At a Glance
- Tasks: Support victim-survivors affected by prison release changes, ensuring they feel safe and informed.
- Company: Victim Support, a charity dedicated to helping those impacted by crime.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, birthday off, pension contributions, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Join a diverse team focused on inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong communication skills, and a commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 34100 £ per year.
We're recruiting an Offender Release Victim Champion to join our team in Essex. The overall aim of the role is to ensure that victim-survivors affected by changes to prison release arrangements feel safe, informed, empowered and supported, while strengthening local partnership responses and enhancing access to victims' rights and support services. Roles are fixed term, currently to October 2028, with the potential for extension based on local funding arrangements area to area.
What we offer
- Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
- Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
- Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
- Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
- Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
- Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
- Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
- Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
- Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
- Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
- Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.
About the Role
As an Offender Release Victim Champion you will support victims and survivors affected by the implementation of the Offender Release Scheme and changes to prison release arrangements. The role will ensure victim-survivors feel informed, reassured and supported whilst enabling them to make informed decisions about their safety and recovery. This includes helping individuals understand what these changes mean for them, the safeguards that remain in place and how they can access information and support through the Victim Contact Scheme and wider criminal justice partners.
As Victims' Champion you will provide specialist advocacy, information, emotional support, and practical assistance to victim-survivors affected by changes to prison release arrangements under the Early Release Scheme. You will manage a caseload of victim-survivors whose sense of safety, wellbeing, or confidence may be impacted by changes to offender release arrangements. You will ensure individuals receive timely, accurate, trauma-informed information and support, enabling them to understand the criminal justice process, exercise their rights, and make informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing.
The role requires a highly trauma-informed, person-centred, and solution-focused approach. You will conduct holistic needs and risk assessments, develop comprehensive safety and support plans, coordinate practical interventions, and identify opportunities to strengthen protective measures, including target hardening, personal safety planning, civil and protective orders, and safeguarding interventions.
You will work collaboratively with local victim services to complement existing provision and ensure victim-survivors can access appropriate specialist support. This may include assistance with housing issues, family court processes, school liaison, domestic abuse safety planning, emotional support, security improvements, and advocacy where risks have escalated following changes in release arrangements.
About Us
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences. Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.
How to apply
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.
Caseworker in Ingatestone employer: Victim Support
Victim Support is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Homicide Family Caseworkers in the Central and East of England. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide flexible working options, generous annual leave, and comprehensive training programmes that foster career development. Join our passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by crime, while enjoying unique benefits such as birthday leave and exclusive discounts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caseworker in Ingatestone
✨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 Victim Support, 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 Caseworker in Ingatestone
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 Victim Support. 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 Victim Support. 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 Victim Support
✨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 Victim Support.
✨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 Caseworker role at Victim Support, 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 Victim Support that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
