Information Worker Jobs

Do you have a passion to see positive change in the lives of people who are seeking ot make a new start in the community after prison, and a genuine belief in their ability to make such changes?  Do you have strategic abilities?

South West Community Chaplaincy (SWCC) aims to provide effective care and community support for people as they leave prison and re-integrate back into the locality, within the counties of Cornwall, Devon and West Somerset.  This includes mentoring, practical support, advocacy and signposting to assist the integration of ex-prisoners into their communities, in collaboration with other professionals.

The role of the SALT Project Lead is to implement and develop the charity's strategy of involving people with lived experience of the criminal justice in the design and delivery of its services.  This will include setting up a network, in which 'graduates' of mentoring support can continue to receive light touch support and be introduced to opportunities that will enable them to become more socially included, and to feel a real sense of belonging in their community. Another facet of the post will be facilitating and overseeing the 'Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF)'. The role will include some direct community chaplaincy mentoring provision; giving practical and effective support to people with convictions to assist in their rehabilition and resettlement. 

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated and a true team-player.

The post-holder will have a pastoral heart and concern for the wellbeing of people, will be in sympathy with the faith ethos and values of the charity, and be able to promote an environment where people of all faiths, and people of none, can work together for the transformation of lives and communities.

The Junction is an out of hours service, open 365 evenings a year, to support and assist individuals experiencing a mental health concern. The aim is to alleviate the need for people in the Swindon locality to access A&E acute mental health services and primary care GP services unnecessarily by managing the presenting symptoms/mental health crisis along with the triggers and context for that crisis. 

As an Acute Mental Health Practitioner, you will be providing a preventative, person centred approach to people accessing the service who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

The service is open from 4PM-11PM, 365 days a year so this position will include some weekends and bank holidays. 

 
What You'll Do: 
 

• Innovation and Empowerment: Channel your passion into providing evidence-based interventions, elevating the mental health and emotional well-being of the people we serve, while opening doors to life's possibilities. 

• Effective Partnerships:  Ensure effective and appropriate communication with all individuals, staff, community agencies and partner organisations.  

Why Join Us: 

• Impact Matters: Join a team where your work directly transforms lives and contributes to a healthier community. 

• Personal Growth: We offer professional development opportunities that will enrich your career and help shape the future of mental health services in Swindon. 

• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside like-minded individuals who share your passion for making a meaningful impact. 

Together, we can build a brighter, healthier future for Swindon. Your leadership can make all the difference. 

Are you looking to do things differently? Phew, so are we. For too long, we've looked on social media and, if we're being honest, email communications too, as the nasally, awkward cousin who's great when you play family Trivial Pursuit each Boxing Day but the rest of the time is tolerated just because he's a blood relative (allegedly).

We used the above introduction when we recently advertised for a Social Media and Email Communications Manager and we ended up hiring an absolute gem. So, we’re going to use it all over again as we look to hire a Digital Communications Specialist who will report into our new gem.

As your manager’s title suggests your focus will be on BMS World Mission’s social media channels and suite of supporter and church-facing emails and you will be working within the Communications Team within the Department of Communications and Fundraising.

Both this role and your boss’ role are new creations – we are in the mood to experiment. We know enough to know what we don't know (and we've commissioned a detailed social media and email audit report to tell us the rest) and we dream plenty big enough to know there's so much more we could do. We just need to find the right person to measure the chemicals, heat the Bunsen burner, mix the liquids and holler with glee when the latest experiment shatters the test tube and creates gold. Could that be you?

BMS is a Christian mission organisation founded in 1792, today we work in around 30 countries over four continents. We are passionate about making Jesus known across the world and transforming the lives of those we serve.

Key information - 

Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire / Flexible working

This role can be office-based or hybrid. We are happy to appoint a candidate who lives too far from Didcot to attend the office regularly if they are able to be flexible to come to Didcot as required. The cost of travel to BMS Didcot whether on a regular basis or infrequently, would be borne by the employee.

Employment type: Permanent, Full-Time

Hours: 35 hrs. per week/full time

Salary range: £21,374 to £25,855

Closing Date: 9 am, Monday 11 November 2024

Interview date: Thursday, 21 November 2024

We’re hosting an informal lunchtime information video call, with an opportunity for Q&A, on Wednesday, 30 Oct,12.30 pm. Please contact Matty Fearon, Head of Communications at BMS, if you’d like to be sent an invite. If you are unable to join the video call or see this advert after the lunchtime meeting and would like to discuss this role further, please feel free to contact Matty Fearon at BMS World Mission. 

Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

We value diversity and aim to have diverse workforce that reflects the community and our service users, in line with our vision, values and inclusion commitments. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

We are recruiting for two wellbeing practitioners for our service in Harrow. The posts are part of services commissioned between Anna Freud and London Borough of Harrow (Harrow Horizons Early Intervention Service).

The service offers brief evidence-based individual and group interventions to address moderate wellbeing needs largely using CBT-based treatment, trauma informed and Mentalization approaches. Work is also conducted jointly with existing professionals where young people present with more complex needs to strengthen the skills and competencies in the multi-agency network. The work takes place on an outreach basis in schools, family homes and other community venues as well as being conducted virtually.

The Wellbeing Practitioner role will be suited to those individuals with skills and experience of working directly in schools/community and who are passionate about delivering high quality evidence-based intervention on a time-limited basis.

The post-holders will also deliver consultation, training, and workshop to non-mental health staff, such as teachers and social workers with other clinicians in the service.

Location

Hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): candidates will be based at Harrow Community sites (Cedars Children’s Centre, 127 Whittlesea Road, Harrow HA3 6ND). Staff will also occasionally work at our main office 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH

Contract duration

Permanent

Closing date for applications

Midday (12pm), Monday 11 November 2024.

Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview

Shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Friday 15 November 2024. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

 Interviews

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20 November 2024.

How to apply

Please click on the 'Apply now’ button. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

Job Description

Title: Healthcare Assistant

Reports to:  Patient Services Manager  

Based at: Remote Worker – Remotely – however must be able to travel as and when required to meetings and/or events

Job Purpose: To provide direct support to patients and support to all areas of the Charity Group

Working Hours: Monday – Thursday 09:00 – 17.30, Friday 09.00 – 17.00

Key Responsibilities:

· Responding to enquiries via telephone, email, online forums or social media with empathy, a listening ear, informative and supportive manner, whilst demonstrating confidentiality and sensitivity. Stay fully informed on the conditions and treatments associated with all three charities, ensuring the ability to respond to related inquiries becomes second nature

· Co-ordinate and action messages in the Patient services Mailbox and distribute messages accordingly to the wider team where needed

· Maintain that Patient services documentation is updated with clear and concise details

· Identifying gaps in patient information and assist in developing and proofreading relevant medically approved resources to reflect current guidelines, treatments, services and advances

· Frequently reviewing and assisting with update of content on Charity Websites and social media channels current and relevant Forums

· Supporting the organisation, promotion and delivery of all charity events including Patients Day, World Heart Rhythm Week, Global AF Aware Week, Know Your Pulse & Support Groups, Coffee mornings, Living with ...Series etc

· Build a central database of case studies / Patient Stories whether written or recorded

· Contribute content for the monthly e news and regular newsletters including patient stories, FAQ’s and latest news and updates with resources to Patient Service Manager

· Propose titles and speakers for patient educational events and develop virtual educational videos

· Co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the Fundraising Service to include planning and organisation of the fundraising activities programme and deal with related telephone calls, emails, social media etc. Maintain effective communication with the fundraisers whilst adhering to GDPR

· Support Patient Services Manager with Administrative tasks/requests

Person specification:

- Full Driving Licence with access to a vehicle

- Healthcare knowledge advantageous but not essential

- Educated to GCSE level minimum

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Excellent knowledge in Microsoft Suite of tools including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage own workload

- Can undertake a wide variety of tasks and multi-task with ease

- Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team

- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

- Professional, methodical and thorough approach to work with a Friendly and polite manner

Do you have a demonstrable track record in complex case management and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team on cases involving Domestic Abuse? Do you have experience and knowledge of how working with perpetrators can create change and more protection for victims? Do you want to be involved in a ground-breaking, innovative pilot of new Domestic Abuse Orders?

If so, The Drive Partnership are recruiting DAPO Triage Workers for the DAPO Pilots in Manchester and London.

The Triage Worker sits within the Triage Team in the pilot area, working alongside the Triage IDVA. The Triage Worker will focus on all aspects of the case relating to the Perpetrator in cases where the perpetrator has been referred to the team for an assessment of suitability for a Positive Requirement during an application for a DAPO.

About Respect

Respect is a pioneering UK domestic abuse charity, leading the development of safe, effective work with perpetrators, with young people who are abusive and with male victims.

Respect supports frontline organisations across the UK, so that together we can end domestic abuse. Our work is wide ranging: we offer accreditation of specialist services; we provide training for individuals and organisations working in the sector; we work in partnership with others to innovate and develop practice; we provide two helplines to enable service users to get the help and advice they need; we lobby influencers to improve policy and practice; we support up-to-date research undertaken by specialists in the field; and we fundraise to ensure important work continues to happen.  

Respect has seen rapid growth over the last few years, and we now have 30+ staff running a range of projects and core activities and have ambitious plans for further growth and influence.  

This role is based within the Drive Partnership and will support Practice, Development and Learning in relation to one or more of our three strands of work the Drive High Harm High Risk intervention, Restart our early intervention pilot or one of the pilots emerging through our National Systems Change for example the DAPO Triage model. 

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and across all protected characteristics1, particularly from people from the following under-represented groups:  

• Black and minoritised people  
• Disabled people  

We always welcome and support applications from those who have personal experience of domestic abuse.

About The Drive Partnership

The Drive Partnership, formed by Respect, SafeLives and Social Finance, is working to transform the national response to perpetrators of domestic abuse. We work to end domestic abuse and protect victims by disrupting, challenging, and changing the behaviour of those who are causing harm. Together we have developed the Drive Project to address a gap in work with high-harm, high-risk perpetrators of domestic abuse. We also work to advocate for systems and policy change- to develop sustainable, national systems that respond more effectively to all perpetrators of domestic abuse.

How to apply

Please visit our website for further information and how to apply. 

Voluntary Action Harrow is looking for a Health & Social Inequalities Co-ordinator and Trainer to work within our Stronger Communities Team.

Stronger Communities aims to remove barriers to accessing healthcare, increase community engagement and co-production, and reduce health inequalities in the borough of Harrow. This role involves developing and delivering a comprehensive portfolio of training sessions focused on Health and Social Inequalities, including Make Every Contact Count (MECC).

Responsibilities

• Develop a portfolio of training sessions covering a range of topics, particularly related to Health & Social Inequalities (including Make Every Contact Count (MECC)).
• Liaise with internal colleagues to ensure training content stays accurate
• Build effective working relationships with a wide range of  stakeholders including residents, voluntary, community and faith sector organisations, social enterprises, local NHS services, and statutory sector partners
  Liaise regularly with these partner organisations to identify and address training needs
• Deliver accessible training sessions both online and at venues in a way that empowers participants and increases their confidence, knowledge and expertise.
• Support in the promotion and communication of training sessions
• Manage, organise and support representation at community meetings, forums and networks, encouraging attendance.
• Meet defined targets for numbers of sessions and participants
• Seek feedback from participants and use this to continuously improve the training offer
• Manage and maintain comprehensive records of sessions delivered and participants feedback
• Contribute to ensuring that service performance standards and targets are met
• Evaluation of training, including case study and impact reports
• Identify and report evidence to support community insight
• Support other staff and volunteers to deliver training if and as required
• Contribute to the design and delivery of internal training when required
• Maintain and update records on our database.

Skills, Competencies and Behaviours

• Ability to identify key elements of effective training and utilise a variety of tools and methodologies.
• Skilled in recognising and addressing health inequalities
• Proficient in delivering training sessions, ensuring participants fully understand the material.
• Strong communication skills with clients, colleagues, and agencies from diverse backgrounds.
• Experienced in working collaboratively within multi-professional and multi-agency settings.
• Capable of maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Effective time and diary management skills.
• Competent in navigating complex local community relationships and politics.
• Able to liaise effectively with colleagues, ensuring clear communication and information sharing.
• Experienced in supporting and empowering staff and volunteers.
• Strong ICT skills (Including Teams and Zoom), with adaptability to new systems and tools.
• Demonstrable experience and, ideally, qualifications in training (e.g., Train the Trainer, Award in Education & Training).

Listening, Verbal, Written and Presentation Communication Skills

• Training skills, ensuring that participants have understood
• Able to communicate well with clients, colleagues and other agencies
• Able to work in partnership in multi-professional and multi-agency settings
• Able to keep accurate records
• Able to effectively manage your time and diary
• Ability to negotiate complex local community relationships and politics
• Effectively liaising with colleagues and ensuring others are kept informed
• Supporting and empowering staff and volunteers
• Strong ICT skills, including adaptability to new systems and tools

Who are we?

Voluntary Action Harrow Co-operative work with the local community providing information, training and guidance.

Based in Harrow, we are a not-for-profit co-operative owned by our workers. We have in-depth knowledge of the local area and of who’s doing what. Our members collectively have over 35 years’ experience in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, specialising in capacity building in a variety of different organisational development areas.

We’ve worked with a diverse range of local organisations, from small community groups, to regional and international charities. We also run, manage and co-ordinate projects, working with local people and groups to help them make a difference in their local community.

Support available to the successful candidate

You will be working within the Voluntary Action Harrow Stronger Communities Team, who hold a huge amount of knowledge, training templates and have good relationships with charities and community groups across Harrow.

Equalities & Accessibility

We aim to be an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

This role description can be requested in large print.

Application Process

CV outlining related work experience, responsibilities and qualifications
Cover letter covering why you want to work with us and the skills and knowledge in the job description.

The HR & Administration Assistant will support the HR team in providing an efficient and streamlined service to WHAG for all HR-related administrative tasks. This role has a wide remit which includes the efficient and effective smooth running of WHAG’s HR functions enabling WHAG services to be delivered and being an effective team member, You will act as an integral part of the HR Team offering support to the wider organisation.

WHAG is a leading charity delivering quality support services to vulnerable homeless women, young parents and women men and their families who are affected by domestic abuse, across the of North West England. Improving the safety and life opportunities of the people who use our services and supporting them in their recovery.

We support the people we work with to overcome the experiences they have had. We empower them to build up the skills and resources they need to take control of their own lives, access a tenancy of their own and maintain a quality of life in the long term. We give them the information they need to make positive choices about their futures.

As well as delivering courses to our staff WHAG delivers Healthy relationship training to employers and schools to assist in the education and prevention of Domestic abuse.

Our Vision - To support and empower vulnerable women and those affected by domestic abuse. 

Our Mission - End Domestic Abuse, Homelessness, and relationship breakdown.

Our Values - Empowerment, Choice, Change, Strength

Guiding Principles - Our guiding principles help define how we will act at all times through the development and delivery of WHAG in the future.

Care Coordinator

We have a fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated, driven, and talented Care Coordinator to join a growing employee-owned organisation and to make a real impact on the quality of care and support that is delivered to customers and local communities.

Position: Care Coordinator
Location: Leeds Office (Beeston)
Job type: Permanent, Full-time 9-5pm
Salary: £27,000 per annum + generous on-call payments

About the role:

You will plan and organise care, establishing effective rotas for well-trained care teams, minimising travel, and maximising care continuity, enabling care colleagues to spend as much time as possible with the people they support. You will be a skilled communicator, sharing important information, ensuring people receive the care they need.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Coordination of Care

• Create consistent runs and rotas, matching customers, and colleagues to maintain high levels of care continuity.
• Ensure care calls are covered in advance, to minimise the impact of unplanned colleague absences.
• Work with the Trainer to schedule training and shadowing for care colleagues, providing cover for their care calls or negotiating additional time for training compliance.

Maintaining accurate records and information for:

• Care calls, ensuring they are scheduled to meet the needs, wishes and preferences of the people we support.
• Colleague records, their availability, absences, location and travel, and other important information to ensure you know who is available to work each day.
• Contact logs and other records of communication on the care system.

Care Quality and Customer Satisfaction

• Communicate with the people we support, their families and care colleagues regarding new care services and changes to care services.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with the people we support, their families, colleagues, and external partners/services.
• Communicate in a timely manner, responding to concerns and issues - intervening early, resolving issues before they escalate, keeping colleagues informed and requesting support when needed.

About you:

We are looking for an exceptional and credible candidate with demonstrable knowledge, experience, and skills related to:

• Coordinating and scheduling care calls, runs and rotas. Creating efficient runs, minimising travel to enable care colleagues to spend more time with the people we support.
• Prioritising your workload, working under time pressures, keeping calm and focusing on the task at hand, being proactive pro-active to prevent concerns and complaints.
• Compassionate communication with the people we support and their families, care colleagues, GPs, District Nurses, Social Workers, and others.
• Collaboration with colleagues, using information and data to help inform your understanding, discussions with others, and decision-making - being responsive to complaints from the people we support and their families).

The organisation are committed to the personal and professional career development of all colleagues. They have career development pathways and actively encourage progression within the organisation. They offer supported learning and access to accredited qualifications through apprenticeship programmes. If successful, you will be supported to have tools and resources needed to do fulfil your role and ‘Be the Best you can be’.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Support Coordinator, Care Support Coordinator, Carer, Support Worker, Care Worker, Support Worker, Carer, Care Team Leader, Support Team Leader, Volunteering Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Support Group, Support and Advice, Social Care, Carer Support, Support Service, Vulnerable Adult, Social Care and Support Officer, Rehabilitation Coordinator, Volunteering Manager, Care and Support Officer, Social Care Worker, etc. #INDSCP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by Social Care People on behalf of the organisation.

Abuse changes childhoods, but so could you. 

• Are you looking for a role in an organisation where the work you do makes a real difference to people's lives?
• Are you looking to develop your fundraising experience in a sector leading team?

If the answer is yes, then the High Value Communications Officer role could be for you. 

Every childhood is worth fighting for. This is our belief. We all share it. And it drives our Fundraising team to get out there and bring in the funds we need to protect children and prevent abuse. Join us as a High Value Communications Officer, and get more people involved in change that means everything.

Child abuse is preventable, and the need for NSPCC's Childline, local services, and public campaigning has never been more urgent. Fundraising underpins our commitment to vulnerable children across the country - as a charity we rely upon our generous supporters for almost 90% of our annual income. 

• Do you have excellent writing skills, a strong eye for detail, and experience of presenting information in a clear and persuasive way for a range of audiences?
• Are you great at working collaboratively with colleagues and managing your workload to meet competing deadlines?
• Are you a strong project manager with great organsiation skills?

If so, we want to hear from you.

The High Value Communications team connects our donors to the cause and makes the case for supporting the NSPCC. As one of three High Value Communications Officers, your work will help us to raise significant funds. You'll be developing and sharing key fundraising resources, bespoke materials, and engaging messages that communicate the need for and impact of the NSPCC's work with children. 

While fundraising experience is highly desirable, we are looking for candidates with transferrable skills. If you are working in a content creation or communications role, we would love to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to make a difference to children's lives, but we also like to reward people by offering a great working environment, being part of a friendly and nurturing team, and offering stimulating and challenging work with plenty of development opportunities. We offer a variety of rewards and benefits including; generous annual leave, employee benefits and assistance programme, pension and life assurance schemes.

Join us at this exciting time and you'll become part of an expanding team that cares about the work they do and the people they work with. You'll discover opportunities to grow, along with challenges and a shared purpose that'll bring the best out in you. And you'll get to find your own way to make a difference that means more, and impacts millions of young lives. We want to ensure roles are accessible and inclusive of everyone, which is why the NSPCC offers a high degree of flexibility around ways of working.The team includes a mix of London-based and remote workers, and hybrid working is very welcome.   We have a minimum of one working day in the office to claim London weighting allowance. 

As an organisation, we are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with our children and adults.

Centre Administrator 

£28,000 p/a + cost-of-living increase (pending), full-time 35 hours per week, plus excellent benefits and opportunities for progression 

Did you know that there may be over 20,000 Sutton residents who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is sick or disabled due to a physical, mental health or substance misuse issue? Sutton Carers Centre works in partnership to help improve and maintain the quality of life for these Young and Adult Carers living, working, studying or caring in the London Borough of Sutton. 

We are looking to recruit to a key and rewarding role in our charity. The members of our team are highly skilled, passionate and committed, so we are looking for an experienced administrator who can support them. The successful candidate will be skilled in office administrative functions, to ensure the delivery of an efficient, friendly and smooth-running Centre as well as office co-ordination and support services. The post-holder will have experience of developing, maintaining and improving systems in an office environment. The post-holder will also oversee reception functions, including the support of the administration and reception volunteers. 

You also will have excellent IT, literacy and numeracy skills and be able to express yourself well in person and in writing. The successful candidate will be positive, empathic, creative and boundaried in their ability to work alongside Carers as well as our colleagues and partners, in helping Carers maintain their own health and wellbeing alongside their caring roles.

Sutton Carers Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS and other appropriate checks.

We value the diversity of our teams and are looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. We particularly encourage people who are black, from other minoritised ethnic or refugee groups, or from LGBTQ+ communities to apply. Men are currently under-represented in our team as well. We also seek applicants with personal caring experience as well as welcoming applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues.   

Are you passionate about safeguarding and driving best practice? We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of Safeguarding to join Samaritans. In this vital leadership role, you’ll provide strategic oversight and expert advice on safeguarding adults and children at risk, ensuring a robust safeguarding culture across all of our services and the organisation as a whole.

​

• £62,000-£67,000 per annum + emergency phone allowance 

• Permanent, full-time role (35 hours per week)

• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences

• Hybrid working: Linked to Ewell, Surrey office. A blend of working from home, the Ewell office and other locations for team meetings. 

• In-person working: Meeting in person is something we value. Mandated in-person meetings will be in place from Jan 2025. This is around 2 days per month and further information can be found on our careers website .

• Occasional travel and weekend work may be required. You’ll also be part of our emergency phone rota which is roughly one week in six.

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You’ll lead a talented team, shaping our safeguarding policies and practices for volunteers and staff, and work closely with senior leadership to manage complex cases, respond to safeguarding incidents, and chair key panels. Your expertise will help ensure Samaritans has a thriving safeguarding culture and continues to deliver safeguarding excellence, continuously improving, demonstrating impact and learning from best practice    . 

​

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing a team of Managers

• Leading our safeguarding strategy and policy development

• Providing expert safeguarding advice across the organisation

• Chairing serious safeguarding incident panels

• Building strong relationships with external safeguarding bodies

• Representing Samaritans at conferences and external meetings

• Developing and updating safeguarding training

​

What we’re looking for:

• Up to date Designated Safeguarding Lead training and Safeguarding training

• A qualified and registered Social Worker 

• Significant safeguarding experience, child protection and/or protection of adults at risk of harm

• Previous experience working with volunteers 

• Excellent up to date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, best practice guidance, policy and procedure 

• Extensive leadership experience including managing high performing teams, with the ability to challenge, build and maintain strong and effective relationships

• Experience of chairing and reporting serious case reviews and reporting to regulatory bodies, disclosure services, Local Authority Designated Officers, police and social services

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex safeguarding cases​

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Criminal record check (DBS): 

We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, this role will require an Enhanced DBS check with Adults and Children’s Barred Lists.

At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form. The declaration form will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process. 

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What’s in it for you – our benefits

So, you want to work for us? Good choice. We like it here too. We offer competitive salaries, flexible and hybrid working to suit your needs, family-friendly policies, 28 days annual leave inclusive of wellbeing days and a matched pension contribution up to 5%. You’ll have a structured induction and ongoing projects, secondments & learning opportunities. We also have colleague-led affinity groups made up of people with shared identities. 

Your health and wellbeing is our priority. We have a staff community of Mental Health First Aiders, a Health Cash Plan and an Employee Assistance Programme. You’ll have free subscriptions to Headspace (your personal guide to mindfulness, sleep, focus, movement, and more) & Perkbox (an employee benefits platform with online exercise classes). That’s not all. We listen to your ideas and have staff forum and social committee networks.

Being Inclusive: We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from Disabled, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans. 

Application: If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You’ll be asked to upload your CV and cover letter (2 page max), outlining your motivations for applying and your transferable skills and experience. Applications close midnight on 10 November. Video interviews will take place on 18 November. 

If you're ready to lead impactful change and contribute to our mission that fewer people die by suicide, apply today.

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.