Community Support Practitioner

Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leave entitlement: up to 31–36 days

Flexible working

London Living Wage

Local government pension

Cycle to Work

Gym discounts

Local discounts

Job summary

Islington Council, in partnership with Enabling Change, is seeking a compassionate Community Support Practitioner to help residents facing complex challenges build brighter futures. You will form trusted relationships, coordinate support across council services and partners, manage risk, and help people move toward greater independence with a person-centred, preventative approach.

Join a multidisciplinary team dedicated to early intervention, with a focus on equality, inclusion and preventing

Qualifications

• Experience supporting adults with complex or multiple needs.
• Knowledge of issues such as mental health, homelessness, substance misuse, or social exclusion.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with partner agencies and services.
• Ability to manage a caseload and maintain accurate records.
• A strengths‑based, person‑centred approach and sound professional judgement.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with residents experiencing complex needs and provide tailored support that helps them achieve their goals and wellbeing.
• Coordinate support with council services and community partners, address barriers, manage risk, and help people move towards greater independence.

Skills

Experience with complex needs

Mental health awareness

Communication and relationship‑buiding

Collaboration with partner agencies

Caseload management and record-keeping

Strengths‑based, person‑centred

Job description

About The Role

Be part of an innovative partnership helping residents overcome complex challenges and build brighter futures.

We're looking for a compassionate and proactive Community Support Practitioner to join our new service delivered in partnership between Enabling Change and Access Islington. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a person‑centred, preventative approach, supporting residents facing multiple disadvantages to access the right help at the right time.

What you'll do

You’ll build trusted relationships with residents experiencing complex needs, providing tailored support that helps them achieve their goals and improve their wellbeing. Working closely with colleagues, council services, and community partners, you’ll coordinate support, address barriers, manage risk, and help people move towards greater independence.

What we're looking for

• Experience supporting adults with complex or multiple needs.
• Knowledge of issues such as mental health, homelessness, substance misuse, or social exclusion.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with partner agencies and services.
• Ability to manage a caseload and maintain accurate records.
• A strengths‑based, person‑centred approach and sound professional judgement.

About the team

This role sits within a unique partnership between Enabling Change and Access Islington, combining expertise in early intervention, prevention, and resident engagement. You'll work alongside a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to helping residents navigate challenges before they reach crisis point. Together, we’re creating a more joined‑up approach that empowers residents, strengthens communities, and delivers lasting positive change.

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work‑life balance, as well as a 35‑hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.
We maintain a zero‑tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignments, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.
We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.
We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.
Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Pre‑Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

This post may be subjected to a enhanced DBS, qualifications and 3/5 years referencing check

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.