At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Ridley Villas, ensuring excellent trauma-informed care for women and children.
- Company: Changing Lives, dedicated to supporting vulnerable women and children.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, well-being days, birthday off, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to community integration and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of women and children in recovery.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing services and understanding trauma-informed care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Reference: JUN20265600
Expiry date: 17:00, Mon, 20th Jul 2026
Location: Newcastle
Salary: Competitive
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave
- 2 Well-being days
- Birthday day off
- 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for reduced hours)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Death in service x2 salary benefit
- Access to employee benefit platform
- Employee savings plan
About the Service - Women and Children's Services
We run services and dedicated women's centres for those who are at risk or struggling with challenging circumstances, including women in the criminal justice system and those with experience of trauma, selling sex or sexual exploitation. We understand that women and girls have experiences which are different from men and can experience vulnerabilities that are specific to their gender. Childhood abuse and domestic abuse are common features in the lives of the women we support which impact on their health and wellbeing. Underpinning all our services is an in-depth understanding of trauma and a focus on recovery, resilience and community integration.
About the Job
The successful candidate will manage and oversee Ridley Villas, supporting staff to deliver excellent standards of trauma informed care.
Ridley Villas provides psychologically informed accommodation for women who are on a Medication Assisted Recovery pathway and those in recovery from addiction, together with their children. Families accessing the service have current involvement with Children's Social Care, often where there are concerns regarding the safety and welfare of children, including situations where there is a risk of children going into care or where there is a reunification plan to support a child's safe return to their mother's care. The Service works in close partnership with Children's Social Care and other relevant agencies to deliver coordinated, trauma-informed support. Through structured programmes of intervention, the project supports women to strengthen their recovery, enhance parenting capacity, reduce risk, and improve outcomes for their children, with the aim of enabling children to remain safely in, or return to, their mother’s care. The focus of this service is to support women who are in recovery from addiction, working with women holistically, recognising that addiction is a very common response to experiences of trauma and abuse.
Ridley Villas offers five self-contained units, known as the 'hub', and two dispersed units, which are flats in the Newcastle area for families who can manage more independently. Families in the dispersed units access the programme of support at the 'hub' and all families have an allocated caseworker who offers tailored support. Based in Newcastle, Ridley Villas supports families from Newcastle and Gateshead and is jointly funded by both Local Authorities.
At Changing Lives we value a diverse workforce and are keen to recruit people of all ages and from all backgrounds, abilities and ethnicities.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ROLE THIS ROLE IS ONLY OPEN TO FEMALE APPLICANTS.
Project Lead - Ridley Villas in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Changing Lives
Changing Lives is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community through its Women and Children's Services. Located in Newcastle, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being with generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, well-being days, and a contributory pension scheme. Our commitment to professional growth ensures that staff have access to tailored training and development opportunities, empowering them to excel in their roles while making a difference in the lives of vulnerable women and children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Lead - Ridley Villas in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Changing Lives.
✨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 Changing Lives!
✨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 Changing Lives, 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 Changing Lives 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 Project Lead - Ridley Villas in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Changing Lives:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Changing Lives! 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 Changing Lives
✨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.
