Specialist support worker jobs

Age Co is looking for a compelling storyteller to join their Marketing team based in London. If you're passionate about all things content and improving the lives of older people, we want to hear from you!

Age Co is 100% owned by Age UK. We sell products and services designed to help people make the most of later life, and we give our profits to the charity enabling them to support those older people most at need. We currently offer Car Insurance, Home Insurance, Travel Insurance, Personal Alarms, Incontinence products, Stairlifts, Homelifts and Bathing Solutions.

In this role, you will own the content marketing strategy across all Age Co product lines, acting as the content lead across the organisation through wider stakeholders including Age UK and our Age Co product partners. strategy across all Age Co product lines. You will translate the Age Co brand story into compelling and engaging content led campaigns and propositions for our brand and insurance campaigns. Delivering this content through engaging mediums ensuring the highest possible reach across our audience.

This role is a blend of both home and office working with your time split between the two locations. The linked office for this role is at EC3N 2LB.

Age Co Internal Job Grade - 5L

Must haves:

The below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process: Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P

Experience

• Extensive demonstrable experience of delivering brand and product content strategies. (A)
• Experience in leading multiple projects that drive growth across a range of products. (A)
• Demonstrated experience of content thought leadership development. (I)
• Track record of content creation across multiple channels. (I)

Skills and knowledge

• Experience in SEO management and data analysis tools. (A)
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and agreed metrics to measure impact and drive optimisation. (A)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. (P)
• Evidenced copywriting capabilities. (I)

Personal attributes

• Great team player. (I)
• Is driven by challenges and wants to succeed. (I)
• Willingness to go the extra mile. (I)

Great to haves:
Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P

Experience
* Experience in financial services or compliance regulated products and/or charity sector. (A)
* Experience of audience segmentation and tailored messaging. (P)
* Experience of complex products. (I)
* Experience of delivering online PR and campaign amplification that delivers results. (A)
* Experience of operating in project team. (I)
* Experience managing external agencies. (I)

What we offer in return

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.

Additional Information

Supporting statements and anonymisation
Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an 'A' in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.

CVs will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Reasonable adjustments
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the recruitment team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Age UK is able to provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for eligible roles only. If this applies to you, please contact the recruitment team to discuss. If the role is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship you will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.

For a full list of benefits please see website.

Our Recovery Worker will be an integral part of the 121 floating support service which is an integrated, coordinated and holistic service aiming to support individuals with mental health needs within the community.

You will have a case load of clients to manage their health and wellbeing, maintain independence and identify strengths, goals and aspirations.

Your focus will be reducing social isolation and building social networks of support and signposting clients to local community resources. You will help the team in promoting an environment where service users are experts by their experience.

Job Purpose

This role sits within our new forensic Women’s Nova Roots service, which is a peer led service for women who are leaving forensic services, based in West London. The service will be open 3 days a week: one weekday evening out of hours and three weekends a month (flexible weekend pattern and times can be arranged).

The aim of the service is to support women who are leaving forensic care to re-integrate into society by offering a community social hub. The focus of the service is to provide social engagement, relaxation and a touch point for out of hours forensic support. The Women’s Hub will provide face-to-face holistic group support, offer psychoeducation and health workshops tailored and coproduced to the direct needs of clients, offer peer-led groups which will be co-designed and led by the clients accessing the hub. We will also offer a range of activities onsite.

Nova Roots will be an extension of the existing support offered by the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT), offering out of hours social support. All referrals into the hub will be directly from the SCFTs and local hospitals.

The Nova Roots will be staffed with 1 part time Project Coordinator and 4 Forensic/Peer Led Volunteers – with Service Manager oversight. The Project Coordinator will work directly and closely with the SCFTs.

The Role

The role of the Nova Roots Project Coordinator is to arrange and coordinate a range of psychoeducation, health and peer-led workshops which will be delivered 3 times a week. The Nova Roots Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing the 4 peer-led volunteers and oversight of the site 3 days a week. The Nova Roots Project Coordinator will also be required to be in regular communication with the SCFTs.

The role will require hybrid working: onsite when the hub is open and 1 day of planning/coordination which can be worked remotely on a rota basis.

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 of working within forensic services
• Understanding and experience of challenges for forensic leavers (social, health, welfare, interpersonal)
• Experience with de-escalation, recognising and mitigating risks.
• Experience of working with those in crisis and challenging behaviour
• Listening to clients and encouraging positive steps towards self-management of crisis and recovery
• Understanding safeguarding adults and children processes and legal requirements
• Understanding of social issues such as debt, housing and welfare benefits
• Promoting people’ rights and responsibilities
• 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, CAMHS, Safe Space, SCFT 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 and management 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
• Actively participate in training and development
• Provide and manage resources for clients and staff

Person Specification

• Minimum of 1 year working in forensic mental health services and with clients experiencing mental health distress, crisis and forensic/criminal backgrounds
• Experience of managing challenging behaviour and dealing with clients with complex needs
• Minimum 1 year of project coordination/management
• Experience of facilitating workshops/group sessions
• Experience of managing safeguarding risks and understanding legal requirements for safeguarding adults and children
• Evidence of continual professional development
• 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
• 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 approaGood 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, during the day and on weekends
• Staff within this role will be considered key workers, so in the event of a government lockdown, staff will be expected to continue working
• 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

We are seeking a driven and dedicated Lead Community Advice Worker to join our community advocacy and advice service centred on the community that gathers in Gillett Square in Dalston, Hackney. This is an opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of people facing complex challenges, including poverty, homelessness, poor mental and physical health, disability, and racism and discrimination.

About Side by Side

Our Side by Side service has developed through several years of outreach on Gillett Square in Dalston. Recognising that many in the community that gathers there face severe disadvantages on multiple levels yet rarely seek support, we set about getting to know people, listening to their stories, and slowly building trust whilst offering practical help, advice and support. Now, our community advice workers are considered part of the community themselves and without hesitation, people refer themselves and their friends, neighbours and families to us for support. 

The Role

As our Lead Community Advice Worker, you will provide holistic advice, advocacy, and practical support to people connected to the marginalised and excluded Gillett Square community in Dalston. You will help them access essential services, navigate welfare benefits and housing issues, and challenge decisions they believe are unjust. You will also provide guidance and supervision to one Community Advice Worker. This role involves occasional outreach in Gillett Square and through home visits.

The role is offered on a part-time, 4 day week basis (0.8 FTE) with a salary of £36,050 pro rata per annum.

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in supporting people with complex lives who face multiple disadvantages and social exclusion. 

• A proven ability to build trust and positive relationships with individuals who may be distrustful of services.

• A strong understanding of social justice and a commitment to working side by side with people in a way that empowers them to claim their rights.

• Knowledge of welfare rights and housing regulations.

• Excellent communication and advocacy skills.

• An understanding of the effects of racial discrimination and the ability to work effectively with diverse communities.

• Leadership skills and the ability to drive the service forward with service users’ needs at the forefront.

If you are passionate about social justice and meet the requirements, we encourage you to apply or get in touch to arrange an informal chat about the role.

Mental Health Case Worker

We are looking for a Mental Health Case Worker to manage a caseload of clients and provide support to those experiencing both financial and mental wellbeing issues and develop resilience and manage their mental health more effectively. 

This will be in collaboration with Citizens Advice as they provide the client with financial advice and guidance.

Position: Mental Health Case Worker – Financial & Wellbeing Support Service

Location: Epsom, Ewell and Banstead

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £27,316

Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2026 (with possibility of extension)

Benefits: MFT offer an extensive benefits package including; 5% Pension Employer Contribution, Paid Sick Leave, Blue Light Card Scheme, Vivup Discounts, Staff Social Events, Staff Social & Wellbeing Committee, Celebration Day (in addition to annual leave entitlement)

Closing Date: 21st May 2025

Interview date: Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Project

The free Financial and Wellbeing Support Service in Epsom and Ewell combines the specialist mental health support with expert benefits and money advice from Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) to support clients during a difficult time. This three-year project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Role

• Increase financial resilience and independence.

• Improve overall mental and/or emotional wellbeing.

• Reduce stress and anxiety.

• Increase engagement with local community and local services

• Reduce social isolation.

• Help clients to feel more informed about how to manage finances and wellbeing in future.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work in partnership with the Citizens Advice to support people with their mental health who are experiencing financial difficulties.

• Manage a caseload of clients.

• Work with individuals and their carers around their mental health and social circumstances.

• Create a non-clinical person centred support plan around the individual, guided by the individual’s needs.

• Cultivate relationships with, and work with, other services around social wellbeing support for clients.

• Work with clients as the lead professional involved in their care, bridging to other services and opportunities and working closely with other organisations already involved.

• Aim to remove practical and physical barriers that arise from lack of resource at the community level.

• Assistance with accessing services (such as Community Connections).

• Advice, information, and signposting, including clear information about what support is available locally.

• Collecting reporting and monitoring data, providing case studies.

About You

You will have a minimum of 2 years community experience of mental health and wellbeing, and/or a qualification in appropriate subject i.e., counselling, psychology, social work, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3)

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (statutory and voluntary)

• An understanding of confidentiality, consent, information sharing, including GDPR.

• An understanding of Safeguarding policy and practice.

• Good communication and written skills and a commitment to ensure accurate and confidential record keeping.

• Ability to interact effectively with the clients, colleagues and other professionals whilst retaining clear boundaries.

• Ability to work to all the policies, procedures, and standards of the service and joint working arrangements with statutory and voluntary sector partners.

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of mental health issues.

• Knowledge and understanding of community working, lone working and ability to maintain safety whilst working in the community.

• Ability to use supervision effectively.

• A good understanding of personal limitations, ability to identify when to seek advice and support and deal with issues in a professional manner.

• Ability to manage challenging behaviour from clients who may present in distress.

• Information and Technology

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, use of email, Outlook, and basic excel skills.

About the Organisation

The charity is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity, supporting Surrey residents since 1994 in Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.

Offering a variety of face-to-face and online services, available to adults (aged 16+) living in Surrey who would like to restore and/or maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing (no diagnosis needed). The services are free of charge, with no waiting list and no time limit.

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and the successful completion of a probationary period.

This post is Exempt from the Protection of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974).

You may also have experience in areas such as Mental Health, Wellbeing, Counselling, Psychology, Social Worker, Health and Social Care, Mental Health Support Worker, Wellbeing Support Worker, Counselling and Support Worker, Health and Social Care Support Worker, Mental Health Care Worker. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Do you want to work for a caring organisation that believes in people?

Do you want to make a difference?

At Change Grow Live, our commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who use our services is unwavering. We provide support, respect, and a safe environment, where we tailor our approach to each individual's needs to find the best treatment and support options.

Guided by our core values of being open, compassionate and bold, our team embodies these principles daily, striving to empower individuals to reshape their lives, foster personal growth, and embrace life to its fullest.

We’re excited to offer an opportunity for a Young Person Targeted Intervention Worker in our Lambeth service with the passion, skills, and experience to support young people facing challenges around substance use and related needs. This role is key in ensuring timely, tailored interventions that make a real difference.

Under the direction of the Service Management Team, you will lead the coordination of targeted interventions, including brief interventions, group work, and assertive outreach, aimed at individuals and groups at risk of harm from substance misuse. A key part of the role involves developing pathways with partner organisations to support early identification and intervention, particularly for young people.

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full Time Salary: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35 dependant on experience (based on full time hours, pro rata for part time hours)

Allowance: £4,133.14 Inner London Weighting (pro rata for part time roles)

Contract: 1fixed term contract until 31st of March 2026

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Please note - Interviews will be taking place on the 30th of May 2025

Responsibilities

About the role: 

• Lead on the coordination and delivery of the service’s prevention, early intervention, targeted education offers, and youth settings.
• To increase visibility and accessibility of the service amongst children, young people, families, and partners with the aim of increasing referrals into service for specialist support.
• Identifying and responding effectively to potential safeguarding issues.
• Reducing drug and alcohol related harm to service users and the wider community.
• Promoting carer, service user and community involvement.
• To be responsible for proactively generating and increasing referrals from relevant partners including utilising data to target specific services/provisions.
• To develop and deliver training programmes aimed at creating awareness of the service alongside delivering early intervention key messages to professionals.
• To analyse and scrutinise data to identify gaps in areas where the service can take a proactive approach to engagement.
• To create presentations that will engage young people, using harm reduction and psychoeducation.

About you: 

• You have experience working with young people, with knowledge of the issues they face.
• Knowledge of safeguarding concerns and guidelines in relation to children and young people and the Fraser Competence framework.
• You have a good understanding of drug and alcohol issues and be able to speak about this publicly. 
• Knowledge of working with evidence-based practice around young people’s substance misuse treatment services and methods.
• Confident and strong communication skills; verbal and written.
• You can accurately plan workshops and come up with new presenting ideas
• Ability to work towards and meet deadlines. 
• You are passionate about what you do, hardworking, and ambitious to help young people build their resilience.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and safeguarding young people.
• Build, engage, work effectively and collaboratively with multiagency to be able to gain buy in of the service that CGL offer within Lambeth.

 What we will give to you: 

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a friend scheme.

Please ensure you fully complete the personal statement in the screening questions, outlining how you meet the person specification and job criteria.   

If you require sponsorship, please note that this role is not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa. You may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route but must meet the minimum salary requirements for the role. 

If you are passionate, eager to learn and develop your skills in working with young people who need support in relation to their drug and alcohol use – then this might be a perfect opportunity for you.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

Inner London Weighting (£4,133.14)

Interview Date

30/5/2025

Closing Date

26/5/2025

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Gordon Moody is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to supporting individuals severely affected by gambling harm. We provide specialist residential treatment centres across the UK, offering holistic, life-changing support for those in recovery and their loved ones.

We are currently seeking a Treatment Centre Support Officer to join our team. This role is crucial in ensuring the day-to-day operations of the centre run smoothly, while also supporting those reaching out for help.

Job Summary:

As the Treatment Centre Support Officer, you’ll be the first point of contact for individuals in crisis, staff, and visitors. You’ll provide front-line administrative and operational support to the Treatment Centre, working closely with our Business Support Team and Service Managers to ensure the centre runs efficiently and compassionately.

Key Responsibilities:

• Handle incoming calls and emails, including urgent enquiries from service users
• Triage applications and assign assessments to Recovery Workers
• Maintain accurate records using the Apricot system
• Develop and manage weekly staff rotas
• Prepare documents, letters, and reports for management
• Organise welcome packs for incoming residents and induction materials for new staff
• Greet and assist visitors, ensuring health, safety, and safeguarding compliance
• Order supplies, track maintenance issues, and maintain the treatment centre’s filing system

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential:

• Experience in a senior administrative or customer service role
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Strong organisation and time-management abilities
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Experience handling sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the Apricot data system or similar CRM tools
• Experience working in a healthcare, or recovery-focused environment
• Level 3 Business Administration qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Familiarity with rota planning and resource coordination

What We Offer:

• A supportive and inclusive work environment
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day
• Training and development opportunities

Recovery Worker - Crisis (Whitehaven, Cumbria)

Location: Lowther Street,Whitehaven, Cumbria

Salary: £14,375 (pro rata) inclusive per annum

Job Type: Part time, 22.5 hours per week

You’re caring, flexible and creative, thrive under pressure, know how to connect with people at all levels and really enjoy helping others to live as independently as possible. You’d also like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with. Welcome to Lowther Street as a Recovery Worker.

Lowther Street Crisis House is the only community crisis house in Cumbria. The service was established to provide a unique alternative to psychiatric admission. The project delivers a holistic package of support in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment without the stigmatizing effects and restrictions of hospital environment.

We know that recovery can look and feel very different to each and every one of us. But we also know that if we provide the right support, at the right time, we can inspire recovery nationwide and that recovery is possible for everyone. That’s where you come in. Responsible for helping and inspiring the people who use our services to maintain their tenancy and independence in the community, we’ll rely on you to work with them to come up with a personal support plan that will see them achieve their goals and aspirations. Whether it’s developing their domestic and finance management skills or accessing work, leisure or educational opportunities, one thing’s for sure ‐ you will have every chance to shine.

No relevant experience is required as full training will be provided, although candidates with an understanding of mental health issues and/or lived experience would be welcomed. More important is your caring and compassionate nature and empathy and enthusiasm for helping others. Whatever your background, you’ll need to be happy to work both independently and within a team and willing to be part of a weekly rota system and available for on call duties.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Waythrough, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or anyone from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic group.

This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.
Learning and development is important to us, and we are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of apprenticeships. We hire apprentices into specific roles as well as offering apprenticeships to the workforce. Anyone can apply to undertake an apprenticeship relevant to the role as long as they are in a permanent post and have successfully passed probation.

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship (RF). Aquarius supports people in the Midlands affected by substance use or gambling. It was a subsidiary of Richmond Fellowship and is now a subsidiary of Waythrough.

We are specialists in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. We provide high quality, evidence-based services, which are designed around the needs of the people we support. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value.

Solace Women’s Aid is an innovative, exciting, grassroots charity working across London. Our purpose is to bring to an end the harm done through domestic and sexual violence to all survivors, and in particular women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

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.

About the Service

As part of an innovative pilot project, funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, Solace will be providing two specialist workers to support victim/survivors engaged in the perpetrator behaviour change programme as part of a conditional caution. The programme aims to address perpetrators behaviour and increase safety for victim/survivors. In doing so, it is essential that the V/S has holistic support to ensure any risks are identified and managed.

This is a pilot project and it is expected that there will be a considerable amount of testing and learning, trailing new ways of working to meet intended outcomes.

About the Role

You will be working closely in partnership with Police forces in Haringey, Waltham Forest, Enfield and Newham, as well as the Hampton Trust, to provide support for victim/survivors engaged in the CARA programme. You will also be supporting Police Officers to discuss eligibility for the programme and conditional cautions. You will be developing and delivering a series of training and learning sessions for the Police. As a new project, you will be developing key partnership relations, to strengthen collaborative working between the Police and Solace.  You will provide light touch support to survivors whose partners are engaged with the CARA program, assess risk and share key updates with Hampton Trust and the Police to ensure safety.,

About You

We're looking for highly organised and self-motivated applicants who are passionate about ending VAWG. You will have a “can-do‟ approach and demonstrable commitment to Solace’s feminist approach to supporting women and their children to be safer. You will receive training and support for this role as necessary.

Successful applicants will have in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on women and children, experience of dynamic risk assessment and providing emotional and practical support to victims of VAWG.  As this is a pilot programme where the delivery model may change, a flexible and adaptive approach to your work is important as well as willingness to contribute to programme evaluation.  Part of your time will be spent ensuring that Police colleagues have the information they need to effectively administer conditional cautions so you will work closely with Police, Hampton Trust to develop different training elements, a willingness to develop and deliver this material is essential.

A relevant qualification in VAWG is essential, as well as willingness to undergo Police vetting.

In return, we offer great employee benefits including three per cent employer pension contribution, generous holiday entitlement and a focus on learning and development.

Solace Women’s Aid values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Solace is a Disability Confident employer. 

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to women 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.

An enhanced DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) disclosure will be required for this role.

We request no contact from recruitment agencies.

Job Purpose

This role sits within our Adult Services, across Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, Hounslow. You will be responsible for the operational delivery and service development, of a portfolio of services. Namely (but subject to change):

• Safe Space Community Drop In Service 
• Hounslow Helpline
• Nova Roots (Forensic Community Hub)

One large service you will be responsible for is our crisis alternative service – Safe Space - which is a tri-borough core and out of hours service providing a safe and welcoming space for people who are feeling distressed and experiencing crisis. The service operates 365 days a year from 14:00-22:00 across all of our boroughs. You will be responsible for managing peripatetic teams: we currently have 3x in person Safe Spaces, a Helpline and a Forensic Community You’re your portfolio may expand as new services are acquired.

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 Crisis Alternative Service Manager will provide operational management, mobilisation and service development of all Crisis’ Services within Adult Services. The ideal candidate will have experience of mobilising and developing high quality, large services. In addition to managing and supporting staff working within challenging environments and experience of working with challenging behaviour and complex needs. The Service Manager will hold all operational risk.

Excellent organisation and decision-making skills are essential for this role, as it requires being able to manage time effectively to meet tight deadlines and work unsupervised during evenings and weekends. You will also be required to be rostered into the on-call rota.

The Crisis Alternative Service Manager will be required to work collaboratively with the Director of Adult Services and will be proficient at communicating effectively with staff at all levels, a wide range of key stakeholders and service users. They will ensure the service is well resourced from a staffing perspective and embed high-quality operational plans and processes. The Service Manager will also be expected to build and sustain working relationships with statutory services and represent HFEH Mind at external meetings.

They will be responsible for the delivery, progression and continual improvement of the service. They will have responsibility for ensuring Crisis Services operate in line with organisational H&S processes and procedures, HFEH Mind policies and CQC requirements

Key Responsibilities

· To oversee the management of the Crisis Alternative Drop-in Services and other services, in line with organisational values and service quality expectations.

· To ensure all risks are recognised and mitigated in line with the serious incident and safeguarding policies.

· To ensure safe working and risk management

· To ensure feedback is provided on risk mitigation through serious incident reports.

· To continually drive enhancements to operational effectiveness and maximise outcomes against targets (key performance indicators)

· To complete audits and high quality reports for senior internal and external stakeholders

· To ensure interpret performance and impact data for crisis services and be responsible for reporting against service targets

· To provide effective line management supervision to Team Managers, Senior Support workers and Support Workers where applicable.

· To collaborate with the Director of Adult Services and the Head of HR to deal with performance management/disciplinary issues confidently and effectively in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

· To mobilise the crisis services in line with agreed project plans and ensure they are promoted and marketed well.

· To pro-actively develop relationships with external stakeholders in order to improve and develop crisis provision for people with mental health needs.

· To develop robust referral routes and pathways into the service with both statutory and non-statutory bodies.

· To ensure excellence in the recruitment, training and ongoing support of staff and volunteers where applicable.

· To support the Deputy Manager, Team Managers to ensure adequate and appropriate staffing at all times within the service.

· To ensure high levels of meaningful service user involvement in service provision, responding to the needs of service users locally.

· Work collaboratively with West London Mental Health Trust staff to support, develop and promote both the service.

· Establish excellent working relationships with core and out-of-hours services such as Emergency Services, Crisis Teams and GPs, around inward and outward referrals.

· Ensure quality and compliance (in line with CQC standards, NICE guidelines, MQM and other relevant standards)

·        Work within HFEH Mind’s policies and procedures including; Performance Management, Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Service User Involvement, Health & Safety, GDPR and Professional Boundaries.

· To embed all operational policies across managed services in line with a consistent organisational approach.

· Ensure service users satisfaction surveys are undertaken.

· Ensure data and qualitative information is collected, collated and communicated to key partners and key stakeholders, as required and directed by the Director of Adult Services.

· Ensure that all managed services are effectively informed by service user feedback.

· Keep up to date with best practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of the service.

· Monitor the quality of the service and ensure appropriate data is collected (in line with GDPR) to monitor outputs and outcomes.

· Produce regular service summary reports.

· To be rostered on the on-call rota

· Undertake such duties not included in the job description as are reasonably requested by the Director of Adult Services

Person Specification

· A minimum of three years managing a crisis service or similar setting with high complexity and high incident rates

· Experience of managing and mitigating risks

· Experience of managing safeguarding risks and understanding legal requirements for safeguarding adults and children

· Understanding of how to report and mitigate risks

· Understanding of suicide prevention

· Understanding of trauma informed care

· Understanding of mental health and safety planning

· An understanding of CQC requirements for mental health

· Managing services for vulnerable people in a service delivery organisation.

· Excellent people and project management skills and significant experience of supporting and managing staff.

· Experience of working in the voluntary sector and/or statutory services

· Experience of motivating, developing and training staff

· Successful track record in performance management of staff

· Experience of creating and implementing safety and risk policies and procedures.

· Compiling and interpreting performance data and reporting against service targets.

· Successful track record in planning and project management.

· Experience of report writing and presentation.

· Supporting people with mental health problems.

· Knowledge of and empathy for the issues facing people with mental health problems.

· Knowledge of the day-to-day application of relevant legislation e.g., Health and Safety.

· Understanding of the principles of ensuring safe service provision for people at risk and how these are put into practice.

· Knowledge and understanding of the relevant statutory authorities including NHS and social care.

· Excellent communication skills and able to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.

· Commitment to service user involvement and able to work with service user groups to develop this. 

· Is committed to working in an anti-oppressive way and striving to create equal opportunities for all people.

· Clear understanding of Equality, Equity, Diversity and inclusion organisational approach

· Commitment to working within the policies of HFEH Mind including confidentiality and safeguarding.

· Positive attitude, passionate about working for HFEH Mind and able to inspire people to higher levels of performance.

· Team player and able to form positive, professional relationships with staff at all levels.

· Able to work effectively with a range of external stakeholders to promote and develop the service.

· Strong organisational skills and able to take control of own workload and meet deadlines.

· Ability to work independently with minimum support.

· Confident in challenging poor performance assertively, constructively and successfully.

· High professional standards and the ability to communicate these clearly to others.

· IT literate to aid communication and analysis of data.

· Willing to undertake training and development.

· Ability to travel to multiple sites

Desirable:

· Mental health registration (nurse/doctor/therapist etc)

· Mental health qualification

· Has a full driving licence and use of own vehicle (desirable, not essential)

· Experience of working with databases such as Views, IAPTUS, Rio and Python

· Project management qualification

We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Main purpose of job: To provide specialist advocacy support to a caseload of clients with complex mental health needs, including support around housing, finances, health, domestic abuse and other issues. The role may also involve occasionally supporting CARA groups.

Start date: As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £28,344 - £30,469 per annum.

Contract: Permanent contract.

Hours: Full time, 35 hours a week.  

Place of work: To work flexibly across CARA premises in Colchester with regular travel across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester and Dunmow. The post may also involve some remote working, if a suitable home working environment is available.

Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.  Applications must specifically address each essential and desirable criteria, giving evidence from previous experience or qualifications. 

Application deadline: as soon as possible. We will be reviewing applications and shortlisting candidates to interview as applications are received.

Interviews:  To be arranged as suitable applications received.

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

Job Description

To provide advocacy support to a caseload of clients with complex mental health needs, including support around housing, finances, health, domestic abuse and other issues. CARA’s advocacy service focuses primarily on meeting the needs of some of our most complex clients – victims and survivors who would be unable to access other advocacy services.  The role will also involve supporting the wider CARA team in signposting other clients to external advocacy agencies, as appropriate and attendance at CARA groups to provide a drop-in advocacy surgery.

Main Responsibilities

·To manage a caseload of complex clients seeking short and long-term advocacy support, including support around housing, finances, health, domestic abuse and other issues.

·To manage referrals in to CARA’s Advocacy service, ensuring clients meet the referral criteria.

·To provide line-management for CARA’s social care placement worker and potential future advocacy volunteers.

·To assess all new referrals to CARA’s advocacy services, allocating cases to members of the advocacy team, as appropriate.

·To liaise with other agencies, receiving and making referrals and ensuring that they understand CARA’s role and services.

·To gather information about local and national agencies and manage storage and display of this material at CARA.  To work with CARA’s Integrated Support and Advocacy Manager to create a directory of services that can be used by all the CARA team.

·To support CARA’s group work, including attendance to provide advocacy support and supporting other activities.

·To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.

·To maintain and collate evaluation data, testimonials or case studies for distribution.

·To adhere to CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.

·To report to the Integrated Support and Advocacy Manager, Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Trustees as required, including the production of written reports.

·To be administratively self-servicing.

·To undertake any other activities as required by the Integrated Support and Advocacy Manager, Head of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Trustees.

About CARA

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

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

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy East

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

The Snowdrop Project is the first organisation in the UK to provide long-term, community based support to survivors of modern slavery and exploitation. We aim to empower survivors of modern slavery and exploitation to recover from their experiences and thrive. We aim to reduce the risk of re-exploitation, to create and implement models of best practice and to share this knowledge with other agencies and individuals nationally and beyond.

Each year, our casework team engages with over 150 individuals and their dependents to provide trauma-informed advocacy, advice and support towards independence. The Casework Manager leads our team of specialist caseworkers to deliver this programme, carry a small caseload, collaborate with our wider operational team to develop opportunities, influence national policy and improve access to support for survivors in South Yorkshire and beyond. 

Position: Casework Manager

Salary: £32,000 per annum, pro rata, pension paid at 4% contribution

Benefits:

• Monthly independent therapeutic supervision,
• Cycle to Work Scheme,
• Holiday Sacrifice Scheme,
• Employee Life Insurance and ancillary benefits,

Holidays: 6.6 weeks (pro-rata, including bank holidays) + your birthday off!

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 30 hours p/w (.8 FTE)

Working Pattern: takes place between Monday-Friday 9-5 ; In-person.

Location: Snowdrop Project Offices, Castle Green, 7 Castle Street, Sheffield, S3 8LT

Reporting to: Head of Operations

Collaborating with: Counselling Manager; Community Development Manager; Policy, Training and Research Lead

Direct reports: Casework Team: Senior Caseworkers, Reach-In Workers 

You'll be responsible for: 

• Developing the casework service delivery, empowering your team, creatively approaching problems and finding creative solutions to barriers
• Working in collaboration with the wider Operational Team to deliver whole-person centred and best practice approach with Counselling and Community managers. 
• Assessing referrals and delivering support to survivors with complex needs
• Contributing to our policy, training and research programme to improve lives beyond South Yorkshire

Please see the Job Description document for full details and the Person Specification 

How to apply: Click the CharityJob Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation. CVs will be screened and candidates will then be asked to complete a short application form and personal statement detailing how they meet the requirements on the person specification. 

Applications close on Wednesday, 21st May, 2025 and interviews will take place on Friday, 30th May 2025. 

Please note- we will not be working with recruiters for this post. 

We currently have an opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to join the team in London. This role is full time working 37.5 hours per week and is a hybrid role working from home, our London Office and St. George's Hospital.