At a Glance
- Tasks: Support ex-offenders in overcoming barriers to achieve a positive future through learning and employment.
- Company: Join Career Connect, a charity making a real impact on lives across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous sick pay, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities.
- Why this job: Make a difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable groups and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and confident Community Support Worker to help deliver the CFO Evolution contract across the North West. This contract supports ex-offenders in community venues - including Probation Offices and Approved Premises - to overcome barriers and progress towards a positive future.
The job involves working with people on remand or serving custodial and community-based sentences, supervised by the National Probation Service, to engage them in learning, training and employment opportunities, either through one-to-one or group work. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to people and communities.
You’ll need to be:
- Confident and proactive
- A good communicator with a non-judgemental approach
- Effective at working with partner organisations to ensure the best results for our Participants
- Comfortable working on databases and have a strong attention to detail
- Able to meet targets and have a flexible approach to working across multiple venues.
We are especially looking for applicants who have experience of helping offenders or other vulnerable groups to move forward in their lives. If you're someone who can really connect with people to help them to progress, work in a prison environment, embrace the quality and compliance requirements of the contract and have the skills to work towards individual targets, we'd love to hear from you.
We'll give you all the training you need to do the job and to get established in the new role. Are you ready to join a high-performing team and make a contribution to changing lives?
The Company
It's an exciting time to join Career Connect. Over the last year we've made a positive impact on the lives of more than 90,000 people across the country. Our vision is for a society where every individual realises their full potential. Our mission is to drive social mobility by enabling more people to access and succeed in education, training and employment.
We work in schools, in the community, and right across the criminal justice sector, delivering impartial, person-centred careers and transition support that changes lives. We also train those who work in advice and guidance roles, helping them to help others. We're continuing to increase our impact and reach - changing even more people's futures for the better.
We take an innovative approach to the services we provide, and we're passionate about using feedback from those we support to shape what we do. Our research amplifies the voices of those we support and helps inform positive change - for all our futures.
Benefits
- Flexi time
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Flu Jabs/Glasses
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Generous Sick Pay
- Staff Development
We are committed to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults and expect our staff to share this commitment. All applicants are subject to DBS and staff who work in custody also have a prison clearance process. We promote equality and diversity across all that we do and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Part-time workers are always welcome. Inclusion and diversity are a significant feature of our charity's values, cutting across everything that we do. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are keen to hear from applicants with disabilities. Around a quarter of our workforce have a disability. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process.
Employment Adviser / Community Support Worker employer: Iris Recruitment
Career Connect is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, particularly in supporting ex-offenders and vulnerable groups. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working hours, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we foster a supportive work culture that empowers our staff to thrive while changing lives for the better. Join us in Blackpool to be part of a high-performing team that values innovation and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Adviser / Community Support Worker
✨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 Iris Recruitment.
✨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 Iris Recruitment!
✨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 Iris Recruitment, 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 Iris Recruitment 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 Employment Adviser / Community Support Worker
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 Iris Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Iris Recruitment! 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 Iris Recruitment
✨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.
