At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women in the criminal justice system with tailored, compassionate interventions.
- Company: St Giles Trust, a charity dedicated to helping people facing adversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and mentoring programmes.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while promoting equality and empowerment.
- Qualifications: Experience with challenging individuals and understanding of female-specific issues.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Due to the nature of the service, the role is only open to female applicants and The Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1 applies to this post.
Are you a dynamic, collaborative and compassionate individual with a proven track record as a caseworker delivering gender-specific and trauma-responsive interventions which support resettlement and rehabilitation of female adults in the criminal justice system, whether in the community or in prisons? If so, St Giles is looking for a Female Link Worker who will be responsible for providing an initial assessment and a time-effective, whole-system support service for women within the Norfolk area who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
The service users supported by this role will be individuals facing various and multiple disadvantages, including mental health needs, housing issues, debt, substance misuse, family and relationship issues, individuals who have suffered domestic and sexual abuse, and those at risk of offending or reoffending. You will be required to tailor the service to meet the needs of the women on your caseload and assist in diverting them away from the Criminal Justice System.
The role will be community-based and client-led and will involve significant partnership working within the local area to enable you to offer a whole system approach to overcoming barriers and empowering the service user to make better life choices. You will be part of a comprehensive service delivering Wonder across Norfolk, representing St Giles Trust, being mindful of and promoting the organisation’s Vision, Mission, Values, and strategic aims at all times.
What we are looking for:
- Experience of working successfully with challenging people, for example, people who have complex needs, people who are reluctant to discuss their needs, and people who are angry and confused.
- Understanding of the issues faced by females involved or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
- A knowledge and understanding of providing support, advice, and advocacy to vulnerable clients and the ability to communicate this knowledge in a variety of ways.
- Ability to assess clients’ needs and provide client-led support.
- Ability to calculate risk and implement safety procedures when engaging with clients in the community.
- A good understanding of Safeguarding.
- An understanding of rural issues and working across the region in isolated communities.
- Willingness to work flexibly and travel across the county as needed.
- Ability to use monitoring systems to record all aspects of the project, including actions, outcomes, and referrals, and demonstrate achievement of targets.
- Flexibility to work some early mornings and evenings and travel (where necessary) throughout the region and occasional travel to head office for relevant training.
- Awareness of and commitment to equal opportunity and diversity practices and policies, and ability to promote diversity and treat colleagues and clients fairly and with respect.
Please note an Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. We actively encourage people with personal experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.
In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.
We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi-heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation. St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
Locations
Female Link Worker in Norfolk, Norwich employer: ST GILES TRUST
St Giles Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals facing adversity, particularly women in the criminal justice system. With a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, we offer a supportive work culture that values diverse experiences and provides extensive employee benefits, including flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and professional development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the Norfolk community while enjoying a rewarding career with a well-established charity that prioritises personal growth and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Female Link Worker in Norfolk, Norwich
✨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 ST GILES TRUST.
✨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 ST GILES TRUST!
✨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 ST GILES TRUST, 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 ST GILES TRUST 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 Female Link Worker in Norfolk, Norwich
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 ST GILES TRUST:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to ST GILES TRUST! 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 ST GILES TRUST
✨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.
