At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the growth and quality of Shared Lives services by recruiting and assessing carers.
- Company: Join Avalon, an award-winning charity with over 30 years of experience in person-centred support.
- Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive training, competitive pay, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: This role offers fantastic career development opportunities and a chance to shape future services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through innovative, relationship-based support.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care and strong relationship-building skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Award winning in-house training with opportunities to develop your career.
24/7 Everyday Advice helpline, giving you impartial guidance regarding any personal matters or concerns you may have.
On Call support 24 hours a day.
Discounts at high street retailers and on gym memberships.
Annual sick pay allowance.
Access to our Health Cash Plan.
£250 bonus for recommending a friend to become a Support Worker.
Paid Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Certificate (which you need to be able to work in social care).
We are looking for a proactive, relationship-focused, and values-led Shared Lives Development Specialist to support the growth, quality, and sustainability of our Shared Lives services across East Riding, East Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
The Development Specialist will support this growth by recruiting, assessing and supporting high-quality Shared Lives Carers, raising awareness of the model locally, and working in close partnership with local councils, ICB and wider stakeholders.
The postholder will ensure that all development activity is person-centred, values-led and fully compliant with CQC regulations, Shared Lives Plus guidance and Avalon’s quality standards, contributing to the delivery of safe, sustainable and relationship-based support.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a key stage in our growth journey, helping shape innovative, relationship-based support models that genuinely change lives.
Shared Lives is a unique and rewarding model of care that offers an innovative alternative to traditional support services. By matching adults who need support with approved carers who share their homes, lives, and communities, we create opportunities for people to live as independently as possible within a safe, welcoming, family-based environment.
- Recruiting, assessing, and supporting Shared Lives carers
- Promoting the Shared Lives model across local communities
- Building strong relationships with commissioners and professionals
- Supporting service growth and development activity
- Ensuring assessments and processes remain compliant and person-centred
- Supporting quality assurance and safeguarding processes
- Maintaining accurate records, reporting, and governance systems
This is a varied and rewarding role suited to someone who enjoys balancing relationship-building, development work, governance, and operational oversight. Travel will be required as part of the role, therefore a full UK Driving licence is essential.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has experience within health or social care
- Understands safeguarding, governance, and person-centred practice
- Is confident building relationships with carers, professionals, and stakeholders
- Is organised, proactive, and solutions-focused
- Can work independently and manage competing priorities
- Shares Avalon’s values and commitment to high-quality support
Experience within Shared Lives services would be beneficial but is not essential.
Why Work for Avalon?
Avalon Group is an award-winning charity with over 30 years’ experience providing person-centred support to adults with care and support needs. Our work is guided by our values of respect, honesty, learning & development, inclusion and partnership working.
- Comprehensive training from our in-house training team
- Opportunity to build specialist experience and develop lifelong skills
- Award-winning charity with over 30 years’ experience
- Values-led organisation focused on respect, inclusion and development
- Fantastic benefits including a Wider Wallet Scheme, enhanced pay rates for nights/weekends/bank holidays, 24/7 on-call support, and paid mileage.
We are proud of our culture, values, and commitment to delivering innovative, person-centred support within local communities. This is a real opportunity to shape the future of Shared Lives services within a growing and ambitious organisation.
Appointment will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Certificate.
We strive to ensure equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from suitably skilled candidates regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality or religion.
Shared Lives Development Specialist – Beverley employer: Avalon Group
Avalon Group is an exceptional employer in Teesside, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a focus on person-centred care, employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities, competitive salaries, and various discounts, making it a rewarding place to grow your career in social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shared Lives Development Specialist – Beverley
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Avalon Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Avalon Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Avalon Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Avalon Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Shared Lives Development Specialist – Beverley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Avalon Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Avalon Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avalon Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
