Liaison Officer Jobs in Woodford Green, Greater London

Barnet Mencap has been helping people with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults in the London Borough of Barnet for over 50 years. We provide supported accommodation, leisure and learning activities, information, advice, and guidance, and so much more. All while being committed to equal opportunities and the safeguarding of children and adults.

We know job satisfaction, flexibility, work/life balance, and a great team are incredibly important. So, at Barnet Mencap, in addition to offering 30 days of annual leave per year (including Bank Holidays), we have a TOIL system to allow flexible working. There will need to be some face-to-face work, but there will also be opportunities to work from home and/or have different working patterns as agreed by your manager. Travel expenses can be claimed, at the agreed rate, for journeys that are necessary in the course of your work; and claims for additional expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our expenses policy. We also have auto-enrolment into a pension scheme with employer contributions in place, and all staff qualify for schemes like the Blue Light card.

We are looking for a focused individual to join our caring, passionate, and diverse team in supporting adults with moderate learning disabilities and autistic adults to live independently in housing situations of their choice. This role gives challenge and satisfaction and will suit someone that has:

• Experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults in a community setting
• A good team member
• Understanding of the issues faced by people with learning disabilities and autistic people living independently and the skills to meet their practical, social and emotional needs
• A ‘Person Centred Planning’ ethos
• Excellent communication skills
• Good record keeping skills

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with Section 115 of The Police Act 1997.

We're looking for someone a bit special who believes in the deep potential of children who are not thriving elsewhere in life. We’re looking for experience, passion, energy and the drive to go the extra mile on these young people’s behalf.

The position is a dual role. You’ll join as one of two dedicated Youth Workers and will lead on a portion of Free to Be Kids’ year-round follow-on support for vulnerable young people who we have already engaged via our Thrive Outside residentials. Crucially, a core aspect of the role will be leading an average of 8-10 of our residential projects across each year - working on the ground with the children, leading the volunteers, and helping make the projects special, safe, and transformative for vulnerable young people, many of whom have complex needs. You’ll be joining a small staff team of 8, supplemented by a vibrant and committed group of volunteers.

Attendance at approximately 8-10 five-six night residential projects per year outside London is a core component of this role.

On offer to the right candidate:

Salary: Circa £29,000-£34,000, dependent on experience.

Hours: Fulltime: 37.5 hours per week. Essential attendance on at c.8-10 residential projects a year.

Leave: 25 days per year, plus bank holidays and up to 13 additional pre-set discretionary reward days in September and during the Christmas period.

Other benefits: 4% employer pension contribution paid on full base salary, rising by 1% per year of service, up to a maximum of 6%, hybrid working, office with great transport links, flexible working (outside core hours), employee reward scheme, a tight-knit effective team with great morale.

Based: Hybrid – our small office in Waterloo, London. Hybrid working is well established with the majority of the team splitting time around 50:50 between the office and home.

To start: Ideally, February 2025.

Who we’re looking for:

Our next Youth Work hero. You'll be fun, active, energised, deeply experienced in work with young people with complex needs, and looking to join an organisation you can believe in and who in return will believe and invest in you.

You’ll have multiple years’ experience working alongside young people who might struggle in other settings and will be used to dealing with a range of challenging behaviours and complex support needs, ideally including mental health support needs,with a good understanding of safeguarding. You’ll have the flexibility to work away from home on up to 10 week-long residential projects per year. Ideally, you’ll also have experience of leading projects for children – whether residential or non-residential. Experience of working on or leading residentials projects themselves is not required but may be an advantage.

We are a small, vibrant, friendly staff team of 8, growing to 9 by the summer, supported by a committed volunteer base of around 200.

We are particularly keen to encourage applications from those who can help us represent the lived experiences of our children through their own lived experience or background.

To apply:

See full Job Description & Person Specification on our website.

Send a copy of your CV or up to date LinkedIn profile, as well as a covering letter, by the closing date of 8pm, Sunday 5th January 2025.

Covering letters should be very approximately 1 to 1.5 sides A4 and address the question of: ‘Why this role, why now’, as well as ‘what strengths, experience and skills you would bring with you to the role’.If you prefer, you are welcome to submit a short (2 to 4 minutes) video covering these questions either instead of, or to supplement, your cover letter. We have found this helps bring the strongest applications to life, though the video is not a requirement.

Selection Process and Timeline:

Selection will be via two stage interview. As there is only a short turnaround from application closure on 5th January to 1st stage interviews 8th-9th January, we will assess applications and offer interview slots throughout the window. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you need to wait till the closing date to submit.

1st stage interviews:Weds 8th – Thurs 9th January (virtual)

2nd stage final interviews: Monday 13th January (in-person, London Waterloo)

Please hold interview dates as alternates dates are unlikely to be available.

​The role requires an Enhanced DBS check and existing right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions about the role, contact us via our website and we’d be happy to arrange an informal chat. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) will be part of our dynamic, responsive and highly regarded HIDVA team, providing excellent trauma informed support, crisis intervention, advocacy and advice to survivors in hospitals and health settings, both patients and staff Impacted by domestic abuse.

The HIDVA will also provide advice and training to hospital staff and ensure robust referral pathways are established within the different departments.

We offer an out of hours phone service (Friday evenings and weekend days) together with on-site cover within the hospitals during important events where domestic abuse has been shown to increase, such as Christmas, Bank Holidays, Valentine’s Day and Football Tournaments. The post holder will be expected to participate in the out of hours rota, TOIL and flexible working to recompense for this, as well as overtime for bank holidays/ special events if required on site.

The HIDVA will be based in the Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, and will be expected to visit other hospitals across the trust from time to time to attend meetings, deliver training and cover other team members. There is also flexibility to work from the Rising Sun main office in Canterbury to attend team meetings, supervision and training.

We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who is experienced in supporting survivors with varying needs such as, drugs/alcohol, mental health, homelessness and patients with no recourse to public funds.  Experience with Elderly People, Dementia Sufferers and their Carers or knowledge of midwifery would be desirable, although not essential. 

You will report to the HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun’s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support to Survivors

• Be present in the hospitals daily to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors. 
• Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
• Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
• Carry out needs assessments, including DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment, to effectively deliver holistic, survivor centred support.
• Work in partnership with hospital staff, safeguarding departments and other services e.g. the police, housing, social services, mental health (amongst others) to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
• Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
• Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
• Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics
• Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
• Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
• Complete daily ward rounds to raise awareness and identify any potential DA support needs for staff or patients.
• Participate in an out of hours rota, providing an on-call phone support service to hospital staff on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.

Partnership Working and Training

• Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
• Attend safeguarding, mental health and frequent attenders meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse and provide advice to staff.  Together with any other helpful meetings that may arise.
• Deliver training to staff in various health settings across Kent to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.

General

• Maintain commitment to and work in line with the Rising Sun Framework.
• Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy
• Ensure confidentiality on all appropriate matters, and adhere to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
• Comply with Rising Sun’s policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
• Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following experience, knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Qualifications

• Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) qualification (desirable)
• Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) qualification (desirable)
• Health qualification (desirable)
   

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience of working with survivors of domestic abuse, including high risk clients, assessing risks and needs and ability to use professional judgment and make decisions
• Experience of co-producing short and longer term safety and support plans with survivors and their children
• Experience working with the police, social services and MARAC
• Experience of working in a hospital / health setting (desirable)
• Experience working with people with mental health needs, substance misuse, other complex needs (desirable)
• Experience working within maternity/midwifery services (desirable)
• Experience supporting older people (desirable)
• Experience of delivering training (desirable)
• Knowledge of criminal and civil legal remedies and housing law relating to domestic abuse
• Knowledge of domestic abuse risk assessment tools including DASH and understanding of the MARAC process
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding relating to adults with care and support needs and understanding of safeguarding children
• Up to date knowledge of the welfare benefits system and the ability to ensure service users maximise their benefit entitlement (desirable)
• Knowledge of local services and DA Specialists across Kent & Medway (desirable)

Skills and Attitude

• Ability to network face to face and virtually, to develop new contacts and partnerships
• Ability to train professionals on recognising domestic abuse and responding appropriately (desirable)
• Ability to use appropriate institutional advocacy to maximise positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise
• Ability to motivate yourself and work independently on your own initiative
• Solution focused and creative in approaching new challenges
• Competent using Microsoft office programmes, in particular MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Passionate about the aim and principles of Rising Sun
• Committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and maintaining confidentiality

General

• A commitment to the values and ethos of the Rising Sun
• A good understanding of cultural issues, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• Able to work some evenings and weekends
• Able to cover some Bank Holidays and cultural events on a rota basis with time off in lieu or overtime where appropriate
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Able to drive and have access to a reliable car (the post holder will be required to attend meetings and deliver training across our areas of work)

Equal Opportunities Statement

Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups/groups with a protected characteristic such as B.A.M.E., who are currently underrepresented at Rising Sun. We are disability-friendly, and flexible working is available in the majority of roles. We strive to offer accommodations to all applicants who need them.

Safeguarding Statement

Rising Sun is committed to safeguarding those we provide a service to. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, a ‘right to work check’ in accordance with UK government Home Office guidelines, and to provide two references.

Benefits

We offer a number of benefits to team members including:

• 25 days annual leave per year
• A bonus day of leave for your birthday
• 3% matched pension contribution
• Access to Rising Sun’s counselling service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health care cash plan for you and your children for a number of health treatments (e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy etc.) and also discounts in shops and attractions
• Up to four weeks sick pay in any 12 month period (eligible after probation period)

We have a new and exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, efficient and organised Events Administrator to join us as a Professional Networks Events Administrator at The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) - a medical charity focussing on supporting doctors to deliver medical imaging and cancer services.

The Professional Networks Events Administrator provides an organised, proactive service to members of the professional networks team. In particular, as the Events Administrator you will support the Professional Network Manager and Co-ordinators during the busiest time of the year to develop and deliver events that form part of the annual workplan to support for our faculties- clinical radiology and clinical oncology.

If you are a proficient and proactive Administrator who is seeking to develop their events career in an impactful role for an organisation with a meaningful mission, then this may be the role for you.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and deliver from start to finish a limited number of smaller-scale events annually for professional network audiences based in the UK.
• Work closely with the Professional Network Coordinators and Network leads to  identify and confirm inspiring and up to date programmes, speakers, clear learning outcomes, and event materials.
• Follow and contribute to the development of existing event project management templates and frameworks, to support consistency of approach and a learning culture across the Networks team.
• Where required, adapt and apply per-product budget templates for our repeatable, smaller-scale, products ensuring that are accurate, including direct and staff costs, as well as forecast delegate and sponsorship income.
• Proactively track and monitor event expenditure and income, reconciling budgets at the end of event periods to inform evaluation, and reporting on team and organisational targets.
• Monitor and respond to queries about the overall Networks programme (events, webinars, e- newsletters and resources) from stakeholders via telephone and email, triaging and redirecting to relevant colleagues.

What you’ll need:

• Experience of working in event administration across in person and/or online and hybrid formats, including working with external experts to deliver activities.
• Proven experience of providing high quality customer service to stakeholders
• Experience using Microsoft packages, and/or online event delivery platforms e.g., Zoom or MS Teams.
• Ability to work with budgets and track income and expenditure for a variety of activities simultaneously.
• Demonstrable organisational and administrative skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

If the role sounds like the next exciting opportunity for you then please find out more about the role, the RCR and instructions on how to apply through the candidate pack.

Why join us:

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
• Hybrid working (40% working week can be done remotely)
• Modern working environment
• Equipment provided to work from home
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme