Community Support Specialist – Brook

Job Description

Job title: Community Support Specialist – Brook

Company: Buckinghamshire Council

Job description: OverviewBrook is commissioned by Buckinghamshire Council to run free and confidential Sexual Health and Wellbeing services across Buckinghamshire as part of bSHaW.We do this by running training to professionals, targeted community support, sexual health promotion and prevention outreach events, condom distribution and the c-card service, and one to one support programmes.Hours: One Full-Time role 37.5 & One Part-Time role 22.5 Hours per week. Please select the role you’re applying for on the application form.Contract: Fixed until 31/03/2028Location: HP13 6LASalary: £24,500 (pro rata)Closing date: 14th April 2024About usBrook is the UK’s leading sexual health and wellbeing charity. We are committed to changing attitudes, challenging prejudice and championing equality.Our unique combination of clinical services and education programmes are designed to meet individual needs and instill positive behaviours that influence their whole lives. Our digital solutions help us reach even greater numbers of young people and professionals, and our expansion into all-age services ensures that whole communities can benefit from our inclusive, non-judgmental approach to sexual and reproductive health.We are continuously listening to and learning from our service users and the communities we support. We amplify the voices of those who face barriers to access, ensuring that sexual health remains high on the political agenda and that law, policy and practice is aligned with what they need.Benefits of working for Brook:

• Annual leave – 28 days per annum, increasing up to 33 days plus 8 bank holidays
• Sick pay (from 3 up to 12 weeks fully paid)
• Flexible working
• Gratitude scheme
• Assisted purchase scheme
• Cycle to Work up to £1k
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Long service awards
• Maternity and paternity pay
• Pension scheme – with contributions matched up to a maximum of 4%
• Training and development opportunities

About the role

• To support the efficient and effective delivery of the Sexual Health Promotion & Community HIV Prevention Service to reduce STI and HIV prevalence, lower transmission rates, lower incidence of late HIV diagnosis and to reduce rates of under-18 conception.
• To engage with and develop a positive presence in none mainstream settings such as night economy venues and public sex environments, in order that key messages and direct delivery are accessible to specific beneficiary groups.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining effective blended outreach interventions, collaborative working partnerships with community organisations, community businesses and community champions in order to ensure the target beneficiary groups are benefiting from good sexual and reproductive health education, support and services.
• To work with a a wide range of target beneficiary groups including (but not limited to…) LGBTQ communities, MSM, Black Africans and other BAME populations, refugees and those with learning difficulties.

About youThe successful applicant will have the following experience;Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working within local communities and engaging with vulnerable young people and adults, particularly those who don’t usually access mainstream services

• Experience of the issues affecting underrepresented communities/groups, including vulnerable young people and adults and excluded groups including (but not limited to) Black African and other BAME populations, MSM, LGBTQ and people with learning difficulties and poor literacy

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, particularly with young people and underrepresented groups
• Able to build relationships at all levels; building working partnerships with other agencies and key stakeholders
• Able to manage and organise own workload without direct supervision
• Proficient with the use of IT and communication based systems to include user database and social media

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the education and/or charitable sectors
• Knowledge and awareness of STIs and HIV prevalence and transmissions
• Knowledge of the barriers affecting particular vulnerable and underrepresented groups which prevent or deter them from accessing Sexual Health services
• Knowledge of community based provisions and sexual health services in the local are
• Knowledge of youth/sexual health policy and its impact on service development, delivery and funding
• Understands the importance of maintaining confidentially and legal provisions in the Data Protection Act
• Computer and social media literate

All roles will develop and Brook may change the role scope in consultation with the post holderEducation and training

• GCSE Level (minimum of 5 passes) or equivalent
• Has a ‘train the trainer’ qualification with evidence of experience in face to face professional training
• Commitment to continued development

Other Requirements

• Commitment to working outside of normal office hours if required
• Holds a current driving licence and has use of own vehicle (work related mileage will be paid if authorised)
• Willingness to take accountability for own actions and the actions of the team in the delivery of objectives
• Work within Brook’s child protection and safeguarding policies
• Commitment to work within diversity policy and in an inclusive, open and transparent one organisation style

Other informationIf you are interested in applying for this post, please review the Job Description and complete an application form available here:Brook Safeguarding with PurposeWorking with People Safely. Safe Place, Safe People.

Expected salary: £24500 per year

Location: South East England

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