Single Point of Access Practitioner

Onside Advocacy; Worcester; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Sick pay

Maternity & Paternity pay

Wellbeing support

Calm App access

Employee forum

Work-life balance

CPD support

Job summary

ONSIDE is seeking a part‑time Single Point of Access Practitioner to join our Access Hub in Worcester. You will be the first point of contact for children, young people, families and vulnerable adults, triaging referrals, assessing risk, and guiding people to the right support.

The role involves working with a diverse range of individuals in a busy environment. We provide tailored training, a supportive team, and opportunities for professional development within our values‑driven charity.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults.
• Experience in a customer‑focussed role.
• Ability to handle sensitive information securely and confidentially.

Responsibilities

• Triaging referrals and assessing proportionate risk.
• Processing information and directing people to the right services.
• Listening effectively and communicating clearly with diverse audiences.
• Building rapport with families, carers and professionals.
• Collaborating with Community Mental Health teams and the wider ONSIDE network.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Customer service

Triage

Data privacy

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Single Point of Access (SPA) Practitioner

Part Time Hours: 20 hours per week

Locations: Worcester, Worcestershire

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing date: 31 st August 2026

Interview Dates: 7 th and 8 th September 2026

Make a difference from the very first conversation.

About the role

Join ONSIDE and step into a meaningful position as an SPA Practitioner. Our Access Hub is the vital ‘front door’ to the charity for all our services, and you will be the very first point of contact for children, young people, families and vulnerable adults reaching out for support.

This position is available to either be Worcester or Hereford based.

No two days are the same. One moment you may be making initial contact with someone new to our services; the next, you could be triaging a young person or vulnerable adult in need, assessing proportionate risk and safeguarding concerns, or processing referrals and guiding people towards the right support both within and beyond ONSIDE.

It’s a busy and rewarding environment where a warm, calm, and engaging approach truly makes a difference.

You’ll work in a fast‑paced, supportive environment where a warm and engaging approach is essential. The role can be emotionally challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. We’ll provide full, tailored training to help you listen effectively, carry out triage, match people to the right support, and handle sensitive information confidently using our bespoke database.

You’ll be part of an experienced team that offers immediate support where needed and works closely with both our Community Mental Health teams and the wider ONSIDE team.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of neurodiversity, as well as parents, carers, and family members of neurodivergent children and young people. We believe lived experiences strengthen our services and helps us to deliver more inclusive, person‑centred support.

• 26 days annual holiday + Bank Holidays
• Pension Scheme
• Company Sick Pay Scheme (after qualifying service)
• Additional Maternity & Paternity Pay (after qualifying service)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to premium Calm App
• Employee Engagement Forum to ensure our employee’s voices are heard!
• Supportive working environment & good work/life balance culture
• Support with continuous professional development

Who are we looking for?

We’re seeking someone who is both professional and kind, with a naturally empathetic approach. You’ll ensure every enquiry, referral, and request for information is handled with compassion, clarity, and efficiency. Building rapport with parents, carers, young people, vulnerable adults and professionals will come naturally to you.

You’ll ideally have experience working with children and young people or vulnerable adults, particularly in a behavioural change, support, or wellbeing context. You’ll be passionate about helping them access the right support to improve their lives and can identify individual needs, triage effectively, and ensure each person is matched to the most suitable service.

Experience in a customer‑focused environment would be beneficial, along with confidence using Microsoft and ICT systems, with the ability to process sensitive personal data accurately and securely.

We’re looking for a team player who is self‑motivated, a clear communicator, and highly organised. Flexibility is essential, as you’ll need to adapt to the changing needs of the service and wider organisation.

Someone like you?

If you embrace difference and operate with integrity.

If you are committed to fairness and justice.

If you have creative approach, can think around problems and find new ways to solve them.

These values run through our entire organisation. ONSIDE is a creative, collaborative community where people feel free to share new ideas or ask for support. If something’s not right, we don’t just change it. We change ourselves too.

Our amazing team of skilled staff and volunteers make a difference to the lives of over 15,000 people a year!

If you’re looking for a job that you can be proud of, . More people need our help than ever before. The role of SPA Practitioner is a real career opportunity to support ONSIDE’s work and the impact our services have across the communities we serve.

At ONSIDE we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organisation where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you’re passionate about our mission and excited by this role, but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply — you could be just the right person to help us make a real difference.

As part of our commitment to fairness and equity, we don’t negotiate starting salaries. We operate a clear and transparent pay structure to ensure consistency and equal opportunity for everyone.

ONSIDE reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before the closing date.