Safeguarding lead jobs

Job Title: Service Manager

Location: Derby
Salary: £39,444 per annum
Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week with a requirement to particiapte in the out of hours on-call on a rota basis

We are recruiting for a Service Manager who is passionate about supporting survivors who are impacted by domestic abuse and other gender-based crimes. This is a multifaceted, fast paced, and exciting role where you will join our team in Derby to lead on the delivery and development of high-quality refuge and outreach services for survivors of domestic abuse and other gender-based crimes. 

The post holder will provide line management and high-quality support to the direct reports in line with Refuge’s policies and procedures. This will include providing supervision on complex and high-risk cases, overseeing operational emergencies, and ensuring high standards of casework. The Service Manager will lead on the delivery of the multiagency aspect of work, working jointly with the Refuge teams and wider stakeholders to deliver best services to the survivors. 

Candidates must have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support to vulnerable people, managing, and motivating staff, managing casework as well as working within multiagency setting.  In addition, you must have an excellent knowledge of domestic abuse and other gender-based violence and its impact on survivors.  You will have knowledge of relevant Criminal and Civil law legislation, as well as Housing and Health and Safety legislation.

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

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

Closing Date: 09:00am 12 May 2025

Interview Date: 19 and 20 May 2025

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

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Hours: 35 hours per week. We are open to considering a job share arrangement for the right candidates.  

Salary: £39,000.  

Location: Homeworking.  

Reports to: Head of Programmes.   

Oversight of a delivery team: Yes (currently 30 plus self-employed coordinators).    

Travel: Travel across the country to visit our activities, including overnight stays, is part of this role. All related expenses will be covered by The Country Trust.  

Annual leave: 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (FTE).  

Benefits: Workplace pension. Homeworking, some flexibility on working hours.  

Are you passionate about connecting disadvantaged children with food, farming, and nature? 

We're looking for a dedicated and experienced Programme Manager—an inspiring, child-centred educator with a deep commitment to tackling poverty of opportunity. 

Through effective team management and leadership, and collaboration with colleagues, this role enables a large team of expert practitioners to deliver the charity’s mission of providing high quality, educational, relevant, safe and impactful Farm Discovery visits and related activities for disadvantaged children across England and North Wales.  

Could you:  

• Lead our dispersed Farm Discovery team of expert practitioners, ensuring all our processes - recruitment, training, administration, reporting, information management, communication, budgeting, evaluation and of course our delivery - enable us to achieve amazing things with primary school communities in disadvantaged areas around the country?  

• Work with others to grow and shape our programmes to achieve our vision?  

• As an inspiring advocate of our work, build our contribution to the national conversation around food, farming and nature education? 

 If so, would love to hear from you! 

 
Due to our safer recruitment process we are not able to accept CVs for this position. 

Applications close: noon 30th April  

First round interviews (held virtually) will be on Wednesday 7th May. Second round interviews will be held face-to-face in London on Wednesday 14th May.

Job Title: Hackney Paid Peer Supporter

Salary: £25,207 FTE (£15,124,20 pro-rata)

Hours per week: 21 hours 

Contract: Fixed Term contract until 31st March 2026

Location: Homerton Hospital, Hackney Borough Based

Benefits: NCT membership with access to exclusive benefits, pension  scheme, 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank and public holiday.

About us

NCT is a charity with a clear mission: to support people as they become parents, through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

With a 65-year history of transformative change, we are a vibrant community of volunteers, practitioners, peer supporters, members and advocates. We are the largest parenting charity in the country and over the decades we’ve supported millions of people on their unique journey into parenthood. 

While many know us for our antenatal classes, we also do much more. We campaign on issues that matter to parents, provide infant feeding support, and run thousands of free community events and activities led by our amazing volunteers. We also support families facing challenges like social isolation, feeding difficulties, and poor mental health. We offer support in communities, in hospitals and online. 

NCT is committed to social justice and equity. We are dedicated to being an anti-racist charity and believe that inclusion is everyone's responsibility. Being there for every parent requires bold action to challenge inequalities. By creating inclusive spaces and services that are built on collaboration and trust, we welcome and celebrate diversity and strive to meet the needs of the pregnant women, new parents, families and communities that we serve.

As the world changes and new challenges are thrown up for parents, our charity must change too. Join us now and be part of this journey, and ensure that every parent feels connected, confident and safe. 

About the role

Our Hackney Parent Support project is commissioned by Hackney Council, to offer infant feeding support across the region in both community and hospital settings and parenting courses for families throughout the Hackney region. The support is delivered by staff and volunteer peer supporters.

We are seeking a capable Peer Supporter who will support parents at Homerton Hospital and at various community settings in Hackney. This role will mainly be based between Homerton hospital and out in the community (expenses will be reimbursed).

You will be responsible for offering infant feeding support for parents within Homerton Hospital and the community. Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:

• Providing breastfeeding support to families on the wards at Homerton hospital and community settings within Hackney.
• Support in delivering inductions for volunteer peer supporters.
• To report any concerns or additional support needs of women to the NCT management team and/or Infant Feeding Lead for referral onto partner agencies as appropriate. 
• To attend regular supervision/support sessions.
• Having a good working knowledge and understanding of the local demographics in the Hackney area and ensuring all support is accessible and inclusive.
• Ensure that data collection and feedback is collected in a timely manner in an inclusive way.

You must have good communication skills and be able to build relationships and create a rapport with a wide range of people easily. This is a large project and covers multiple locations so you must be able to confidently prioritise your own work, be highly organised and able to work independently.

Being able to make decisions and respond appropriately to our staff, peer supporters and parents and other external stakeholders is essential, alongside good IT skills– including Outlook, Word and Excel – and you must have good attention to detail.
 
It is essential for this post that you undertake the training to become an NCT Breastfeeding Peer Supporter. This requires experience of giving breast milk. The training can be undertaken within your working hours.

The role is 21 hours per week which will be predominantly Monday to Friday within the working day, however, will include occasional evening and weekends. This role is mainly based at Homerton Hospital and at community settings across Hackney.

About you

• Are you willing to undertake our Peer Supporter training? (Requires experience in giving breast milk)
• Can you work at pace and juggle a number of different priorities?
• Are you passionate about supporting families to reach their parenting and feeding goals and contribute to their positive wellbeing?
• Do you want to join an amazing Charity that supports parents across the UK?
• Would you like to be part of an amazing team of passionate staff?

What we offer

We are taking positive action to increase diversity throughout our organisation, at all levels, and to nurture a culture of inclusion for all our people and the parents and families that we support.

We are committed to zero discrimination both internally and externally regardless of visible or invisible difference such as sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, religion or belief, gender identity, economic class, marital/civil partnership, family status including single parents, socio-economic background and pregnancy and maternity. We provide reasonable adjustments and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. 

We welcome and actively encourage applications from all candidates including those from under-represented groups within NCT such as individuals from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQI+ people and people with a disability. 

The welfare and safety of individuals is at the heart of everything that we do. NCT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. 

Closing date: 24th April 2025 at 23:59

Interviews: Week beginning 27th April 2025

Crisis Intervention Worker - Talking Spaces Service (Mental Health) 

Location: Multiple sites across Birmingham - Beechcroft Centre, Erdington, Grounded, Selly Oak and Grounded St Paul’s, Jewellery Quarter 

Salary: £25,231 (Full time equivalent) £20,185 pro rata for 30 hours HPW 

Hours: 30 hours per week – various shift patterns between 1pm-11.00pm, over 5 days, including weekends 

DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY IN BIRMINGHAM? 

Birmingham Mind is recruiting an exciting and rewarding position! 

About the role: 

The Crisis Intervention Worker will be working closely with individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis and/or episodes of psychological/emotional distress. The main purpose of the role is to assist individuals through appropriate person-centred interventions to be able to address and help de-escalate their immediate crisis experience. 

Listening to individuals in a crisis will be a key aspect of your role and involves focusing, observing, understanding, and responding with empathy, genuineness, respect, acceptance, non-judgment, and sensitivity. 

About you: 

We are looking for a candidate with the following skills and experience: 

• Previous experience working in the mental health field, with experience of supporting people to be in control of their lives either in a paid or voluntary capacity. 

• Knowledge and understanding of the social determinants that can lead to poor mental health. 

• A good working knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation. 

• Extensive knowledge of the local community within which you are working. 

• Excellent communication and team working skills and the ability to effectively utilise the technology available. 

• Good knowledge of both Microsoft Word and Outlook. 

• The ability to work flexibly including evenings and weekend shift patterns. 

The Talking Space Service operates from 5pm to 11pm seven days a week throughout the year. Employees will work on a rota basis in our Erdington location. 

Benefits include an attractive defined contribution pension scheme, PayCare which offers employees affordable cover for a range of healthcare treatments; Employee Assistance Programme which includes free counselling and a comprehensive training programme. 

Our people are key to the success of the organisation, and we are recognised as both Mindful Employer as well as achieving gold standard success in Investors in People. 

We welcome applications from people who have experienced mental health difficulties. 

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 30th April 2025 

Interviews to take place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May 2025 

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

We are looking for an Advocate to join our team in the Edinburgh area. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

About us

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for Advocates to join and shape this service covering Edinburgh. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing support.

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance. 

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Benefits 

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

Access to remote counselling service 

Paid Disability Leave 

Paid compassionate Leave 

Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).  

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midday on 28th April 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

Want to know more about VoiceAbility and the role?

Please visit the vacancy page for more details 

We look forward to hearing from you.

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

The Role

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, and experienced support worker to join our Young People Support Team based in Hackney. You will provide client directed, person centred support to help young people achieve personal goals and aspirations for independent living, training, employment, and education. You will assist and collaborate with young people to create and carry out a support plan designed around their needs and aspirations, providing information and inspiration, practical support, innovation, and encouragement. You will have an individual caseload but will work alongside a team of Support Workers, with similar client groups, working to the same principles and goals. 

Our Organisation

You will work a combination of office, client-home, community, and home-based working. Causeway is a 4-day week employer, and this role is part-time 16 hours per week, worked over 3 days. Your working hours will be Wednesdays 11am-3pm, Thursdays 10am-4:30pm (with an unpaid 30 minute break), and Fridays 10am-4pm (with an unpaid 30 minute break). Causeway is a London living wage employer, with a competitive pension scheme. We also offer an employee assistance programme that provides free financial, legal, and mental health advice and support to our employees. We provide core training, and continuous learning and development throughout your career with us. 

About You

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

Job Summary

Learning Support Assistants support PiP’s Development Workers to deliver a flexible programme of learning and development opportunities; ensuring that students can actively participate and engage in sessions, giving student’s maximum opportunity to learn and develop. 

PiP’s programmes focus on four learning pathways:

- Independent Living Skills

- Creative and Performing Arts

- Health, Wellbeing and Happiness

- Employment and Vocational Skills

The role incorporates session delivery, recording and monitoring student progress, key working responsibilities such as liaising with student’s support networks and involvement in PiP’s wider work. 

Who We Are

PIP is a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities or autism to achieve their potential, and to lead lives that are as independent as possible.  

Our mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our students.

What You’ll Need

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, or a similar vulnerable service user group in care or educational settings
• A strong commitment to person-centred support and advocacy
• A passion for enabling positive change in the lives of our students
• The character and communication skills to be an effective and supportive team member
• Energy, initiative and a proactive attitude
• A calm and creative approach to challenges and problem solving

What We Offer:

· You'll get 25 days holiday + bank holidays ever year. We're closed for Christmas but the rest of the year you may take leave whenever you wish. 

· An extra day of annual leave for each year you've worked with us up to another 5 (30 in total)

· We offer a travel subsidy to help with the cost of commuting.

· We provide a 4% pension contribution

· Incremental pay progression

· It's an early finish on Fridays - we close once all students leave around 4pm.

· Free Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 including access to counselling

· We offer regular team meals and social-generally during work hours and they are optional.

· We offer a cycle-to-work scheme and other staff discounts

Our Mission

PiP's mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our service users.

Our commitments

PiP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with the Inclusive Employers Standard 2020. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly applicants who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as people with lived experience of disabilities and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities. 

PiP keeps all personal information confidential and in line with current data protection legislation and GDPR. 

Closing Date: April 20th 2025

We encourage you to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the advert sooner subject to finding suitable candidates.  

Senior Inclusion Specialist

We are looking for a Senior Inclusion Specialist (term time + 3 weeks only) to join a team providing educational support to children and young people, their families, and local schools in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy.

Position: Senior Inclusion Specialist
Location: West London (office-based)
Salary: £57,072 - £64,623 per annum (£54,218 - £61,391 actual/pro-rata)
Hours: Full Time (36 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent (term time + 3 weeks only = 42 weeks)

Closing Date: 11.59pm on Monday 21st April 2025

The Role

The Senior Inclusion Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who have been affected by the Grenfell tragedy. You will work directly with families, schools, alternative provisions, and local services to identify and address individual needs, ensuring that inclusive education practices are implemented effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a small team, including an Inclusion Specialist and Family Practitioner.
• Oversee complex SEN cases, guiding families through assessments, referrals, and support plans.
• Provide trauma-informed guidance, advising on how trauma impacts learning and behaviour.
• Work with schools and local authorities to design inclusive education strategies and improve SEN provision.
• Conduct baseline assessments and develop individual support plans for children and young people.
• Deliver training sessions to educators, parents, and carers on SEN best practices and trauma-informed teaching.
• Coordinate diagnostic assessments and liaise with external professionals, ensuring timely interventions.
• Advocate for families, ensuring young people receive the right support within the education system.
• Develop and oversee peer mentoring programs and small-group after-school learning sessions in English or Maths.
• Maintain accurate records and reports, tracking pupil progress and evaluating intervention outcomes.

About You

We recognise this is a unique role and therefore realise you may not have experience in every aspect of the person specification. We value enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and passion for building resilience within our community.  We therefore encourage you to apply if you feel you align with our vision and approach, even if your experience to date does not match all elements of the role.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial SEN experience across multiple key stages.
• Experience working with children affected by trauma, separation, and loss.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding policies and the ability to respond to concerns.
• Experience managing teams and supporting professional development in SEN settings.
• Knowledge of education legislation and policies, including EHCP processes and the Children and Families Act 2014.
• An understanding of trauma informed and restorative practice alongside a willingness to learn more.
• Ability to design and deliver bespoke interventions for children with complex needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong ability to engage with diverse communities.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training.

Ready to Make an Impact? Apply Now! Submit your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides A4) outlining how you meet the role requirements. Please ensure both documents are in one file.

About the Organisation

The Grenfell Education Hub will open later this year to serve those most affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The hub will provide educational support to children and young people, their families, and local schools.

Following a consultation process in 2023 and 2024, the hub will bring together a team of professionals, including four specialist teachers, an Educational Psychologist, a Speech and Language Therapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Careers Coordinator, and a Family Support Worker. Their time will be split between direct work with children and families in the hub and supporting local schools. The hub’s objectives are to:

• Provide high-quality educational support to as many children and young people as possible.
• Build the skills and confidence of children, families, and education staff in local schools.
• Develop strong relationships with those most affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
• Accurately assess its impact.

Diversity & Inclusion: The Grenfell Education Hub is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Other roles you may have experience in: SEN Specialist, Education Consultant, Inclusion Lead, Pastoral Support Officer, Trauma-Informed Educator, Education Coordinator, Teaching and Learning Lead, Behaviour Support Specialist.

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

Would you like to make a difference to Bristol’s mental health?

Are you skilled at leading teams of mental health professionals? Can you foster an environment where colleagues can flourish? Can you approach challenges with energy and expertise, and steer a busy and specialist organisation with confidence?

If this sounds like you, then we'd love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to...

• Steer an established, award-winning charity at an important moment in its evolution
• Lead a passionate and driven team of specialist psychodynamic professionals
• Engage in clinical work (where appropriate) alongside leadership duties

WHY WORK FOR US?
At the BPNA, we value a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive work culture. The BPNA is a medium sized charitable organization (income £1,000,000+) with big ambitions, and we work closely together to make an impact.
You'll join a welcoming team that values mutual respect, flexibility, and work-life balance. We believe in continuous learning and career progression. As a member of the BPNA team, you'll have access to ongoing training opportunities and support for professional development, ensuring that you can grow both within this role and across future career aspirations. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 
You will be responsible for the financial management and reporting of the organisation. You will
also lead on the charity’s year-end accounts ensuring that financial statements are prepared in line with the latest SORP requirements, and liaising directly with the organisation's external auditors.
The main purpose of this role is to:
- Manage the accounts department to run efficiently and effectively. 
- Ensure sales and purchase ledgers are accurate and up to date, other income is recorded accurately, profit and loss reports provided monthly and management reports are provided quarterly and end-of-year is completed on time. 
- Manage banking arrangements to make supplier payments, collect income through direct debits and online payment gateway.

Candidates must have the Right To Work in the UK

Job Title: Floating Support Worker

Location:Hybrid working with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London) and co-locations across London
Salary: £28,104 per annum, inclusive of London weighting allowance if applicable
Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract (Until March 2026)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

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

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Floating Support worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children in the community.

The post-holder will support the Ascent Pan London Service in building sustainable referral pathways and joint working protocols with a range of partners working with survivors of domestic abuse. You will provide capacity-building in the form of advice, advocacy, support, and briefings across the London boroughs to statutory agencies and community organizations around the needs of Eastern European domestic abuse survivors, to embed best practice across our communities. 

The successful appliant  will have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support to women as well as up-to-date knowledge of legislation relating to survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, you will have excellent casework skills, good written and verbal communication skills, clear professional boundaries and be a proactive team player. 

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

Closing Date: 09:00am 25 April 2025

Interview Date: 6 May 2025

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

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

We are looking for an experienced conservation professional, land manager or land advisor with a strong commitment to nature recovery to take up the role of Director of Conservation and Land Management for a year’s maternity cover. We welcome secondment proposals to facilitate knowledge exchange between organisations.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has a stunning network of nature reserves spanning over 1200 hectares of species-rich meadows, chalk downland and ancient woodlands. We also have an outstanding track record in connecting people with nature. Partnership is our watchword, and we are proud to host the new Local Nature Partnership for Wiltshire and Swindon and to be a partner in regional collaborations like Western Forest and Big Chalk, collaborating to secure nature’s recovery at a truly landscape scale.

For this maternity cover role, we are keen to hear from candidates who can bring fresh skills and perspectives to further develop our approach to conservation and land management. Specialisms in conservation grazing, land advice and adaptive land management for climate resilience will all be welcomed. You will have the leadership skills and emotional intelligence to help your teams achieve great things, and a mind-set that seeks out solutions. You will have outstanding collaboration skills and the credibility to play a leading role in strategic partnerships.

If you have the passion to make a difference and the skills and experience we need, then we very much look forward to hearing from you.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. All WWT staff will receive safeguarding training and must ensure that they comply with WWT’s safeguarding policy.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need talented people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side.  Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is an exemplary employer with high staff satisfaction and multiple benefits for employees. These benefits include:

• Employer pension contribution up to 7.5% 
• Group risk insurance – death in service and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 27 days annual leave increasing to 30 days in your fifth year of service plus public holidays (pro-rata)
• Staff discount at Dragonfly Cafe
• Head office in town centre with parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Two staff wellbeing days per annum

Recruitment timetable

Deadline for applications: 22 April

First stage interviews: 1 May

Second stage interviews: 7 May

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £34,635 per annum 
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

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

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Deputy Service Manager, supporting a high performing team to provide high quality, trauma informed support to victim/survivors of Domestic Abuse and their children, living in our safe accommodation. The deputy manager will contribute to the management of our dispersed accommodation service, in line with Refuge’s policies and procedures and quality management system.

The post holder will provide line management and support to staff, mainly Floating Support Workers. This will include providing supervision on complex casework issues such as child protection, overseeing operational emergencies and ensuring high standards of housing management. 

Working closely with the Service Manager to ensure that contractual and other funding requirements are met fully, and that Refuge’s high-quality standards are maintained, the role may involve visiting potential sites and contributing to the establishment of new services in conjunction with the development team. The job involves working closely with staff that supports victim/survivors of Domestic Abuse in crisis using our services.

As a member of the management team, the post holder will be required to participate in an out-of-hours rota management service.

There is also a requirement to have access to a vehicle, as regular travel across Warwickshire between properties will be required.

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

Closing Date: 09:00am 21 April 2025

Interview Date: 28 April 2025

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

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Purpose of the Job

Advice Quality and Operations Managers will make sure clients get accurate and appropriate advice and that advisers are supported and can develop their skills.

Maintain a consistent quality of advice and help for clients by providing support, guidance and feedback on a day-to-day basis and using those insights to drive advice service development.

This role is vital in fostering a culture of quality and excellence within the agency, ensuring that both staff and volunteers are well-equipped to deliver exceptional advice services to clients.

Job Description

Strategy and planning

• Work with the Head of Advice to develop and deliver an operational plan to support delivery of the strategic priorities, which is measured, monitored and reported up to the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Co-ordinate activities, procedures and systems so as to promote the common policies and practices with the appropriate advice services.
• Ensure that the strategy is accessible to and understood by all staff and volunteers and they know the role they play in achieving our goals.

Risk management and compliance

• Regularly review the risks to which the charity is exposed to relating to Advice Services and provide assurance that systems or procedures are in effective operation to manage those risks.
• Ensure the use of systems in place to meet the requirements of all applicable regulatory bodies relating to the Advice Service Delivery.
• Working with the rest of the management team ensures that good data protection practices are embedded in our day-to-day operations.
• Assess requests made in relation to GDPR.

People management and development

• Support team members in continuous learning that will equip and develop people to deliver outstanding advice delivery. Responsibility for the delivery of the training and development plan for the Advice Services Department including, sourcing, delivering, evaluating and maintaining records.
• Supervise the work of paid staff and volunteers
• Maintain and develop standards of service delivery.
• Advise the Head of Advice on staffing and service-related issues.
• Plan and allocate work, monitor achievements of deadlines and key performance indicators and provide support as appropriate.
• Ensure that the service area and projects are adequately resourced.
• Ensure recruitment and selection of paid staff and volunteers as appropriate.
• Develop inclusive learning and development activities to meet quality standards and the organisation’s learning and development plan. Facilitate inclusive group and / or one-to-one learning and development activities. Organise internal and external learning and development activities to ensure the competence and continuing development of staff and volunteers.
• Contribute to the assessment of competence of staff and volunteers. Co-ordinate assessment activities and make final decisions on competence.
• Working with the rest of the leadership team ensures the organisation delivers a fair, inclusive, equitable and transparent employee and volunteer experience, taking account of our EDI aims and in line with employment law and the Equality Act 2010.
• Ensure Open and timely communication that provides information about the organisation and context for decisions that are made, helps to build trust and confidence and earn legitimacy. 
• Ensure the effective performance management and development of staff through regular supervision sessions, appraisals and learning and development.
• Ensure Training is delivered and records confirm all client facing paid staff and volunteers that may be involved in providing money and debt information and advice have completed an accredited training programme
• Direct reports: Dependent on advice area, between 5 to 11 Advisors per AQOM, plus volunteers.

Operational performance management

• Maintain, develop and monitor effective and relevant performance indicators and management processes, with particular emphasis on the application of customer insight data and feedback on complaints.
• In line with the Advice Quality Standard, work with the Head of Advice and the other Advice Quality and Operations Managers to ensure that staff and volunteers have adequate supervision and that advisers have access to support at all times when delivering advice to clients. 
• Ensuring quality - actively supporting the quality of advice by guiding the team to information sources, checking that all aspects of a client's situation have been considered, checking that follow up work is progressed, and that research and campaigns issues are identified.
• Monitor the quality of advice given to clients to ensure that standards meet Citizens Advice requirements. Completing Case Checking, QAA Audits and independent file reviews (IFR) to ensure quality assurance at a whole service level. Using the insights to further develop the services to clients and skills of advisers.
• Maintain and develop standards of service delivery. 
• Take part in internal consistency exercises at least quarterly.
• Providing support - actively supporting each team member to develop their skills and competences, by explaining, guiding, demonstrating, encouraging, suggesting, coaching, giving constructive feedback and challenging appropriately - adapting the level of support to individual competence and need, and taking account of the team as a whole.
• Manage the practicalities of the service: Including overseeing all practical issues relating to the service delivery, ensuring service delivery and adequate cover is in place, allocating the team to face-to-face work and other communication methods, checking waiting times and interview lengths, and if necessary, dealing with client or Citizens Advice emergencies.
• Provide technical support and act as consultant to the advisers.
• Monitoring of service delivery and advice service contracts performance to report against KPIs, with reference to outcomes for clients, identifying any issues and proposed actions. Reporting significant risks to the Head of Advice. Ensure that appropriate systems are developed and maintained for case recording, statistics, follow up work and quality control.
• Client Experience: Use our written process for dealing with complaints, ensuring that regulatory requirements are met (for debt and money advice complaints) to ensure Complaints are handled effectively and data is used to drive improvements where appropriate. 
• Ensuring that appropriate data protection procedures are in place and are followed by all workers.
• Lead on safeguarding and gender violence issues in accordance with policies.

Other duties and responsibilities

• Understanding and acceptance of the need to work occasional evenings and weekends, both on site and on-call, as required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with management and other departments to align quality standards with organisational goals.
• Engage with external partners and regulators to ensure compliance with industry standards and share best practices.

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare and present reports on advice quality metrics to management and stakeholders.
• Utilise data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Confidentiality and safeguarding

• Confidentiality is a core principle of Citizens Advice. Support the team with the application of the confidentiality policy.
• Implementing adult and child safeguarding policies and training staff and volunteers how to identify and deal with safeguarding concerns.
• Dealing with a conflict of interest and ensuring our service takes the right action to protect the client, our staff and volunteers and the service.

Research and Campaigns

• Ensure that staff and volunteers consistently and accurately generate Advice Issue Codes (AICs), evidence forms and profile data and participate in the Network Panel Surveys

Person Specification | What you need to do this job

Essential Criteria 

• Ability to lead and contribute to a team, including the ability to prioritise own work and the work of others, and take decisions in the day to day running of a busy service area.
• Ability to plan and manage projects.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Experience of monitoring and maintaining service delivery against agreed targets.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own time and work and work of others in a pressured environment.
• Experience of analysing information to produce reports.
• Leadership and management ability within the context of understanding the needs of a voluntary sector organisation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing and over the telephone with individuals and with a wide variety of organisations and audiences.
• Ability to meet Citizens Advice competence with a minimum of three years’ experience of involvement with advice giving.
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information and to produce and present clear verbal and written reports. 

Desired Criteria

• Significant experience managing large advice and helpline services which includes supporting individuals within at least one of the areas of – (for example) welfare benefits, debt management, housing, or health and social care issues.
• Demonstrable experience of driving innovation and service improvement within an advisory/customer focused service.
• Experience of supporting change.
• Well-developed staff management and leadership skills, with strong experience of implementing robust performance management processes.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including excellent IT skills.
• Proven ability to create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff are empowered and motivated to do their best.
• Experience in managing budgets.
• Ability to ensure best use of IT systems and packages in the provision of advice services and the ability to monitor and maintain casework systems and procedures.
• Ability to work with a variety of organisations and to earn and maintain the trust of those people with whom the Bureau deals.
• Ability to contribute to the team combined with willingness to learn and develop and have a positive attitude to change with an ability to plan ahead.
• Access to own transport and able to work at any service location in the Bureau’s area of operation as required.

Application Process:

To apply, please complete the application process on CharityJob. Please submit a concise supporting statement which includes examples and evidence of when you have demonstrated the attributes listed within the person specification. You will be expected to address each point separately and, in the order listed.

If you do not complete a full supporting statement in the requested format, your application may be rejected.

Addressing each point of the person specification

This is a key section of the application which allows you to provide evidence of your experience, knowledge, skills and abilities that are relevant to the role as described in the role profile.  Selection is based on an assessment of the evidence you provide against the requirements of the role as set out in the person specification.  It is important that you tailor your response to clearly demonstrate how you meet each requirement. No assumptions will be made about your achievements and abilities. 

Please provide one example for each requirement.  You should choose examples of past experience that clearly demonstrate what we are looking for, and be precise about what you did, how you did it and the outcome or result of your actions. Please try to limit your response to each criterion to a maximum of 200 words. 

A useful guide might be S.T.A.R:

• Specific – give a specific example
• Task – briefly describe the task/objective/problem
• Action – tell us what you did
• Results – describe what results were achieved

Please provide recent work examples wherever possible.  However, do remember that relevant examples from other aspects of your life, for example: voluntary or unpaid work, school or college work, family or home responsibilities, can also be given.

We are an equal opportunity employer. If you have any requirements (e.g. for attending an interview) please note these clearly on in your letter.

Interview Process:

The closing date is Friday 2nd May 2025, 6pm

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by telephone, so please give a daytime telephone number or somewhere we can leave a message to arrange an interview.

Our selection process consists of three stages:

• Stage 1 – Telephone Interview:

            Initial interviews will take place via telephone on Thursday 15th May 2025.

• Stage 2 – Formal Interview (In-Person):

            Candidates who are successful at Stage 1 will be invited to our Stevenage office for a formal face-to-face interview                on Monday 19th May 2025.

• Stage 3 – Practical Activity & Final Q&A:

            Following the formal interview, candidates will complete a short activity and have the opportunity to ask any final                   questions.

Please note that Stages 2 and 3 will take place on the same day.