Army - Intake Support Officer

Job summary

The Intake Support Officer provides welfare, advice, and support to Junior Soldiers undergoing training at the Army Foundation College. The role supports the welfare needs of a diverse cohort of young people, particularly those who are vulnerable, looked after, or requiring additional assistance. Working closely with military and civilian colleagues, the post holder ensures every Junior Soldier receives appropriate welfare support throughout their training journey.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Main Role Responsibilities:

• Intake pre-arrival & arrival engagement and support, including Looked After Children, Care Leavers, and Cared For Junior Soldiers, linking in with their Local Authorities, Social Workers.
• Intake welfare support to Junior Soldiers, provide advice, guidance, sign posting and referrals to Internal Support Services, including Medical and pastoral.
• Assist with providing welfare support to Junior Soldiers identified as vulnerable, registered on the Junior Soldiers Health Committee spreadsheet, with an entry on the Vulnerability Risk Management Information System, with a Care Action Plan, in place, and/or with a Wounded, Injured & Sick Management Information System record.
• Assist with recording, tracking, and maintaining welfare and personal sensitive data of Junior Soldiers on Military Information Systems, e.g. Junior Soldier Health Committee spreadsheets and Child Protection Online Management System (CPOMs).
• Engagement with the Intake/Company Chain of Command and their Permanent Staff, attending directed meetings and providing advice and guidance on welfare matters, policies, and procedures.
• Assist with Junior Soldier’s Resettlement and discharge transitional support, including external engagement and referrals.
• Conduct onward referrals to external agencies as per policy.
• Participate in out of hours duties when required, supporting College events that require attendance outside standard working hours (e.g., Intake Arrival Days, Open Days).

Person specification

Essential Skills required:

• Effective communication is required to speak and write clearly, calmly, and appropriately with young people and professionals.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for supporting vulnerable individuals with sensitivity and understanding.
• Good judgement and decision making are important for recognising risks and knowing when issues must be escalated.
• Ability to work well in a team and build positive relationships with military staff, welfare colleagues, and external agencies.
• Strong organisation and time management skills are needed to manage multiple welfare cases and administrative responsibilities effectively.
• Adaptability is important to respond flexibly to unexpected issues and occasional out of hours requirements.
• Confidentiality and professional integrity are essential when handling sensitive information and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• NVQ 4 Diploma in advice and guidance or a minimum of 2 years experience in an advice and guidance role with a view to completing the NVQ 4 Diploma in advice and guidance within the first 12 months in role.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Previous Social Care & Welfare Experience.
• Previous Military Experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme with a 28.97% contribution
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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