JOB DESCRIPTION

Trust Links is an organisation committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, Trustees and volunteers to share this
commitment.

Trust Links aims to create a culture that respects and values each others’ differences, that
promotes dignity, equality and diversity, and that encourages individuals to develop and
maximise their true potential.

POST TITLE:

Listening Support Worker

POST SALARY:

£13-14 per hour depending on skills, qualifications
and experience

HOURS OF WORK:

Sessional (depending on staff bookings)

POST LOCATION:

Rochford and Westcliff

You will be required to work at any Trust Links project site and
travel around the area as needed

REPORTS TO:

Head of HR

PURPOSE OF THE POST:

Trust Links grows communities and transforms lives. Through our seven Growing
Together community gardens across Essex, Healthy Mind Hub, Recovery College,
Trust Links Counselling (TLC), children and youth projects, and environmental
workshops, we work with more than 4,000 people each year. We work in a person-
centred, grassroots and recovery-focused way, helping to save lives every day and
move people on to better lives, with the support of their peers and the wider
community.

Trust Links has a team of 65+ staff delivering a wide range of projects and services,
including central staff in HR, Finance, Communications, Fundraising, administration
and management. It is acknowledged that working in mental health and community
services can be challenging and stressful.

Staff receive line management support, clinical supervision as appropriate, regular
awaydays and have access to an Employee Assistance Programme. The Listening
Support Worker is an additional resource for staff to share their feelings and a space
to reflect with someone that has an understanding of Trust Links as an organisation.
The Listening Support Worker will provide a confidential and safe space for Trust
Links staff to offload and seek non-management support. Whilst this is a listening
role and not therapy, the listening support can include personal issues as well as
work related concerns and challenges.

The Postholder will be required to:

•  Be available for one to one support both face to face and online/telephone on

a regular basis

•  Provide confidential listening support to Trust Links staff
•  Escalate safeguarding concerns in line with the charity’s policy

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST:

•  Provide confidential listening support to staff on a one to one basis in person,

over the phone or online

•  Ensure staff feel listened to and supported
•  Help staff feel valued
•  Help staff identify positive actions and responses as appropriate
•  Escalate safeguarding concerns where appropriate
•  Advise staff to seek professional advice as required
•  Adherence to data security requirements in line with current legislation, and

remaining conversant with how any changes impact the role

•  Ensure Safeguarding and Health and Safety requirements are met line with
Trust Links Safeguarding and Health and Safety Policies and escalate
concerns about the well-being of service users to the appropriate agency

•  Escalate significant concerns to Head of HR
•  Any other duties commensurate with the level of the post

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential

•  Significant experience of working with people in a supportive way
•  Excellent communication and listening skills
•  Flexible and responsive

Desirable

•  Qualification in counselling, coaching, mental health nursing or equivalent
•  Experience of working in the voluntary sector and in mental health services

Personal qualities

•  Commitment
•  Tact
•  Responsiveness
•  Realism
•  Honesty
•  Enthusiasm
•  Team Work