Legal Jobs in Home Based

Housing Solicitor

Closing date for applications 23:59 hours on 9th June 2024

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum (depending on experience)

To apply visit our website

• Be a qualified as a Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales)
• Have a current practising certificate and at least 2 years’ post qualification experience in housing law
• Be qualified as a Housing Legal Aid Supervisor or able to meet the Supervisor Standard within a period acceptable to the Legal Aid Agency and Cambridge House

Please go to our website and download a recruitment pack for full instructions of how to apply 

RECRUITING NOW FOR EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR (EA) IN TALKING THERAPIES 

Salary: £32,460 plus pension and benefits (rising to £34,385 after successful completion of probation)

Location:  Although employed by Hillside Clubhouse, EA in iCope staff will be co-located and embedded within the iCope team.  This post will be mainly located at the North iCope Centre - 10 Manor Gardens London N7 6ER. You will also spend time working in community-based settings as required across Islington. 

Working format: Based onsite within the clinical teams as well as the option of some home working (a maximum of 2 days per week as agreed with your manager) 

Contract: Full-time and permanent

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established, dedicated and enthusiastic team supporting people with mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression to gain and retain employment.  

Hillside Clubhouse is a leading mental health charity offering a friendly and supportive working environment, flexible working, career development opportunities, a comprehensive training and induction programme, a generous holiday entitlement and competitive financial rewards. We also provide a positive working environment to support our own employee’s wellbeing. 

Hillside Clubhouse operates an established Employment Advice (EA) service integrated into NHS Talking Therapies (iCope).  The programme aims to support Islington residents who are assessed within iCope and who require employment advice.

The EAs in iCope initiative was designed as an integrated employment and mental health service to improve both mental health and employment outcomes. EAs are part of the iCope team and work alongside therapists to provide employment support to help iCope clients remain in work, return to work, or find employment.  This takes the form of personalised support for the client backed up by an action plan detailing the client’s employment goals and the actions that the client, the therapist, and the EA agree to take to meet these goals.  

Overall aim 

iCope (Talking Therapies) is an NHS Programme that provides evidence based psychological therapies to treat people with mild to moderate and moderate to severe depression and anxiety disorders.  

The new Employment Advisor (EA) will work within the Islington NHS Talking Therapies provision. They will work one-to-one with a caseload of between 25-35 clients referred by NHS Talking Therapies therapists to find employment, remain in existing work if they are struggling, improve their working environment, return to work following sickness or positively leave or retire from work. 

You will primarily fulfil these duties by providing information, advice and guidance to clients who choose to receive employment support. The support aims to empower clients to make better decisions about their working lives, as well as communicate better with colleagues and managers in existing roles. You will also signpost clients to other relevant support agencies, as appropriate. 

This role would suit someone with a background in employment support, psychology, counselling, human resources, recruitment, or a desire to transfer their skills into the mental health support sector.  

Method of working 

EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

1. Engage a mixed caseload of clients at any given time serving 100-125 per year, with common mental health problems, to establish trusting, collaborative relationships to support them to find new employment or support them in, or to leave, existing employment. Support will be provided face-to-face in Talking Therapies settings, via secure online meeting platforms or over the telephone. 

2. Along with their NHS clinician, assess clients’ support needs with a view to creating, implementing, and adjusting a personalised action plan to help improve clients’ mental health and achieve their stated employment goals.

3. Develop and deliver a range of practical services to support clients to find work, including career guidance, job searching skills, CV preparation, application form completion, interview skills, advice on local labour market opportunities and advice on education and training to further their career. 

4. Provide guidance to support clients to stay in existing work, including advice on mental health disclosure, negotiating reasonable adjustments to existing workplaces, creating wellness action plans, and improving productivity, support to return to work after sickness absence or to leave an existing role with dignity, and signpost clients to organisations that can represent them (EAs should only look to represent clients in exceptional circumstances). 

5. Facilitate access to other advice in areas such as financial benefits, debt management, food banks and community food outlets and social housing providers, as necessary. 

6. Work directly with partners like Jobcentre Plus, other employment providers, employers, trade unions and employment agencies to support clients to stay in employment and secure employment opportunities. 

7. Build a constant flow of referrals from the clinical team to ensure a dynamic and mixed caseload.

8. Meet referral and performance targets in line with the specific KPI / SLA requirements of the service. 

9. Regularly attend team and other meetings as reasonably expected. 

10. Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in line with service requirements, ensuring both the NHS and Hillside Clubhouse databases are kept up to date and paperwork compliant.

11. Receive regular supervision and training to meet individual, team and organisation’s needs. 

12. Contribute to the development of a service that is locally responsive and supports minority/disadvantaged communities.

13. Comply with and actively promote all Hillside policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, safeguarding and data protection. 

14. Perform other tasks as required by your manager. 

The role holder must also: 

1. Pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an Enhanced level. 

2. Possess excellent IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office software, as well as experience updating and maintaining databases. 

3. Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in line with service performance requirements, ensuring the IT database is up to date and paperwork compliant.

4. Receive regular supervision and training to meet individual, team and organisation’s needs. 

5. Comply with and actively promote all Hillside Clubhouse policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding, Data Protection and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager. 

The role will receive comprehensive training at induction, and ongoing career development and support as part of a structured performance programme thereafter. 

Application Instructions 

Please submit your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the responsibilities and duties of the role. 

We are a disability aware employer and actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health conditions. 
 
Hillside Clubhouse is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage applications from those who experience discrimination and / or prejudice based on their race, ethnicity or immigration status, women, new parents, people with disabilities and LGBTQI+ people. 

Key Details

Salary: £84,000 per annum with generous benefits including 25 days annual holiday plus public holidays, enhanced pension contribution, private medical health insurance, life assurance and flexible/hybrid working.

Hours: 35 per week over 5 days. 

Contract type: This is a full time, permanent role. 

Location: Hybrid working with options for flexibility to work from home - the postholder will be expected to work from our central London office regularly, 2-3 days per week. 

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Legal Director will lead Good Law Project’s legal work and support the wider leadership of Good Law Project as a member of its senior management team (SMT).

What we’re looking for

• Qualified solicitor or barrister – presently practising or not practising – of a minimum of five years’ post-qualification experience in England and Wales. 
• Extensive civil litigation experience with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Interest in social change and how the law can be used to deliver it.
• Demonstrable experience of critical thinking, including about what the law is, does and could be used to do.
• Committed to Good Law Project’s vision of what a better world looks like.
• Management experience in a senior role, including leading and managing a team or department. 
• Strong network in the legal sector.
• Senior management or Board experience.

What We Do

• Good Law Project is a not-for-profit campaign organisation which uses the law to hold power to account, protect the environment and ensure no one is left behind.

• We had a primary role in overturning the prorogation of Parliament in 2019. We successfully challenged the Government’s operation of a fast track ‘VIP lane’ for awarding lucrative PPE contracts to those with political connections and our campaigning played a key role in the Met Police opening an investigation into Boris  Johnson over the Partygate scandal. In July 2023, we forced the Government to accept that its flagship Net Zero strategy is unlawful and to develop a better plan.

• Our close-knit team of staff work across three core areas: campaigning, legal and operations. We are nimble and reactive to external events which means Good Law Project suits people who thrive in a fast-paced, at times quite pressured environment. You must share our passion for upholding democracy, protecting the environment and ensuring no one is left behind. Our culture is one of openness and innovation which encourages all staff to pitch ideas and influence the organisation’s direction. We are brave, honest and decisive – those are Good Law Project’s values. We recognise the value of our employees, individually and collectively, and are committed to investing in their welfare and development.

• In August 2022 we established an independent SRA-regulated law firm in London, Good Law Practice, to support and develop our work. 

• See our website for more information. 

Further Information / How to Apply

To view the full job description, personal specification, interview stages, Good Law Project values, our structure chart and to apply for this role - click on "Apply via Website".

Contact

If you would like to have a conversation about this role, please click "Apply via Website" to view our contact details.

Team Leader

Closing date for applications 23:59 hours on 4th June 2024

Salary c £35,000 per annum

To apply visit our website to download a recruitment pack for full instructions 

Successful candidates must demonstrate their ability to:

1. Provide supervision, support and performance management of a small team of private tenancy rights caseworkers, ensuring equitable and manageable sharing of caseload
2. Encourage and support user involvement and private tenants’ voice generally in our service development
3. Represent Safer Renting to and manage relationships with an agreed group of local authorities

Team Leader

Closing date for applications 23:59 hours on 4th June 2024

Salary c £35,000 per annum

To apply visit our website to download our recruitment pack with full application instructions 

Successful candidates must demonstrate their ability to:

• Provide supervision, support and performance management of a small team of private tenancy rights caseworkers, ensuring equitable and manageable sharing of caseload
• Encourage and support user involvement and private tenants’ voice generally in our service development
• Represent Safer Renting to and manage relationships with an agreed group of local authorities

Contracts Administrator

Closing date for applications 23:59 hours on 4th June 2024

Salary  £28,890 per annum

To apply via our website 

Successful candidates must demonstrate their ability to:

1. Represent Safer Renting as contracts administrator for all borough funders or partner organisation ensuring compliance by all parties with procedures and protocols 
2.  Proactively deliver a cycle of performance reports, invoices and periodic reviews between the partners
3. Trouble-shoot, recognise potential disputes and escalate issues of non-compliance 

We are looking for a Senior Policy Officer who, in effect, will be the Campaign’s Deputy Director. You will be involved in all aspects of the Campaign’s work.

You will work remotely initially with some face-to-face meetings in London.  You must be able work from a London office in future

Main Responsibilities:

•  Assist in developing strategy and other key aspects of the Campaign’s work

•  Conduct and oversee research into FOI topics

•  Monitor FOI developments and decisions of the Information Commissioner and tribunal

•  Assist in drafting amendments to relevant legislation

•  Help publicise the Campaign’s work via social media and the Campaign’s website

•  Promote the Campaign’s work to the written and broadcast media

•  Advise requesters and contribute to training courses

•  Assist with funding applications

•  Supervise volunteers

The salary and role are likely to be enhanced in future.

Person specification

• Familiarity with the FOI Act and case law – or proven ability to rapidly acquire detailed knowledge of complex legislation and case law

•  Relevant full-time work experience

•  Excellent judgement

•  Flexibility to respond to urgent developments/changing requirements

•  Live in or close to London

•  UK citizen or person with right to live and work in the UK

•  Proven writing skills

•  Social media experience

Benefits

•  We pay a contribution to your pension

•  Friendly informal working culture

•  Small organisation – 4 staff at full strength

Application Process

Please submit your CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages), outlining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience meet the requirements.

Please include your UK address.  Applications from people living outside the UK are unlikely to be considered.

Applications will be considered before the closing date.

Job description

Caseworker Role (OISC Level 1, 2 and 3)

About us

The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) is an established, multi award winning charity that provides a safe, welcoming environment to thousands of refugees and migrants living in the Black Country and Birmingham.

Our highly skilled and diverse staff team provide a broad range of services including advice and support on immigration (OISC regulated level 1, 2 & 3), employment, welfare, education, ESOL, housing, homelessness, destitution, citizenship, health and wellbeing.

RMC have been assisting beneficiaries to access and sustain appropriate accommodation and improve their housing and living conditions for nearly two decades. RMC also deals with many aspects of homelessness, destitution, rough sleeping, exploitation, etc.

Why work for us

Our culture is what makes us unique. We encourage an open, honest working environment where people are valued. We're always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes.

What you will be doing

All Caseworkers (Levels 1,2 and 3) will be required to carry out the tasks shown below. The skill level to progress from one level to the next level is also detailed below.

· To provide professional and effective OISC regulated casework as well as advice, guidance and support to a broad range of RMC’s service users.

· To assist/support the team and the management to meet the needs of the beneficiaries and achieve targets.

· To support and supervise colleagues on a lower level of OISC regulation and designated volunteers.

· To deliver presentations and represent RMC at meetings/events when required by management.

· To take responsibility of projects related to the job

Working within the team

· To ensure the requirements of OISC are respected and met during the delivery of immigration-related advice and casework.

· To assist the senior colleagues and managers in order to drive efficiency, quality, systems improvement and target achievement.

· To supervise and/or manage colleagues on a lower level of OISC-regulation and designated volunteers.

Casework and advice

· To offer advice & casework to service users with various aspects related to their immigration case.

· To deliver the appropriate level of casework either independently or under supervision, depending on the level of OISC registration.

· To provide appropriate support and mentoring to any caseworkers and/or advisors that are under this role’s supervision.

· To maintain confidentiality in all dealings with service users and ensure their needs are met in a satisfactory and sensitive manner.

Other

· To be responsible for the day to day delivery of specific projects if requested by the Senior Management Team–this is flexible and could change depending on the nature of funding.

· To represent RMC at external meetings and events when required by senior colleagues.

· To maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Flexibility
In order to deliver the stated aims of this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties will fall within the scope of the job within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed
___________________________________________________________________

OISC Level 1

Skill / experience Essential Desirable

· OISC Level 1 Accreditation or equivalent

· Commitment to working towards level 2

· Experience of advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants.

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients.

· Commitment to equality and diversity.

· A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

· An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

· Fluent in a community language

· Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

· Educated to degree level or equivalent.

· A proven record of team work and flexibility.

· Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement.

OISC Level 2

Essential Desirable

· OISC Level 2 Accreditation or equivalent

· Commitment to working towards Level 3

· Experience of complex advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees, vulnerable migrants and ‘outside of rules applications

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients

· Commitment to equality and diversity.

· A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

· An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

· Fluent in a community language

· Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

· Educated to degree level or equivalent.

· A proven record of team work and flexibility.

· Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as

· establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement.

OISC Level 3

Essential Desirable

· OISC Level 3 Accreditation or equivalent

· Experience of delivering complex advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees, vulnerable migrants, ‘outside of rules applications’ and representation at tribunal.

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients.

· Commitment to equality and diversity.

· A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills.

· An ability to self-motivate and work independently.

· Fluent in a community language

· Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures.

· Educated to degree level or equivalent.

· A proven record of team work and flexibility.

· Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement.

Company Description

Hope for Justice exists to bring an end to modern slavery by preventing exploitation, rescuing victims, restoring lives and reforming society. Around the world, we are growing a movement of abolitionists who believe freedom is worth the fight. Our team works from more than 30 locations across five continents. If you’re looking to make a difference, this is the place for the you.

Hope for Justice is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. We are a global organisation with staff from a wide variety of backgrounds, and ensure through our recruitment processes that we continue to welcome candidates from all walks of life. If you feel that your skills and experience fit one of our advertised roles, and you share our values and mission to end slavery, then we strongly encourage your application regardless of your background.

Position

Hope for Justice is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic professional to join our UK Advocacy Team as an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA), who is able to work directly with survivors, offering legal advocacy and specialist support and advice.

As an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA), you will provide advocacy and victim services to survivors of modern slavery in the UK - managing a caseload, conducting assessments and developing pathways for survivors.

Key Result Areas:

• Progressing caseload from initial assessment to closure, addressing identified needs
• Building and maintaining partnerships with other organisations (including state and NGO) to create opportunities for survivors of modern slavery
• Supporting the Reforming Society agenda – providing evidence base for reform; providing advice and training, where necessary, to agencies in the community to improve responses to victims of modern slavery thus creating lasting structural change

This is a UK-based role within our UK Advocacy Team.

For full details of this role please download the attached role profile.

Requirements

• Strategic and operational knowledge of modern slavery and broader Human Rights legislation
• Understanding of the legal rights and obligations of victims of modern slavery – including an understanding of immigration, housing, community care, welfare benefits, public law, civil law (including access to compensation), debts and victim rights in the criminal justice process
• Advocacy, research and drafting skills
• Experience of leading interviews using a trauma informed approach
• Educated to Degree level
• Previous work with vulnerable adults, ideally with a legal or social work background
• Enhanced DBS check

Other information

Benefits of working at Hope for Justice

Hope for Justice are committed to supporting our staff’s wellbeing and offers competitive salaries and a range of additional benefits to our staff.

Hope for Justice is a Living Wage employer, accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.

As part of Hope for Justice, you will benefit from an excellent package including:

· 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

· 1 day Marriage Leave

· Enhanced employer pension contributions

· Company sick pay

· Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

· Access to our Employee Rewards Platform, providing discounts and offers for well-known retailers

· Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their family

· Professional development opportunities

· Professional memberships paid

· Flexible and hybrid working

Role Details

Job type: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: Up to £27,560, dependent on experience

Closing date: 6th June 2024

Applications will be reviewed and interviews held on a rolling basis. The advert may be removed prior to the closing date if the position is filled. If you are interested in this role please ensure to submit your application as soon as possible.

Location: Flexible (UK-based, Hybrid / Remote role - Occasional travel to the Manchester head office will be required)

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include criminal records checks, in line with our Global background checks policy. Hope for Justice participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme, as part of the referencing process we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We would like to inform you that due to the high number of applicants we receive, we regret that we are not able to respond individually to all applicants. Rest assured that all applications are carefully reviewed, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process. Thank you for your understanding.

The post holder will be flexible and skilled, with an essential interest in and experience of working with migrant and refugee clients, many of whom have additional complex needs. You will work closely with our immigration caseworker manager to provide one-to-one specialist immigration advice and casework to migrant and refugee clients in Brighton & Hove and across East and West Sussex in the areas of immigration & asylum up to OISC L2. We actively welcome applications from those with lived and relevant experience – please see the job description and person specification.

We are currently the only free, Level 2-accredited, year-round provider of out-of-scope immigration advice on the South Coast, and increasing local immigration capacity is critical to address growing demand and changing demographics in the region. Our current core caseload is largely non-EEA nationals whose immigration cases are out of scope of legal aid. However we are also seeing and will continue to see new arrivals and emerging needs in the region including Afghans resettled under the ARAP and ACRS schemes, Sudanese evacuees, EEA nationals who still have not registered for pre-settled or settled status, and an increasing number of both newly arrived and established asylum seekers placed in emergency (‘contingency’) and dispersal Home Office accommodation.

The balance of time spent between different client groups and cases will therefore need to be responsive to the changes we see in the city and region. Many of our clients also have complex additional needs including health and homelessness and the post holder will be expected to liaise closely with our generalist caseworkers and external providers to ensure that people’s holistic needs are met.

You will work as part of a small, supportive advice and casework team that also includes two generalist advice caseworkers, an employability caseworker, a groupwork facilitator and four dedicated resettlement caseworkers who are supporting newly resettled refugee families mainly from Syria and Afghanistan.

Regular supervision and support and in-house and on-the-job training will be provided, as well as external training on specific issues where needed. However you will need to be ready to step immediately into a busy advice environment with the necessary confidence, skills and knowledge to begin to deliver advice and casework and pick up an existing caseload.

Ideally you will already be OISC L2-accredited, but if only L1-accredited you must be willing to work towards accreditation within the 6-month probationary period.

Postholders will need to have the right to work in the UK.

Children and Young Person’s Independent Sexual violence Advocate

Do you want a rewarding and influential role where your success directly contributes to the protection and growth of support services for sexually abused children and adults?

This is an amazing opportunity to join the organisation at an exciting time to ensure it can maintain a recent period of growth and continue to support survivors through specialist services.

Stand with survivors and challenge victim-blaming attitudes.

Position: Children and Young Person’s Independent Sexual violence Advocate (ISVA)

Location: Birmingham/hybrid

Hours: Full and part-time opportunities available. 19 or 30 hours per week, with 1 home working day or 38 hours per week with 2 home working days.

Salary: Untrained ISVA: £29,777 pro rata, accredited ISVA: £31,365 pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 31st May, 6pm. However, shortlisting will be taking place on a rolling basis so we advise applying as early as possible.

The Role

You will provide support as an ISVA for children and young people (CYP). You will offer compassionate, confidential, support to CYP of all genders, who have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse. Some of the work will be providing specialised wrap around support to children and their families where the child has been, or is currently being sexually exploited (CSE support). You will provide information about reporting processes; support CYP who have reported to the police; provide emotional support to CYP when they give their evidence in court and provide information about other options, such as civil action and Criminal Injuries Compensation.

An approved and accredited ISVA qualification is preferable for this post, and will start at the accredited salary rate. However, candidates who demonstrate and live the organisations values (bold-believing-big hearted), and have a willingness to work towards ISVA accreditation will also be considered.

About You

Ideally, you will have previous or current experience within a specialist rape and sexual abuse organisation, supporting children and young people’s (CYP) victims/survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

You will also have experience of:

• Supporting 13-16 year olds, a group at high risk of sexual violence, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and sexual coercion.
• The impacts of sexual violence and abuse
• Working pro-actively, and advocating for adult survivor voices and needs
• Working with a range of agencies
• Child safeguarding issues, child sexual exploitation (CSE), legislation and best practice
• Understanding of the need and ability to maintain professional notes and records of their interactions and interventions with clients

DON'T FORGET that where you are asked for details of relevant experience, it doesn't just mean paid work. You can back up your statements with examples of what you have done in the past either at home, school or college, in paid work or unpaid work, or as a hobby.

About the Organisation

Join an award winning, long established and well-respected specialist charity supporting children and adults of all genders following rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. A vibrant, growing organisation that believes survivors. If you are big hearted, can the empathy that survivors deserve and need… then we would love to hear from you!

Benefits include:

• Wellbeing support and resources
• Training opportunities and access to specialist resources
• Pension
• Mileage allowance
• Hybrid working
• Time off in lieu (TOIL)
• Awards and recognition
• 35 days annual leave, with it increasing with length of service: after 5 years’ service, it increases from 35 days to 36 days.

The charity is committed to equality and valuing diversity. This includes a commitment within the recruitment and selection processes, applications are welcome from across the community, especially applicants with a protected characteristic to join a bold, believing and big-hearted team.

We also welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of sexual trauma who also meet the person specification, so everyone can work together, engage and amplify survivors’ voices throughout all the work.

You may also have experience in areas such as ISVA, Case Worker, Social Worker, Abuse, Social Welfare, Community Case Worker, Child Case Worker, Victim Support, Advocate, Children and Young Person’s Independent Sexual violence Advocate, IDVA, MARAC, Domestic Abuse.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Compliance, Risk and Audit to join the wider Compliance, Audit and Risk team at SIG! You will have the overall responsibility of keeping participants, residents, and staff safe. The team manages the development, monitoring, and reporting of several areas including but not limited to accidents, incidents, and near misses (AINMs), safety reviews, safeguarding, whistleblowing, complaints, policy and procedure, health and safety, internal audit, business continuity planning and data protection.

As The Head of Compliance, Risk and Audit, you are the lynchpin of the wider team, linking strategic vision with solid and accountable implementation. You will be responsible for developing the team in the broad space of compliance as well as in their own areas of specialism, ensuring that a transparent and accountable compliance framework is implemented and embedded in line with regulatory and legislative change.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. At least 2 days per week in central office (Islington) and our services which are in and around London, Brighton & Hove, Kent, Havering, Bedford, Luton, Nottingham, and Liverpool.
The additional 3 days can be worked from home. You may at times be required to visit a service more than 2 times within a week. 

Our Central Office is based a 10 minute walk from Highbury and Islington station, Angel station is a 15 minute walk away

Benefits, including Non-Contractual Perks

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Medicash includes discount gym memberships, routine optometry care, dental treatments, and physiotherapy treatments
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing.
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

ABOUT YOU

We're looking for someone who is methodical and detail oriented in their approach, who is a compassionate leader, able to set an example of our values (Ambition, Empowerment, Transparency, Inclusivity). You will have an in-depth and broad knowledge of all areas of compliance, with a background in health, social care or housing. You will be required to have excellent report writing skills, with the ability to coach and support others, able to influence a process led culture in respect to your area, and a keen interest in continuous improvement of services and a positive safety culture!

OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Line Management and leadership throughout employee lifecycle this includes; Recruitment, Onboarding, Inductions, training, support and supervision, relations, wellbeing support, and other areas.
• Formalise Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) to monitor objectives.
• Provide both line management and professional consulting using best available forums and mechanisms, including meetings, support effective teamwork and communication. Facilitate a culture where constructive challenge is welcomed, and conflict is managed supportively in line with relevant policies and procedures.
• Deputise for the Director as required.

Safeguarding, Audit, and Compliance

• Oversee the compliance audits across departments and services, providing support, and follow up with operational teams on a regular basis.
• Oversee the Safeguarding infrastructure, deputising for the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) as necessary. Oversee complaints and other processes and develop these to ensure they are safe, fair, equitable, and fit for purpose.
• Support services with commissioner led quality assurance framework (QAF) inspections and those registered with the CQC to maintain their portfolios and ensure they are ready for inspection at any time to retain their registrations.
• Promote and support a positive whistleblowing culture, assist Champions, People and Culture, managers and the audit and compliance team on concerns raised and ensuring the whistleblower is protected.

Reporting and Analysis

• Attend and develop AINMs review meetings for maximum impact in terms of positive safety culture. Ensure the lessons learned from AINMs reviews, safety reviews, and safeguarding concerns are shared and feedback loops are closed.
• Review the collation and analysis of AINMs and Safeguarding alerts, developing the Audit and Compliance team, as well as other operational teams in reflection and root cause analysis

Data Protection

• Monitor the use of external data protection and compliance partners to ensure we maintain ICO requirements and maintain our Data Security Protection Toolkit Certification.
• Monitor and ensure integrity in document control, policy, and procedures as they are developed, reviewed, and published.
• Understand and support an Information Security infrastructure alongside additional teams in the organisation and support Managers and teams with training and challenges where necessary.

Other responsibilities than those described above may be required to be undertaken from time to time and will be expected to be performed to as long as it is within the capability and level of the position. Please refer to JDPS attached for more info

KEY CRITERIA

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in complaints and incident handling, safeguarding, data protection, and audits
• Proven experience in governance systems and structures which can include auditing, risk management, investigations, complaint handling, policy, procedure, and report writing
• Experience and/or ability to coach, develop, and manage direct reports
• Background in health, social care, criminal justice, and/or supported housing systems
• IT Proficiency, ability to learn new software programs, and ability to confidently use and utilise Microsoft programs
• Adequate understanding of the importance and mechanics of document control and writing policy and procedure
• Working knowledge of health and safety processes and procedures
• Ability to write reports in a clear, readable format

What we would like, but not essential:

• Knowledge of the ISO9001 QMS System

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

WORKING FOR US

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Our Values

Ambition – Eager to succeed and to accomplish as much as possible for our people

Empowerment – Giving staff and the people we support the tools, training, and information they need to achieve their potential

Transparency – Upfront and visible about our actions and open to scrutiny from stakeholders, service users, and staff

Inclusivity – Listening to, understanding, and including all our stakeholders to ensure we make a difference and get things right

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Who we’re looking for

You will be an excellent communicator, as well as a practical, well organised and hardworking individual, preferably with experience in the voluntary sector or equivalent transferable experience.

Reporting to the Regional Service Manager, you will support the Service Manager with managing the Cardiff Support Through Court service. You will provide support to volunteers and oversee the daily running of the service when on duty to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. 

Due to funding requirements, the successful applicant must be fluent in Welsh.

About Support Through Court

Support Through Court is an independent charity providing practical and emotional support to people facing the court process without the benefit of legal representation. Most people are unfamiliar with - and may be frightened of - the courts, and may be facing serious issues that could affect their children and relationships, finances, or the security of their homes. Our staff and volunteers empower people facing court alone, helping them to go through the court process with dignity and confidence. Together, we can ensure that no one faces court alone.

Why Access Social Care Exists

Everyday millions of older and disabled people are denied the social care they need. Most local authorities can’t meet the growing demand for care, none are confident they can meet their legal duties in the future. This affects all of us, we will all need social care at some point.

We all have a right to hold public bodies to account. But most of us cannot afford lawyers so rely on legal aid. The 77% drop in community care legal aid cases since 2010 means we have nowhere to turn. Without access to justice, our rights do not exist. The rule of law is broken.

What we do

Access Social Care provides free legal advice and information for people with social care needs, helping achieve a better quality of life. We work with communities to increase knowledge of the law and our rights. We highlight the gap left by cuts to Legal Aid and provide advice for those who can’t afford it.

With a 98% success rate, our network of lawyers and barristers ensure fair access to justice when things go wrong. We collaborate with social services whilst ensuring legal obligations are met. We are working towards a future where social care is adequately funded, and we all get the support we need.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join our organisation. We have a new strategy and are growing quickly including across our senior leadership team. We have nearly tripled in size and income since we started operating in April 2020 and we anticipate that this strong growth will continue for the duration of our next strategic period. Access Social Care are an organisation of thirty-six people, and this is a new role in the People team coming at a period of growth to drive a thriving charity and help shape its future.

This is a fast-paced role whose emphasis is on policy / process / systems improvement as well as advising colleagues and managers across the organisation regarding all aspects of the employee lifecycle. You will work with people at all levels of the organisation supporting the People Director on strategy work streams as the organisation continues to grow and evolve.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all day-to-day HR processes within the employee lifecycle to ensure staff are supported appropriately and legislative responsibilities are fulfilled
• Work alongside the People Director to map or review processes across the employee lifecycle, identify blockers and seek to implement solutions that create efficiency and clarity 
• Advise on employee relations and discuss complex or sensitive cases with the People Director to decide the best course of action, ensuring that cases are resolved in a timely manner or be a trusted advisor to our managers with their people challenges
• Coordinate the delivery of projects, process and policy improvements as defined and prioritised within the People Plan, leading on workstreams as outlined by the People Director
• Support the People Director in sourcing training and learning solutions, and evaluating training
• Provide practical upskilling and training to managers and employees in HR practices and policy
• Coordinate recruitment efforts at Access Social Care, ensuring compliance with employment laws and providing guidance to managers. Manage the recruitment cycle and administration process from job ads to onboarding
• Support staff engagement activities across Access Social Care in conjunction with the People Director. These may include but are not limited to the following initiatives: staff survey coordination, and wellbeing events
• To be a super user and actively promote the use of the HRIS system (Bright HR) and ensure that electronic staffing records are updated and maintained accurately in accordance with GDPR
• Dealing with cyclical and ad-hoc data reporting and requests for information including data analysis
• Contribute to effective payroll administration ensuing information is shared with the Finance Officer in a timely manner, and collaborating with the People Director to address and rectify any issues and process improvements
• Work within the parameters of GDPR, ensuring data and information is protected and handled correctly
• Support the People Director as required in any duties which you could be reasonably expected to perform in line with this job description

Please see full Job Description for personal specification.

How to apply  

We hope that having read this far; you still want to apply!   

Please ensure that your CV and supporting statement do not include your name – use initials only. This will ensure that we avoid unconscious bias in our shortlisting process. To apply, please provide the following documents: 

• An up-to-date CV 
• A completed diversity monitoring form - found within the Job pack.
• A supporting statement of no more than three pages, addressing: The essential requirements of the person specification

If you want support applying, please contact us directly.

Timeline for the recruitment process 

Closing date: 23.59pm on Tuesday 14th May 2024

Interview and assessments on Thursday 23rd May 2024 and Friday 24th May 2024

Please ensure you keep these dates free. 

At Access Social care, we aren’t interested in tokenism. We know that if we are to make the biggest difference for the people that need us the most, we need to get Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and anti-racism right. Part of this is recruiting greater diversity in all our teams.

With this in mind, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of the communities we serve, including people with direct experience of the social care system, and from marginalised groups, particularly Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, older and disabled people, and trans and non-binary people.