Acting Support Worker Jobs in Kingston Upon Thames, Greater London

The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness.

Job title: Support and Advocacy Practitioner

Reports to: Supported Accommodation Deputy Manager

Salary: £32,643 plus benefits

Contract: Permanent, full time (average of 35 hours per week) 

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you want to leverage your skills to combat homelessness for children and young people? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit a Support and Advocacy Practitioner to work collaboratively as part of a committed team to deliver an outstanding service and a range of personalised support that puts residents first and empowers them to achieve their goals and thrive in adult life. This is an exciting role in our Supported Accommodation team that will lead on co-producing bespoke support and move-on plans, involving key stakeholders such as Social Workers, Personal Advisors and other support providers where appropriate. You will engage residents to meet agreed outcomes and develop life skills, assisting with day-to-day support and tenancy-related matters. You will also identify and promote opportunities for employment, education and training and support residents to remove barriers to accessing these opportunities.

Please refer to the job description for further information. 

In your cv and cover letter please outline how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us. You must account for any gaps in your employment history. If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to complete an application form before attending due to the safeguarding regulations within our supported accommodation.

This is a full-time role. You will work an average of 35 hours in a 40-hour week worked on a rolling rota (including weekends and Bank Holidays). Shifts are 8 hours (inclusive of a 1-hour unpaid lunch break) and include early, late and flexi/cover shifts.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The Centre requires staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration and undertake a DBS check. This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

Benefits

· 26 days’ leave rising to 28 days’ leave after two years’ service (pro rata for part time staff)

· Additional discretionary wellbeing and celebratory days

· Access to Blue Light Card discounts

· Pension: stakeholder pension scheme and we will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.

· Life assurance cover (after probation passed)

· Season ticket loan

· Training and development opportunities

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Community Key Worker

Salary:   £26,000 - £32,000

Location:            Hammersmith

Contract: Fixed Term Contract – until 31st March 2026

Hours p/w           35 Hours per week

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.  

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.  We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. 

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. 

About the role:

Are you an excellent relationship builder who can work with women and a diverse range of delivery partners to ensure that she meets her potential and successfully progresses through and beyond her probation supervision? Can you meet a women wherever she is at in her journey and work with her to create an individualised support package that gives her the best chance of breaking the cycle of offending?

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for a feminist organisation who understand that supporting women in the criminal justice system requires a specialist and gendered approach? Do you believe in our values; to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaborate, innovate, and take accountability? 

In your role as a Community Keyworker, you will be working with women involved in the Criminal Justice System; those on Probation in the Community and those women being released from Prison as part of their Post Sentence Supervision; providing some in-reach and ‘Through the Gate’ support. You will be working in a team of Community Keyworkers in your region. Each Keyworker will provide holistic one to one community support to women with a variety of needs.

About You:

To be successful as the Community Key Worker you will need the below experience and skills.

You will need to hold a UK driving licence with access to car that can be used for work purposes. A creative self-starter who will support the service and look for innovative solutions to support clients with complex needs. You are confident professional relationship builder with have good awareness of Safeguarding procedures. Strong Administration skills and understanding of compliant behaviours also, experience of supporting. With good knowledge of the criminal justice system and awareness of other support provisions within the North London.

How to apply:

Please submit your up to date CV along with a covering letter to the Talent email address  - PLEASE WRITE THE JOB TITLE IN THE *SUBJECT* 

• Closing Date for Applications: 16th November 2024 @23:59
• Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: 

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) 

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career development pathways 

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email  the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and we will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe.  We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks.  We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

Peer Support Development Officer – Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire

 About Kinship:

Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good. 

Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales. 

We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported. 

Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.

Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.

It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first.

We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish. 

That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.

About the Team

The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.

By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.

As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.

In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.

 About the role

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub.

You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment.

Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an individual located in easy reach of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire, who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:

· Develop new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities

· Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to achieve key targets and objectives

· Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the development of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.

· Maintain current Peer Support Group levels, taking the lead from the national Hub.

· Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.

You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.

As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.

You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick-start a thriving peer support group.

As you establish new groups, you will provide support and training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.

We are ideally looking for candidates based in easy reach of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. Key development areas for this post will initially include; Oldham, Bury, Tameside, Doncaster, York and the East Riding of Yorkshire. You may be required to support the development of groups in North Lincolnshire. This role may also involve work to establish groups on the periphery of this area that currently have no dedicated Development staff.

An essential requirement of the role is to be a driver with access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

• In-person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
• Set up and develop sustainable in person peer support groups, initially attending and leading sessions in person before transition to self-sufficiency. 
• Working with existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support that need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreement, in addition to new groups. Targets are subject to change and are not fixed. 
• Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
• Assist with the delivery of training to support group leaders and groups to become self-sufficient.
• Develop strong boundaried and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
• Support established groups (including independent) in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community. 
• Follow (and where appropriate support further development off) the service blueprint to develop sustainable peer support groups.
• Collaborate with the Peer Support Hub team to provide a joined-up and positive user experience for kinship carers.
• Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners. 

Service quality, development and data management:

• Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
• Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
• Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
• Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.
   

Team culture:

• Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
• Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
• Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
• Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
• Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
• Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
• Work in line with the Kinship values.

 Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):

 Essential:

· Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.

· Significant experience developing peer support communities.

· Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers.

· Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services are evidenced through high-quality data collection.

· Evidence of developing and delivering training/support to volunteers, based on the needs of service users (in this case kinship carers).

· Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user-led groups with charity beneficiaries.

· Proven experience of using a customer relationship management system effectively (we use Salesforce).

· In-depth understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families.

· Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.

Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).

· Full, clean driving licence/own car.

General characteristics and attributes:

· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England.

· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.

· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.

· Excellent written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Candidate Application Information

Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing date and interview details:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews: Week Commencing 4 November 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.  Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format. 

Are you passionate about making a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people in London?

The Role

An exciting opportunity to be part of a LGBT+ support service.The successful candidate will provide effective person-centred support to LGBT+ people living in Causeway’s specialist LGBT+ supported housing.Support clients to achieve tangible progress in areas such as tenancy management, independent living skills and training/education.Support LGBT+ clients to develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence. Equip clients for independent living and move-on to more independent accommodation.Develop support plans with individual clients that reflect their ambitions and aspirations with clear actions for achieving these. Contribute to risk assessment and safeguarding plans. Ensure clients settle into their accommodation and become familiar with the local area. Work closely with the Housing Team to ensure residents are complying with the terms of their occupancy agreements. Contribute to client involvement within the LGBT+ supported housing service. Be aware of trauma informed working, particularly with regard to trauma experienced by LGBT+ people. Ensure clients are linked into appropriate support services and sustain engagement with services. 

Our Organisation

You will work a combination of office, client-home, community, and home-based working. Causeway is a 4-day week employer, so you will work 32 hours over 4 days a week. Causeway is a London living wage employer. You will receive a 6% pension contribution, rising to 12% after two years service. We also offer an employee assistance programme that provides free financial, legal, and mental health advice and support to our employees. We provide core training, and continuous learning and development throughout your career with us. Travel schemes such as cycle to work and travelcard loans are also available.

About You

You will have experience of working in support, supported housing or advice services. You will have experience of supporting young people to develop aspirations and form healthy relationships. You have a drive for and commitment to equal rights and diversity. You have knowledge of the issues confronting young people and the needs of vulnerable homeless people in general, with a sound knowledge of safeguarding and risk assessments. You love to work in a client- centred way and plan your work and deadlines to get the best for your clients. You are flexible, creative, and offer a personalised approach to your clients. You are a team-player, and you are passionate about driving your own performance and development at work. 

We are hiring a part time Sanctuary Support worker to work in our crisis cafes. We have availability within Barnet and Enfield sites. The service is open 4.30-10pm Monday – Friday and 12.00 – 6.00pm Saturday and Sunday - 7 days a week

The Sanctuary (Crisis Café) is a service for all residents experiencing emotional distress, and at risk of developing crisis. The café is open 4.30pm – 10.00pm Mon-Fri, 12-6pm Sat & Sun. We provide helpling support, initial support meetings to immediately manage with the clients the distress they are in. We then coproduce support plans with clients and offer 121’s,support groups and workshops as well as a social and supportive place to be.  

The support worker will be experienced in working with people in distress or who have mental health issues, highly organised and have excellent people skills.  

Do you want a job where you can really make a difference?  Do you enjoy working with people?

We currently have an exciting opportunity to join the Carers Information Service as an Advice and Assessment Worker.

The Carers Information Service was established in 1997 and is part of the John Whitgift Foundation. We are a small, friendly team dedicated to providing free advice, information and support to carers in Croydon.

Offering a wide range of services including health and wellbeing activities, carer's assessments, respite care, bereavement support, digital and printed publications, meeting room hire and much more. We are supported by Croydon Council and work closely with colleagues across the borough from the voluntary and community sector, NHS, and local authority.

As an Advice and Assessment Worker your main responsibilities will be to carry out Carer’s Assessments, giving advice, information and support to adult carers who are looking after a relative, partner, friend or neighbour of someone who needs help due to illness, disability, or old age.

The ability to work well in a team is essential!

This role is for 35 hours per week.

As a Croydon Good Employer, we are recognised for ensuring our employees are paid a fair wage, for the support we provide to the local community, and the creation of job opportunities. 

All our staff benefit from a competitive remuneration package, including: 

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays 
• Membership of a generous money purchase pension scheme for all support staff that includes 3 x salary life assurance cover.
• Free access to an employee discount Club, which offers discounted rates on a range of products and services, including insurance, holidays and travel, fashion and retail 
• Membership of the Bupa cash plan scheme, which gives financial support towards the cost of optical, dental, and medical costs as well as a free 24 hour advice line for all staff 
• A range of family-friendly benefits including, enhanced maternity pay and childcare vouchers 
• Season ticket loan 

Closing date: 6 November 2024

Interviews will take place on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th November.

However, applications will be reviewed daily, and interviews can occur at any stage after applications are received so we invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.  We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time.

We are seeking experienced, passionate candidates to join an exciting new project working within a Family Hub setting. These roles will work closely with women and families providing coaching support to improve wellbeing throughout the perinatal period, and establish good foundations for family health moving forward. This role will work as part of a team from Mind In Enfield and Barnet, and alongside other statutory and non statutory services within Family Hubs across the Borough of Enfield. 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker. You will be responsible for providing high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will 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.

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. 

Can you make a BIG difference to children in care?

We are keen to employ TWO full-time Practitioners –working daytime shifts between 8am to 8.30pm.

Children & Young People’s Residential Practitioners
Salary: £27,400 to £29,000 pa + benefits (based on a 36-hr working week)
Location: Working exclusively at our all-female Children’s Home, Yvonne House, SW8 (Zone 2)
Hours: Full-time, shift work

The setting is an all-female Children’s Home for 13-to-17-year-olds. 

Ideal candidates will join a strong team of Practitioners who put love and kindness into everything they do.

We are passionate about learning and development and committed to providing an outstanding experience for all staff. After completing your probation, we’ll enrol you on a Diploma programme and give you the time, support and incentives to succeed.

Practitioners typically work at least two 12-hr shifts pw, one 8hr shift, and attend team meetings, training, and group thinking space on Fridays from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The total number of working hours is 36 hrs pw. 4hrs per week are allocated to self-study to support the successful completion of your probation and, once enrolled, the Children and Young People’s Practitioner Diploma (Level 4).

Do you have?

• Some experience of working with children and/or young people - e.g. mentoring, coaching, teaching.
• Key qualities that enable good relationships – e.g. warmth, kindness, humour.
• Strong values and a commitment to inclusion.
• An ability to understand, recognise and respond appropriately to risk.
• Ambition matched with a desire for professional development.

You will collaborate on plans to support their health, education, social, and day-to-day needs including the promotion of sports, culture and arts activities and interests. This is an important and significant role in helping children, who have experienced adversity in early life, thrive and fulfil their potential.

Please note that only women are eligible to apply for the Residential Practitioner position at our all-female unit, under Section 7(2) (b) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. 

Salary & Benefits

We believe all staff should be paid well for work that delivers excellent services and changes the lives of young people in and leaving care.

As a result we offer:

• Competitive Sector Salary (including options to flex working hours up or down) + Work Related Travel + Pension Contribution
• Generous Annual Leave - 37 Days pro-rata, including Bank Holidays.
• Wellbeing Budget (£25 per month for all staff to encourage self-care)
• Monthly wellbeing time
• Training and Support – online modules, group training and personal training budget
• Line Management and Therapeutic 1:1 Supervision, and Therapeutic Group Supervision monthly
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Appointment Timetable
Apply by: As soon as possible 
Interviews: From 4th to 15th November
Start Date: December 2024

Interested?

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

Inclusion and Equality

We are committed to embedding inclusive practices, promoting equality and valuing diversity in all of our activities. We understand and acknowledge the positive benefits that this commitment will bring to the young people we support, our staff and our partner organisations.

We are striving to be an employer of choice for all and take measures to ensure that Young Futures is attracting recruits from the most skilled and committed people regardless of their background. Whilst we can already be proud of some examples of excellent practice, we are not complacent and recognise that we can always do better.

No agencies please.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker. You will be responsible for providing high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will 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.

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. 

HOPE worldwide’s programme 'Two Step' provides a compassionate, person-centred and trauma-informed housing service that helps people who are homeless find and sustain accommodation in the private rented sector and supported housing. 

The team spirit, opportunities for staff development, and the way that staff live out Christian values were instrumental in HOPE worldwide being awarded Investors in People Gold Accreditation.

Do you want to join our effective and encouraging team?

The nature of the work will require someone who is adaptable, quick to learn and is a good team player. Relevant experience is desirable. Full training and regular one-to-one support will be provided as required. 

Working hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) (Hybrid role - can work some days/hours from home)

Annual leave and benefits: 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, 5% pension contribution, Employee Assistance Programme. Flexible working. 

Requirements - this job is for you if you:

• Have good written and oral communication skills in English and can liaise with external agencies in a professional manner 
• Can communicate compassionately with people in challenging circumstances, and help them make informed choices  
• Can work under emotional pressure and respond to stressful situations professionally
• Can take initiative as a member of a team

Desirable Experience:

• Working with disadvantaged and vulnerable people
• Supporting people to access accommodation 
• Supporting people to resolve issues with benefit claims
• Working within a team of professional staff and volunteers
• Working in the housing sector
• Successfully building relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Working within an organisation with a Christian ethos

What will you do in the role?

• Assess client needs and suitability for accommodation in the private rented sector or supported housing via in-person meetings 
• Provide advice, guidance and support over the phone, in person, and via email to clients and stakeholders
• Arrange viewings of suitable properties with clients and liaise with agents and landlords
• Make referrals to hostels and supported housing
• Assist clients to access grants and with benefit claims
• Support clients with issues such as rent payments, liaising with landlords and dealing with neighbours
• Update client records and referrers using our CRM system, In-Form.
• Work with the team to keep improving the service

Equal Opportunties:

Please note that our office is in Angel, Islington and is up two flights of stairs with no lift. The requirements of job applicants and existing members of staff who have a disability will be reviewed to ensure that, wherever possible, reasonable adjustments are made to enable them to enter into or remain in employment with us. HOPE worldwide is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to ensuring that our workplace is free from discrimination within the framework of the Equality Act 2010.

DBS checks:

Due to the nature of the role, a criminal record check is required before a final job offer is made.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and cover letter (optional) outlining your experience, skills and motivation to work with HOPE worldwide.

We know that there will be strong candidates who will not fit everything described, or who have important skills we have not mentioned. If that is you, please do not hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Job Summary

CAAS provide an ADHD and Autism Support Service for the 8 boroughs of NW London, from our base in Eastcote, with a team of Support Workers.  Our work includes offering information, advice, and support to ADHD / autistic people, their families, and professionals in NW London, with the aim of improving quality of life and developing neurodiverse-aware communities.  Some of the support is offered through one2one meetings, some of the support is provided through groups and courses which aim to increase understanding and awareness, and provide opportunities for peer support, and some of the support is offered through training and workshops to educate professionals and drive for accommodations to be made to services to allow greater access for our client group.

The Family Team Lead will assist the Family Service Manager in overseeing the operational running and leadership and management of our Family Team at our centre in Eastcote.

The Family Team Lead will be responsible for the line management of some of our Family Support Workers, as well as the direct delivery of services, including being the lead facilitator on some of our parenting courses.  As such, we are looking for a friendly, organised and hard-working individual. The role requires strong administrative skills, excellent communication skills and a drive to ensure everyone who seeks support from us has the best possible experience. If you’re passionate about supporting neurodivergent people and their families, then this is an ideal opportunity for you.

There is no requirement for any experience of, or understanding of, autism / ADHD, as we will provide training on the conditions.  This role will best suit someone who is very organised, who is able to task switch easily between line management, project management, client facing support work, group facilitation, course content creation and strategic and operational planning activities, and who is able to interact with a high number of clients and staff each week in order to ensure the sufficient number of appointments are provided to meet our funder requirements. 

The ideal candidate will possess experience working with vulnerable individuals and demonstrate confidence, composure during crises, quick thinking, and adaptability. A genuine acceptance of diversity and a keenness to learn are essential.

This role would suit someone with a key worker, social worker or teacher background.

Key Responsibilities – Project Lead

Line Management

· Organise and lead regular meetings for team members, including case management and monthly performance review meetings, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

·Supervise the Family Team staff in fulfilling their own job descriptions, supporting their professional development and ensuring the effective use of resources

· Develop good knowledge and understanding of the services for which you are accountable, and to ensure the implementation of better practice initiatives

· To ensure that the Family Team work collaboratively to manage and lead their clients in an effective way, in line with best practice and CAAS values, making a positive difference to the people we support whilst improving their outcomes

Project Management

· Support the Family Services Manager in planning, mobilising and delivering projects to better support clients across NW London

· Develop key relationships with professionals and funders in NW London to ensure effective mobilisation, communication, delivery and evaluation of projects

· Prepare risk management, quality assessment and process documents to ensure projects are delivered safely, effectively and in line with our policies and procedures.

Family Services Development

· Support the Family Services Manager in driving forward the family team strategic and operational plans, so that our family services remain impactful, user led, accessible and current.

· Ensure output, outcome and impact measures are considered, maintained and evaluated across staff and across projects to ensure continuous performance improvements.

· Provide first line safeguarding guidance to the team, to support them in delivering appropriate, safe and compliant safeguarding of all who access family services

· Deliver a programme of ongoing resource review and development, to ensure the PowerPoints, resources and tools used by the team in the delivery of their work are up to date, appropriately branded and effectively stored on our system

· Lead a programme of ongoing professional development within the team, to ensure that the different skills, knowledge and experience within the team is cascaded throughout the team, and new learnings and ways of doing things incorporated. 

· Support the development of a ‘Client Voice’ project to identify how best we can hear and respond to feedback from family clients that we serve – and those that we don’t currently serve – so that our services can be tailored and effective for our wide community. 

Key Responsibilities – Supporting Families – Direct support of families

Providing individualised support

· Offer one to one support as requested by families and professional agencies, e.g. by supporting families in preparing for or attending meetings with schools/health/social services etc. 

· Diligently record actions and monitor client progress using live reporting software, and assess risk and accommodation needs of the clients, to support their individual needs and protect them.

·Promote CAAS parenting resources, both in person and online.

· Develop knowledge and relationships of regional voluntary and statutory organisations and be able to signpost families to local agencies as necessary. 

Facilitating Workshops and Training

· Deliver training to professionals in schools, education settings and the community.

· Facilitate CAAS specialist parenting courses, such as our Understanding Autism course. 

Drop-In Support Co-ordination

· Our drop-in support service is the bedrock of our family support work, and we have offered drop-in support sessions for parents for over 20 years.  Our drop-in support service has grown in the last year, and now encompasses daytime and evening groups, both in our centre and online.  You will act as the lead facilitator for the overall project, sharing best practice across the different elements of the service, evaluating its effectiveness for those we serve.

Key Responsibilities – Liaison and Consultation

Outreach and Representation

· Serve as a representative of CAAS to advocate for organisational interests and services, as well as to voice client concerns and ensure their needs are addressed.

·Participate in community outreach efforts, including attending SEND specific local events

· Liaise with local professionals to create and sustain partnerships and coordinate services.

· Engage with statutory and volunteer services within the borough, such as health, social care, and Carers support services, to establish a support network.

· Attend charity events, networking promotions, and exhibitions to maintain and develop professional relationships.

Knowledge Management and Advocacy

· Remain up to date with all organisational services for accurate representation and consultation.

· Stay informed about existing support services in NW London.

· Keep abreast of national and local trends and developments affecting ADHD / autistic children and their families, identifying opportunities to raise awareness and develop suitable services and support.

Key Responsibilities - Organisational

Client Documentation and Communication

· Provide written reports as required by professional agencies and CAAS and develop appropriate project-specific monitoring or reporting requirements.

· Enforce and comply with GDPR standards for all data handling and communications.

· Uphold a neuroaffirmative approach in all communications, aligning with CAAS brand language and aesthetics.

Professional Development and Team Collaboration

· Comply with policies, procedures, guidelines, and codes of practice as laid down by CAAS and the Law.

· Participate in monthly supervision to enhance service quality and personal development.

· Attend, contribute to and lead a range of meetings with colleagues across the organisation, offering insights and feedback.

· Attend and deliver staff training throughout the year to remain updated with best practices and organisational procedures.

Other Responsibilities

· To carry out other tasks appropriate to the post and as agreed with the Family Services Manager.

· To actively participate in and undertake training and development of self and others.

Please note job descriptions only reflect 80% of a role and are not an exhaustive list of duties. You are expected to carry out other activities that are within the scope of the role.

Person Specification - Essential

· Previous experience managing people and projects.

· Experience of co-production that values the expertise and experiences of all stakeholders, ensuring that services are more responsive to the actual needs and preferences of those they are intended to benefit.

· Have clear and confident communication skills, to represent the organisation effectively both internally and externally.  Demonstrate openness and authenticity through communication, embodying CAAS Values including integrity, valuing difference and foster trust and respect.

· Robust knowledge and experience of safeguarding practices and risk management.

· Be well-informed about reasonable adjustments, strategies, and coping mechanisms to support the needs of neurodivergent people.

·Show the ability to manage a diverse workload with competing demands

· Exhibit the ability to monitor and evaluate work effectively.

· Be proficient in computer software, as much of the work is managed through technology and computer systems.

Person Specification - Desirable

· Have experience or knowledge of working with neurodivergent children and their families, including an understanding of the challenges faced.

· Qualified facilitator / demonstrable experience in facilitating groups and delivering training.

· Voluntary Sector Experience.

· Counselling, facilitation, or coaching skills.

Equal Opportunities

CAAS recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds, including applications from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities, people who identify as having a disability, and LGB+, Trans and non-binary candidates.  

We also recognise the value of flexible working, so will consider different types of flexibility (such as term time, annualised or compressed hours, and a minimum requirement of 60% working in the office for all staff), as well as the possibility of offering the role on a job share basis. 

CAAS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure. 

PLEASE NOTE WE FOLLOW SAFER RECRUITMENT PROCESSES, SO WE WILL NOT ACCEPT CVS INSTEAD OF APPLICATION FORMS. TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE YOU MUST FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM ON THE VACANCIES PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE

We are recruiting for a Refuge Worker to join our team in Waltham Forest; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Waltham Forest
Salary: £28,104 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker. You will be responsible for providing high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. 

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. 

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

Closing date: 9am on 25 October 2024

Interview date: 5 November 2024

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.

We’re looking for someone with a track record of engaging families and a passion for supporting people to make informed health decisions. You’ll be a clear communicator and a good listener. You’ll work across our team, alongside our Information and Advice Worker, and potentially engage some of our volunteers. You’ll also bring in Parent Champions and lead sub-contracted work with a local community partner to help us reach residents in community languages. You’ll help us hear and collect resident stories. The information you collect will be reported to decision-makers responsible for health and care services. 

You’ll enjoy working as part of a team committed to improving health and care services and access for Islington residents. You may have lived experience as a parent/guardian/carer of a child and/or be from a minoritised community.