At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges and connect them to community resources.
- Company: Coventry City Council, a progressive and inclusive organisation.
- Benefits: Inclusive workplace, opportunities for personal growth, and community impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to innovation and social justice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advocating for social change.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health, advocacy, or community development is valued.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Pod, 31 Far Gosford Street, Coventry
Closing Date: 20/06/2026
Job Category: Adult Social Care
Organisation: CCC-Corporate Service Area: Adult Services
Our Values
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
Sitting within Coventry City Council Adult Social Care, The Pod is an award-winning secondary mental health, social brokerage and cultural hub which represents new progressive and values-driven approaches within local authority adult social care. The Pod focuses on critical connections and a shift from the dynamic of service user/patient towards citizenship and agency.
The Pod's work asserts the importance of co-production and cultivating authentic connections with the city; its creatives, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, changemakers and quiet activists. As an outcome of The Pod's approach, unexpected (and often unconventional) bridges to sector experts, employment and things that just matter are forged, sustained and made real.
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all and free from discrimination and bias. We have a simple vision and strategy that defines what we are trying to achieve, our purpose and our approach which underpin the principles of Adult Social Care.
What is the job role?
The Pod team are committed to working in ways that are rights-based, collaborative, creative, dynamic and personalised. The Pod has asserted national influence through work with TLAP, Public Health England, National Development Team For Social Inclusion In Mental Health, Local Government Association and presenting to the Health and Social Care Committee in Parliament. We aim to secure fast, firm and sustainable outcomes.
You will:
- Work alongside people referred from Secondary Mental Services - people living with severe and enduring mental ill health or a mental health crisis.
- Be a social advocate and social broker - linking in the Law Centre, Trade Unions, community groups, local activists, entrepreneurs, artists, and the movers and shakers of Coventry.
- Keep roles clear, timeframes honest, and decisions inclusive and transparent, always keeping the citizen at the centre.
- Use Statutory Assessments as a framework for open, useful conversations that build understanding and better outcomes.
- Get involved in citywide social activism like Time Union and other projects that connect people, their assets and passions, and enable change for the common good.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.
Who are we looking for?
Lived experience of severe and enduring mental ill health is a desired qualification. We also value experience from allied areas like trade unions, the arts and cultural industry, advocacy, or community development (paid or voluntary). These are strong foundations for a Development Worker/Social Advocacy role.
You'll be great at this if you:
- Enjoy one-to-one work with people who want to make changes in their lives.
- Naturally assure power sits with those people.
- Are comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams and with community organisations/social activists.
- Can spot and research opportunities in culture, leisure, education across Coventry that match someone's goals.
- Are confident with ICT, including databases.
- Communicate clearly, ask the right questions, negotiate, and capture information accurately.
- Can juggle competing priorities and meet agreed deadlines.
- Have awareness of the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Health Act, and good practice guidelines.
Please note that for internal candidates, secondments will be considered.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry, we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.
Development Worker/Social Advocacy employer: Job Search Place Limited
Coventry City Council is an exceptional employer, particularly for those passionate about social advocacy and community engagement. Located in the vibrant city of Coventry, The Pod offers a dynamic work culture that prioritises inclusivity, collaboration, and personal development, ensuring that employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of residents. With a commitment to diversity and innovative practices, staff have ample opportunities for growth and to contribute to transformative social change within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Worker/Social Advocacy
✨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 Job Search Place Limited.
✨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 Job Search Place Limited!
✨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 Job Search Place Limited, 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 Job Search Place Limited 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 Development Worker/Social Advocacy
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 Job Search Place Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Job Search Place Limited! 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 Job Search Place Limited
✨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.
