Initial Support Agent

We are looking for motivated & empathetic individuals to join the team in Ashford as Initial Support Agents (known internally as Triage & Early Intervention Officers).

Are you looking for a new challenge that will be rewarding and make a real difference in people's lives? Do you enjoy talking to people, providing empathy & support, and helping to find solutions to problems?

If this sounds like you, then we'd love to hear from you...

Position: Initial Support Agent

Location: Ashford, Kent

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours. Monday to Friday with shifts 8am to 4pm/12pm to 8pm

Salary: £23,500 per annum

Duration: Permanent

Closing Date: 24th November 2023

About the Role

You will be talking to people on the telephone from a variety of different backgrounds, all with different experiences. No two days are the same & you will need to use your communication skills and resilient nature to help those dealing with trauma and the effects of crime, who may have gone through a life-changing experience. Previous experience is not required as you will receive robust training prior to working directly with clients. You will also receive ongoing support to ensure that you can provide victims with quick responses to meet their needs and help them cope and recover.

These roles are based in our Victim Care Unit in Ashford. You will be working shifts Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm or 12pm and 8pm. Shifts are designated on a rota basis and scheduled well in advance so you can plan ahead. You will be working within a supportive team that is part of a large independent charity which offers the opportunity to develop skills to enhance your ongoing personal development.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About You

Key skills required for this role:

• Demonstrate a good command of the English language both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in safeguarding issues and legislation relating to both child protection and vulnerable adults.
• The ability to manage a demanding workload and to meet a range of conflicting deadlines.
• The proven ability to positively engage with vulnerable victims of crime who may have complex needs.
• The ability to identify, develop and maintain partnerships with all relevant external organisations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills particularly focused on telephone skills and the IT skills necessary to use a database and undertake all administrative and reporting requirements.
• The ability to undertake needs and risks assessments and identify appropriate support.

What the charity offers

In order to attract and retain the best people, the organisation offers a competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances & maternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the Organisation

This independent charity provides a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. Working towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System, everyone at the charity is driven by Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working here gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

The charity is 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.

The charity is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment and believe having a diverse workforce at all levels allows them to represent the communities they serve and connect better with people affected by crime, which can be achieved through attracting, developing and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds and therefore welcome applicants from all communities and monitor the diversity of applicants to analyse if they are representative of the communities they serve in terms of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, age and socio-economic status. As part of the commitment to the Race at Work Charter the charity would particularly welcome applicants from BAME communities.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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.

You may have experience in areas such as Triage & Early Intervention Officers, Triage Officers, Early Intervention Officers, Initial Support Agent, Initial Support Officers etc.

Please note this role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of our client.