safety compliance with our external Health and Safety Partners, Croner

3. Co-ordination of employee mandatory training including keeping accurate training records

4. Oversee the day-to-day management of our HR management system, BrightHR

5. Support SLT through the full recruitment cycle from job posting to conditional offers and pre-employment checks

6. Manage the Onboarding process for new starters to ensure a positive induction experience

7. Ensure compliance with legal policy frameworks related to employment and health and safety

8. Provide HR guidance and support to SLT and employees on employee relations and workplace policies in liaison with our external HR partner, Croner

9. Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of HR practices and procedures

10. Manage all HR related policies, ensuring they remain relevant and up to date in collaboration with our external HR partners, Croner

11. Assist with employee engagement initiatives and staff wellbeing programs to promote a positive workplace culture

Facilities

1. Ordering art therapy supplies, stationery, and kitchen items as required

2. Manage and maintain operational contracts (Phone & utility contracts, Business Insurance etc.)

3. Manage building maintenance and ensure workplace Health and Safety standards are upheld in co-ordination with our external Health and Safety partners, Croner.

4. Book venues and organise lunch for Staff/SLT away days

5. Support SLT with the set up and management of our outreach centers

6. Oversee asset ordering and management, maintaining and up to date asset log

7. Be the first point of call for staff for internal operational enquiries

General Responsibilities

1. Occasional reception cover e.g. answer the door to clients when the Pathway Administrator is absent. We do not expect you to answer the phone or take client enquiries when covering reception

2. Multiple inbox management, including the recruitment inbox and shared operations inbox

3. To contribute to the ongoing development of the organisation by helping improve systems and procedures.

4. Work with the wider team to facilitate effective communication across the organisation

5. Assisting with basic housekeeping requirements

Although the core duties are set out within this Job Description, a flexible approach to work is essential.  The HR and Operations Officer may be required to adapt their working style to take account of changes to working practices.

Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Green House is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of age, disability, race, sex, religion/belief, sexuality, gender identity, marital/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and working patterns. We want to have staff that appropriately represents all the communities we serve as an organisation. Therefore, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates living with a disability, and those from the global majority.

Want to help get tails wagging again? We are looking for someone who can assess, design and implement behavioural rehabilitation for our dogs joining us in our centres.

As Behaviour Officer, you'll take the lead, figuratively and literally, when it comes to the assessments of our dogs and their training programmes. You'll play a key role in supporting adopters, during the adoption process and after rehoming, to ensure that every dog has the best possible chance of successfully settling into their new life.  

What does this role do?

As a Behaviour Officer you’ll: 

• assess the behaviour of dogs, before they enter the centre and during their stay, to identify potential behaviour needs, as per Dogs Trust Standard Operating Procedures. 
• design and implement Behaviour Modification Programmes and training plans to enhance each dog’s chances of rehoming, in support of the centre’s priorities based on individual dog welfare and requirements.
• oversee and support the implementation of training and behaviour plans by colleagues. Work with other departments to modify and seek guidance. 
• monitor the progress of individual training and rehabilitation programmes and maintain detailed records of the progress of each dog. Provide professional training, support and assessment colleagues. 

Could this be you?

To be successful in this role, you'll have a thorough knowledge of dog behaviour and welfare, including understanding the principles underlying learning and the ability to write training and behaviour programs. You'll also have achieved ATBC competence at Animal Trainer level and have achieved specific competences from the Behaviour Technician standard. You'll have excellent communication skills with the ability to handle delicate situations sensitively and professionally and have the ability to and experience in handling difficult dogs. But above all, you'll be passionate and committed to the work of Dogs Trust.

A full, manual driving licence is also essential, as driving will be a part of the role.

What does this team do?

Our rehoming centres house thousands of dogs each year until they are able to find a loving new home, and the success of our centres wouldn't be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers; there is a real family-community within each of our centres. Come rain or shine, our team are out in all weathers to make sure the dogs have the best possible life. Dealing with thousands of visitors each month, our rehoming centres are the face of Dogs Trust and we pride ourselves on our staff providing the very best in customer service. 

About Dogs Trust

We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.