At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community projects and enhance food resilience in the Forest Food Network.
- Company: Join the Forest of Dean District Council, dedicated to thriving communities.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days annual leave, health cash plan, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Agile working environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus experience in community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 40582 - 49600 £ per year.
We're looking for a proactive and enthusiastic Community Support Officer to join our Communities Team at Forest of Dean District Council. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of our Thriving Communities priority, with a specific focus on the Forest Food Network and projects that improve food resilience, wellbeing and community connections. Working alongside community organisations, partners and residents, you'll help turn local ideas into action while supporting projects that have a lasting impact across the district.
As a Community Support Officer, you'll play a key role in coordinating and supporting the Forest Food Network and Financial Inclusion partnership. Working closely with the Community Delivery Lead and specialist partners, you'll help organise meetings, support project delivery and build positive relationships with community groups and stakeholders.
Some of your responsibilities:
- Support the delivery of the Council's Thriving Communities priority, with a focus on Forest Food Network initiatives.
- Work closely with the Council's commissioned specialist to support the strategic development of the Forest Food Network and Financial Inclusion Group.
- Coordinate meetings, working groups and events, including arranging venues, preparing agendas, taking minutes and distributing actions.
- Support the development and delivery of community projects, including initiatives such as growing projects and other locally identified priorities.
- Ensure projects support equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) principles.
- Work with the Communications Team to promote projects and engage communities through a range of communication channels, including social media.
This is a fixed term position until March 2028. 29.6 hours per week.
You will need:
- A minimum of five GCSEs (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent qualifications, including English and Maths.
- At least two years' practical experience in community wellbeing, community engagement or a related field.
- A good understanding of asset-based community development.
- Knowledge of the Forest of Dean and its communities.
- Experience working in partnership with multiple organisations and stakeholders.
- Experience supporting vulnerable or marginalised individuals and communities.
Special Conditions: Ability to travel.
For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification. Vacancies can close earlier than stated if a high number of applications have been received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
What we can do for you:
- Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working.
- Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role).
- 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service.
- In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice.
- Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care.
- Generous contributory local government pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars.
- Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements.
Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity.
We are committed to decarbonisation and nature recovery, focusing on renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency, transport transformation, nature recovery, and food resilience. Additionally, we strive to build a sustainable economy through the promotion of a circular economy, robust business support, workforce skill development, sustainable town initiatives, and the preservation of natural capital.
Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.
Forest of Dean District Council is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.
Community Support Officer - Forest Food Network in Coleford employer: Publica Group Ltd
Publica Group Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values community engagement and personal development. As a part-time Civil Enforcement Officer in Cirencester, you'll enjoy flexible working hours, competitive pay, and the opportunity to make a positive impact in your local area while developing your skills in a dynamic outdoor environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Support Officer - Forest Food Network in Coleford
✨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 Publica Group Ltd.
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We think you need these skills to ace Community Support Officer - Forest Food Network in Coleford
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 Publica Group Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Publica Group Ltd! 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 Publica Group Ltd
✨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.
