Specialist supported housing manager jobs in wickford, essex

Please note: This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) will be part of our dynamic, responsive and highly regarded HIDVA team, providing crisis intervention, advocacy and support to survivors in hospitals, both patients and staff.

Survivors are often in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, such as physical assault, drug/alcohol medical need, attempted suicide or self-harm and the HIDVA will work with hospital staff to provide high quality support focussing on a strengths based, needs led approach. The HIDVA will offer initial advice and crisis safety planning to the survivor, carry out assessments of needs and risks. They will also advise on criminal justice, civil remedies, housing and any other relevant matters.

We provide a visible and proactive presence in the hospitals and work in partnership with hospital staff to identify, contact and support survivors. The HIDVA team attend safeguarding meetings, ward/nurse handover meetings, deliver training and provide advice and support to staff around domestic abuse.

We offer an out of hours service (Friday evenings and weekend days) at William Harvey Hospital and Darent Valley Hospital on an alternating basis. The post holder will be expected to participate in an out of hours rota, working on average one weekend in four.

The Hospital IDVA will be based part-time in the William Harvey Hospital and part-time in Darent Valley hospital. There is also flexibility to work from the Rising Sun main office from time to time to attend team meetings, supervision and training.

We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who has supported survivors with varying experiences and needs. You will be supported by our Head of Adult Services and HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun’s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification on passing your probation.

Equal Opportunities

Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups, as we are on a journey to increase diversity in our team. Flexible working is available in most roles, and we strive to accommodate the needs of all applicants and team members.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support to Survivors

• Be present in the hospitals daily to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors. 
• Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
• Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
• Carry out needs assessments, including DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment, to effectively deliver holistic, survivor centred support.
• Work in partnership with hospital staff, safeguarding departments and other services e.g. the police, housing, social services, mental health (amongst others) to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
• Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
• Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
• Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics
• Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
• Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
• Complete daily ward rounds to raise awareness and identify any potential DA support needs for staff or patients.
• Participate in an out of hours rota, providing an on-call phone support service to hospital staff on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.

Partnership Working and Training

• Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
• Attend safeguarding, mental health and frequent attenders meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse and provide advice to staff.  Together with any other helpful meetings that may arise.
• Deliver training to staff in various health settings across Kent to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.

General

• Uphold the values and good name of Rising Sun at all times, represent the organisation in a way that is consistent with its philosophy and ethos and in line with all Rising Sun’s policies.
• Actively participate in clinical supervision, training and development opportunities.
• Develop your understanding of trauma informed work and embed in your day-to-day practice.
• Maintain an up to date working knowledge to be able to advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, such as housing options, legislation and welfare.
• Comply with organisational policies and procedures, including Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities in keeping with the nature of this post, as may be required from time to time.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following experience, knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Qualifications

• Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) qualification (desirable)
• Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) qualification (desirable)
• Health qualification (desirable)
   

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience of working with survivors of domestic abuse, including high risk clients, and assessing client risks and needs
• Experience of co-producing short- and longer-term risk management, safety and support plans with survivors and their children
• Experience of delivering training (desirable)
• Experience working with the police, social services and MARAC
• Experience of lone working and able to work on own initiative
• Experience working with people with mental health needs, substance misuse, other complex needs
• Experience of working in a hospital / health setting (desirable)
• Knowledge of criminal and civil legal remedies and housing law relating to domestic abuse
• Knowledge of domestic abuse risk assessment tools including DASH and extensive understanding of the MARAC process
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding relating to adults with care and support needs and children
• Up to date knowledge of the welfare benefits system and the ability to ensure service users maximise their benefit entitlement (desirable)
• Knowledge of local services and DA Specialists across Kent & Medway (desirable)

Skills and attributes

• Ability to netork face to face and virtually, to develop new contacts and partnerships
• Ability to train professionals on recognising domestic abuse and responding appropriately (desirable)
• Ability to motivate yourself and work independently on your own initiative
• Solution focused and creative in approaching new challenges
• Competent using Microsoft office programmes, in particular MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Passionate about the aim and principles of Rising Sun
• Committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and maintaining confidentiality
• Able to drive and have access to a reliable car (post holder will be required to attend meetings and across our areas of work)
• Able to work some evenings and weekends
• Eligible to live and work in the UK

Safeguarding Statement

Rising Sun is committed to safeguarding those we provide a service to. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, a ‘right to work check’ in accordance with UK government Home Office guidelines, and to provide two references.

Benefits

We offer a number of benefits to team members including:

• 25 days annual leave per year
• A bonus day of leave for your birthday
• 3% matched pension contribution
• Access to Rising Sun’s counselling service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health care cash plan for you and your children for a number of health treatments (e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy etc.) and also discounts in shops and attractions
• Up to four weeks sick pay in any 12 month period (eligible after probation period)

How to apply

For further information about both Rising Sun and this role, please visit our website. Please fill out an application form if you feel this role would be a good fit for your skills and experience, demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the person specification in your personal statement.

We request no contact from agencies or media sales please.

Sex Education Forum was founded in 1987 and became an independent charity in 2021. We convene over 70 Partner organisations, working together to make sure that the relationships and sex education (RSE) young people get is right for them. We influence national policy, are a respected voice in the media and contribute to ground-breaking research on RSE. By working in partnership with young people and training educators who work with some of the most marginalized young people, we know what changes are needed to make RSE the best it can be. We will soon be launching a new three-year strategy and have secured multi-year funding to further embed youth inclusion in our work. The Communications Manager will be a new role, working closely with the CEO and staff team, enabling us to realise the ambitions of our strategy.

We are seeking to appoint someone with a depth and breadth of communications skills. The successful candidate must be a strategic thinker with excellent interpersonal skills and have values aligned with ours. Your ability to lead and deliver our communications functions will enable us to platform young people, engage with a diverse range of professionals and communicate effectively to stakeholders including funders, government, Parliamentarians and the public.

This is an incredible opportunity for a communications specialist to bring your creativity and skillset to a thriving, innovative and highly respected national charity. This will be a rewarding role, with huge potential to grow your management and leadership skills to empower others and to make a difference to the lives of children and young people.

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants that reflect the diversity of educators and young people that Sex Education Forum seeks to support.

Funding has been secured which provides scope for extension of the fixed term contract. 

Support Network Coordinator (London coverage)
Location: Home based within Greater London
Salary: £35,040 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week Monday to Friday

We are seeking a Support Network Coordinator to cover the London region.

About Us

The Spinal Injuries Association is committed to a singular vision: a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

Everyone has a right to live a fulfilled life and that means the life they choose, a life that has the same opportunities as everyone else. We are the expert guiding voice for life after spinal cord injury. 

About the role

Each of the Support Network Coordinators have the responsibility for delivering, maintaining, and expanding the support services available to spinal cord injured (SCI) people and their region of the UK.

The post coordinates two vital parallel strands:

1. In your region, to reach and support newly and long-term spinal cord injured people and their families developing a strong partnership with all available specialist services, charity and business partners; managing a dedicated team of volunteers as well as providing direct support to SCI people with more complex support needs.
2. Nationally, working to facilitate the link between SCI people and SIA and the network of services; referring SCI people and their families to our clinical / health expert support teams and advocacy services; working with the Digital Engagement team to build on-line links to regional partners in your area; supporting fundraising, campaigns and communications.

Duties and Responsibilities

This is the job for your if you’re good at:

• Building strong relationships – you’ll be talking to everyone from people with SCI and their families, to healthcare professionals, solicitors and partners who deliver key services.
• Identifying opportunities – to expand SIA’s portfolio of services, we’ll need your knowledge of organisations and individuals that provide services to those affected by spinal cord injury.
• Engaging People – whether it’s service users or your team of volunteers, the success of our work relies on you being able to keep people engaged with what we’re doing.
• Being organised – managing your own diary, keeping in touch with your contacts, ensuring your volunteers are being utilised effectively, providing support to those in greatest need, referring to internal & external service providers and keeping records of the support SIA is delivering.
• Providing life-changing support to those that need it most – you’ll be facing up to the most difficult challenges our service users face.
• Making the ask – whether it’s growing the fundraising activities that underpin the charity, securing the use of a venue for a support group meeting, or ensuring healthcare professionals are promoting our services.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 28 days per holiday year plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after two years of service (pro-rated for part time employees)
• Access to Group pension scheme (6% employer contribution)
• Access to Group life assurance scheme
• Access to Healthcare cash plan
• Access to discounted gym membership
• Access to Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• Employee volunteer days
• Free car parking at Milton Keynes, Head Office
• Investing in their people - all members of staff are encouraged to discuss their development plans and aspirations with their line manager. A budget is available for talent development.

Please note, for this role it is essential that an applicant has a personal lived experience of a spinal cord injury (SCI) or Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES), and lives in the Greater London region.

This post will play a critical role in achieving our ambitions. We hope that the role inspires you and we look forward to receiving your application.

Closing date: 28 July 2025, 9am
Interview dates: 6 or 7 August 2025 at SIA House, Milton Keynes OR London area

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

At SIA, we value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment as we believe diversity fosters a more innovative, creative, and caring culture.

We are striving to create a culture that fully represents all the communities we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, family or parental status, or disability status.

Disabled candidates who meet the standard job criteria will be offered a guaranteed interview.

No agencies please.

Every day, the TSA’s small support and information team make a real difference to people affected by the rare genetic condition Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and their loved ones. In this vital role, you will help to maintain our high support standards at the TSA, including through operating on the TSA Support Line, developing content for a wide range of platforms and needs, and occasionally attending virtual and in-person TSA events.

You'll be part of a flexible, passionate, welcoming and wholly home-based team, who know they improve the world every single day. The role includes (pro-rata) 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and the working days that fall between Christmas Day and New Year.

On the TSA Support Line, you will provide support and information regarding TSC via telephone, email and webchat. You will offer an informed, non-judgemental and empathetic listening ear to individuals and families at every step of their journey. The type of enquiries we receive are wide ranging, covering matters such as health, social care and education. You will also engage with professionals supporting people with the condition.

You will have a key role in researching, developing, and updating information across our various platforms including (but not limited to) content for our website, social media, support line materials, leaflets, e-newsletter and our community magazine. The primary audience of the materials will be the TSC community. Materials used by NHS clinics and clinicians are also developed by us, which you will have a central part in developing.

You will help to ensure that our internal processes are effective, and the information that we provide to the TSC community is timely, up-to-date, and relevant.

You will attend TSA events (virtually and in-person) to market the TSA Support Line services, participate in sessions and assist in support-related issues.

We are a small but very impactful charity, where roles are wide-reaching. Although this role is focused on support and information services, the successful candidate should also expect to get involved with projects from other TSA teams including communications, research and fundraising.

Responsibilities

1. TSA Support Line

1.1 Through the TSA Support Line, you will provide information and support to individuals living with TSC, their families and professionals by telephone, email and webchat, ensuring that:

• All enquiries received through the TSA Support Line receive a response based on high quality, up-to-date and evidence-based information.
• You log, triage and respond to enquiries received by telephone, email, post and webchat in line with agreed timelines, policies and procedures.
• You direct non-support related enquiries to appropriate TSA staff, taking messages where necessary.
• You are sensitive and responsive to the needs of the individuals living with TSC, family members and health, social care and education professionals using the TSA Support Line.
• You provide time-limited, structured support through formal case management processes for a small number of individuals and families who are most vulnerable and who need regular help and support. This includes individuals with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs, and families who face a wide range of challenges accessing health, social care and education services for their loved ones.
• You collect and accurately record data enabling the TSA to monitor and evaluate the performance of the TSA Support Line, including usage data (such as number and length of calls), qualitative information (feedback from service users) and data collected in conversation (such as logging broad categories of issues that service users are facing).
• You support individuals and families who wish to apply for financial support from the TSA Support Fund, helping them to complete the relevant application forms, ensuring that they supply documentary evidence, and logging their application appropriately for audit and compliance.
• Your support demonstrates best practice and complies with the law on safeguarding (making sure we are working appropriately with vulnerable adults and children) and data protection (making sure that we are handling all sensitive data appropriately).
• You proactively engage with regular reflective practice and supervision to safeguard your own health and wellbeing and support individual and team learning. This will include individual supervision through regular 1-2-1s with your line manager and team supervision through weekly calls for all those working on the support line.
• You will contribute your expert insight into the challenges and issues that the TSC community are facing to help colleagues across the organisation develop information materials, online resources and event agendas for communications channels including the TSA’s community magazine ('Scan'), our website, social media and events.
• You will ensure that internal processes for recording TSA Support Line enquiries, and signposting information on the support line, are maintained to a high standard and kept up to date.

1.2 You will play a key role in the TSA’s safeguarding as part of your work on the TSA Support Line and in supporting other members of staff with any questions that they have.

1.3 You will ensure confidentiality in the provision of the TSA Support Line, managing conversations and relationships tactfully and diplomatically with members of our small community who may also interact regularly with the charity at face-to-face and virtual events and through our social media channels. 

1.4 You will work closely with colleagues from across the TSA to ensure that our support and information services are joined-up with and informed by other services offered by the TSA more broadly across our website, social media channels, Scan and face-to-face and virtual events.

1.5 You will help to ensure that the TSA Support Line demonstrates best practice in the provision of support and information. You will work with the Joint Chief Executive and Support and Information Manager to develop proposals to develop and market the service that are joined-up with the support provided across our website, social media channels, Scan and face-to-face and virtual events.

2 Support, information and signposting

2.1 Ensure that high quality, up-to-date and evidence-based information is available to individuals and families living with TSC, and the professionals that support them. Regularly review, draft and develop new materials to support people affected by the condition.

2.2 Work with the Joint Chief Executive and Support and Information Manager to develop appropriate and consistent information to signpost TSA Support Line service users to external partner organisations that can provide specialist support for specific aspects of TSC (such as autism or mental health issues) and living with TSC (such as finding a job or facing bereavement).

2.3 Initiate and maintain regular contact with NHS TSC clinics across the UK to encourage greater communication and support between the TSA and TSC clinics. This could include encouraging clinics to join the NHS TSC Rare Disease Collaborative Network (RDCN), liaising with TSA Medical Advisers about medical support line enquiries, or working with clinics to better understand how the TSA can best help them.

2.4 Work closely with the rest of the TSA including communications, research and fundraising, to demonstrate current knowledge of the work of the organisation and developments in TSC.

2.5 Keep up to date with external events and news and draft relevant content for social media, physical media, e-news and the community magazine, Scan, to support and inform the TSC community.

2 TSA events

2.1 Attend TSA face-to-face and virtual events each year to market the TSA Support Line to people living with TSC, their families and professionals (up to approximately seven face-to-face events per year). General events assistance for the event on the day of face-to-face events will also be expected (for example, this could include time on the reception desk or directing attendees between sessions). Face-to-face events could include Outlook (for adults living with TSC), Big Day (our annual meeting for everyone in the TSC community), Family Fun Days (for younger families), TSA Togethers (regional events) and events for NHS TSC clinicians. Time off in lieu will be given for evening and weekend events, or events outside of your usual working days.

2.2 Help to generate ideas for sessions at TSA events by identifying any trends in information and support needs through the TSA Support Line.

4 Supporting health, social care and education professionals

4.1 Develop and maintain training and education materials to help health, social care and education professionals to better understand the impact of TSC.

4.2 Act as a point of contact for professionals who contact the TSA, working with colleagues to build credibility and strong working relationships with them.

Other requirements of the post

The post holder must be prepared to work flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation. This will entail occasional evening and weekend work. Regular travel within the UK will be needed for team meetings, TSA events and training provision. This would normally require access to a car (mileage will be paid) or travel by public transport (tickets will be paid).

The post holder will be expected to have adequate homeworking facilities to allow them to fulfil the role to the best of their abilities.

A DBS disclosure will be required prior to taking up post.

Training on helplines from the Helplines Partnership and on the Virtual Call Centre and database, Beacon, by the in-house team can be provided.