3 jobs found

Context This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a pioneering programme that could reshape how kinship families are supported across England. Kinship is undertaking a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected, a Kinship Navigator programme designed to provide intensive, specialist support to kinship carers and help them navigate complex systems. This is a multi-partner programme involving funders, independent evaluators, participating local authorities, internal delivery teams and kinship carers with lived experience. Kinship Navigators are at the heart of delivery. You will work directly with kinship carers in the community and in their homes, providing intensive 1-to-1 support and facilitating local support groups, while working closely with local authority partners and other services. Because the programme forms part of a pilot RCT, maintaining high-quality case records and accurate data collection is critical. Your work will contribute directly to the evidence base about what works for kinship families. Each Navigator will support around 40 kinship carers over the delivery year, holding a caseload of approximately 20 families at any one time. Navigators will be based in Blackpool, the London Borough of Newham, Oxfordshire and Rochdale. You will be part of a wider delivery team including the Programmes Manager, Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager, research colleagues and other Kinship teams, working together to ensure the programme is delivered ethically, consistently and to a high standard. Purpose of the role The Kinship Navigator provides intensive, time-limited support to kinship carers through the Kinship Connected programme, a structured six-month intervention designed to help kinship families stabilise placements and access the support they need. Working directly with kinship carers, you will build trusting relationships while completing structured assessments, goal setting and reviews to help families strengthen support networks and navigate services such as children's social care, education, health and community support. This is a community-facing role, working directly with kinship carers in homes, community spaces and through co-location with local authority teams and partner organisations. The role requires a combination of high-quality relational practice and disciplined case recording. As part of the pilot RCT, accurate documentation of activity, progress and outcomes is essential to ensure the programme can be evaluated and improved. You will work closely with the Programmes Manager, delivery team, researchers and local authority partners to ensure the programme is delivered consistently, ethically and to a high standard, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in supporting kinship families from all backgrounds. Key deadlines and information We have really short timescales for these roles as they are part of a research project. If you are interested, please read the information below and make sure you can be available all the dates highlighted: Closing date: 9am on Monday 16 March 2026 Interview date (in-person in Greater Manchester or London depending on role): Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 or Thursday 26 March 2026 Starting in post If you are successful at recruitment, we will need you to be available to start in role, at the latest by the w/c 27 April 2026 , and ideally by w/c 20 April 2026. This will mean all references, contracts and DBS checks are completed. If you do apply for this role, we will ask for some of these details up front. We will also ask you to attend an overnight in-person residential on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 April at our London office for induction into the role. How to apply: Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines and the full job pack, attached. Please apply for the role of Kinship Navigator by sending a CV and answering the 5 questions on the job listing on our website. Please use actual examples to demonstrate your experience. 1. Why do you want to work for Kinship as a Kinship Navigator, and how does this role align with your values and experience? 2. Describe a time you supported a family or carer facing complex challenges. How did you assess their needs and decide what support was most important? Guidance: Please describe a real example from your work. Tell us what you did personally, the actions you took and what happened as a result. 3. Tell us about a situation where you had to work with professionals from different organisations (for example schools, social workers or community services) to support a family. Guidance: Explain how you built relationships, managed differences of opinion and ensured the family received appropriate support. 4. Give an example of a time you had concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or their family member. What steps did you take and how did you decide what to do? Guidance: Describe your role in recognising and responding to the concern and any safeguarding processes you followed. 5. Tell us about how you have managed a caseload or multiple families at once. How did you keep accurate records and make sure important information was documented? Guidance: Please describe the systems or processes you used and why accurate recording was important.

Commissioning Manager - Housing, Assets and Programmes (Adult Social Care) Employer: Wokingham Borough Council Salary: £59,009 - £64,673 Per Annum, Plus Benefits Location: Shute End, Wokingham Contract: Contract Working Pattern: Full Time Hours: 37 hours per week. DBS Check: Yes Closing Date: 22/03/2026 at 23:00 Reference: 713079 Commissioning Manager - Housing, Assets & Programmes (Adult Social Care) 2 Year Fixed Term Contract We're excited to offer an excellent opportunity for a Commissioning Manager to join our Adult Social Care team at Wokingham Borough Council. This is a full-time, two-year fixed-term role with a focus on housing, assets and programme delivery within commissioning. As Commissioning Manager, you will lead the planning, commissioning and delivery of specialist accommodation for adults with care and support needs. Your work will help to ensure there are good-quality, suitable housing options available across the borough for the long term. Working with colleagues and partners, you'll help shape the development of specialist accommodation such as Extra Care, Supported Living, Learning Disability and Mental Health services, along with Residential and Nursing Care. You'll lead the Adult Social Care capital and accommodation programme, making sure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in line with our priorities. Your work will play a key role in helping adults live independently, safely and well We are looking for someone with experience in capital programmes who brings energy, commitment and strong partnership skills. You will be confident managing complex information, working collaboratively across organisations, and turning long-term strategic plans into tangible outcomes. This role sits at the heart of our transformation journey, one recently recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as among the best in the country. Following a comprehensive inspection in 2025, Wokingham's adult social care services were rated "Good" overall, with "Outstanding" for Partnerships & Communities and Learning, Improvement & Innovation. We achieved one of the highest national scores (81%), reflecting our commitment to quality, collaboration and continuous improvement. As part of this journey, Wokingham Borough Council has joined the Social Care Future movement, supporting a vision to transform adult social care so that everyone regardless of age, health condition or disability can live in a place they call home, connected to the people, communities and activities that matter most to them. Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money. Staff Benefits Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including: Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 31 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays Local Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow) GP Helpline 7 days a week Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7 Your Care confidential helpline Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines Free Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham) Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Car and Cycle to Work Local & Lifestyle Discounts - savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more Move through Menopause Course Sports & Social Group Activities - running, football, cricket, and more Learning & Development Opportunities Employee Networks And more! Key responsibilities Drive the strategic development of specialist accommodation across Adult Social Care, including Extra Care, Supported Living, Learning Disability and Mental Health accommodation, and Residential and Nursing Care. Lead the Adults Social Care capital and accommodation development programme, ensuring schemes progress on time, on budget and in alignment with strategic needs. Shape and maintain a long term accommodation strategy aligned to the Adult Social Care Strategy, Local Plan, Housing Strategy and market position statements. Ensure accommodation solutions support independence, prevention, wellbeing and the Care Act duties. Act as the Council's specialist adviser on accommodation related commissioning, market development and asset utilisation. Candidate requirements: Degree-level qualification (or equivalent relevant professional experience). Proven ability to lead and successfully deliver large-scale accommodation or capital programmes. Strong understanding of Care Act duties, particularly in relation to accommodation and housing responsibilities. Demonstrable experience commissioning or delivering specialist accommodation, such as Extra Care, Supported Living or other specialist housing models. Experience in capital project delivery, service redesign and/or strategic commissioning. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop robust business cases and produce high-quality reports for a range of audiences. Please note this is a politically restricted post. Our area: Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents. If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today! Alternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Chris Clark Strategic Lead, Adults Commissioning via email - Strictly no agencies. Closing Date: 22nd March 2026, 11pm Interview Date: TBC If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer. How to apply Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form. Further information on this vacancy Job Description

Safeguarding Practitioner (Adult Safeguarding Hub) Employer: Wokingham Borough Council Salary: £42,839 - £49,282 Per Annum, Plus Benefits Location: Shute End, Wokingham Contract: Permanent Working Pattern: Full Time Hours: 37 hours per week. DBS Check: Enhanced Closing Date: 22/03/2026 at 23:00 Reference: 713116 & 713224 We have an excellent opportunity available for two Safeguarding Practitioners to join our award winning adult social care team at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis. As a Safeguarding Practitioner, you'll play a vital role in making sure adults in our borough get the right help at the right time. You'll work proactively and respond quickly when concerns are raised, helping people stay safe and supporting positive outcomes for everyone involved. This is a chance to use your skills, safeguarding expertise and person-centred approach to make a real difference in the lives of adults who need support. It's also a great time to join us! Our service was recently recognised as one of the highest performing in the country after a CQC inspection. Wokingham Borough Council is part of the Social Care Future movement, which champions a vision where everyone can live in a place they love, connected to the people and activities that matter most - whatever their age, health or disability. Our hybrid working model gives you the flexibility to balance home working within person meetings and visits. We're expanding our team so we can continue meeting the growing needs of the service. Here is what Rebecca, our Team Manager, has to say: "I am proud to be part of the adult safeguarding hub. We are a supportive and collaborative team committed to high quality safeguarding practice. We value learning, reflection and kindness, and we welcome applicants who want to work in a team where support and making a difference truly matter." Staff Benefits Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including: Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 30 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays Local Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow) GP Helpline 7 days a week Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7 Your Care confidential helpline Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines Free Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham) Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Car and Cycle to Work Local & Lifestyle Discounts - savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more Move through Menopause Course Sports & Social Group Activities - running, football, cricket, and more Learning & Development Opportunities Employee Networks And more! Key responsibilities Respond to Adult Safeguarding concerns as they come in, applying thresholds, assessing risk and completing Initial Assessments where needed. Lead Section 42 enquiries, coordinating those carried out by providers or partners, and undertaking more complex enquiries yourself when required. Support quality assurance work, including provider visits and assurance activity linked to safeguarding concerns. Take part in organisational abuse enquiries and contribute to wider learning and improvement. Work proactively and preventatively, including supporting partnership projects in line with local and West of Berkshire strategies. Help deliver safeguarding training and workshops, appropriate to your experience and knowledge. Candidate requirements: Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy qualification or other profession/statutory agency role providing significant experience of working with vulnerable adults in a safeguarding context. Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively engage all stakeholders. Evidenced experience of direct work with Adult Safeguarding issues. Organisational skills to enable proactiveness and a responsive service. Ability to handle highly sensitive information with a sound understanding of confidentiality and information sharing protocols. Full EU driving license (and access to daily use of a car) Our area: Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents. Ready to lead transformation in Adult Social Care? Apply now and make a lasting impact! Alternatively, for an informal discussion about the role please contact our team via email . Closing date: Sunday 22nd March 2026, 11pm Interview date: TBC Please note that application will be reviewed on a rolling basis and you may be invited to interview before the closing date. If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer. How to apply Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form. Further information on this vacancy Job Description