Wellbeing worker jobs

As our Befriending Service Coordinator, you will lead the further development and coordination of our befriending offer, working closely with volunteers and service users. Your work will help provide a supportive, connected service enabling those at risk of isolation to feel connected and engaged with others.

Our broader offer includes a range of services with tailored support through holistic understanding of those who seek our support. Please see our website for our range of services.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the delivery of our individually tailored befriending service, supporting clients to reconnect to community and reduce isolation.
• Work with the other teams to support your clients in accessing our wider services and support, including social activities.
• Build strong partnerships with local groups and services across health, social care and the voluntary sector.
• Use and support the team of existing befriending linked volunteers and develop further recruitment and training as needed.

Who you are:
You have experience working in older people services or the voluntary sector, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by older people. You’re proactive, organised, and passionate about delivering person-centred support that makes a real difference.

Why join us?
You’ll be part of a small, caring team committed to practical, person-centred support for older people both through groups and as individuals. This is a unique chance to shape a growing service and improve the quality of life for older people in your community.

Closing date for applications: 30 June 2025 at 9am. Interview dates: week beginning 30 June 2025. 

We are looking to recruit a support worker for our Work Club programme.

The opportunity available will see you playing a significant part within our mission. 

One of the many reasons people from our community come to the Oasis Centre is finding help and support in helping them into finding work.

What you'll be doing:

• Prepare Work Club stations, ensuring computers, tea, coffee, and other necessary items are available.

• Work closely with the Work Club Coordinator to manage the daily client list.

• Provide one-on-one support to clients, assisting with creating and customising CVs, cover letters, and filling out application forms.

• Assist regular clients with their individual job searches, offering guidance and support.

• Ensure all new materials (e.g., CVs, cover letters) are shared with the Work Club Coordinator.

• Support clients in reporting their progress through their Universal Credit accounts.

• Promote Work Club and its services to the community, encouraging participation and engagement.

• Occasionally follow up with past clients to check on their progress and provide additional support if needed.

• Integrate and refer users of the Work Club programme to other areas of the centre as & when required

• Liaise with any outside agencies who offer support and benefits to our clients

• Any other work within the Centre that might be required

We welcome applications from individuals currently working within the charitable sector as well as those with relevant experience seeking to move from other sectors.

We are looking to recruit a support worker for our Education programme.

The opportunity available will see you playing a significant part within our mission. 

One of the many reasons people from our community come to the Oasis Centre is because of their need to address simple educational needs, especially in teaching English as a second language.

What you will be doing:

• Plan, prepare and deliver ESOL classes as well as other educational support as needed.

• Work closely with the Education Coordinator to manage daily classes.

• Provide one-on-one support to where needed.

• Support participants in reporting their progress with the Education Coordinator

• Promote education and its services to the community, encouraging participation and engagement.

• Integrate and refer participants of the education programme to other areas of the centre as & when required

• Liaise with any outside agencies who offer support and benefits to our community

• Any other work within the Centre that might be required

Recovery Worker - Floating Support

Location: Durham

Salary: £25,220 inclusive per annum 

Permanent, 37.5 hours per week

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

Durham Floating Support is a mental health, community-based service, working to a recovery model and is part of the Durham Mental Wellbeing Alliance.  We provide a range of support for people with mental ill health including assisting them in developing coping strategies and support to manage their mental health, develop social networks and to access resources in their local community, support with benefits and housing related issues.  We have been operating in the area for several years and provide a service for people aged 18 and upwards. 

We know that recovery can look and feel very different to each one of us. But we also know that if we provide the right support, at the right time, we can inspire recovery nationwide and that recovery is possible for everyone. All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use.

You would be responsible for providing a dynamic and person-centred approach. helping and inspiring the people who use our services to retain and maintain their tenancy, support networks, independence and overall wellbeing in the community. We’ll rely on you to work with them to implement their personal action and support plan, that will see them achieve their goals and aspirations. Whether it’s developing their domestic and finance management skills, accessing work, leisure or educational opportunities that support and empower individuals through their recovery journey, one thing’s for sure ‐ you will have every chance to shine.

An energetic and confident self-starter you will have working knowledge and experience of mental health support needs in the community. Whatever your background, you’ll need to be happy to work both independently and within a team. 

In return for your skills and enthusiasm, this role comes with attractive benefits and excellent training and development opportunities. 

This role covers County Durham with extensive travel involved.  Car User is essential. 

This is a rewarding role that comes with some really good benefits, such as generous holidays, excellent training, employee discount schemes, mileage allowance, flexibility & great colleagues! 

To Apply

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

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

This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.

When applying, please upload a CV and supporting statement which should clearly outline your skills and experience.

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

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

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

Location: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
Hours: 35 hours
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £40,838 FTE
Closing date: 22nd June 2025, 11:59 PM
Interview date: 2nd July 2025

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer life is turned upside down – for them and their family.  Fear, isolation, extreme money worries, not knowing where to turn – this is the reality for many.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children, young people and families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. You could be a part of the team making it happen.

The Role 

We are looking for 2 experienced Social Workers to join our London & South East Team supporting children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families. The work we do is rewarding but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community.

This role is part home, part site-based. Your contractual base will be both Home and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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

About You

You will be committed to delivering high quality social work support to promote the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we work with. You will need to be resourceful and resilient. You will have a positive attitude and be willing to embrace difference. As part of the wider Young Lives vs Cancer team you will actively engage with the work of the charity and welcome opportunities to get involved.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
• Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
• An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

What will I gain?

 For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our benefits page.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

#ShowTheSalary

Some of the work will be providing specialised wrap around support to children and their families where the child has been, or is currently being sexually exploited (CSE support). You will provide information about reporting processes; support CYP who have reported to the police; provide emotional support to CYP when they give their evidence in court and provide information about other options, such as civil action and Criminal Injuries Compensation.

12 month fixed-term contract with opportunities for extension (funding dependent)

An approved and accredited ISVA qualification is preferable for this post, and will start at the accredited salary rate. However, candidates who demonstrate and live RSVP’s values (bold-believing-big hearted), and have a willingness to work towards ISVA accreditation will also be considered.

Salary

Untrained ISVA: £31,067 (NJC 19) full time equivalent plus 3% employer pension contribution

Accredited ISVA: £32,654 (NJC 22) full time equivalent plus 3% employer pension contribution

Hours of work 

Full-time | 38 hours per week | Working hours pattern: 3 days working 9am-5pm, 1 day working 9am-3pm and 1 day working 11am-7pm | 2 days working from home a week

Standard office hours (9am-5pm) with a requirement to work late one evening a week. You may occasionally be require to work outside of hours.

Location:

Mainly in our Birmingham City Centre offices with some remote working

Purpose of post:

To provide a high quality and victim/survivor-focused advocacy service to CYP who have been subjected to sexual violence, abuse, sexual exploitation and/or coercion, in order to:

• Provide emotional and practical support, at every stage of the victim/survivor journey
• Pro-actively and assertively advocate for those who have reported to the Police, are thinking of doing so, or choose not to report (safeguarding guidelines will be followed at all times).
• Ensure that the voices, needs, rights and legal entitlements of children and young people are heard, understood and acted upon by all individuals and organisations.
• Following safeguarding assessments and reduce risk to keep children and young people (and others) safe
• Ensure that victims/survivors can access the health and other support services that they need.
• Support the work of the CYP ISVA Team, and the wider ISVA Team (Adult, LGBT, Sex Worker and Race and Equality ISVAs) which may include working within Umbrella sexual health settings and other appropriate services as required.
• Work closely with our Counselling and Wellbeing Services Teams.

Reference Number: V543

Job Title: Development Worker

Location: Alloa, Clackmannanshire (locally home based)

Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract until 31 March 2026

Hours: 17.5 hours per week

Salary: £25,625 FTE

DBS/PVG: Membership of PVG scheme is a requirement

Job Family: Job Family 3

Start Date: TBC

Interview Dates: Week Beginning 7 July 2025

Closing Date: 2nd July 2025 10am

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Volunteering Matters

 At Volunteering Matters, we believe in the power of volunteering to bring people together and build stronger, more connected communities across the UK.

Whether it's tackling loneliness, boosting wellbeing, building confidence, or empowering young people to lead change—we’re here to help everyone thrive.

We’re a people-led, impact-driven national charity, rooted in local communities across five UK regions. Our Employee Volunteering Team also brings over 25 years’ experience in helping businesses make a real difference.

It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re evolving, growing our impact, and shaping a future where everyone can take part and feel they belong.

Job Purpose

 Our Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) is a volunteer-led project that encourages, facilitates and supports older people aged 50+ to keep active by volunteering in their community.  RSVP believes that by volunteering and using their life experience and skills, older people are less likely to be socially isolated and suffer from poor mental and physical health and wellbeing. Current RSVP activities in Forth Valley include volunteering programmes within NHS hospitals and primary schools, charitable knitting groups, walking groups, and a Handyperson Scheme.  Over 1500 older people have engaged over the last 25 years. 

 We are looking for a Development Worker who can work flexibly, is driven, and is passionate about supporting older people to take part in volunteering.  The right candidate would be someone with excellent communication, relationship building, and organisation skills as well as experience of recruiting, coordinating and managing volunteers.  It is important that the post holder can commit to our organisational values - being Compassionate, Empowering, Inclusive, Positive and Straightforward.

You will lead to attract, recruit and support new RSVP volunteers, targeting older people who already are, or are at risk of, social isolation and poor health.  You will work closely with a small team of Volunteer Organisers, supporting and empowering them to deliver and develop existing and new RSVP activities across Forth Valley. 

Our Values & Way of Working:

In all that we do, we embrace a philosophy of ‘Freedom within a Framework’ and are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.

Diversity & Inclusion 

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups. 

 
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments: 

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the “Experience/Skills” section of this advert.

To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your application.

We have also committed to the following pledges which positively encompass our recruitment and selection processes and methodology: The Promise, Show The Salary, Salary History. 

Benefits 

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work), Unlimited Annual Leave, Employee Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced sick and family leave. We are also open to discuss job share applications. 

GDPR Statement 

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to 6 months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.   

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  

• £38,072
• 35hrs a week - flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Temporary (up to 12 months)
• Hybrid working - home based and office based (Birmingham Children's Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham)
• Closing date: 22nd June 2025
• Interview date: 1st July 2025

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.

About the role

We’re looking for a Social Worker to support children and young people diagnosed with cancer in our Birmingham Team. 

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families using a needs based assessment framework. The work we do is rewarding but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community.

This role is part home, part site-based. Your contractual base will be both Home and Birmingham Children's Hospital, with an occasional need to work at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and other hospitals in the surrounding area.

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

This role is also subject to a Social Worker Registration. 

What do I need? 

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
• Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
• An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

What will I gain?

 For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

#ShowTheSalary

Job Title: Outreach Worker

Location: Derby
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as Worker to provide high quality support and safety planning to women and children in crisis. This includes enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice.  A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles.

Closing Date: 09:00am 30 June 2025

Interview Date: 9 July 2025

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

About the role:

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), we believe everyone deserves access to the care they need to live well - and that’s where you come in. We’re offering an exciting new opportunity to shape how health support is delivered within our innovative Camden Housing First service. As Health Lead, you won’t just be part of a team - you’ll be pioneering a vital, human-centred approach to health within homelessness services. It’s a chance to make a deep and lasting impact, not only on individual lives but on how we work with health systems across the borough.

This is a role for someone who wants to grow a meaningful career while helping others to rebuild their lives. You'll work directly with people who are often overlooked by traditional systems, taking the time to build trust, understand their needs and walk alongside them on their journey to better health. From completing health assessments and designing personal health support plans, to leading multidisciplinary meetings and opening doors to essential services - you'll be the link between individuals and the support they deserve. Your insight will also help us map local services, influence partnerships and drive forward more inclusive healthcare approaches.

You’ll be part of a psychologically informed environment, where trauma-informed care and understanding complex needs are part of everyday practice. At SHP, we’re committed to developing our people - this role offers a strong foundation for a career with real purpose, backed by expert training, team support and opportunities to grow with us.

About you:

• A knowledge of (or willingness to learn) about common health issues and the barriers to health access that people experiencing homelessness may encounter.
• Ability to find ways to engage and develop relationships with clients who may have a low level of interaction with and/or suspicion of services. 
• Good understanding of local level health set up/services i.e. homeless health providers and teams. 
• Confidence in working both as part of a team and independently. 
• Skills and understanding of creating and monitoring support plans and record-keeping with regards to client support, safety and safeguarding issues. 
• Skills and understanding of data collection and producing reports. 
• The ability to advocate for and coordinate access to health care for clients with multiple disadvantage. 

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 12,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 22nd June at midnight

Interview date: Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th July at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

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. 

Working with clients from our Day Centre and Night Shelter to provide casework, advocacy and support to resolve and prevent homelessness in Enfield and Haringey,. 

Within the Day Centre you will provide high quality and relevant advocacy and casework to people who are homeless or at risk. You will maintain a caseload of clients working within a fast paced and dynamic small team. You will support the smooth running of the day centre provision and have a commitment to supporting vulnerable clients in a person-centred way. Outside of the day centre you will support clients to attend a variety of key services and appointments through outreach. 

To be successful in this role will require a keen interest in homelessness and the devastating impact this can have on people. This role is suited to someone with a problem solving, positive attitude, who is passionate about supporting marginalised people.   

As a small charity there is significant opportunity to have input in a wide range of operational and strategic activity across the organisation, supporting our growth and development.

Job Title: Housing Support Worker

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Housing Support Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children living in our dispersed refuge accommodation in Warwickshire.

You will be forming a team that makes up the Warwickshire Dispersed Safe Accommodation service. This service will provide emergency safe accommodation across Warwickshire with high-quality domestic abuse support, ‘by-and-for’ services for survivors of domestic abuse and their children.

Housing Support Workers will work closely with the Floating Support Workers and Child Support Workers (who provide the personal support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children) to ensure that the emergency accommodation and support meets the whole range of survivors’ needs.

The post holder will be responsible for the Health and Safety and maintenance of emergency safe accommodation units in multiple 1–3-bedroom properties across Warwickshire. This will include the practical set up and maintenance of home furnishings and utilities in each property and the management of the cleaning and replacements required between each use of the accommodation unit.

The post holder will provide support to survivors fleeing domestic abuse around accessing housing benefit for the dispersed accommodation and support survivors with exploring and accessing move on accommodation.

The Housing Support Worker (HSW) will be responsible for ensuring that the properties will maintain Refuge’s accommodation standards and comply with all Health and Safety legislation and requirements

Housing Support Workers will work in partnership with both statutory and voluntary sector partners to ensure that the properties are managed to a high standard and ensure a welcoming approach to all survivors and their children.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 20 June 2025

Interview Date: 3 July 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

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.

You will offer compassionate, confidential, support to CYP of all genders, who have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse. Some of the work will be providing specialised wrap around support to children and their families where the child has been, or is currently being sexually exploited (CSE support). You will provide information about reporting processes; support CYP who have reported to the police; provide emotional support to CYP when they give their evidence in court and provide information about other options, such as civil action and Criminal Injuries Compensation.

12 month fixed-term contract with opportunities for extension (funding dependent)

An approved and accredited ISVA qualification is preferable for this post, and will start at the accredited salary rate. However, candidates who demonstrate and live RSVP’s values (bold-believing-big hearted), and have a willingness to work towards ISVA accreditation will also be considered.

Salary

Untrained ISVA: £31,067 (NJC 19) full time equivalent plus 3% employer pension contribution

Accredited ISVA: £32,654 (NJC 22) full time equivalent plus 3% employer pension contribution

Hours of work

Part-time | 22 hours per week (Weds to Fri) | Working hours pattern: 11am-7pm, 9am-5pm, 9am-3pm | 1 day working from home a week

Standard office hours (9am-5pm) with a requirement to work late one evening a week. You may occasionally be require to work outside of hours.

Location:

Mainly in our Birmingham City Centre offices with some remote working

Purpose of post:

To provide a high quality and victim/survivor-focused advocacy service to CYP who have been subjected to sexual violence, abuse, sexual exploitation and/or coercion, in order to:

• Provide emotional and practical support, at every stage of the victim/survivor journey
• Pro-actively and assertively advocate for those who have reported to the Police, are thinking of doing so, or choose not to report (safeguarding guidelines will be followed at all times).
• Ensure that the voices, needs, rights and legal entitlements of children and young people are heard, understood and acted upon by all individuals and organisations.
• Following safeguarding assessments and reduce risk to keep children and young people (and others) safe
• Ensure that victims/survivors can access the health and other support services that they need.
• Support the work of the CYP ISVA Team, and the wider ISVA Team (Adult, LGBT, Sex Worker and Race and Equality ISVAs) which may include working within Umbrella sexual health settings and other appropriate services as required.
• Work closely with our Counselling and Wellbeing Services Teams.

Make a difference in an important role using your own lived experience of mental health to support others in their journey!

Hours: 22.5 - 30 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Disclosure: This position is subject to a 26-week probationary period, Right to Work Check, satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check and subsequent re-checks.

Actual Salary for hours worked:

22.5 hours is £15,926.13

30 hours is £21,234.85

Location: Darlington

Responsible to: Adult Services Manager at Darlington Mind and Peer Support Service Team Manager based within Teesside Mind

Closing date for applications is on: 5pm Tuesday 1 July 2025

 Shortlisting is expected to be complete by 5pm Friday 4th July 2025

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an information session, on Tuesday 8 July 2025, 4.30pm – 6pm.  This session is optional.  The session is to find out more about peer support, what the role entails and what Mind as an organisation has to offer.

Interviews are likely to be held on Monday 14 July 2025

About Peer Support

We describe peer support as when people with shared experiences connect to build safe, trusting and non-judgemental relationships through which they learn and grow together. Paid peer support workers in mental health settings have experience of mental health problems and accessing mental health services, and are employed, trained and supported to use their experiences to support others.

About This Role

 Darlington Mind are really pleased to be recruiting a Peer Support Worker to a new role within our adult recovery-focused services in Darlington as part of the Tees Valley peer support service.  

The role is part of Community Transformation work in the Tees Valley and will be part of an exciting new collaborative service in partnership with Teesside Mind (with similar roles) and with TEWV NHS Foundation Trust who will have peer workers in their Community Mental Health Teams.

Community Transformation is part of the NHS Long Term Plan and represents a shift in the way we deliver care. It considers the whole person, beyond their diagnosis, and what the whole system has to offer, including primary care, local authority, voluntary care sector, alongside families and friends. We are working together to ensure we collectively deliver trauma-informed, person-centred care to meet an individual’s wide-ranging needs.

Role Purpose

 You will work with individuals who have accessed adult day services within Darlington Mind and you will be an integrated and valued member of the wider team.

Drawing on your own experience of mental health problems, you will ‘walk alongside’ others on their journey and will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible.

You will listen non-judgementally to create safe spaces where people feel heard and approach the peer relationship with compassion and curiosity. You will recognise and value each person’s strengths, diversity and expertise in themselves. You will be aware of the impacts of trauma and committed to the importance of working in ways which are sensitive to the needs of trauma survivors.

Important parts of this role also include working within the team to help people’s voices be heard and to promote recovery values. You will be supported to challenge both individual and structural instances of stigma and discrimination related to mental health problems and other forms of exclusion.

At the start of the role, you will attend peer support training alongside other new team members from Mind and TEWV. This training is delivered by people with their own lived experience and experience working in peer roles.

Main Duties

 · Provide 1-1 peer support to people accessing the service

 · Hold and manage a caseload efficiently

 · Set up and facilitate peer support groups

· Support service developments in the teams you work in

· Work as part of a wider mental health recovery-based system to support involvement and participation of people with lived experience

 · Keep up to date records using online systems in line with policies and procedures

· Manage your own diary (using Microsoft Outlook)

Person Specification

All criteria are essential or otherwise stated

Knowledge and Qualifications

· Hold NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification, or have ability to work with information at this level and equivalent experience of providing peer support

· Knowledge of mental health problems and mental health services

· Knowledge of the Voluntary Sector and how it works with other Statutory and Non-statutory Services

· Knowledge of CHIME model of care (desirable)

· Safeguarding and safety planning practices

·  Knowledge of local services (desirable)

Experience

 · Personal experience of mental health problems and using mental health services

· Recent experience of using own lived experience to support others, for example in a paid, volunteer or informal peer support role  

· Working in a community setting (desirable)

· Working as part of a team

Skills and Competencies

· Able to build trust and rapport both face to face and via telephone

· Excellent communication and active listening skills

· Able to share elements of own personal recovery journey in a way which is appropriate to the role and peer relationship

· Able to set SMART goals where appropriate, plan and agree next steps and keep focus and motivation

· Reflect on own practice and continuously develop own skills

· Reflect on own needs to maintain wellbeing at work

· Using IT, online and data management systems on an everyday basis

· Manage own time effectively

Other and Personal Qualities

 · Be passionate and enthusiastic about empowering others to thrive and recover

· Be able to inspire, motivate and instil hope in others

· Caring, compassionate and person-centred approach

· Commitment to Mind’s values and objectives

· Able to travel to a range of locations within each borough by own or by public transport

To find out more about the role, please contact Marcus Hawthorn at Darlington Mind.