At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting individuals facing homelessness and empower them to make informed choices.
- Company: Compassionate organisation dedicated to helping vulnerable communities.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on collaboration and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in support roles and strong leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 27933 - 27933 £ per year.
The Peer Support Service Lead will oversee a team providing support to individuals experiencing homelessness or vulnerably housed. The role aims to facilitate connection, motivate, inspire, and provide a non‑judgmental listening ear to empower clients to make informed choices. Fixed term until March 2027 initially – full time – £27,933 per annum.
The team conducts outreach within the local community to assist individuals aged 18+ who face systemic barriers that prevent or hinder access to services. Clients may have limited experience of maintaining tenancies and sustaining engagement, often reluctant to share experiences. Peer Support Workers bridge this gap, taking a relational approach to build trust and support clients in making initial steps toward engagement with housing, health and wellbeing services, and social engagement opportunities.
The post holder is an effective leader, managing day‑to‑day functions of the Peer Support team and supporting them to work with individuals experiencing multiple disadvantages. A key feature of the service is its lived‑experience component. The role includes responsibility for ensuring the well‑being and safety of Peer Support Workers, providing safeguarding oversight, and adopting a caring, attentive, and supportive approach to their welfare and professional development. Collaboration with other leads across services ensures integrated, person‑centered, and trauma‑informed service delivery.
Key tasks (selection of):
- Be responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the Peer Support Service and act as the first escalation point concerning incidents and complaints.
- Facilitate integrated service provision through close working alongside other Leads, ensuring effective management of internal referrals and joint working within the teams.
- Provide direct line management and supervision for Peer Support Workers using a caring and attentive approach to their welfare and professional development.
- Oversee and review the support given to Peer Support clients and provide guidance to Peer Support Workers on a range of issues relating to service delivery.
- Ensure opportunities for co‑production, client engagement and continuous improvement of service delivery through feedback mechanisms to meet client needs.
For the full list of key tasks, responsibilities, and requirements, refer to the job description and person specification on our website.
Peer Support Service Lead in Birmingham employer: Birmingham Voluntary Service Council
As a Peer Support Service Lead, you will join a compassionate and dedicated team committed to making a real difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness or vulnerability. Our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering opportunities for training and development in a collaborative environment. Located within the heart of the community, we provide a unique chance to engage directly with those in need, ensuring your work is both meaningful and impactful.
Contact Details:
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Support Service Lead in Birmingham
✨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 Birmingham Voluntary Service Council.
✨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 Birmingham Voluntary Service Council!
✨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 Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, 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 Birmingham Voluntary Service Council 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 Peer Support Service Lead in Birmingham
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 Birmingham Voluntary Service Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Birmingham Voluntary Service Council! 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 Birmingham Voluntary Service Council
✨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.
