Welfare benefits advisor jobs

Victim Support is recruiting for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to support high risk victims of domestic abuse living in Central Bedfordshire. This is a full time role on a fixed term contract for 6 months from start date, this may be extended subject to funding. Hybrid working is available for this role.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…..

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
• Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

We are looking for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA). This is a full time role on fixed term contract for 6 months. Hybrid working would be available for this role. The aim of this role is to support victims of domestic abuse, who are deemed as at high risk, who live in Central Bedfordshire. This role will be part of our other wider specialist services covering Bedfordshire.

As an IDVA you will be:

• Providing a high quality support and advocacy service to victims of domestic abuse.
• Managing a caseload; identifying and assessing risks and needs, providing a tailored crisis intervention service trough individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• Working with other agencies and advocating on behalf of service users in order to help them access services to keep them safe.
• Working within a multi-agency framework consisting of partners as well as MARAC and other local partnerships to offer a coordinated response to domestic abuse.
• Promoting the service and raise awareness of domestic abuse through the delivery of training

You will need:

• Experience of working in support and advocacy with victims of domestic abuse is advantageous
• To be able to prioritise work and deal with competing or conflicting demands/needs and interests and promote organisation interests and values.
• To ideally hold a SafeLives IDVA accreditation, relevant degree, vocational qualification or relevant experience of delivering a service and working with domestic abuse victim's/service users in a statutory, voluntary or community work setting.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website, and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We looking forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Job Title: Registered Area Manager

Salary: £60,780 per annum + £1,500 per annum Out of Hours Rota Allowance + £750 per annum Homeworking Allowance

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 35 Hours per week 

Location: Homebased with reasonable travelling distance of Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Somerset, Devon and Gloucester

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. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.

As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest unique projects like TACT Connect, our unique and ground-breaking scheme for TACT care experienced young people and adults,  as well as our expanding Education and Health services. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.

In 2024 TACT became one of the top 5 charities to work for in the UK, placing 5th in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results , and a top 25 mid-sized company to work with across the whole of the UK.   97% of our people feel proud to work with TACT and think that TACT cares about their wellbeing, while 92% of our people would say they “ love working for TACT”.

The Registered Area Manager postholder will be an experienced social worker, cognisant with trauma informed and therapeutic methodologies, that actively support and encourage diversity and inclusion, as they lead and develop an outstanding service to meet the needs of our families across the region.

Working with professional curiosity and innovation, the Registered Area Manager will report directly to the Operational Director of Children's Services, and be responsible for the leadership of a dedicated and passionate team of home based staff focussed on the recruitment and retention of suitable carers that can meet the diverse and complex needs of a range of vulnerable children and young people.

Travel within the South West Area will be essential as the Registered Area Manager will participate in carer focussed events, staff and panel training, monthly staff team meetings, wellbeing days and other face to face events.

If you want to be a professional, forward thinking Registered Area Manager, who will be valued and appreciated for their impact on the improvement of outcomes for children and young people, apply now.

The main role requirements for the Fostering Registered Area Manager role includes:

• A Level 5 Management Qualification (or a willingness to enrol on such a course within 6 months of appointment and to complete within 3 years)
• A minimum of 3 - 5 years post qualifying social work experience in fostering or in other childcare settings
• A proven track record in working with and on behalf of children, respecting and maintaining their individuality and promoting their positive development
• Experience of managing a diverse and experienced team, ideally remotely
• Experience of group work and/or delivery of training
• Up to date knowledge of relevant legislation including the Fostering National Minimum Standards and Fostering regulations
• Ability to prioritise, plan and self-organise efficiently alongside excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in use of IT and paperless systems, including management of virtual meetings and webinars.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance including service monitoring
• Responsible for the safeguarding of children and young people
• Taking part in the out-of-hours rota.
• Delivery of the Service Operational Plan
• Experience of managing budgets and service provider contracts
• Being a Panel Advisor

 TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:

• 31 days paid holiday plus 8 annual bank holidays.
• Progression to salary target rate upon completion of 18 months service.
• 45p per mile for business travel.
• Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
• Family friendly policies.
• Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
• HelpHand Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, 24/7 remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions on serious diagnosis).
• An hour a week of live, expert led events through the Annual Employee Wellbeing Programme.
• Menopause Policy and free Menopause Clinician Appointments.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme (salary sacrifice).
• Fantastic learning and development opportunities for all roles.

An Enhanced DBS clearance and current registration with Social Work England is required for this role and checks will be processed by TACT on your behalf.

Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 23rd November 2025

Interview Date: Friday 5th December 2025 (via Microsoft Teams)

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work.  As part of TACT’s 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 TACT’s young people.  All our 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.

TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.

The Finance and Officer Administrator role is an integral part of Buttle UK, working across teams – grants development, fundraising and marketing along with the finance and operations team to support the delivery of our work. We are looking for someone with good experience of working in a growing organisation who is able to build good working relationships with colleagues and manage multiple priorities.

Knowledge of basic financial principles and previous experience of working within finance and administrative roles will be helpful. As well as good communication skills both verbal and written, the candidate will be flexible in the way they work and take the initiative when needed. They will also demonstrate a willingness to learn and interest in the UK voluntary sector.

This role will be a key part of the finance and operations team and contribute to the team’s objectives.

Job title:    Admissions Officer                                                                                                                                           

Reports to: Head of Language Programme                                                                                                                   

Location:    Hybrid work with 40% from Breaking Barriers’ office in London, Manchester or Birmingham                             

Hours:         Full-time (37.5 hours per week). Open to flexible working.                                               

Contract:    Permanent

Overall purpose 

The Programme Admissions Officer will be responsible for processing client applications, including conducting initial calls, checking eligibility and signposting where applicable. They would then flag new applicants with the relevant team/programme. This role is the gateway to accessing our services and plays a critical role in providing a positive and seamless client experience. As we enter a new and exciting stage of strategic development, this role has the potential to grow and develop in line with our evolving service model.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accesible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack. 

Other considerations  

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.   

• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief. 

Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.   

How to apply  

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a statement of interest (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining: 

• Why you are interested in the role 
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role 
• Any experience you would like to highlight 
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process 
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role) 

Closing date for applications is Sunday 16 November at 11:30pm. Please note, interviews will be held online on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supportd organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and / or are from a refugee background. 

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for independent and confidential support with your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach to HR Manager, Caroline Meechan for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert but you can find contact details in the recruitment pack).