At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team delivering health and wellbeing support to adults affected by substance use.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, enhanced family support, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and a passion for supporting others.
The predicted salary is between 30082 - 30082 £ per year.
As Team Leader, you will lead and support a team of practitioners delivering health and wellbeing interventions to adults affected by substance use. You will ensure that support is person-centred and tailored to individual needs, using both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches, alongside support for low-level mental health needs.
On a day-to-day basis, you will allocate caseloads, manage a small number of complex cases and provide supervision, guidance and development to your team. You will ensure that work is delivered to a high standard, deadlines are met and the service achieves the performance targets and outcomes set by Forward, commissioners and the prime contractor.
Working closely with the Service Manager, you will support the accuracy and timely submission of service data and contribute to the effective running and ongoing development of the service. At times, you will act as the most senior representative on site and deputise for the Service Manager, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the service.
Building strong relationships will be central to the role. You will develop a positive and collaborative relationship with your manager, colleagues and partner agencies to ensure effective partnership working and the best possible outcomes for service users.
About You
We are looking for an experienced people manager who is passionate about motivating, developing and supporting others to achieve their potential. You will have demonstrable experience of managing teams, performance and staff development, with the ability to provide effective leadership, guidance and support. You will be confident managing competing priorities, solving problems and making effective decisions in a busy service environment.
You will have experience of building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and be comfortable working collaboratively with partner agencies. Knowledge and experience of implementing formal procedures and policies is also important. You will bring excellent problem-solving, negotiation, project management and time management skills, alongside the ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
Most importantly, you will have a genuine commitment to developing people and delivering high-quality, person-centred services that achieve positive outcomes for people affected by substance use.
Please note: This role is subject to successful prison vetting clearance prior to appointment. The vetting process can take several weeks, so candidates should be aware that this may affect the anticipated start date.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Support for Families - We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme - Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years' service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.
Team Leader employer: Forward Trust
Forward Trust in Margate is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community by empowering job seekers, particularly those facing barriers such as ex-offenders. With a strong focus on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive benefits, we foster a supportive work culture that values collaboration and personal development, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about helping others succeed in their career journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader
✨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 Forward Trust.
✨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 Forward Trust!
✨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 Forward Trust, 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 Forward Trust 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 Team Leader
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 Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Forward Trust! 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 Forward Trust
✨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.
