At a Glance
- Tasks: Support participants in overcoming challenges and reintegrating into their communities.
- Company: Employee-owned organisation focused on community support and rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, healthcare plan, and retail discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to positive change in the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or criminal justice preferred, but confidence is key.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Support Worker to join our team. As a support worker, you will be expected to do duties for a caseload of participants in a community environment. Starting with the first exchange and assessment with the participant, you will carry on with them during their sentence by providing guidance and encouraging support. Interventions will be given one-on-one and through group work to assist participants in overcoming challenges, reintegrating back into their communities, and exiting the course.
This initiative's goal is to establish safe spaces where people who have undergone rehabilitation may engage in a range of positive activities that increase social acceptance, improve their general health, and provide them with the skills they need to meet the many obstacles they face daily. Our successful candidate will ideally have experience in probation/social care or experience working within the criminal justice sector. However, we appreciate that not everyone can tick every single box, so we’re looking for someone confident who is comfortable working with a diverse range of people from various backgrounds and circumstances and can coach/mentor them. This is a rewarding opportunity that will allow you to help our participants change their lives around!
In return for your dedication, knowledge, and commitment, we offer a competitive salary of £25,877 - £29,000 per annum (dependent on experience) with these great benefits:
- 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays + Birthday Day off (with the opportunity to buy an additional 5 days)
- 2 Volunteer Days
- Pension - 5% Employee 5% Employer
- Healthcare Cash Plan, incl. 3 x salary life assurance
- Annual salary pay review
- Refer a friend scheme
- Free access to Benefit Hub - an online portal with access to a wide range of retail discounts, cycle to work scheme, and additional voluntary benefits
Location: Gloucester and Cheltenham
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 4th August 2026
Key Responsibilities
- Meet individual performance targets and contribute towards meeting team performance targets in line with contractual requirements.
- Closely collaborate with volunteer peer mentors and/or mentors to help manage your caseload more effectively and connect participants with resources for housing, substance use, physical and mental health, etc.
- Individually and as a team member, contribute towards a learning environment in which all colleagues are enabled to develop their skills and experience, and engage in activities to share best practice.
- Ensure effective case management and co-ordination of risk with a particular focus on safeguarding of adults and children. This includes the timely notification of concerns regarding changes in individual risk to the Probation Service and adhering to systems, policies and procedures to support the management of risk.
- Ensure all contractual targets are met.
Skills & Experience
- IAG Level 3 - desirable
- Experience managing a caseload of participants - desirable
- Knowledge of inputting and retrieving electronic data and maintaining computer-based information systems in an accurate and timely manner. Experience in a target-driven environment.
- Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to relate to people at all levels and in a variety of settings.
- Ability to motivate and sustain engagement of individuals.
Community Support Worker -(Gloucester) in Cheltenham employer: Communities and Education
Join a dedicated team as an Accommodation Support Officer in Lancashire, where your passion for making a difference will be valued and nurtured. Our employee-owned organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises personal growth, offering comprehensive training and development opportunities to help you thrive in your role. With competitive benefits including generous annual leave, a healthcare cash plan, and a strong sense of community, we are committed to empowering our employees to create meaningful change in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Support Worker -(Gloucester) in Cheltenham
✨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 Communities and Education.
✨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 Communities and Education!
✨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 Communities and Education, 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 Communities and Education 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 Community Support Worker -(Gloucester) in Cheltenham
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 Communities and Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Communities and Education! 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 Communities and Education
✨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.
