Support worker jobs

Working across Berkshire, Surrey Heath, Farnham & North-East Hampshire

If your idea of a great day at work involves leading a walk in the countryside, singing with a group, trying a new activity, supporting someone to regain confidence and finishing the day knowing you've genuinely made a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

At Younger People with Dementia (YPWD), we support adults diagnosed with young onset dementia (diagnosed under the age of 65)  to remain active, connected and independent through meaningful activities, one-to-one support and community programmes.

This isn't a personal care role. It's about helping people continue to live well, enjoy life and do the things that matter most to them.

What You'll Do

As part of our friendly and supportive team, you'll help deliver a wide range of engaging activities, from art, walking and singing to katakanuing, reader groups and community outings. You'll also provide one-to-one support, help plan future sessions and complete the records that enable us to deliver safe, high-quality services.

No two days are the same, and we're looking for someone who enjoys variety, uses their initiative and loves helping others have fun.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Is kind, compassionate and approachable.
• Enjoys being active, creative and making people smile.
• Builds positive relationships and communicates well.
• Is organised and understands the importance of accurate record keeping.
• Is confident using  IT, including email and Microsoft Office.
• Is reliable, adaptable and happy to get stuck in.
• Enjoys working independently but knows that great teamwork delivers the best outcomes.

You don't need to be an expert in dementia, we can teach that. What matters most is your attitude, your values and your willingness to learn.

The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here

At YPWD, our values are Inclusive, Supportive, Enabling and Innovative. They're not just words on a wall, they shape how we work every day.

We work hard, laugh often, support each other and leave egos at the door. We value people who are kind, humble and willing to roll up their sleeves when needed. We communicate openly, celebrate each other's successes and focus on finding solutions rather than blame.

If you're someone who enjoys being part of a team, brings a positive attitude and wants to make a genuine difference, you'll fit right in.

If you're looking for workplace politics, unnecessary drama or somewhere to simply 'do your hours', we're probably not the right organisation for you. If you're looking for meaningful work with great people, we'd love to hear from you.

Essential Requirements

• Full UK driving licence.
• Daily access to a roadworthy vehicle insured for business use.
• Willingness to travel across Berkshire, Surrey Heath, Farnham and North East Hampshire.
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one).
• Right to work in the UK.

What We Offer

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme.
• Enhanced sickness absence scheme.
• HSF Health Cash Plan.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A supportive team where your ideas are welcomed and your contribution is valued.
• Free office parking.

Interested?

We want our recruitment process to be welcoming, fair and give you the opportunity to experience what it's like to work at YPWD.

Our recruitment process includes:

• Application: Submit your CV and a covering letter explaining why you'd like to join YPWD.
• Stage One Interview: This includes a short presentation and an interview exploring your experience, values and approach to supporting people living with young onset dementia.
• Workshop Visit: Candidates progressing from the first interview will be invited to visit one of our activity workshops. This gives you the opportunity to experience our services, meet the team and ensure the role is the right fit for you.
• Stage Two Interview: A final interview to explore your suitability for the role in more depth.
• Pre-employment Checks: Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, right to work checks and an Enhanced DBS check.

Closing date: Sunday 6 September 2026

Stage One Interview: Monday 14 September 2026

Workshop Visit: Monday 21 or Tuesday 22 September 2026

Stage Two Interview: Wednesday 24 September 2026

YPWD is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to safer recruitment, and all appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references, right to work and an Enhanced DBS check where required.

Role overview 

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 10,000 adults (25+).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their carers, supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on adults (25+), you will be primarily working within the Adult Services Team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based and ideally you will live within an hour commute of London, within Essex, Kent or Sussex as you will be attending clinics in London and the Southeast as required. There would be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

The role is full time 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday with working core hours 9am-5pm with some flexibility to cover events evenings/weekends.

Key Responsibilities 

• Deliver innovative support across your region to improve health, social, and emotional outcomes for members. 

• Attend specialist clinics to engage with members and professionals. 

• Provide information, advice, and guidance to our adult members and carers, including hard-to-reach communities. 

• Support members to access benefits, services, and resources that promote financial stability, health, and independence. 

• Refer members to Shine’s Health team, internal specialists, or external agencies as appropriate. 

• Develop age-specific groups and peer support networks to reduce isolation and encourage social interaction. 

• Recruit and support Shine volunteers. 

• Contribute to regional and national events (face-to-face and virtual) based on member needs and interests. 

• Represent Shine at conferences, provide information, raise awareness among professionals, external organisations, and the public through presentations and training. 

• Promote Shine membership to individuals with relevant conditions. 

• Maintain accurate records using Shine’s CRM (Salesforce database). 

• Collaborate with colleagues across services, fundraising, marketing to identify opportunities for sustainability. 

• Maintain an up-to-date directory of contacts and share relevant information internally. 

• Undertake administrative tasks and other duties as required.

Other Core Requirements of Working for Shine 

• Ability to travel across designated areas. 

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to work outside core hours when required. 

• Ability to work from home and manage lone working effectively. 

• Self-motivated, with strong initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a dispersed team. 

• Full Enhanced DBS check, UK Right to Work and satisfactory references required. 

Benefits to working at Shine:

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings) 

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment 

• Access to our Employee Support Programmeand Mental Health First Aiders 

• Support to learn and develop 

We’re looking for an Outreach Support Worker to join our Drug and Alcohol Outreach team, supporting vulnerable individuals across West Essex (Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford). You’ll be helping people with addiction issues overcome challenges related to their housing, mental health, physical health, and employment. 

If you enjoy variety, this role offers the best of hybrid working. You'll be out and about in the community meeting people face-to-face, collaborating with colleagues in the office, and balancing your week with home working.

What your day might look like

• Start by visiting customers in their homes, helping them maintain their tenancies and build essential life skills.
• Support individuals with navigating welfare benefits, accessing services, and building confidence.
• Liaise with external agencies to ensure customers get the right support at the right time.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed, always with empathy and professionalism.

ould it be you?

We’re looking for someone who:

• Understands drug and alcohol issues through professional, voluntary, or lived experience.
• Has worked with individuals facing mental health, health-related, or employment challenges
• Understands housing support needs and welfare benefits
• Can provide pre-tenancy advice and ongoing tenancy support
• Previous experience of working in a customer facing role
• Communicates clearly and solves problems with confidence
• Holds a valid UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle
• Is happy to undergo an Enhanced DBS check

What you’ll get in return

• 25 days’ annual holiday (plus bank holidays)
• 2 paid volunteering days each year
• Flexible benefits scheme including healthcare, dental, tech, vouchers, and more
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Up to 10% pension contribution
• Family-friendly policies
• A role where your support helps people thrive

Please read before applying

As an employer, Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licenced UK employer.

Location: Manchester
Hours: Full-time
Contract: Temporary, 3-months
Pay: £14.34 per hour, with travel and work expenses covered (+ holiday pay)
DBS: Enhanced DBS required

We are delighted to be supporting The Children's Society in their search for a Parenting Worker to join their Missing Team in Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity to support parents and carers of children and young people who are at risk of, or have experienced, missing from home episodes, helping families navigate complex challenges and improve outcomes for vulnerable young people.

This is a rewarding role for someone with experience working with families and a strong understanding of safeguarding, exploitation, and the challenges faced by young people at risk. You'll work closely with parents and carers to build confidence, improve family relationships, and provide practical support, education and advocacy.

Please note this role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check due to unsupervised contact with vulnerable children and young adults. You will also require a current, clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Key Responsibilities for this role include:

• Building positive relationships with parents and carers, providing tailored support to increase their confidence in supporting their child.
• Delivering educational sessions and resources around missing from home incidents, exploitation, online safety and risk awareness.
• Supporting parents and carers to better understand their child's experiences and reduce feelings of blame, guilt and shame.
• Advocating on behalf of families and helping them engage effectively with professional networks and statutory services.
• Working collaboratively with police, children's services, education providers and other partner agencies to improve outcomes for young people.
• Facilitating group sessions and awareness workshops for parents and carers.
• Maintaining accurate case records, monitoring outcomes and contributing to service evaluation and reporting.

To be considered for this position, you should possess:

• Experience working directly with families, parents or carers in a support, youth work, family support or related setting.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, child exploitation, trafficking, missing from home episodes and the risks faced by vulnerable young people.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with families and professionals.
• Experience supporting families through complex and sensitive situations, providing advice, advocacy and practical guidance.
• The ability to manage your own workload, prioritise effectively and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and experience using online case management or recording systems.
• Experience working in partnership with statutory and voluntary sector organisations.

Desirable:

• A qualification relevant to working with young people, families or communities.
• Experience supporting young people affected by missing episodes, exploitation or related safeguarding concerns.
• Experience of monitoring outcomes, evaluating services and producing written reports.

If you're looking for a meaningful role where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of children, young people and their families, we'd love to hear from you.

CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so if you're interested in the role, please apply ASAP with your CV in Word format.

At Prospectus, we are committed to supporting you throughout your application journey. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity.

Female Care Support Worker

Make a Difference. Change Lives. Start a Career That Matters.

Female applicants only. This role is based within an all-women's service and is exempt under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Are you a caring, positive person who wants to make a real difference? You don't need previous care experience, just the right values, a willingness to learn, and a passion for helping others.

At Peabody, you'll support women to live independently, build confidence, achieve their goals, and enjoy the life they choose. Every day is different, and every day you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You'll Do

• Support women with daily living, wellbeing, and personal care
• Encourage independence, choice, and confidence
• Help people access activities, interests, education, and their local community
• Create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment
• Work alongside families, professionals, and colleagues to achieve positive outcomes

What We're Looking For

• Kind, compassionate, and reliable people
• Great communicators who enjoy working with others
• Positive and resilient individuals who want to make a difference
• Flexible team players with a genuine desire to help people thrive

Essential Requirements

✅ Full UK Manual Driving Licence ✅ Enhanced DBS Check

Why Join Peabody?

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Excellent training and career development
• Up to 10% pension contribution
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Employee discounts and wellbeing support
• Two paid volunteering days every year

This is a 24/7 service, so you'll need to be flexible to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in/night shifts.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can truly change lives while developing a career you'll be proud of, apply today.

Interviews will take place in person on 25 August 2026.

Could you help parents and carers of LGBTQ+ children and young people create space for their child to thrive?

Allsorts is seeking a Parents & Carers Service Support Worker to join our team and help make a real difference to our growing community of parents & carers who support the LGBTQ+ young people in their lives.

Working with the Senior Practitioner, you will help facilitate groups and provide 1:1 support to parents and carers, as well as supporting family-focused events.  The role also leads on administration and data management for the service.

Come help us make a difference to families across Sussex.

Job Title:   Parents & Carers Service Support Worker 

Hours: 18.5 hours

Key Responsibilities:

Delivering and developing the Parents & Carers Service

● Facilitate and co-facilitate online and in-person groups, activities, and events in a wide range of locations across Sussex.

●Provide welcoming one-to-one support to parents and carers, mostly online and occasionally in person

●Co-deliver the Evolve project for families with young people on the NHS waiting list to build their resilience, confidence, and strengthen family relationships.

●Attend in-person and online meetings, events and networking opportunities with other organisations and professionals to promote our service.

●Nurture the development of a safe, supportive and empathetic Parents & Carers community by encouraging connections and attendance at events and groups.

●     Collaborate with colleagues to integrate the Parents & Carers Service with Allsorts Youth Services to provide wide-ranging and high-quality service for the whole family.

Administration for the Parents & Carers Service

● Manage the referral system to ensure that data is recorded in a timely and accurate manner, and that referrals are processed within expected timeframes.

● Use Eventbrite to manage and promote events.

● Use Mailchimp to write a monthly newsletter for Parents & Carers, and to manage our mailing list.

●      Update our digital notice board with information, and monitor the Parents & Carers private Facebook group.

Salary: £13,202 (full-time salary equivalent is £26,403)

 NJC Scale 4, Point 7

Hours: 18.5 hours

Contract: Fixed term until March 31st 2028, with possible extension subject to funding

Annual Leave:  27 days, plus bank holidays pro rata

About You:

You are a warm, engaging professional with experience of working in support roles with adults or children.  You bring excellent collaboration and communication skills and the confidence to lead group discussions.  You’ve got an eye for detail and strong administration skills. 

You don’t have to be LGBTQ+, but you must have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ children and young people and families and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to join a respected children and young people’s organisation in a role that has enormous potential. You’ll be part of a team that’s passionate about making a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ children, young people, and their families.

About Allsorts

At Allsorts Youth,  we are on a mission to make sure every LGBTQ+ child in Sussex has the chance to make friends, build community & feel proud of who they are.

We want parents & carers to know they are not alone & feel confident supporting their children. We want every adult in an LGBTQ+ child’s life - from their teacher to their GP - to be safe & welcoming.

Our vision is of a world where LGBTQ+ children & young people can be themselves and enjoy their lives.

By placing children and young people’s voices at the centre of our work, we ensure that our understanding of their ongoing and evolving needs continues to inform our service provision.

There are three main strands to our service provision, all of which aim to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ children and young people.

Youth Service: We offer youth groups and programmes, youth coaching, activities, residential trips, and much more for children and young people across Sussex.

Parents & Carers Service: We offer groups, one-to-one support, activities, information sessions, and much more for parents & carers of LGBTQ+ children and young people across Sussex.

Training and Education Service: We provide LGBTQ+ Inclusion Training for a wide range of organisations, with a focus on organisations working with children and young people. We also run a schools programme.

Job Title:

Parents & Carers Service Support Worker

Salary:

£13,202 (full-time salary equivalent is £26,403)

NJC Scale 4, Point 7

Contract: Fixed term until March 31st 2028, with possible extension subject to funding

Part time

Hours of Work:

18.5 hours per week

Location:  Brighton & Hove

Annual Leave:

27 days, plus bank holidays pro rata

Remote (Surrey and surrounding areas) | 18 – 24 hours

£27,500 pro rata | Flexible working | Real impact

Are you kind, caring and professional – the sort of person who listens deeply, holds space for others, and wants to make a real difference?

At Jigsaw South East, we support children and young people who are facing or coping with the death of a loved one. We’re looking for a compassionate and confident Grief Support Worker to join our small, dedicated team.

In this role, you’ll:

• Support families one-to-one and in groups, both pre- and post-bereavement
• Hold meaningful (and sometimes tough) conversations with warmth and sensitivity
• Help children feel less alone in their grief, and families feel more connected
• Contribute to our PIECES group programme, helpline, and referral process

This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to walk alongside people at one of the hardest points in their lives and offer light, steadiness and support.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A warm, person-centred approach
• Experience working with children and families
• Emotional resilience and a strong sense of purpose
• The ability to travel across Surrey and attend some evening/weekend sessions

We offer:

• Flexible working
• TOIL and supervision
• Ongoing training and personal growth
• A supportive, values-led team who genuinely care

If you believe in the power of kindness and want to help children feel seen, safe and supported, we’d love to hear from you.

View our recruitment pack for more information including a full job description and person specification:

We are recruiting for a Children's Support Worker to join our team in Barking & Dagenham; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Children's Support Worker

Location: Barking & Dagenham
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

We are recruiting a Children’s support Worker to provide high-quality support to children and mothers who have been affected by any violence against women and children (VAWG), including domestic violence. You will provide non-judgmental emotional and practical support, working with mothers and their children to develop joint support and risk management plans. You will facilitate a coordinated multi agency response with a wide range of statutory and voluntary services, 

Methodical and well-organised, you will have significant proven experience of providing direct emotional, practical and welfare support to survivors of VAWG and their children. You will be experienced in identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of women and children affected by VAWG. You will have proven experience of advocating to statutory agencies in a multi-agency setting in order to secure safeguarding outcomes for children affected by violence against women and children. You will have a demonstrable ability to use Microsoft Office, excellent casework skills, good written and verbal communication skills, clear professional boundaries and be a proactive team player. 

All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality which underpin all of our work. Successful applicants will be expected to work within Refuge’s Values and Behaviour Framework and demonstrate these in their everyday work. 

Closing date: 9.00am on 12 August 2026

Interview date: 19 August 2026

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

ABOUT US

We are SPEAR, a charity working tirelessly to end homelessness across South West London and beyond. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we work every day to make that a reality. Our services include street outreach, assessment hubs, supported accommodation, and tenancy support, helping people move off the streets and into safe, secure housing. We take a person-centred, trauma-informed approach, building trust and supporting people to achieve long-term stability and independence.

ABOUT YOU

Working side-by-side with people who are homeless or at risk of it, you'll help them take charge of their journey — setting goals, building skills, and securing the stability of a tenancy they can call their own. Your day-to-day will span everything from crisis intervention and welfare benefits support to leading case reviews with partner agencies, all while managing a caseload with care and accuracy. You'll build the kind of trusting relationships that tackle isolation and exclusion head-on, working creatively and with emotional resilience to overcome whatever challenges arise. If you're driven by making a tangible, lasting difference in people's lives, this is a role where your impact will be felt every single day.

YOUR BENEFITS

- Generous holiday – 26 days plus public holidays, rising to 31 days with length of service
- Wellbeing & EAP – 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with free counselling, money and legal advice
- Health support – Occupational health service and free annual eye test (with contribution towards glasses if required)
- Cycle to Work – Save on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice
- Season ticket loan – Interest-free loan for annual travel passes
- Moving house day – Extra day of leave when you move home
- Financial security – Life assurance (4x salary) and interest-free emergency staff loan
- Family-friendly policies – Enhanced maternity and adoption pay, plus flexible working options
- Career development – Ongoing training, learning and progression opportunities
- Blue Light Card – Discounts across a wide range of shops, restaurants and services

Could this be your next role? Read the full Job Description now!

Role: Dads’/Partners’ Peer Support Worker
Location: Birmingham wide / Hybrid working
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (with some occasional evening and weekend work)
Salary: £25,363 – £26,419 per annum, subject to experience
Contract: Fixed-term for 12 months
Benefits: Flexible working, 36 days leave (including bank/public holidays), 5% matched pension contribution, ongoing support and supervision sessions

Reports to: Operations Director

Please note: To allow Acacia to provide specialist, relatable peer support, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for this role to be filled by a male, who is a dad or partner and has relevant lived experience of perinatal mental health and/or other mental health difficulties.

What will the role involve?

The Dads’/Partners’ Peer Support Worker will play an important role in helping us reach and support more fathers and partners across Birmingham. The role will be community-based and will involve regular travel across the city, working closely with Family Hubs, community organisations and other local partners.

A key part of the role will be establishing and facilitating dads’ stay-and-play groups across Birmingham’s Family Hub areas. These groups will provide opportunities for dads to spend quality time with their children, meet other fathers, build supportive relationships and access support in a welcoming and informal environment.

The postholder will also provide one-to-one peer support, drawing appropriately on their own lived experience to build trust, offer encouragement and help fathers and partners feel less alone. They will support individuals to access relevant mental health, wellbeing, family and community services where needed.

The role will also help to raise awareness of fathers’ and partners’ perinatal mental health through community events, online resources and social media. Working alongside Family Hubs and other local services, the postholder will help dads and partners develop coping strategies, strengthen their support networks and feel more confident about moving forward.

Travel expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed in line with Acacia’s Expenses Policy.Due to the post requiring regular travel across Birmingham, the applicant should ideally have access to a car for work purposes.

Please note the role will be subject to criminal record, right to work and reference checks.

Interested in applying?

If you are interested in being considered for the role, please read the attached job pack and complete the attached application form, explaining how you meet the points in the person specification. Your application should outline your relevant skills and experience, along with the qualities you feel you would bring to the role.

Please return completed application forms by Sunday 06 September 2026.

If you have any specific questions or would like to talk through any aspect of the role, please contact the recruiting manager for further information. 

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health Care Service in Newham. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£30,784.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

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

Our benefits include:

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

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

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking
Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their recovery and empower customers to self-manage their medication regimes through individual re-enablement programmes and informed decision making
Undertake support work in partnership with external stakeholders to compliment their interventions
Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers
Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service

About you:

Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable:

A good understanding of mental health issues and how it affects people and experience of supporting customers to manage this and lead independent lives.

About us:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please see our website for full job description

Make a meaningful difference with Catalyst and the Women’s Support Centre, helping women across Surrey build safety, recovery and independence through trauma-responsive advocacy.

We’re looking for a compassionate and skilled Recovery Worker to provide high-quality support to women affected by substance use, trauma, multiple disadvantage, and contact with the criminal justice system. Working across Surrey, you will offer one-to-one and group support, manage a caseload, complete risk assessments and safeguarding referrals, and work closely with partner agencies to ensure women receive joined-up, person-centred support.

This is a rewarding opportunity to use your experience in substance use, trauma-informed practice and women-specific provision to support positive change. You’ll be part of a values-led charity with a welcoming, non-judgemental ethos, committed to kindness, integrity and commitment in everything we do.

Location Based at our Women’s Support Centre in Woking and working across Surrey as required

Salary £31,130

Work Pattern 35 hours across Monday – Friday

Contract Permanent

About Catalyst Support

Though Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health and wellbeing – together every step of the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and support to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system with a specific focus on Substance Use and Trauma. 
• Design, coordinate and deliver one to one and group interventions to assist women to achieve their goals.  
• Complete safeguarding referrals where appropriate and support women’s safety through involving them in the safeguarding process. 
• Take a collaborative multi-agency approach to supporting women, including representing and supporting women at multi-agency meetings. 
• Involve women in the design and delivery of interventions, ensuring that they are at the heart of the work at all times. 
• Undertake all aspects of case management and recording including developing and documenting individual support plans with women.   
• Work in line with Data Protection legislation, maintaining confidential service-user records of interventions and contact details.
• Complete client work in line with the Women’s Support Centre’s core values.
• Ensure women are supported to achieve independence though structured intervention planning and strengths-based support and appropriate onward referrals.
• Support in the collation and production of reports as requested, including ensuring that appropriate recording, monitoring and evaluation of work is completed to set deadlines. 
• Develop and utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with women using our services, colleagues, external organisations, stakeholders and the general public.
• Be responsible for establishing and maintaining professional relationships internally and with other relevant statutory and voluntary sector agencies.
• Develop educational materials to support women and external partners to better understand Substance Use. 
• Attend and prepare for regular line management meetings, including performance development reviews. 
• Attend regular clinical supervision. 
• Take responsibility for self-care and managing vicarious trauma, promoting the importance of self-care both internally and externally. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of developments in relevant public policy and legislation by attending relevant training courses, meetings and conferences.   
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development. 
• Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices. 
• Support and promote inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private or sensitive information about individual organisations, clients, staff and project data. 

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience supporting women affected by substance use, trauma and multiple disadvantage.
• Understands the impact of trauma, offending, homelessness, mental health needs and contact with the criminal justice system.
• Can work in a trauma-informed, strengths-based and non-judgemental way.
• Is confident engaging, motivating and advocating for women with complex and intersecting needs.
• Has up-to-date safeguarding knowledge and can respond calmly and appropriately to risk.
• Can manage a caseload, prioritise workload and keep accurate, factual case records.
• Communicates clearly with clients, colleagues, partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Works well independently and as part of a flexible, supportive team.
• Is passionate about women-specific provision, social justice, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Is resilient, reflective and committed to ongoing learning, self-care and professional development.
• Is able to travel across Surrey for outreach appointments and partnership meetings.

Benefits 

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental and counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working wherever possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation and access to our employee assistance programme

Safeguarding & Checks

Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role. We encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate

All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to support your application.

Please note, this post is open to female applicants only – Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1 applies.

General requirements

• To understand fully, and have a commitment to, carrying out the aims and objectives of Mudlarks.
• To work within the Mudlarks’ policies and procedures to provide a high quality of service and in particular to always have a high regard for the organisation’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To act in accordance with the General Data Projection Regulation (2018).
• To act in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the organisation’s Health and safety policy statement.

Specific duties and tasks

• To support and train the service users involved in Mudlarks activities, including people with learning disabilities, students on work experience, people with mental health concerns and other volunteers. This requires supporting people who may exhibit some challenging behaviour, in all weather conditions year-round.
• To support service users to learn new skills required for on-site projects.
• To organise site activities and prepare and prioritise tasks.
• To be responsible for the tidiness of the site.
• To assist the site manager and the rest of the team in the everyday running and development of Mudlarks.
• To provide personal care support to service users when required, such as toileting and hygiene.

Additional requirements

• To take part and assist with the planning of projects on site and in the community.
• Provide information for reports and review meetings.
• To keep up-to-date with changes in policies/laws/regulations/practices and implement them in the Mudlarks ethos in all aspects of Mudlarks.
• To safeguard the long-term future of the charity.
• You may be required to carry out other duties, as within your capabilities and level of responsibility, in order to meet the needs of the organisation. This includes a range of annual events throughout the year in which you will receive TOIL that will be used during the winter months when our site closes early.

Person specification

Education and training

Essential

• A good level of communication skills.
• Experience of working with people with learning difficulties and/or working in the care sector.

Desirable

• Training and/or qualifications in care.
• An interest in and/or experience of one or more of the activities undertaken at Mudlarks

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to think logically and creatively to provide practical solutions to a changing range of problems and issues.
• Ability to respond effectively to challenging behaviour.
• Ability to work positively both as a member of a team and independently, with general direction and within a clear framework of accountability.
• Self-motivated and able to use own initiative.
• Willingness to be flexible.
• Prepared and able to work outdoors in all weather.

Desirable

• Good written communication skills.
• Good IT skills.

DBS Clearance

Please note that as this post will involve working with children and vulnerable adults, your appointment is subject to you receiving satisfactory DBS clearance.

Care Support Worker | Saffron Walden

💚 Looking for a career where you can genuinely change lives?

No experience needed. Full training provided. Real career progression.

Join our team in the beautiful market town of Saffron Walden and help people live independently, achieve their goals, and enjoy the things that matter most to them.

Whether you're looking for a new challenge, a career change, or your first role in care, we're looking for people with the right values, a positive attitude, and a genuine passion for helping others.

🌟 Why Join Us?

✅ 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
✅ Full training and ongoing support from day one
✅ Excellent career progression and development opportunities
✅ Supportive, welcoming team culture
✅ A role that's rewarding, meaningful, and varied
✅ The opportunity to make a real difference every single day
✅ No previous care experience required

🚀 What You'll Be Doing

Every day is different, but your role will include:

• Supporting people with everyday activities and personal care where required
• Encouraging independence, confidence, and choice
• Supporting people to access appointments, activities, and social events
• Helping individuals build friendships, hobbies, and life skills
• Creating positive relationships and meaningful outcomes
• Working as part of a dedicated and supportive team

👋 Who We're Looking For

You don't need care experience. We're looking for people who are:

• Kind, caring, and compassionate
• Positive, enthusiastic, and reliable
• Great communicators and team players
• Passionate about helping others thrive
• Committed to delivering person-centred support

🚗 Driving Licence Required

A full UK driving licence is essential for this role.

Our customers are active members of their community, and you'll regularly support them to attend appointments, activities, and social outings.

Unfortunately, if you do not hold a full UK driving licence, we cannot progress your application.

📋 Important Information

• This is a 24-hour service, and you'll need to work flexibly across a rota that may include evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and overnight shifts.
• We are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

Ready to Start a Career That Matters?

If you're looking for more than just a job and want a career with purpose, development opportunities, and the chance to positively impact people's lives every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with your anonymised CV and a short statement telling us why you'd be a great fit.

💚 We're reviewing applications as they come in and interviewing throughout the recruitment process, so we'd encourage you to apply early. Final interviews will take place during the week commencing 31 August.