Job Description

Summary

Join a bold feminist women's organisation in rural Northumberland. As the Lead Support Worker, you will coordinate support for women facing complex challenges, to help them progress, become more resilient and achieve their potential. Reporting to the executive director, your role includes supporting a team of mentors, agreeing individual support plans with women and encouraging them to get involved in groups and activities. Your skills in combining trauma-aware therapeutic and advocacy approaches will be essential in guiding teams and fostering a collaborative culture. Additionally, your commitment to empowering women in their communities will be crucial in achieving organisational goals.

Responsibilities

Provide one-to-one tailored support to women, addressing their individual needs and aspirations in a holistic and empowering way.

Implement individual support plans, regularly reviewing and adapting them in collaboration with the women supported.

Offer emotional support and mentoring, fostering trusting relationships in a safe and non-judgmental environment, including trauma-informed approaches.

Offer direct help to overcome practical barriers such as care, travel, access.

Support, train and supervise Women's Workshop's pool of practical and emotional support volunteers and associates.

Oversee the signposting and referral of women to relevant services, such as housing, healthcare, education, childcare, and employment opportunities, advocating for their needs where necessary.

Oversee the signposting and referral of women into the Women's Workshop, taking a lead on managing the Northumberland Frontline referral hub.

Work with the team to actively promote and facilitate women's participation in workshops, training sessions, and community activities to build skills, confidence, and independence.

Promote safeguarding good practice within the organisation.

Address multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that women may face, ensuring inclusive and culturally sensitive support.

Maintain accurate, confidential records and ensure compliance with data protection and safeguarding policies.

Work collaboratively with team members, external agencies, and community partners to deliver cohesive and impactful support and to highlight systemic issues facing local women.

Support the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes, contributing to reports and organisational learning.

Uphold and promote feminist values, equality, and inclusion in all aspects of the role, helping to amplify the voices of marginalised women.

Knowledge and Experience

1. Understanding issues facing disadvantaged and discriminated-against women in Northumberland and wider society.

2. Experience of supporting disadvantaged women moving towards their personal and learning goals

3. Understanding of mental health and holistic support approaches

Experience of coordinating and supervising volunteers and / or associates

Skills and Abilities

1. Engagement skills - undertaking outreach and recruiting disadvantaged women.

2. Information, advice and guidance skills - ability to assess and address the practical, emotional, learning and employability support needs of women.

3. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.

4. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels.

5. Ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve results.

6. Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills with the ability to express clearly and concisely.

Ability to carry out administrative tasks related to the post.

Attitude and Commitment

1. Positive approach to working with women experiencing a range of barriers to their progression.

2. Commitment to empowering approaches that promote gender equality and inclusion for women experiencing discrimination relating to e.g. disability, learning disability, BAME, LGBTQ+

3. Appreciation of deadlines.

Willingness to undertake flexible working arrangements to meet work programme requirements.

Additional desirable factors include:

Particular experience of addressing the issues facing rural women

Experience of working in the voluntary or community sector

Qualification in IAG, mentoring, community development, mental health, social work, education, counselling

Driving license and use of own transport including providing lifts to women.

Skills and confidence in using social media.

Good team management including supervising volunteers

Community development approach

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 16,977.00 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Employee mentoring programme Free or subsidised travel Free parking Sick pay
Schedule:

Flexitime
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Morpeth NE65 0DT

Application deadline: 09/06/2025
Reference ID: Women's Workshop Lead Support Worker
Expected start date: 01/08/2025