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Karina Nazarenko
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Karina Nazarenko

Recruitment Consultant

I joined CRA Group in 2023, where I am responsible for the company's recruitment efforts. As CRA Group continues to experience rapid growth, I am excited to play a key role in ensuring our recruitment strategy aligns with the evolving needs of the business. Alongside my team, I am committed to supporting the company's impressive growth journey and contributing to its continued success.​

Assistant Estates Surveyor - Grade E*

6 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to develop their skills within a property and estates management team. • This role supports the effective management of a commercial property portfolio, including property disposal, development, and valuation. • The Assistant Estates Surveyor will assist senior colleagues in delivering a high-quality service that aligns with the organisation’s strategic objectives, focusing on value for money and service excellence. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Assist with day-to-day estate management activities, including property inspections, meter readings, and fire alarm testing • Support the disposal and development of properties to contribute towards capital receipts and regeneration goals • Carry out basic property inspections and produce simple line drawings and inspection notes • Support in marketing properties, including handling enquiries and accompanying prospective tenants on viewings • Assist in preparing basic valuations and supporting routine negotiations under the guidance of qualified surveyors • Undertake research and data collection to inform property decisions and maintain accurate property records using IT systems • Assist with interpreting leases, tenancy documents, and property terms using digital and manual resources • Deal with general property management queries and complaints, including face-to-face contact and telephone/email correspondence • Ensure compliance with relevant policies relating to information security, data protection, and confidentiality Skills/Experience: • Ability to perform arithmetical calculations (e.g. area and measurements) accurately • Capable of producing detailed property notes, reports, and simple but clear line drawings • Understanding of tenancy/lease terms and the ability to interpret legal documents • Experience conducting property inspections and identifying issues related to tenancy, maintenance, and compliance • Familiarity with office practices and the use of property-related IT systems and packages • Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear reports and present findings • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a wider team • Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with awareness of challenges in public service delivery • Creative and solution-focused approach to tasks and challenges • Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours meetings and regular site visits Additional Information: • Locally based. • Mainly office based. • Level 3 qualification (e.g. A Levels, NVQ 3) or equivalent experience is required. Willingness to work towards this qualification is also acceptable. • This is a hands-on role that includes site visits and routine property inspections.

Contract

Speech and Language Therapist

1 year contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • We are offering exciting opportunities for locum Speech and Language Therapists to support children under 5 and their families designed to improve services for children with emerging special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). • This role is part of a collaborative programme led by an NHS Trust in partnership with local health and education professionals, aiming to enhance early years SEND provision through innovative approaches and integrated working. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Deliver targeted-level group sessions for parents and children under 5, both in-person at community settings and online. • Assess communication needs in young children and provide appropriate intervention. • Contribute written advice for Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments. • Deliver tailored interventions for children with language and communication difficulties. • Work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team including educational psychologists, occupational therapists, and Early Help professionals. • Receive regular supervision and support from senior clinicians within the NHS children’s therapies service. Skills/Experience: • Proven experience working with children under 5 with communication difficulties and their families, preferably in community or early years settings. • Skilled in informal and formal assessment of speech, language, and communication needs in young children. • Experience providing parent-child group interventions and confidence facilitating sessions both face-to-face and online. • Ability to write clear, concise, and professional reports, including contributions to Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively across multi-agency teams. • Awareness of child development and early indicators of SEND, especially in relation to speech and language. • Ability to manage a complex and varied caseload, prioritise effectively, and maintain accurate documentation. • Familiarity with inclusive practice, early intervention approaches, and supporting families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. • Comfortable using digital tools and technology for remote delivery, report writing, and communication. Additional Information: • The closing date: 21/05/2025 @17:00. • Hybrid – 2 days/week – from the office. • Completion of Newly Qualified Practitioner (NQP) competencies. • Valid HCPC registration.

Contract

Interim & Executive Management

Homeless Intervention Caseworker - Housing

​ 6-9 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: •We are seeking an experienced and motivated Homeless Intervention Officer to join our progressive and award-nominated Homelessness Intervention Team. This role is central to delivering a compassionate, person-centred service focused on preventing and relieving homelessness. •Working within the Crisis Intervention Team, the successful candidate will manage a complex and varied caseload, offering high-quality housing advice and support in line with statutory homelessness legislation. In addition to frontline casework, the postholder will contribute to team development by coaching and mentoring colleagues, supporting service improvement, and assisting with operational continuity during senior staff absences. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): •Manage a personal caseload of complex homelessness cases in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1996 (Part 7 as amended), Equality Act 2010, and other relevant legislation. •Deliver early intervention and prevention-focused housing advice to single individuals at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping. •Provide coaching and mentoring support to other officers, contributing to a team culture of learning, development, and reflective practice. •Support case reviews and decision-making processes, ensuring consistency and compliance with legal requirements and best practice. •Act as a point of contact for complex queries and escalations in the absence of senior team members. •Participate in the Out of Hours homelessness provision rota, responding to emergency housing needs. •Contribute to service-wide strategic objectives, performance monitoring, and continuous service improvement initiatives. •Provide operational cover for senior responsibilities when required. •Work flexibly across different locations within the area, as business needs dictate. Skills/Experience: •In-depth knowledge of homelessness legislation and related policy frameworks, including landlord and tenant law, safeguarding, welfare benefits, and relevant social care legislation (e.g., Care Act, Children’s Act). •Strong leadership qualities with experience of coaching, mentoring, and upskilling colleagues. •Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with the ability to support service users facing complex and challenging circumstances. •Proven ability to manage a demanding caseload in a high-pressure environment. •A commitment to providing high-quality, customer-focused services and driving continuous improvement. •Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team setting. •A reflective and proactive approach to professional development and service delivery. Additional Information: •The closing date: 26/05/2025. •Enhanced DBS is required for this role. •This is a hybrid role, offering a balance of home-based and office-based working. ​

Contract

Community & Social

Gateway Customer Service Officer

​ 2-3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: •This role involves providing a comprehensive, customer-focused housing advice and homelessness prevention service to individuals and families facing housing difficulties or homelessness. •The postholder will be the first point of contact for all housing-related enquiries, conducting interviews, delivering advice face-to-face and over the phone, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date Personalised Housing Plans in line with statutory requirements. •The position plays a vital role in delivering duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and relevant associated legislation, including the Care Act and the Children’s Act. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): •Act as first point of contact for customers with housing needs, providing advice and assistance in person, by phone, and online. •Conduct housing needs assessments, develop and maintain Personalised Housing Plans to prevent and relieve homelessness. •Deliver a face-to-face and telephone-based triage and advisory service, signposting to relevant internal and external support services. •Support vulnerable customers to access housing options in both public and private sectors. •Advise clients on a full range of housing options including local authority housing, private renting, mutual exchange schemes, and shared ownership. •Aid with bidding for properties using relevant online systems. •Assist customers with accessing online portals and systems through digital hubs. •Draft responses to complaints, correspondence, and member enquiries. •Liaise effectively with internal teams, external agencies, and partners to ensure timely support and service delivery. •Monitor, analyse, and report on service user data to support continuous improvement. •Participate in community events and outreach activities to promote available housing services. •Ensure service compliance with health and safety policies, safeguarding duties, and equal opportunity standards. Skills/Experience: •In-depth knowledge of housing legislation, including the Housing Acts of 1996, 1988, 2004, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Care Act 2014, and the Children’s Act 1989. •General understanding of inner-city housing challenges. •Strong knowledge of welfare benefits and support services relevant to individuals experiencing housing difficulties. •Experience in delivering customer-facing services with sensitivity and professionalism. •Skilled in negotiation, problem-solving, and the ability to resolve complex housing queries. •Proven ability to manage sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity, both verbally and in writing. •Ability to organise and analyse information effectively for reports, assessments, and correspondence. •Competent in using IT systems including Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel) and databases. •Able to work independently and collaboratively within a team, supporting new staff where necessary. •Strong time management skills and ability to handle a busy and varied caseload. Additional Information: •Enhanced DBS is required for this role. ​

Contract

Community & Social

Redevelopment and Regeneration manager

5-6 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • An experienced and driven Redevelopment and Regeneration Manager is sought to lead the delivery of several small to medium-sized land and property redevelopment schemes. • The successful candidate will manage projects from feasibility through to completion, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, design development, procurement, and delivery. • This is a pivotal role for someone with a proven background in regeneration and the ability to manage complex public sector development projects across a range of sites. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Lead on the feasibility, options development, and business case preparation for regeneration and redevelopment schemes involving public land and property. • Work collaboratively with stakeholders to specify and shape development proposals in line with local priorities and strategic goals. • Commission and manage consultants and specialists for site planning, design, surveying, and site preparation activities. • Assist in the procurement of delivery partners and the appointment of contractors. • Provide advice and support on viability, valuation, planning, and legal considerations throughout the project lifecycle. • Contribute to the delivery of projects in line with RIBA stages, ensuring quality, cost-efficiency, and compliance. • Produce formal reports and presentations for internal stakeholders, including senior officers and elected members. • Manage and co-ordinate external consultants and contractors to ensure successful and timely delivery. • Support the disposal and acquisition of sites as part of wider regeneration activity. Skills/Experience: • Proven experience in delivering land and property redevelopment and regeneration projects, ideally in a public sector or mixed-use context. • Strong understanding of the end-to-end development process, including feasibility studies, business case development, planning, and procurement. • Familiarity with RIBA work stages and practical experience managing projects through them. • Demonstrable ability to engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders including consultants, contractors, and community representatives. • Professional qualifications such as RICS, or equivalent experience in regeneration, construction, or surveying. • Skilled in drafting and presenting reports and updates to decision-makers. • Experience with contract and consultant management, risk identification, and regulatory frameworks. • Excellent organisational and communication skills, with strong attention to detail. Additional Information: • Hybrid role – 2-3 days/week from the office.

Full time

Interim & Executive Management

SEND Tribunal Officer

3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • This role leads and delivers a statutory service for the identification, case management, and review of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who are at risk of or currently involved in appeals with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). • The post holder will act as Council’s representative at appeal hearings, ensuring that the service complies with relevant legislation, best practice, and budgetary constraints. • Operating within a high-pressure, multi-agency environment, the role focuses on delivering a client-oriented, solution-focused service to reduce the number of cases progressing to tribunal. • This role is pivotal in ensuring that Council delivers a world-class service in line with national standards and inspection frameworks. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Lead the delivery of the SEN appeals service, managing approximately 145–150 tribunal cases per year, with an annual increase of 5–7%. • Represent Surrey County Council at SENDIST hearings and lead on all aspects of tribunal case management. • Liaise with parents, schools, legal representatives, and professionals to resolve issues and avoid escalation to tribunal where possible. • Contribute to service planning, policy development, and continuous improvement to ensure compliance with legal requirements and best practice. • Identify and report service-related risks and opportunities to senior management. • Lead effective case management in complex, high-risk scenarios, including safeguarding considerations. • Work collaboratively with SEN teams across four geographical areas and multiple internal and external stakeholders. • Provide expert guidance and support to team members, ensuring consistency of practice and a high-quality service across the county. Skills/Experience: • Extensive experience working within a legal, educational, or social care framework involving children and young people with SEN. • Proven track record in managing complex caseloads and leading statutory casework. • Strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, tribunal processes, and relevant legislation. • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, particularly in challenging, high-stakes situations. • Ability to develop positive working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including parents, schools, legal professionals, and other agencies. • Experience in operational planning, resource allocation, and service delivery within a local authority or equivalent setting. • Sound understanding of safeguarding principles and risk management procedures. • Professional qualification or equivalent extensive practical experience. Additional Information: • The closing date: 20/05/2025.

Contract

Interim & Executive Management