Counselling Jobs

The Charity:

Fresh Futures is a regional charity working with vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families, within Kirklees and surrounding areas. Our vision is that all young people have opportunities for a better life, now and in the future. We are thoughts leaders and together with partners, we deliver outcomes through four interwoven strands of activity - providing education services and facilities, building healthy relationships, promoting health and wellbeing and improving employability skills

Job Overview:
We are seeking an enthusiastic Income and Engagement Officer to join our team. The successful candidate will play a vital role through income generation activities and engaging with stakeholders to support our charity's mission

Purpose of the job:

• Supervise income generation through a diverse range of sources including, but not limited to, corporate and community fundraising and grants and trust applications
• Delivery of marketing and communications across the charity
• Internal and external event delivery
• Project delivery of discrete projects and fundraising campaigns
• Involvement in volunteering activities

Knowledge, training and experience:

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Packages
• Ability to work to given deadlines and prioritise workload
• Knowledge of a range of fundraising approaches and marketing techniques
• Ability to engage and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience of working within a fundraising team, generating income and assisting with fundraising events
• Experience of working within a fundraising team, generating income and assisting with fundraising events
• Experience of working within the voluntary sector
• Experience of Canva, CRM systems, Google Analytics and social media scheduling platforms
• Knowledge of Kirklees and surrounding areas

Key personal characteristics

• Team player
• Flexible and reliable
• Ability to work in a busy and fast paced environment independently
• Willing to work out of hours on occasion if required

How to apply

CVs are not accepted as part of the application process. Please ensure you fully complete the application form. If you have a disability that prevents you from completing the application  form, please contact us to discuss.

Use the job description and person specification as your guide and give specific examples, where possible, to demonstrate how you match the requirements for this post.

Please sign the declaration on the final page of the application form. If you are submitting your application electronically, you will be required to sign this page if invited for interview.

Are you ready to bring your expertise, skills and experience to a highly respected, growing UK charity?

Bereavement Support Practitioner
Hours: 30 hours per week
Rate: £33,072 per annum pro rata fixed term contract to 31 March 2025
Reporting to: Bereavement Support Team Lead for Glasgow Hospital Service
Base: NHS hospital sites across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Child Bereavement UK’s Family Centre in Finnieston, Glasgow

In 2017 Child Bereavement UK was commissioned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with funding  from Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to provide bereavement support for families bereaved of  a baby or child, and training and support for hospital staff.

Child Bereavement UK is looking to recruit Bereavement Support Practitioners to join the Glasgow Hospital Service Team.  The team supports the Bereavement Support Team Lead in the provision and evaluation of a service that ensures families and professionals can access high quality bereavement support in situations where a baby or child has died or is dying, with specific responsibility for providing bereavement support in individual, couple and group settings, and assessing the needs of siblings. To contribute to the training and support of professionals whose roles bring them into contact with bereaved families.

Applicants should have a recognised, health, social care, or counselling qualification, experience in working with parents, children and families, excellent communication skills and be passionate about supporting bereaved families and those whose roles bring them into contact with these families.

The successful applicants will be required to complete a PVG check.

Child Bereavement UK offers a generous package of benefits including an employee assistance programme, 5% pension contribution and life assurance scheme.

Closing date: Wednesday 17th July 2024
Interviews will be held at the Royal Hospital for Children – Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews offered, on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the closing date should a suitable applicant be found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

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.

Child Bereavement UK is committed to creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone, and one that  challenges all forms of oppression or discrimination including those based on age, gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity leave, disability, race (which includes nationality, citizenship, ethnic or national origins), religion/faith or belief, sexual orientation (collectively known in law as the ‘protected characteristics’), as well as any oppression or discrimination based on other physical characteristics or impairments, occupation, income, wealth, or unrelated criminal convictions.

Inclusiveness: We are inclusive of and respectful to all our stakeholders – including beneficiaries, supporters, volunteers and colleagues – in our attitudes, behaviours and activities.

No agencies please.

An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen to join our Aquarius service in Birmingham. The Youth Participation Worker will facilitate and develop a Youth steering group for The Aquarius service in Birmingham, support aftercare for young people leaving treatment, coordinate and facilitate diversionary activities to support young people and their families.

The post holder will develop and support delivery of all Volunteer programmes inclusive of Peer Support and Peer Mentoring Programmes, to include the recruitment, placement and retention of volunteers/peer mentors.  They will ensure that general Service User participation and empowerment is implemented across the Service.

In addition, the post holder will:

• Actively recruit volunteers, peer mentors and facilitate Youth Steering group meetings.
• Work with the Senior practitioner & Team leader, to develop and implement a service user involvement strategy, including establishing and supporting a service user board.
• Develop and deliver volunteer, peer mentoring and service user involvement programmes in accordance with the Aquarius organisational framework.
• Support the delivery of aftercare provision.
• Assist colleagues with the coordination and delivery of diversionary activities.
• Keep accurate records and the necessary data for reporting and evaluation purposes.
• To provide written records and reports as required by the organisation.
• Be available to work days, evenings, and weekends when required, to meet the demands of the service and be willing to travel to various locations, as necessary.

An energetic and confident self-starter, you have a certificate in youth and community work e.g. NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies) or significant experience of working in a similar role with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. As well as significant knowledge and experience of working with young people, you have knowledge of project planning and experience of working in the substance misuse sector. What’s more, you have a flexible approach, a commitment to the principles of confidentiality and excellent record keeping and Microsoft Office.

This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post holder to work 37 hours per week.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.

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

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.

Aquarius was a subsidiary of Richmond Fellowship, with both organisations being part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. On 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship merged with Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. At the same time, Aquarius became a subsidiary of Humankind, with no impact to terms and conditions of employment. In October 2024, Humankind will be renamed to reflect the new organisation, of which Aquarius will remain a subsidiary.

The Volunteering & Recruitment Co-ordinator will be a valuable member of the HR & Operations Team at Richmond Borough Mind. We are a diverse and well-established charity with a workforce of approximately 60 staff and 140 volunteers, and our team deliver a broad range of mental health support services for the community including Counselling, Peer Group Activities, Mental Health Training and Crisis Support. We are looking for a motivated and experienced co-ordinator to help us nurture our growing base of talented staff and volunteers. 

A natural people-person, you'll be a confident communicator with a proven instinct for matching candidates to careers, vocational pathways and volunteer placements. Experience working in the non-profit sector and knowledge of volunteering will be an asset.

A background in volunteer co-ordination and administration within a charity, HR or equivalent experience is essential. A knowledge of employment law, equality, diversity and inclusion, and best practice in HR will also be beneficial.

The ideal candidate will have strong organisational and time management abilities, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You'll also be confident working with a range of IT platforms including SharePoint, online meeting platforms, cloud-based database systems, online advertising portals and desktop publishing software.

Benefits of working for RB Mind:

· Contributory Pension Scheme

· 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays per year, increasing by 1 day per full year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days) [pro rata].

· Bonus 1 day of annual leave per year over the festive period (subject to Trustee approval) [pro rata]

· Flexible working

· Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including free counselling sessions and a wellbeing app

· Paid time off for medical appointments

· Training and personal development opportunities

· Staff away days and socials

· Access to shared resources and training opportunities via Mind Federated Network

Richmond Borough Mind values diversity and difference.  We welcome applicants from all sections of the community, particularly individuals with lived experience of mental health problems.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and successful candidates will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS.

WHO WE ARE

We are a leading mental health charity on a mission to support Londoners with mental health challenges find and remain in good employment as part of their mental health recovery journey.  We have been changing lives for almost 30 years and we have just secured a large contract, submitted in partnership with Shaw Trust and Smart London, to provide Employment Advisors to support NHS Talking Therapy teams across West London.  This is therefore an incredibly exciting time to join a thriving organisation at the beginning of an innovative mental health support service.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are now inviting suitable candidates to apply for the role of Employment Advisor.  We need to swiftly build a team of around 20, so there are multiple opportunities available to applicants.  This new team will be guided and supported by Senior Employment Advisors and a Service Lead, as well as Twining’s established and experienced Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.

THE OFFER

In return we offer a friendly and supportive working environment, flexible working, career development opportunities, a comprehensive training and induction programme, a generous holiday entitlement and competitive financial rewards.  We also practice what we preach in terms of creating a positive working environment to support our own employee’s wellbeing.

Working format – based at NHS Talking Therapy sites, as well as some possibility of working from home

THE ROLE – EMPLOYMENT ADVISORS

The new Employment Advisors (EAs) will work within the West London NHS Talking Therapies provision.  They will work one-to-one with a caseload of clients referred by NHS Talking Therapies therapists to find employment, remain in existing work if they are struggling, improve their working environment, return to work following sickness or positively leave or retire from work.

You will primarily fulfil these duties by providing information, as well as advice and guidance to clients who choose to receive employment support.  The work should empower clients to make better decisions about their working lives, as well as communicate better with colleagues and managers in existing roles.  You will also signpost clients to other relevant support agencies, as appropriate.

This role would suit someone with a background in employment support, psychology, counselling, human resources or recruitment.

EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Engage a mixed caseload of clients at any given time serving 100-125 per year, with common mental health problems, to establish trusting, collaborative relationships to support them to find new employment or support them in, or to leave, existing employment.  Support will be provided face-to-face in Talking Therapies settings, via secure online meeting platforms or over the telephone.

2. Along with their NHS clinician, assess clients’ support needs with a view to creating, implementing, and adjusting a personalised action plan to help improve clients’ mental health and achieve their stated employment goals.

3. Develop and deliver a range of practical services to support clients to find work, including career guidance, job searching skills, CV preparation, application form completion, interview skills, advice on local labour market opportunities and advice on education and training to further their career.

4. Provide guidance to support clients to stay in existing work, including advice on mental health disclosure, negotiating reasonable adjustments to existing workplaces, creating wellness action plans, and improving productivity, support to return to work after sickness absence or to leave an existing role with dignity, and signpost clients to organisations that can represent them (EAs should only look to represent clients in exceptional circumstances).

5. Facilitate access to other advice in areas such as financial benefits, debt management, food banks and community food outlets and social housing providers, as necessary.

6. Work directly with partners like Jobcentre Plus, other employment providers, employers, trade unions and employment agencies to support clients to stay in employment and secure employment opportunities.

7. Build a constant flow of referrals from the clinical team to ensure a dynamic and mixed caseload.

8. Meet referral and performance targets in line with the specific KPI / SLA requirements of the service.

9. Regularly attend team and other meetings as reasonably expected.

10. Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in line with service requirements, ensuring the IT database is up to date and paperwork compliant.

11. Update and maintain NHS database (IAPTUS).

12. Receive regular supervision and training to meet individual, team and organization’s needs.

13. Contribute to the development of a service that is locally responsive and supports minority/disadvantaged communities.

14. Comply with and actively promote all Twining policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, safeguarding and data protection.

15. Perform other tasks as required by your manager.

The role holder must also:

1. Pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an Enhanced level.

2. Possess excellent IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office software, as well as experience updating and maintaining databases.

3. Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in line with service performance requirements, ensuring the IT database is up to date and paperwork compliant.

4. Receive regular supervision and training to meet individual, team and organization’s needs.

5. Contribute to the development of a service that is locally responsive and supports minority/disadvantaged communities.

6. Comply with and actively promote all Twining policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding, Data Protection and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only.  The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager.

The role will receive comprehensive training at induction, and ongoing career development and support as part of a structured performance programme thereafter.

Social Care Insitiute for Excellence (SCIE)

We are committed to building a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives.

The role:

This is a great opportunity for you to join our small friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:

· Providing direction and oversight to programmes of social care improvement work, designing and implementing new tools and approaches that ensure SCIE’s projects deliver against our clients’ requirements.

· Leading the delivery of key client relationships and higher profile projects to manage complex improvement and consultancy projects for clients in adults or children’s social care including diagnostics, change management projects, organisational and practice reviews.

· Managing and delivering multiple complex projects to time, budget and quality through the development, communication and management of clear project plans, stakeholder liaison and risk management utilising SCIE’s project Management approach.

· Advising on best practice by looking at emerging trends and approaches in social care.

What we are looking for:

· Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

· Understanding of Social Care practice, policy and commissioning

· Experience of leading complex consultancy and change projects and experience of deigning and delivering improvement tools and approaches for local government

· Experience of consulting and change theories, frameworks and how to apply

· Experience of analysing performance and evaluation data

· Experience of stakeholder engagement and management and ability to maintain effective collaborative working relationships

· Experience of leading teams

What we offer in return.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Manager to support 2 organisations (Basis Yorkshire and Women’s Counselling and Therapy) at management level to work with the CEOs and senior management teams to ensure that their goals are achieved through effective finance practices. The role will lead on financial management and direction of the organisational budgets, ensuring contract requirements for finance and performance reports are met, whilst ensuring regular updates are provided to effectively manage project budgets and expenses and offer insights into financial risks for the organisations while setting out key procedures to mitigate these and ensuring controls are set and adhered to. The role will support the CEOs and Boards of Trustees in providing robust financial management systems and playing a key role in the fundraising strategy (alongside the CEOs, Business Development Manager, and other relevant roles). The role will be integral to the annual audit process and feed into the organisations’ strategic vision.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're hiring a Lead Psychologist to lead, shape, and enhance psychological practices across the organisation. You will work closely with various teams across the organisation to foster the development and support of psychological interventions. 

The Social Interest Group is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and care to individuals of all ages facing a diverse array of psychological challenges in both mental and physical health realms. This encompasses adults within acute and forensic mental health community based services and residential community based accommodation, as well as people residing in their own homes, in the community and prisons. The spectrum of conditions and illnesses includes people with trauma, anxiety, depression, psychosis, personality disorders, eating disorders, addictions, learning disabilities, autism, Korsakoff syndrome, alcohol related brain damage, and challenges related to social isolation, family dynamics, and relationships. 

In this role, you will manage a team of psychologists, a clinical lead, mental health nurses, substance misuse teams, and therapeutic leads, as well as providing overall leadership, expertise, and direction to the organisation to bridge gaps in knowledge, experience, and skills!

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9 - 5. You will be based in Central Office (Islington) but will regularly be based within any of our services across London, Brighton, Kent, Havering, Bedford, Luton, Nottingham, and Liverpool. Hybrid working is an option outside these service visits. 

Benefits, including Non-Contractual Perks

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Medicash includes discount gym memberships, routine optometry care, dental treatments, and physiotherapy treatments
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing.
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

If you have the passion, creativity, and tenacity to make a real difference in people's lives, challenge stigma and make our communities safer, we would love to hear from you!

ABOUT YOU

We're looking for a self-starter, who can proactively encourage and take leadership of all aspects of psychology for the organisation! You will hold an accreditation with HCPC and BPS (and/or equivalent) and be able to demonstrate your experience in developing clinical/forensic/counselling practices!

What we are looking for:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology, Counselling or Forensic Psychology from an accredited institution
• Full registration with BPS and as a Psychologist with the relevant regulatory body (e.g. HCPC)
• Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of assistant and trainee psychologists and/or other psychological therapy staff
• Previous experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary, and private sector agencies, social care, or criminal justice services
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Please refer to the JDPS attached for a full list of requirements for the role

OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership to employees throughout the employee life cycle
• Support the development and creation of IIRMS (Intensive Integrated Risk Management Services).
• Incorporate reflective practice and supervision into the service delivery processes.
• Provide expertise in clinical risk assessment and management, crisis intervention, and specialist communication of psychological knowledge internally and externally.
• Develop and deliver small, targeted trauma therapy provisions for individuals who cannot access other community services, ensuring specialised support which is tailored to their needs.
• Lead on clinical excellence, setting policy, preparing for CQC inspections, establishing peer reviews, and pursuing accreditation to uphold standards of quality and safety.
• Drive innovation initiatives, including quality improvement efforts, service promotion, conference presentations, and fostering relationships with multiple external stakeholders.

Other responsibilities than those described above may be required to be undertaken from time to time and will be expected to be performed to as long as it is within the capability and level of the position. 

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

WORKING FOR US

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

As Complex Needs Practitioner you will engage young people in a variety of interventions, using a person-centred approach, empowering them to reduce risk, increase resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

Birmingham Young People’s Service provides holistic support services for young people 10 to 25 with needs related to alcohol and substance misuse, including those that are affected by a family members alcohol and substance misuse.

The purpose of the role is to engage young people in a variety of interventions, using a person-centred approach, empowering them to reduce risk, increase resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

All Complex Needs Practitioners are expected to work days, evenings, and weekends across the community and within our multi-agency partnership settings, when required. Which will need a flexible working pattern from the successful candidate. The caseload will include a mixture of community and multi-agency referral pathways including health, social care, education, youth provision, and criminal justice.

As an energetic and confident self-starter, you will have a qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (e.g., NVQ Level 3 or above, Dip SW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies).  Alternatively, we will consider candidates with experience of working in the health & social care field, education settings, alcohol, and substance misuse fields with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care.

Experience of liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals and engaging effectively with clients in a variety of settings is essential. You will also need a flexible approach, excellent record keeping and report writing skills. We also work on an outreach basis, with a central hub base at our head office.

We have two vacancies available.

This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post-holder to work 37 hours per week.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.

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

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.

Aquarius was a subsidiary of Richmond Fellowship, with both organisations being part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. On 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship merged with Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. At the same time, Aquarius became a subsidiary of Humankind, with no impact to terms and conditions of employment. In October 2024, Humankind will be renamed to reflect the new organisation, of which Aquarius will remain a subsidiary.

Purpose

Amparo is a nationwide Suicide Bereavement Postvention Service, providing practical and emotional support to people bereaved or affected by suicide. Thanks to additional funding granted between summer 2024 and the end of February 2025, we are hiring exciting new posts within our Amparo service in Southampton, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth (‘SHIP’).

Research has indicated that 10% of people affected by suicide bereavement attempt to take their own lives. People who are neurodivergent, from ethnic minority backgrounds, and/or part of the LGBTQ+ community face an even greater risk of suicidal thoughts, feelings and self-harm compared to the rest of the population.

We currently have three Outreach Suicide Bereavement Liaison Worker roles available to support people from marginalised and disadvantaged communities following bereavement by suicide. We are also currently recruiting for an Outreach Team Leader (please see our website for details). 

The successful candidates will ensure the Amparo service in Southampton, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth reaches vulnerable and marginalised people who may have faced barriers and challenges in accessing support and healthcare elsewhere. The new team will create a safe space where diverse communities are welcomed, listened to, respected, represented and supported with culturally-appropriate services.

We are looking for candidates with the confidence to represent Amparo and Listening Ear with knowledge, positivity and professionalism. The successful candidates must have a passion for ensuring equality of access for marginalised people and will have prior experience in breaking down barriers, either in a professional or voluntary capacity. The Outreach Worker posts have been made possible through short-term funding available until the end of February 2025. For this reason, they are offered as fixed term contracts which may be extended if further funding is granted, however this cannot be guaranteed.

Hours

Listening Ear is hiring three Outreach Workers, specialising in reaching LGBTQ+ communities, ethnic minority groups and neurodivergent people. Each part-time position is being offered as two-three days per week, in line with available funding, however hours can be negotiated during the recruitment process. We recognise that each community is not a homogenous group and that candidates may have intersectional lived experience, skills and interests. For this reason we welcome applications for alternative hours, including any who may wish to express interest in multiple roles.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Listening Ear

Through effective governance and management we are committed to:

• promoting equality, diversity and social inclusion amongst our clients, staff, and partners and all those we work with;
• challenging and eradicating discrimination wherever we encounter it on the grounds  of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation;
• treating everyone with dignity and respect at all times;
• providing responsive and accessible services that meet individual needs;
• reviewing and auditing our equality, diversity and inclusion activities;
• ensuring we keep our approach up to date with changes in society, legislation and regulation.

We take seriously our legal duty to provide all our services and employment opportunities fairly and without discrimination, and we keep to all relevant codes of practice.

Interviews

Interviews will be held virtually, on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 31st July or Friday 2nd August. The panel will feature our Head of Amparo and a maximum of 2 other staff members, lasting no longer than 1 hour.

Why Listening Ear?

• Face-to-face training, induction and warm welcome provided at our headquarters in the North West to meet colleagues and welcome you to Listening Ear
• Values-driven organisation supporting vulnerable people across England
• Work within a BACP-Accredited Organisation that delivers support recognized by the Support After Suicide Partnership and Public Health England as best practice
• Annual Training and CPD Allowance to support growth and career development
• We support flexible home working practices and you will be supplied with an iPhone and laptop, plus a DSE Assessment during induction to support safe and comfortable home working
• Access to free and confidential counselling provided through LE’s Insurance Provider, to support staff welfare
• Pension contribution at 3%
• Daily informal communications with colleagues via remote platforms
• Annual festive celebration with colleagues

Ready to apply?

Please visit our website to read the full job description and personal specification. Applications will consist of an up-to-date CV along with relevant application form before 10am on Monday 29th July. Please note that we will be shortlisting continuously  until this date, and reserve the right to close the post early. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

About RLS 

RLS is a UK charity and a non-profit company in Greece (AMKE). 

Refugee Legal Support works in solidarity with people who migrate. We operate in the UK, France and Greece, promoting and protecting rights through legal support, casework, litigation, engagement, training and partnerships. We advocate for safe migration and oppose discriminatory immigration systems and policies.

RLS has held a legal aid contract in the UK since 2023. 

About the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative (APBI)

The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative is a specialist casework project delivered by RLS with funding and pro bono assistance from 14 leading commercial law firms. It is a project delivered in partnership with SPI. 

Firm pro bono lawyers are trained and supervised by the project’s two full-time supervising lawyers so that they can then assist with legal casework.

APBI has two core components. The team delivers legal information and support to and within the Afghan community, working together with the Community Engagement and Research Lead to ensure wide access. While the project also provides high quality legal representation in a range of cases for this community. This includes family reunion, the ARAP scheme, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and others. 

APBI then aims to respond to the increased need for legal information, advice and representation of Afghan nationals and their family members forced to seek protection and reunion with family in the United Kingdom following the Taliban takeover. The project is now going into its 3rd year, and won the Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership Award at the Law Works Pro Bono Awards in 2022 as well as being nominated and commended for numerous other awards in 2022 and 2023. 

The casework of this project feeds into strategic research, policy and advocacy efforts to make existing ‘safe’ routes to protection (in particular refugee family reunion and resettlement schemes) more accessible and effective, advocate for their expansion and defend the fundamental rights of people on the move by influencing policy and decision making. 

Litigation arising out of the project is actively pursued (where eligible) under RLS’s legal aid contract to push for better decision-making, secure results for individuals and pursue improvements in the relevant law, policy and practices. 

RLS recognise that pro bono legal work is always an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, an adequate system of publicly funded legal services. 

Key responsibilities and objectives

The post holder will be a staff member of Refugee Legal Support. They will be a participant within the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative project team, which comprises two lawyers (the other being at SPI), a coordinator and a Community Engagement and Research Lead in addition to the volunteer lawyers from the individual commercial firm partners. 
 

Key responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload and provide high quality legal advice and representation to clients;

• Supervise the work of volunteer pro bono commercial lawyers on cases;

• Deliver training to pro bono commercial lawyers;

• Ensure that all legal work is promptly and accurate recorded on RLS’s case management system and keep relevant time recording; 

• Develop and disseminate relevant information on legal developments in this area for relevant stakeholders, including both the Afghan Community and building the capacity of other practitioners;

• Work in close collaboration with the other project Lawyer/s to develop and share experiences and best practice in relation to all aspects of casework (legal, evidential and procedural) and relevant internal processes;

• Work in close collaboration with the Legal Director, Programmes Manager and Coordinator to ensure that appropriate steps to achieve the aims and objectives of the project are taken, including ensuring that relevant data is obtained and assisting with the timely completion of the project Operational Plan/s;

• Work in close collaboration with the APBI Coordinator and Programmes Manager to contribute to the production of materials such as project periodic reports, information on emerging and strategic issues in relation to ‘safe’ routes for use in advocacy, content for newsletters, social media posts and articles to raise awareness of the project and its aims and outputs;

• Participate in, and contribute to, RLS’s monitoring, evaluation and learning framework;

• Be an active member of the RLS team participating in team meetings at both the UK and International level: engaging in a collegiate and collaborative environment that includes participating in the development of a new and exciting legal organisation; 

• Be an active and collaborative member of the APBI Project team together with the other Lawyer/s, Coordinator and Community Engagement and Research Lead;

• Work in close collaboration with the Community Engagement and Research Lead to contribute to the production of information sheets and other materials to disseminate to the Afghan community/ies;

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR;

• Adhere to RLS safeguarding policies and procedures at all times. 

Person Specification

Essential

• Be either a member of the Bar, a solicitor and accredited to IAAS Senior caseworker level, accredited to IAAS Senior caseworker level, or OISC accredited to Level 3;

• Experience of asylum casework;

• Experience of refugee family reunion procedures and applications, including applications outside of the Immigration Rules reliant on Article 8 ECHR and other human rights provisions;

• Experience of online immigration applications; 

• Demonstrable knowledge of legal aid provision and ECF applications; 

• Demonstrable supervision experience; 

• Experience of and commitment to working in a collaborative way on legal cases;

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English;

• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines;

• Strong attention to detail, responsiveness, reliability and dependability;

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills and an ability to deal professionally and collaboratively with both legal and not-for-profit stakeholders;

• Computer literacy;

• Right to reside and work in the UK;

• Enjoy working with a small team in a flexible and fast-paced environment, as well as being an independent self-starter able to work with a high degree of autonomy;

• Have a strong commitment to upholding the human rights of asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees; 

• Commitment to the aims of the project and the values of RLS.

• The successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (we cover the cost). However, a criminal record is not a barrier to the role. 

Desirable

• Those with lived experience of navigating immigration systems are strongly encouraged to apply and will be favourable considered;

• Experience of legal aid casework; 

• Experience of conducting immigration appeals and/or public law litigation; 

• Experience of supervising commercial lawyers in a pro bono project setting;

• Experience of preparing and delivering training;

• Interest in collaborating with non-legal colleagues to bring about systemic change;

• Working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto.

We are looking for a highly motivated and passionate Digital Inclusion Community Builder to join our team of committed, value-driven people focused on mobilising community-led social change across Gloucester.

The Digital Inclusion Community Builder role is part of an exciting partnership, the 'Gloucestershire Digital Hubs Project' which aims to increase digital inclusion across all six districts in Gloucestershire, offering free, accessible, tailored support to individuals, facilitated by a group of seven partner organisations.  As the partner covering Gloucester, we aim to establish digital hubs in communities across the city, enabling people to access and use digital technologies to enhance their lives and participate fully in society. The primary focus is on addressing existing digital inequalities that prevent people from reaching their full potential.

Supported by our team of community builders, you will continue the work of facilitating the development of community-based digital hubs, leveraging existing connections, spaces, and organisations within local communities. Your role will involve understanding how digital tools can support and enhance people's existing skills and passions, as well as encouraging them to share their expertise through formal and informal volunteer roles.

Gloucester Community Building Collective is an independent social enterprise whose vision is for Gloucester to be a great place to live, where everyone can have a good life, by bringing about people-led action to build strong and resilient communities.

We value diversity and want to create an inclusive organisation with equal opportunities for all. We want to attract, develop, and retain a diverse range of people from many different backgrounds who reflect the community we serve. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Digital Inclusion and Community Engagement:

• Facilitate digital inclusion by building confidence and capacity within communities to take action for themselves.
• Encourage the use of digital tools and social networks to build connections within communities. 
• Develop strengths-based approaches to digital inclusion and engage with communities to understand their needs and aspirations.

2. Digital Hub Development and Support:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of existing digital "assets" and community meeting spaces within Gloucester.
• Create, and work towards, an action plan outlining how communities can be encouraged to establish or build upon existing digital hubs, sharing good practices and ideas.
• Develop a training and skills plan to maximise the contribution of existing community builders, organisations, and volunteers, enabling mutual support within communities.
• Identify any gaps or specific training needs and leverage existing opportunities.
• Ensure existing hubs are supported.

3. Collaboration and Network Building:

• Work to establish a network for digital inclusion across Gloucester, fostering partnerships and collaborations with voluntary, community, and business organisations.
• Contribute to the countywide Digital and Community Hub Forum, ensuring consistent progress and momentum.

4. Digital Champion Volunteer Programme:

• Recruit, train, and manage Digital Champion volunteers to build sustainability across digital hubs in Gloucester.
• Provide ongoing support and create a welcoming and inclusive environment for volunteers.

5. Funding and Resource Support:

• Signpost and share knowledge between hubs on how to access funding for their ideas or projects.
• Support the development of a sustainable strategy for digital inclusion across Gloucester.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Storytelling:

• Undertake risk assessments of all activities as required.
• Collect information on successes and lessons learned, contributing to the monitoring and evaluation requirements of the project.
• Help people share and celebrate their stories of success.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Curiosity and interest in people, communities, and their experiences.
• Good general education.
• Strong IT and digital skills, confidence in using a wide range of IT software.
• Understanding of barriers to digital inclusion and their impact on participation.
• Ability to use and promote the effective and safe use of social media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including active listening, effective communication, empathy, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to motivate and inspire people.
• Self-direction and the ability to seek support and leverage the skills and experience of the wider team
• Ability to build networks and work with a range of people and organisations within communities.
• Creativity and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Gloucester and its communities.
• Experience in supporting people's digital needs.
• Understanding of strengths-based approaches and recognising people's contributions.
• Formal mentoring and coaching skills. 
• Experience in working with volunteers, including recruitment and management.
• Experience in managing health and safety requirements, including risk assessments.
• Knowledge of the voluntary and community sector in Gloucestershire and its stakeholders.
• Experience in contributing to action learning and project evaluation.

Values and Principles:

The successful candidate will embody the values and principles of Gloucester Community Building Collective, which include being People-led, Strengths-based, Relationship-focused, Rooted in Local Communities, and Inclusive for All.

How to Apply:

Please submit your most recent CV and a covering statement (maximum 2 pages) or a video explaining how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. 

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role, please contact us via our website.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 8th July 2024.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 15th July 2024.

Secondments from local organisations in Gloucester are also welcome.

Do you have an understanding of drug, alcohol, and health related issues, and experience of working with adults in an addictions, housing or social care setting? All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Aquarius as a Complex Needs Practitioner (Recovery Worker).

Aquarius is a charity that helps people and communities overcome the harm caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling. We are part of ‘One Recovery Buckinghamshire’ (ORB), a partnership between Inclusion (MPFT NHS Trust), Aquarius, and Build on Belief providing support for alcohol and drug issues across Buckinghamshire.

We are looking for three Complex Needs Practitioners (Recovery Worker) to join our team in Aylesbury.

The purpose of the role is to engage people in a variety of interventions, using a person centred approach, empowering them to reduce risk, increase resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

All Complex Needs Practitioners (Recovery Worker) work flexibly across the community and within our multi-agency partnership settings. The caseload will include a mixture of community and multi-agency referral pathways including health and social care. You will join our caring multi-disciplinary teams, to help empower you to provide quality psychosocial interventions to our diverse client groups. 

A core part of the role will be working with people to address holistic support needs across all aspects of the person’s substance use and wellbeing. This could include diverse work related to physical and emotional health, meaningful use of time, family and relationships, community engagement and activites, accommodation, physical and emotional health, offending as well as substance use (drug use and / or alcohol use).

An energetic and confident self-starter, you have a qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (e.g. NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies).  Alternatively, we’ll consider candidates with experience of working in the substance misuse field with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. Experience of liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals and engaging effectively with clients in a variety of settings is essential. You’ll also need a flexible approach, excellent record keeping and report writing skills and a willingness to work flexibly across the community and within our multi-agency partnership settings, on an outreach basis, with a central hub base at our head office.

This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post holder to work 37 hours per week.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.

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

To apply please submit a CV and supporting statement which should clearly outline your skills and experience.

Aquarius was a subsidiary of Richmond Fellowship, with both organisations being part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. On 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship merged with Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. At the same time, Aquarius became a subsidiary of Humankind, with no impact to terms and conditions of employment. In October 2024, Humankind will be renamed to reflect the new organisation, of which Aquarius will remain a subsidiary.

Location: Flexible – remote or hybrid (UK based) with required travel to London and occasionally Bristol

Salary: £29,450 per year (Grade 3) plus Inner London Weighting of £3,483.94 (if eligible)

Length of contract: Permanent

Hours per week: 37 hours per week (flexible working hours)

Closing date: 5th July 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 15th July 2024

Who are Women’s Aid?

Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. We are a federation of over 170 organisations which provide just under 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across England. For almost 50 years we have campaigned on behalf of our members and survivors to shape policy and practice, and to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Purpose of the Public Affairs Officer role: 

As the Public Affairs Officer in the External Affairs team at Women’s Aid, you will play a pivotal role in our government and parliamentary engagement work. This will include leading on monitoring parliamentary activity and identifying opportunities for Women’s Aid to influence the political agenda and ensure parliamentarians are kept up to date on issues related to domestic abuse. You will play a pivotal role in supporting our influencing work with the new government on key pieces of legislation, Women’s Aid’s next big campaign and assisting Women’s Aid’s secretariat role to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Domestic Violence and Abuse. Alongside organising meetings and events for the APPG and with key political stakeholders, you will lead on the development of public affairs and campaigns materials, including policy bulletins, briefings, speaking notes and letters to government ministers.

Key duties and responsibilities of the Public Affairs Officer:

• Carry out regular political monitoring, keeping the team updated with important developments for Women’s Aid, identifying opportunities for influence and providing analysis on policy announcements.
• Draft newsletters, correspondence, and website and social media content for parliamentarians, Women’s Aid’s member services and campaigners on a range of campaign and policy priorities.
• Support Women’s Aid’s work on key pieces of legislation - responding to queries, drafting briefings and parliamentary questions, working with Parliamentarians on draft amendments, and the development of joint sector work.
• Lead on projects that widen participation in Women’s Aid public affairs and campaigning work, including organising meetings with sector colleagues, survivors, and our member services.

What we are looking for in our Public Affairs Officer:

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write copy for a range of audiences and formats, e.g., briefings, consultation submissions, correspondence and speaking notes.
• Experience of working in a political role or exposure within parliamentary institutions.
• Experience in liaising and working with external organisations and individuals, including via correspondence and joint working groups/joint sector meetings.
• Experience in supporting the delivery of projects and campaigns.
• Ability to communicate sensitively about the issues facing women and children affected by domestic abuse.

Benefits of joining us as our Public Affairs Officer include:

• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days + 2 Company Holidays + 8 UK Bank Holidays, with an extra 1 day per year after 1 year of service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days.
• Valuable Pension Benefits: a generous 7% employer contribution.
• Flexible Working: Remote working, family-friendly policies and paid leave for maternity, paternity, and adoption.
• Wellness and Support: Cycle to Work Scheme, free optician check-ups, annual flu vaccines, access to a 24-hour employee assistance counselling helpline, a ‘Headspace’ app for mindfulness, and ‘Reflective Practice’ sessions.
• Making a genuine difference: in a rewarding role where your work will directly result in helping Women’s Aid to be able to provide lifesaving services for women and children across England.

How to apply? 

• Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter. Your Cover Letter should be no more than 2 pages long and should include a summary of your reasons for applying for the position. You should also include details of how your skills, behaviours and experience meet those necessary for the role, as listed in the Job Description and Person Specification.
• Please ensure that you also complete the EDI form and send all completed paperwork to the recruitment email address (Please clearly mark your name and the role title in the subject line of your email).

NB:

• Women only need apply under schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010
• If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants.
• All posts, including remote posts, must be based in the UK.
• Women’s Aid is committed to quality, equality, and valuing diversity. Applications are particularly welcome from Black and minoritised women.
• Please read our Single Sex Statement on the Women's Aid website.
• Please note that applications will be reviewed, and interviews arranged, on a rolling basis, so for the best chance of success, please apply ASAP.