Specialist support workers jobs

At Dandelion Time, we support children facing significant emotional challenges, often, but not always, rooted in adverse childhood experiences such as domestic violence, abuse, or neglect. Our systemic, trauma‑informed approach focuses on the whole family, helping them build healthier relationships, create positive change, and move towards brighter futures.

Nature is at the heart of everything we do. Through hands‑on activities in the natural world, children and families connect with the earth, plants, animals and with each other.

About the Role 

As a Family Support Worker, you’ll play a key role in delivering our therapeutic programme. Working alongside the Therapeutic Programme Manager and Family Caseworker, you will help plan, prepare and facilitate meaningful therapeutic sessions for children and their families. This may include leading group sessions supported by Teaching Assistants or collaborating with teaching staff involved in each child’s care.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a welcoming, energetic and committed team making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. The work is deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to help families rebuild relationships and create new beginnings.

What can you bring to Dandelion Time?

To thrive in this role, you will have experience supporting disadvantaged children or those with SEND, as well as an understanding of the challenges faced by parents and carers managing their own wellbeing. Experience as a Youth Leader, Scout Leader, Forest School Leader,  or in a similar child‑centred, outdoor or community role, will be a real asset.

You’ll have a genuine passion for hands‑on, creative activities, whether that’s crafting, working with the land, or caring for animals. An interest in our land‑to‑table ethos, including the preparation and cooking of healthy, nutritious food, will help you feel right at home.

Above all, you’ll bring a warm, joyful presence to the families you support, helping to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow, explore and flourish.

IPS – Employment support

For people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, but although 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of them are in paid employment.

If you would like to join our team and champion our mission and help people who need employment support to get back into work. You will be supporting clients who are under the care of Secondary Mental Health services to gain and retain paid employment and will be based within a clinical team.

This is an incredibly rewarding role.  You'll have the opportunity to transform the lives of clients, to give them hope, direction and support with their recovery journey alongside other key professionals. This is also a challenging role, so you’ll need to be empathetic, adaptable and dedicated to finding clients a role that’s right for them.

As an Employment Specialist, you’ll build a good rapport with your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, their aspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match. You'll also spend time building productive relationships with employers in order to identify and negotiate job opportunities in the hidden labour market.

Successful applicants for this post will receive training in the IPS approach, giving you the tools, you need to provide expert support and advice to clients, staff within your clinical team (e.g. Psychiatrist, Social Workers or Mental Health Nurse), while also building positive relationships with employers, opening doors and changing perceptions around mental health.

We welcome applications from people with personal experience of using mental health services.

Job Summary

To provide support into employment for people with mental health problems including:

· Managing a caseload of clients who wish to return to paid work, enabling them to find or retain employment by liaising with work and training providers, accessing benefits advice and by personally providing on-going support to clients in job search and after gaining employment, in accordance with evidence based supported employment practice such as the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment.

· Link with local employers and voluntary bodies in order to secure employment opportunities within the community

· Pro-actively support and motivate clients in obtaining employment opportunities

· Provide on-going support according to both the employee’s and employer’s needs to enable clients to both gain and retain employment.

Key responsibilities

 · To work in partnership with individuals to support them in finding paid employment, or taking steps towards this.

· To develop strong links with other agencies such as voluntary, statutory and businesses in the development of work opportunities for clients.

· To support Community Mental Health Team colleagues with information about work and training opportunities.

· To report on outcome measures for the service.

· To provide monitoring/audit information to the Senior IPS Employment Specialist responsible for Employment Services.

Main duties

 · Manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems who wish to work.

· Prepare individuals for employment by assessing each person’s individual vocational needs which might typically include identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans, etc.

· Co create employment action plans with the individual, and provide this to the care co-ordinator and other professionals where appropriate.

· Assist individuals in job search and prepare them to apply for employment/education, liaising with colleagues as required e.g. Disability Employment Advisors, Jobcentre Plus, DWP contract providers and local colleges.

· Contact and meet with employers to identify job opportunities for individual clients.

· Have a proactive approach in developing jobs tailored to suit individual clients’ needs by contacting local employers, discussing mutual requirements and negotiating opportunities.

· Accompany job seekers to interviews if required.

· Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual and provide job retention interventions to people at risk of losing their employment, negotiating adjustments to the job role with employers to enable the person to retain their employment.

· Support clients in the workplace by supporting them to learn the job role if necessary, and/or negotiating with employers to adapt the role at the start of employment or if difficulties arise in the workplace.

· Identify any barriers for return to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome those barriers for clients who wish to gain or retain open employment maintaining a positive attitude to addressing challenges.

· Contribute to the opportunities for an individual’s increased social inclusion by developing partnership working with voluntary sector agencies, and linking with primary care employment and job retention initiatives.

· Promote the Mindful Employer initiative and best practice in mental health and employment within the mental health services and in other organisations in the local area.

· Maintain and develop close links with referrers, care co-ordinators and Community

· Regularly attend Team meetings.

· Complete data monitoring sheets and keep accurate caseload records.

· Maintain high standards of personal development and undertake further training as may be required.

· Undertake regular supervision and annual appraisal.

· Undertake other duties as may reasonably be required by the organisation

Person specification

Qualifications and experience

Essential

· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

· Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector

· Experience of working with someone on a one-to-one basis

· Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time

Desirable

· Trained in IPS approach

· Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work

· Experience of working within health, social services or voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems.

· Experience of working assertively to influence decision makers

· Own personal lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties

· Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS model is a bonus

· Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets

Skills and knowledge

Essential

· An understanding of the employment needs, and challenges faced by people who experience mental health difficulties

· Developing a knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs

· Able to use IT systems, databases and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

· Strong motivational, communication and listening skills

· Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a range of people

· Good organisational ability

· Natural ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships with people

· Team orientated and able to work collaboratively within a mixed-disciplinary team

· Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service

Desirable

· Knowledge of DWP and disability/employment related benefits

· Knowledge of good practice in employment legislation protecting Disability and Equality

Interviews will take place on 14th, 16th and 21st April 2026. 

Deliver hands-on advice, outreach, training and mentoring as part of a countywide partnership programme.

This four-year role, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, sits at the heart of the Small and Mighty (SaM) infrastructure support programme, delivered by a partnership of Community First Oxfordshire, OCVA, Oxford Community Action, Charity Mentors and Volunteer Link-Up, working directly with grassroots voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups. You’ll help organisations navigate challenges, build capacity and connect with others through outreach clinics, tailored training and collaborative spaces. Alongside staff within partner organisations and the existing CFO and OCVA teams, you’ll play a key role in strengthening Oxfordshire’s community sector for the long term.

Deliver hands-on advice, outreach, training and mentoring as part of a new countywide partnership programme.

This four-year role, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, sits at the heart of the Small and Mighty (SaM) infrastructure support programme, delivered by a partnership of Community First Oxfordshire, OCVA, Oxford Community Action, Charity Mentors and Volunteer Link-Up, working directly with grassroots voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups. You’ll help organisations navigate challenges, build capacity and connect with others through outreach clinics, tailored training and collaborative spaces. Alongside staff within partner organisations and the existing CFO and OCVA team, you’ll play a key role in strengthening Oxfordshire’s community sector for the long term.

Job-share will be considered.

Furnishing Futures is a charity that creates beautiful healing homes for women and children who have escaped domestic abuse, and been given empty social housing, using unwanted furniture from the interiors industry. We are looking for a Senior Specialist Support Worker, to provide maternity cover for 12 months managing our specialist support service and providing focussed support to beneficiaries.

Our specialist support team works alongside our home designers to provide advice and support on a range of issues to help alleviate social isolation for survivors, as well as facilitating women’s groups and managing relationships with referral partners.

We are looking for someone with experience supporting vulnerable people with complex needs from a wide variety of backgrounds, and an understanding of the impact of deprivation, discrimination and domestic abuse on individuals, families and communities. Based in Leyton you will be managing a small team and helping the charity develop its service across London. 

Stop Domestic Abuse is a trauma informed organisation; the work we do to support those effected by domestic abuse may be triggering for those with past trauma. Please only apply if you are living free from abuse. If you’d like to talk to us about this, please get in touch.

Location: Southampton

Salary: £25,750 - £26,383

Hours per week: 37.5

Contract Type: Permanent 

Reference Number: STOPDA837

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job:

 Co-Ordinate an individual package of target hardening for clients using Stop Domestic Abuse services which is informed by a full risk assessment, the type and condition of the property and the needs and circumstances of the individual household. 

Working collaboratively with existing target hardening schemes within the city including Southampton City Council’s Dove scheme and similar offers from other social landlords and The Blue Lamp Trust.

Participating and contributing in awareness-raising campaigns of domestic abuse issues locally in liaison with local multi agency partnerships, and to participate in training events.

Remaining up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.

Maintaining accurate and confidential records using our secure web-based case management database and contribute to monitoring information for the service by ensuring that evaluation information is properly recorded

What We Offer:

Time off and Flexibility:

-25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (Increasing with service)

-Birthday day off

-Child’s first day of school off

-Option to purchase up to 10 additional days’ leave per year

-Flexible and hybrid working

-Protected time of up to one hour each month

Family-Friendly Benefits:

-Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave

-IVF Leave

Health and Wellbeing:

-Westfield Health Healthcare Cashback Plan (after probation)

-Westfield Health Personal Health Insurance (after 2 years’ service)

-Employee Assistance Programme

-Eye care vouchers

-Cycle to Work Scheme

About Stop Domestic Abuse:

Stop Domestic Abuse is a proud women-led organisation supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse across Portsmouth and Hampshire. Our vision is a world without domestic abuse, and we work to ensure that it’s ‘everyone’s business.’

We provide refuge and community-based support, delivering in a trauma-informed way for adults, children and young people, tailored to individual needs. Our 19 refuges offer safe, welcoming homes, and across our services we provide one-to-one support and group activities to help improve their safety and to meet others with similar experiences. We support children process their experiences and help regain a sense of safety.

Our UP2U programmes support those seeking to change abusive behaviours, and we also offer specialist support for victims of stalking. We also deliver training to professionals, including the hair and beauty industry, to recognise domestic abuse and connect people to specialist support services.

Our Values:

Equality, Openness, Honesty, Respect for individual dignity and diversity, Empowering women and children, and Care and Compassion – are at the heart of everything we do. By committing to these values, we aim to significantly improve the lives of those we support and work towards our vision of a world without domestic abuse.

GMAVSG is looking for a new member of staff:

GMAVSG Worker

Salary and hours: Based on £39,963 per annum for full-time 35 hour week, pro rata according to number of hours worked.  This post is for 2 to 3 days / 14 to 21 hours per week: number of hours per week and days of work negotiable, providing you are available during core hours of 9.30am to 4pm for at least 2 days a week.

25 days annual leave, plus public holidays, for 35 hours per week, pro rata according to number of hours worked.

The main work is providing welfare benefits advice to people with asbestos diseases.  Training will be given on compensation and industrial injuries benefits for people with asbestos diseases.

You will also assist with campaigning, and with running our Living Well and Families support groups, though the GMAVSG Coordinator will take the lead on these.

Closing date: 5pm, Friday 10 April 2026

Interview date: To be confirmed, probably during week of 13th April 2026

Information about GMAVSG

Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group (GMAVSG) is a registered charity, established by the Greater Manchester Hazards Centre (GMHC) in 1994. You will be doing GMAVSG work but you will be employed by GMHC.  GMHC provides information, advice and campaigning on health and safety at work. 

The GMAVSG office is in Manchester; all staff work mainly from home, but must be able to do home visits to clients, mostly in Greater Manchester.  GMAVSG provides comprehensive free advice on benefits, and basic information on compensation, to people with asbestos diseases.  Our help is free.  Most of our clients have mesothelioma, a terminal cancer and are men in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who were exposed to asbestos at work.  We also campaign on issues affecting asbestos victims. GMAVSG runs two support groups: Families Group for people who have lost a loved one to asbestos disease, Living Well for people with mesothelioma and their families/carers.

GMAVSG Job

The job offers the prospect of doing interesting and worthwhile work, including campaigning, with a particular client group, who benefit greatly from our specialist advice and empathetic support.  It is not just ‘conveyor belt’ advice work.

You will be delivering benefits advice to people mainly through home visits in Greater Manchester and some of the neighbouring areas of Derbyshire, Cheshire and Lancashire. Full driving licence and access to a car are essential.  The work includes covering a phone helpline on a rota basis, the main purpose of which is to ensure that visits are promptly offered to people newly diagnosed with an asbestos disease.

Recent experience of welfare rights / benefits advice is essential, as are good ICT and administration skills.  Training will be given on compensation and industrial injuries benefits for people with asbestos diseases.

A pay rise is due from April 2026 as salaries are normally uprated annually at least in line with inflation.

The post is permanent, and the charity is financially secure for the foreseeable future.

About the role:

As a Project Worker at our Stacey Street service in Islington, you’ll support adults who have experienced homelessness or rough sleeping to rebuild stability and move towards independent living. This is a hands-on role in a busy hostel environment where no two days are the same.

You’ll work directly with residents who may be navigating challenges linked to mental health, substance use, trauma or contact with the criminal justice system. Through strengths-based support planning and clear risk management, you’ll help individuals identify goals, overcome barriers and take practical steps forward. From supporting someone to engage with treatment, to sustaining a tenancy or accessing training and employment, your work will focus on realistic, sustainable progress.

Day to day, you’ll build trusted relationships whilst maintaining professional boundaries. You’ll collaborate with internal teams and external partners to coordinate the right support at the right time, ensuring residents are prepared for successful move-on. You’ll keep accurate records, respond calmly in challenging situations and contribute to a psychologically informed environment where people feel respected and motivated to change.

This role is about creating momentum. By helping residents move from crisis towards stability, you’ll play a key part in freeing up hostel spaces for others in urgent need and strengthening SHP’s mission to end homelessness for good. If you’re resilient, person-centred and motivated by seeing people take meaningful steps forward, this is your opportunity to make a tangible impact every day.

About you:

• A non-judgemental approach to working with multi-disadvantaged clients and to promote a strengths-based approach.
• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a collaborative approach to delivering service objectives across work specialisms.
• Experience helping people to identify personal goals and supporting them through a process of change, including managing challenging situations in relation to people, including responding calmly to crisis and deal promptly, effectively and safely to complex situations.
• Strong time management skills, ability to work on own initiative, manage competing priorities and maintain high standards.
• Willingness and ability to work on a rota system of early and late shifts, which may include some variable hours including some evenings and weekends.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing Date: Sunday 29th March at midnight

Interview date:  Friday 10th April at our Stacey Street service in Islington

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role.

About the organisation

nia has been delivering services to women, girls and children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence since 1975. The organisation has three main aims: to provide services for women, girls and children who have experienced men’s violence; contributing to ending male violence against women and girls, and to inform and influence policy and public awareness.

About the service

The CASA Project is a specialist service providing advocacy and support to women and their children who have been subjected to domestic and/or sexual violence and abuse, and who have moved on from refuge into accommodation.

About the role

We’re looking for a highly organised and self-motivated woman who is passionate about ending violence against women, girls and children. You’ll have a ‘can-do’ approach and demonstrable commitment to nia’s feminist approach to supporting women.

Job Ref:                204

Hours: 21hrs per week and outreach across London

Salary: £17,400-£19,200 (FTE £29,000 - £33,000 dependent on experience and qualification         

Contract type:      Permanent

Cvs will not be accepted.

The post is subject to an enhanced vetting and barring check and open to women only. Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements), of the Equality Act (2010) applies.

Sessional Assessing Social Worker

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

Role: Self-employed Form F Assessor

Locations: Applicants must live within the following areas, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton, and Wandsworth.

Pay - £2,250 per Form F Assessment / £37.50 per hour,  plus £250 bonus for ‘panel ready’ assessments, plus £250 bonus for completion within 16 weeks, plus 45p mileage

We are the UK’s largest specialist charity provider of fostering. Our core work involves providing high quality and well supported fostering families for children and young people in the care of local authorities. 

As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and look to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. TACT invests all surplus income into staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to establish expert in-house support services such as our TACT Health and Education Services and create TACT Connect, our ground-breaking scheme for care experienced young people and adults.  New staff and workers will join us as we  embark on a journey to become a wholly trauma-informed organisation with the aim of increasing our effectiveness and improving outcomes for the children and young people in our care.

As a self-employed worker with TACT, you will be a part of our amazing team of professionals working with our organisational values at the heart of their everyday practice. You can review our values here.

We are recruiting sessional assessing social workers to undertake Form F assessments .  Our assessments are undertaken face to face. Applicants must live within the following areas, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton, and Wandsworth. 

Key Duties for Form F Assessors include:

• To undertake and complete Form F assessments in the timescale set out in our policy and guidance.
• To visit personal referees as identified on application form for prospective foster carers.
• To ensure that all checks and references are undertaken and completed.
• To provide to the supervisor, regular written updates of the draft assessment.
• To liaise with our administrative team concerning the progress of administrative checks and completion of the Form F.
• To be available for supervision, consultation or liaison as required.
• To be available to present completed Form Fs to the virtual fostering panel and provide support to the applicants through this process.
• To be aware of our child protection procedures and immediately report any child protection matter or concerns to a TACT manager and any relevant placing authority and the area authority.
• To carry out the duties in line with our Foster Carer and Supervising Social Worker Standards and Practice Guidance.

Rates of Pay for Form F Assessors

• £2,250 per Form F Assessment / £37.50 per hour,  plus £250 bonus for ‘panel ready’ assessments, plus £250 bonus for completion within 16 weeks, plus 45p mileage
• £37.50 per hour for assessments which are not completed, and any other piece of work.

Please see the Self-Employed Form F Assessor Job Information Pack for a full breakdown of role requirements. 

You will be DipSW, CSS or CQSW qualified and registered with the relevant regulatory body (Social Work England).

An Enhanced DBS check will be required for this role and will be undertaken  by TACT on your behalf.

Closing Date: Thursday 16th April 2026

Interview Date: Friday 24th April 2026

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and we believe that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children.  We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard our young people. All staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.

We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

We do not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

#LI-JO1

We are looking for a Specialist Behavioural Support Worker to join a dedicated service supporting individuals with learning disabilities and behavioural needs.

This is a highly rewarding, hands-on role where you will provide person-centred support, helping people build independence, develop life skills, and live fulfilling, meaningful lives within the community.

About the Role

As a Specialist Behavioural Support Worker, you will work closely with individuals who may present behaviours of concern, autism, or complex learning disabilities. The role focuses on promoting wellbeing, encouraging positive outcomes, and supporting people to engage with activities they enjoy.

You will build trusting relationships, provide practical and emotional support, and work collaboratively with professionals and stakeholders to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality support.

Key Responsibilities

• Support individuals to live active, fulfilling, and person-centred lives
• Encourage participation in hobbies, activities, and community engagement
• Provide respectful, dignified personal care where required
• Promote independence, confidence, and life skills development
• Monitor wellbeing and report any welfare or safeguarding concerns
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external professionals
• Consistently review and support progress towards individual goals

This role involves shift work and sleep-in duties.

About You

We are seeking someone who is warm, calm under pressure, and genuinely motivated to support others. You should be confident in supporting individuals with complex behavioural needs.

You will ideally be someone who:

• Enjoys meaningful interaction and relationship-building
• Demonstrates patience, empathy, and emotional resilience
• Is confident, proactive, and able to take positive risks
• Is comfortable participating in activities and community-based support

Requirements

• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Health & Social Care or related field
• Experience supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or behaviours of concern
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to drive as part of duties
• Experience supporting individuals with complex or high-support needs
• Background in community-based or activity-focused support
• Knowledge of safeguarding and positive behaviour approaches

If you are compassionate, resilient, and motivated by making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Senior Policy and Influencing Manager

£42,385 - £44,615 (plus £4,250.69 London weighting if applicable)

Hybrid working across the UK, with regular travel to London needed and expected. 

Interviews to be held online, virtually on 16th April

The WEA is the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education, a charity dedicated to bringing high quality, professional education into the heart of communities.

We are looking for talented individuals to help us deliver our mission – to bring lifelong learning within reach fighting inequality and promoting social justice.

Job Description

WEA are looking for talented individuals to help us deliver our mission – to bring education within reach. If that sounds like you, then please read on! 

As the Senior Policy and Influencing Manager, you will lead our influencing strategy, helping us to raise the profile of lifelong learning in Whitehall and beyond, whilst enabling our movement to secure wins that bring learning within reach for 1000’s of adults.

Working across multiple policy areas, providing expert guidance to the Leadership Team, supporting them to engage with national and devolved public policy, and enable colleagues to bring their subject matter expertise to the fore. To support colleagues to engage with regional and local decision-makers, such as Mayoral Combined Authorities and Local Authorities.

You will play an instrumental role in driving our wider movement to advocate for lifelong learning, ensuring our campaigns are impactful, meaningful and engaging

As part of the Charitable Purpose Team, the Senior Policy Manager also has line management responsibility for the Research Specialist, ensuring a close fit between research projects and wider campaigning and influencing strategies.

We have attached the full role profile, that lists the key deliverables, performance measures and experience/qualifications needed for this role. Please take your time to read through this, and if you’d like to apply, hit that button!

We are working hard to create a workplace that reflects the communities we seek to serve and in which everyone feels empowered to be themselves and work together to drive positive change. We strongly encourage applicants from a diverse range of candidates and encourage everyone with the appropriate skills, experiences and potential to apply.

Should you need any support with your application, then please email us. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible

In our recent OFSTED inspection, we received a GOOD overall grade, with an OUTSTANDING rating for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development.

You can read more about our benefits and what it’s like to work here, on our website

Specialist Housing Worker

Salary: £32,000 | Contract: Temporary, Full-time, 12 months with potential to extend | Location: St Helens

Are you passionate about supporting refugees and individuals with humanitarian protection status to build a secure future? YMCA St Helens is seeking a Specialist Housing Worker to provide person-centred, trauma-informed support and improve access to long-term accommodation. You’ll play a vital role in helping people transition to independent living as part of our Housing Support Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, person-centred housing support to refugees and those with humanitarian protection status
• Assess housing needs and develop personal housing plans
• Support clients to secure suitable and affordable housing and maintain tenancies
• Advocate for clients’ housing needs and liaise with relevant agencies
• Build strong relationships with landlords, agents, and stakeholders
• Negotiate rehousing opportunities and work with local authorities on housing schemes
• Maintain accurate records and produce reports for funders

About You
Essential:

• Experience working with refugees or individuals with humanitarian protection status
• Strong understanding of resettlement and integration challenges
• Experience working with housing stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to manage a caseload and create detailed support plans
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills
• Knowledge of UK welfare benefits, housing rights, and immigration services
• Cultural competence and commitment to equality and inclusion
• Ability to work flexibly and independently, including outreach
• Full driving licence and access to a car

Desirable:

• Experience working with families and children
• Experience delivering workshops or community events
• Fluency in a relevant community language
• Lived experience as a refugee or asylum seeker
• Chartered Institute of Housing qualification

Why Join Us?

• Make a real difference in the lives of refugees and vulnerable individuals
• Be part of a supportive, values-driven team
• Help shape innovative housing solutions in the community

Closing Date: 27th March 2026 at noon
Interviews: Week commencing 6th April 2026
Apply with your CV and covering letter

At Sight Support Derbyshire, we believe that everyone deserves to live with independence, dignity and confidence, no matter their level of sight.

As a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, you’ll have a truly life‑changing impact. You’ll work one‑to‑one with people adjusting to sight loss — helping them rebuild skills, regain confidence and reconnect with their world. This is meaningful, relationship‑centred work where your expertise genuinely transforms lives.

We are flexible about how many hours the post holder will work. We can offer flexibility in work patterns.  Please telephone if you wish to discuss options before applying.

It is essential that you are a qualified rehabilitation worker, holding one of the profession-based qualifications available through national training establishments. You should be registered or willing to register with the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network. 

 What you’ll do

As part of our dedicated rehabilitation team, you will:

• Carry out specialist, holistic assessments
• Provide personalised mobility, orientation and independent living skills training
• Teach people to use aids, equipment and digital tools
• Support people to navigate work, home and the community with confidence
• Work closely with carers, colleagues and partner organisations
• Mentor Sight Support Derbyshire’s Rehabilitation Support Workers
• Contribute to information events and community outreach
• Record outcomes that demonstrate the impact of your work

Every day will bring variety, purpose and the chance to make real, lasting change for people with sight loss.

What you’ll bring

• A recognised visual impairment rehabilitation qualification
• Experience delivering mobility and independent living skills training
• A calm, person‑centred and empowering approach
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to safeguarding
• Confidence working independently and as part of a team
• Ability to travel across Derbyshire

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.