At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women facing challenges and help create a welcoming environment.
- Company: Join the award-winning Alana House team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and comprehensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Empower women and gain valuable experience in a supportive community project.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting disadvantaged individuals and a passion for advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 25878 - 28557 £ per year.
Our amazing team at Alana House is looking for an Assistant Key Worker to join our Women's Community Project team. Would you like to make a lasting difference to women facing multiple disadvantages? Our award-winning trauma recovery service empowers and enables women to access the support they need.
Location: The role is based at Alana House in Reading. Alana House service covers the communities of Berkshire, Oxford City and South Oxfordshire and travel may be required across all locations.
Contract: Permanent full time - 37 hours per week Monday to Friday. Working pattern to be agreed within the hours of: Mon and Tues 8.30am-5pm; Weds 8.30am-7pm; Thurs 8.30am-5pm; Fri 8.30am-4pm.
Salary: Within the range of £25,878 to £28,557 per annum.
About the role: As an Assistant Key Worker, you will work closely with the Alana House team to support service delivery and help create a welcoming and safe environment. You will focus on developing practical skills, actively supporting clients while learning best practice and building your experience through a range of learning opportunities to help you to grow in the role.
Responsibilities: Your activities may include:
- Responding to phone calls and welcoming visitors to the service
- Supporting service user events and activities
- Liaising with a range of other professionals and partner agencies, promoting collaboration and advocating for clients' needs
- Supporting clients across a range of holistic recovery pathways
- Co‑facilitating groups and helping to manage our community café
About you: We are looking for someone with professional, personal, or academic experience of supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantages. You should have a professional interest in domestic abuse and supporting people in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system. You will understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and be committed to delivering high quality, person‑centred support. With a willingness to learn, you will be supported through comprehensive training and ongoing development opportunities will be provided.
Other relevant experience: Other roles you may have experience of could include:
- Trainee Support Worker
- Assistant Family Support Worker
- Children's Assistant Support Worker
- Assistant Domestic Abuse Worker
- Assistant Recovery Worker
- Assistant Support Worker
- Teaching Assistant
- Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards. Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT's safer recruitment pre‑appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.
EEO: All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK, and you must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Assistant Key Worker, Women's Community Project in Reading employer: PACT (Parents and Children Together)
At Alana House, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of women facing multiple disadvantages. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, all while working in a collaborative environment that values your contributions. Located in Reading, our team is committed to empowering individuals and creating a safe space for both staff and clients, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
PACT (Parents and Children Together) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Key Worker, Women's Community Project in Reading
✨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 PACT (Parents and Children Together).
✨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 PACT (Parents and Children Together)!
✨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 PACT (Parents and Children Together), 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 PACT (Parents and Children Together) 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 Assistant Key Worker, Women's Community Project in Reading
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 PACT (Parents and Children Together):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to PACT (Parents and Children Together)! 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 PACT (Parents and Children Together)
✨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.
