At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with complex mental health needs and lead day-to-day service delivery.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and access to mental health support.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on recovery journeys and empower individuals towards independent living.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting people with complex needs and strong empathy skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 28800 £ per year.
Location: Based in the Redbridge area. The service is approximately a 15 minute walk from Gants Hill Underground Station (Central Line). Local bus routes reduce the walk to around 5 minutes, and the service is also accessible via National Rail services from Ilford Station. Step Free access is not available at this service.
Salary: £28,800
Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday on Rota between 08:00 - 21:30 depending on different shift patterns, including bank holiday working. You will be expected to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and residents, including evenings and occasional weekends as required.
About the Role
We're hiring a Senior Support Coach to join our team based within a Men's Project in Redbridge. In this role, you will support residents who may be facing challenges with complex mental health needs, ideally within criminal justice, forensic or secure services. As a Senior Support Coach, you will play a pivotal role within the service, acting as a point of contact, providing advice and guidance to the wider team and to residents. You will be based within our Offender Personality Disorder Housing Accommodation and Support Service (OPD HASS), which provides specialist, structured support to high risk and high need men who have recently left the criminal justice system. The service provides specialist support to help overcome personal barriers to resettlement, reducing the risk of re‐offending and supporting residents towards independent living. You will deliver flexible, responsive, and person‑centred support to residents. This is a highly rewarding opportunity to lead by example and positively influence the recovery journeys of individuals with complex needs, including personality disorders and offending backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities
- Support residents who may be facing challenges with complex mental health needs, ideally within criminal justice, forensic or secure services.
- Deliver person‑centred, therapeutic support plans; regularly review based on goals and risks.
- Lead day‑to‑day service delivery, including housing management duties.
- Monitor well‑being through welfare checks and respond to incidents/emergencies.
- Build residents’ independent living skills and reduce re‑offending risk.
- Conduct risk/needs assessments, safeguarding checks and crisis interventions.
- Work collaboratively with probation, health services and OPD partners.
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, hygiene and service standards.
- Mentor and support junior staff, students and volunteers.
- Maintain accurate records, contributing to reporting, audits and service improvement.
About You
We're looking for an individual who understands the needs of our residents and has experience supporting people with complex needs. You will be confident working in challenging environments and able to balance empathy with professional boundaries, work collaboratively as part of a team and be aligned with our SIG values.
- Previous professional or lived experience supporting people who have complex mental health needs, including those within criminal justice, forensic, secure, housing, or social care settings, and individuals with personality disorders (OPD Pathway).
- Ability to engage with people from different backgrounds, build rapport, and develop therapeutic, motivational relationships that empower individuals to achieve their personal goals.
- Ability to show empathy and compassion, using an empathetic, motivational, and empowering approach, with an understanding of trauma‑informed care and the challenges faced by vulnerable and marginalised adults.
- Ability and willingness to show flexibility and adaptability in working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents, including crisis intervention and de‑escalation of conflict.
- Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programmes.
- Understanding of the different needs of people with multiple and complex needs, including safeguarding, risk management, housing related support, and awareness of social marginalisation.
- Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency.
What we Offer
- 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service.
- Employer Pension Contribution.
- Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card.
- Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more.
- Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work.
- Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling.
- Life Assurance Scheme.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Annual Staff Awards.
- EDI Ambassador programme.
Additional Information
Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible to be taken into consideration at the early stages. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship; please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.
Senior Support Coach in Ilford employer: South West Community Chaplaincy
Join our dedicated team as a Senior Support Coach in Redbridge, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing complex mental health challenges. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that values empathy, inclusivity, and professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and mental health support. With easy access to public transport and a commitment to empowering both our residents and staff, this role is perfect for those looking to contribute to a rewarding mission while advancing their career.
Contact Details:
South West Community Chaplaincy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Coach in Ilford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Coach in Ilford
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 South West Community Chaplaincy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South West Community Chaplaincy! 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 South West Community Chaplaincy
✨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.
