At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with the community, build partnerships, and support individuals on their journey.
- Company: Join Places for People, a leading UK Social Enterprise focused on thriving communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 35 days holiday, pension contributions, and cashback healthcare plan.
- Other info: Fixed term role until April 2027 with potential for long-term opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in outreach/support work and strong organisational and people skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! Experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.
The role is fixed term until April 2027. You will be joining as a key part of the third year of an exciting 3 year National Lottery partnership project, a successful community Wellbeing Hub in North Huntingdon. This will be a customer-facing role based at our Hub, where you'll be working to build referral partnerships and helping people to access the project and supporting their journey through different strands of the work and beyond. You'll be responsible for keeping an eye on their progress and working with them to understand what might be helpful next steps for them in a supportive and people-centred way.
As part of an innovative community-led project, you'll also be helping the beneficiaries feed into the project to develop both existing and new activities to help project participants reach their potential. At Places for People, we prioritise our dedication to safer recruitment. Therefore, a Basic DBS check is mandatory for this position.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of outreach/support/advice work to vulnerable people
- Understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by our customers
- Highly developed organisational skills
- Excellent, sensitive people skills with a good understanding of how to help people reach more of their potential
- Experience of providing support and/or advice and information to people
- Understanding the challenges and barriers being faced by people experiencing disadvantage
Benefits
- Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
- Excellent holiday package – 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
- Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
- A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
- Training and development
- Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.
Community Engagement Officer in Huntingdon employer: Places for People
Places for People in Birmingham is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community engagement and exceptional service delivery. With flexible working arrangements and health memberships, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance while also having access to numerous growth opportunities within the leisure and hospitality sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Engagement Officer in Huntingdon
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Places for People, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Engagement Officer in Huntingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Places for People. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Places for People. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Places for People
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Places for People.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Community Engagement Officer role at Places for People, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Places for People that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
