Advocacy service manager jobs

This role will join an ambitious programme developing the capacity of the Libraries Connected public library networks. We want to help them evolve as strategic partnerships able to deliver social impacts at scale and to secure resources and investment from national, regional and sub-regional government. Be key to the development of libraries as essential social infrastructure, and help them secure the resources they need to make an impact. 

The role is part of a small team of two Regional Managers, supported by an Administrator. 

By developing our existing regional networks into formal, resourced structures we can enable the regions to: 

• Secure investment for the service and for the libraries from regional and devolved / combined authority funds.
• Create unique regional offers to meet specific needs across and within the regional areas.
• Deliver at scale. For example, the Yorkshire & Humber regional network has 15 library services, and 348 library buildings. 
• Create opportunities for cost saving – through joint procurement and shared / collaborative services. 
• Share good practice and experience on a formal and integrated basis. 

We have 9 regional networks in England, covering all library services and ranging in size from 9 to 33 services. Within each region they provide hundreds of library branches, thousands of staff, and serve millions of service users.  They have a long tradition of working together as peer support networks and to deliver activities such as festivals, marketing, and staff training. 

Please see the attached job description for a full description of the role, including person specification. 

Frequent travel within the UK may be required for the role.

About Libraries Connected 

We are an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public libraries. Our work is driven and led by our membership, which includes almost every library service in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man).  

Across the areas we serve there are 176 individual library services with around 3,000 library branches serving over 61 million people. 

Our unique approach is to bring these services together to share experience, expertise and evidence – driving innovation and impact across the public library sector.

While senior library leaders sit on our board and committees, we work with library staff at all levels.

As well as providing practical support, training and advice to libraries, we represent them to government and raise their profile in the media. We also develop and lead national library projects with cultural, academic and corporate partners.  

We work to a strategic plan that runs until 2027, organised around four themes: drive, grow, connect and engage.  

We generate income from membership subscriptions, commissioned services, events and grants. As an Arts Council Investment Principle Support Organisation, part of our core funding in England comes from the Arts Council to help embed their Investment Principles across the library network.   

Our values 

• We are supportive. We respond to the varied, emerging needs of our members and their communities to enable libraries to learn from each other, and other sector leaders, so that they can safeguard and improve their services.  

• We are inclusive. We work with our members and partners to design and deliver our work and to determine our strategic priorities because we are committed to representing the diverse communities and libraries which we serve.  

• We are open. We are in constant communication with our members and partners on all levels to learn from their experiences, reflect on our practice and develop our services. We welcome challenge and new directions for our work.  

• We are ambitious. We believe that libraries are an essential part of the solution to a range of society’s needs. We promote innovation and collaboration to ensure that libraries are recognised locally and nationally.  

Working at Libraries Connected 

We are a friendly, collaborative team of around 20 staff based all around England and Wales. 

We value diversity and are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment. We strongly believe that inclusive and diverse organisations are not only better places to work, they are more innovative, make better decisions and are more successful. We value people who bring unique perspectives and knowledge to our team. 

We want to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To reduce bias, we shortlist candidates based on their responses to up to six application questions. These are designed to tell us about your values, experience, attitudes to work, and transferable skills. We do not ask for a separate cover letter or supporting statement. 

We offer flexible working as standard, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities. Many of our staff work their hours in different ways, including flexi time and compressed hours. We are open to discussing what would work for you and be possible for the role. 

All roles are remote and are open to applicants who live anywhere in the UK. We provide staff with a home office set-up including laptop, monitor and phone. There is the option to work from our central London office or use a co-working space if it is not possible to work from home. 

We welcome requests for adjustments to our standard recruitment processes for anyone who needs them. 

Forensic Advocate
Mind in Enfield and Barnet
Chase Farm Hospital - Enfield (on site)
Permanent
Part time, 25 hours per week (full time option available)
Up to £29,000 FTE
Excellent benefits including Employer contribution to pension, Employee Assistance Programme, 30 days annual leave pro rata

Charity People are delighted to be partnering with Mind in Enfield and Barnet, a fast-growing charity in North London, to recruit a Forensic Advocate.

Mind in Enfield and Barnet provides much needed therapy, wellbeing support and advocacy services to people with mental health problems.

The Advocacy, Advice and Information department works to empower people and communities, and challenge stigma and disadvantage caused by Mental Health problems. They champion individual's voices, uphold their rights, and promote personal autonomy through the provision of high-quality information, advice, and advocacy support.

The Forensic Advocate will provide professional advocacy to all eligible patients. The role will ensure that patients voices are heard and respected, rights upheld, and facilitate positive engagement with ward staff, professionals involved in their care, treatment planning processes, and relevant meetings. This may be facilitated through attendance at patient's forums, ward meetings, working with patients on a one-to-one basis providing information, representation and support to develop self-advocacy skills; and developing new forums and forms of support.

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver High-Quality Patient Advocacy: Provide professional, inclusive advocacy to inpatients and community-based clients, ensuring their rights are upheld and concerns are addressed through direct support, representation at clinical meetings, and regular engagement.
• Maintain Casework and Service Standards: Manage an active caseload, ensuring accurate and timely record-keeping, compliance with legal frameworks (e.g. Mental Health Act), and adherence to organisational standards and procedures.
• Develop Collaborative Partnerships and Outreach: Build effective relationships with ward staff, carers, peer advocates, and external agencies, coordinate monthly outreach clinics, and contribute to forums and community meetings to promote service integration.
• Support Training, Development, and Service Improvement: Co-develop training for peer advocates, staff, and carers, promote self-advocacy, participate in service development, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and best practices.

The successful candidate will have some experience of working in a Forensic Advocacy role, as well as working in an Inpatient setting, and in an Advocacy role. You will have good knowledge of Mental Health Act 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and other relevant legislation.

You also be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent multi-tasking and time management skills
• Ability to produce well -written reports and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate clearly and assertively with a diverse range of colleagues and clients at all levels
• Be self-motivated
• Approachable and able to engage service users, placing boundaries when required
• Basic IT skills including Microsoft Office & Database Packages

This role is providing specialist advocacy for 12 Forensic Wards at Chase Farm Hospital and in community locations, covering six roles each with a 2nd advocate.

This is an on-site role.

How to apply

The application process is CV-only. For full details on how to apply, please apply via the link below Abi at Charity People will be in touch.

Early interest is encouraged as we are receiving applications on a rolling basis. Interviews will take place asap, with a view to start the role as soon as possible.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

The role

As Youth Advocacy Lead, you will develop and deliver GMYN’s new We Rise project, working alongside care-experienced and separated young people to transform housing and accommodation across Greater Manchester. 

This role is about more than delivering a project. It is an opportunity to help change not just young people's lives but how an organisation listens to them. We are looking for an advocate who believes young people already have the answers; they simply need adults and organisations willing to listen, share power and act. 

The role will combine direct work with young people, advocacy practice, organisational development and systems change. You will introduce and embed a self-advocacy approach across GMYN, supporting young people to understand their rights, build confidence and influence the decisions affecting their lives. 

Alongside this, you will support GMYN colleagues to develop the skills and confidence to make advocacy part of everyday practice; not something that only happens when things go wrong. Working across the organisation, you will help us move from supporting young people for them to achieving change with them. 

You will support young people to lead social action projects, distribute over grants through the We Rise Challenge Fund, influence regional housing reform, develop the creative projects and become the next generation of youth leaders across Greater Manchester. 

This is a real opportunity to build something from the beginning and help create an organisation where advocacy is not an activity – it is simply how we work. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the development and delivery of We Rise, ensuring young people are meaningfully involved learning is captured throughout the project.

• Develop a self-advocacy approach across GMYN, supporting young people to understand their rights and influencing decisions affecting their lives.

• Support young people to develop leadership, advocacy and social action skills so they can shape the services, systems and decisions that affect their lives.

• Design participation opportunities using rights-based approaches, ensuring young people are equal partners in shaping services and decisions.

• Develop strong relationships across Greater Manchester to strengthen youth voice and advocacy for young people to influence change.

• Model strong safeguarding practice to ensure young people are safe and supported. 

• Promote strengths-based and trauma-informed that ensure young people feel valued and heard.

• Capture insight, outcomes and learning to evidence impact and improve future practice.

• Manage project plans, budgets, reporting, and partnerships to ensure successful project delivery. 

• Support GMYN to embed advocacy approaches and continuously improve how we work alongside young people. 

• Promote youth-led advocacy and represent GMYN with stakeholders across Greater Manchester. 

• Carrying out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities that contribute to the organisation's overall aims and objectives.  

Person specification 

• Experience delivering advocacy or rights-based support with young people, such as care-experienced and separated young people. 

• Understanding of advocacy approaches and how they differ from advice, counselling and key work. 

• Experience supporting young people to develop and lead social action projects. 

• Experience designing and delivering participation opportunities.

• Co-producing services or projects with young people and people with lived experience. 

• Experience facilitating groups, workshops and activities that create safe, inclusive and empowering spaces for young people. 

• Experience developing practice through training and coaching professionals and/or embedding new approaches across organisations. 

• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches, strengths-based practice, and rights-based participation, including the Lundy Model. 

• Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships with young people, professionals, organisations and stakeholders. 

• Experience planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating projects, including capturing impact and learning. 

Please see attached pack for further information about GMYN and the role. 

Help make healthcare work better for people experiencing homelessness  

Thank you for your interest in joining Groundswell. 

We're looking for someone who believes everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

As our Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Development Manager, you'll help make that happen by building the partnerships that enable people experiencing homelessness to access the healthcare they need. 

At Groundswell, we know that good services alone aren't enough. Lasting change happens when health, housing and homelessness organisations work together around the person, sharing responsibility, building trust and removing barriers to care. This role exists to make that collaboration happen in practice. 

Working across London, you'll strengthen partnerships, improve referral pathways and help embed HHPA within local systems so that more people can access timely, coordinated and person-centred healthcare. You'll also lead our Health Promotion programme, support the development of staff and volunteers, and help shape the future growth of the service. 

This is an opportunity to improve individual lives by helping organisations work better together. Through your leadership, you'll help create a more connected health and homelessness system—one where people experiencing homelessness can access healthcare with confidence, dignity and choice. 

If you're passionate about collaboration, committed to tackling health inequalities and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Groundswell 

For 30 years we've worked alongside people with lived experience to develop practical solutions that improve health, reduce inequalities and create opportunities for lasting change. We believe that people who have experienced homelessness are experts in the barriers they face and should play a central role in designing services and shaping the systems that affect them.  

Today, Groundswell delivers peer-led services, helping thousands of people each year access healthcare, improve their wellbeing and influence the systems that affect their lives. As HHPA Development Manager, you'll join a supportive organisation that believes lasting change happens through relationships, partnership and involving people with lived experience at all levels.  

Our Vision 

Our vision is for a society which is fair, inclusive and equal. 

We need equitable access to a healthier life and a better future for anyone with experience of homelessness. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to bring people together to: 

• Amplify voices of people with lived experience to create solutions to homelessness and health inequalities. 

• Stand in solidarity and champion their rights, to create positive change. 

Our Strategy 

We co-produced our strategy with staff and volunteers with experience of homelessness. We’re proud to have remained true to our values of participation and co-production. 

Stronger Voices, Healthier Lives, Better Futures, Greater Together 

People with experience of homelessness must inform the solutions – because they understand the problems people face. 

At every stage, we will hear, unite and amplify more voices of people with lived experience to speak out. Through participation we will build a stronger, more inclusive community to create change – through our organisation, in services, our sectors and wider society, locally and nationally. 

Homelessness is a health emergency. 

We will work to end health inequalities for people who have or are experiencing homelessness through advocacy, practical support, information and by influencing people, policy and services. 

Everyone deserves a better, more hopeful life and future. 

Lived experience of homelessness can lead to barriers that impact people’s life chances. 

Recognising the potential in everyone, we will provide more opportunities and support for people with experience of homelessness to progress if, and when, they are ready. 

We can’t achieve our goals alone – we are more impactful when we pull together. 

We will become more effective and sustainable, building on our culture of relationships, compassion and transparency, and working closely with partners to learn, share and create change. 

How Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Works 

HHPA helps people experiencing homelessness overcome the barriers that prevent them accessing healthcare. 

Many people face significant challenges navigating health services. Appointments can be difficult to attend, treatment can be confusing, and previous experiences of stigma, trauma or exclusion can make healthcare feel inaccessible. Without the right support, people often delay seeking help until their health has deteriorated. 

"I need someone with me that I know that I can trust. I wouldn't do things like that on my own." 

HHPA Client 

HHPA provides practical, person-centred support that helps people access the care they need while building the confidence to manage their own health. Rather than providing one-off interventions, HHPA works alongside people over time, developing trusted relationships, responding flexibly to changing needs and supporting people to become more confident and independent. 

The service combines the expertise of skilled Caseworkers with the unique insight of trained volunteer Peer Advocates who have lived experience of homelessness. Together they provide one-to-one advocacy, practical support and health promotion to help people: 

• register with healthcare services 

• prepare for and attend appointments 

• understand treatment and care plans 

• navigate hospital admission and discharge 

• access wider health and wellbeing services 

• make informed decisions about their health 

• become increasingly confident in managing their own health. 

Alongside one-to-one support, HHPA delivers peer-led health promotion in hostels, day centres, outreach settings and other community spaces. Through informal conversations and group activities, Peer Advocates share accessible information about physical health, mental health and wellbeing, encourage preventative healthcare, identify unmet health needs and help people access support earlier. These conversations often provide the first step towards engaging with healthcare, creating trusted pathways into ongoing advocacy and reducing the need for crisis intervention. 

Rather than doing things for people, HHPA works alongside them—building trust, reducing barriers and enabling people to become active participants in their own healthcare. This relational, peer-led approach improves individual health outcomes while strengthening partnerships across health, housing and homelessness services, helping more people access coordinated, person-centred care.  

The Role 

The HHPA Development Manager is a key leadership role within Groundswell's HHPA service. 

You'll help shape how people experiencing homelessness access healthcare by strengthening partnerships across London's health, housing and homelessness system while leading the continued development of our Health Promotion programme. 

People experiencing homelessness often interact with multiple services but still experience fragmented care, missed opportunities for prevention and barriers to accessing the support they need. HHPA bridges these gaps through trusted relationships, peer-led advocacy and health promotion. This role helps create the partnerships, systems and programmes that make that possible. 

This isn't a traditional partnership management role focused on maintaining stakeholder relationships. It's a practical, hands-on leadership role that brings organisations together, supports colleagues to deliver excellent services and identifies opportunities to improve how healthcare is delivered and experienced. 

Working closely with the Services Director, Systems Manager and Health and Social Care Lead, you'll help ensure HHPA remains well connected, continually improving and responsive to changing need. 

The role combines five key areas of responsibility: 

Leading the Service  
Providing day-to-day operational leadership, supporting colleagues and helping ensure HHPA is delivered safely, consistently and effectively. 

Building Partnerships  
Developing strong relationships with NHS organisations, local authorities, homelessness services and voluntary organisations to embed HHPA and strengthen collaborative working. 

Leading Health Promotion  
Developing and overseeing Groundswell's Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, working with partners to deliver accessible, peer-led health promotion that encourages earlier engagement with healthcare. 

Growing HHPA  
Using learning from frontline delivery and partnership working to improve services, develop new approaches and support the expansion of HHPA into new boroughs and communities. 

Developing People  
Supporting, developing and inspiring staff and volunteers through reflective supervision, shared learning and a culture that values lived experience, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Together, these responsibilities make this a varied and influential role where you'll help shape both the future of HHPA and the wider health and homelessness system. 

Role Description 

As HHPA Development Manager, you'll provide operational leadership for key areas of Groundswell's Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service. 

You'll lead the development of strategic partnerships, oversee the delivery and growth of our Health Promotion programme, support and develop staff and volunteers, and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand HHPA. 

Working closely with the Services Director, Systems Manager and Health and Social Care Lead, you'll help ensure the service is well connected, evidence-informed and continually improving, so that more people experiencing homelessness can access timely, coordinated and person-centred healthcare. 

Building Partnerships: 

Develop trusted relationships across health, housing and homelessness services so organisations work together more effectively and people experiencing homelessness can access timely, coordinated healthcare. 

• Build and sustain relationships with NHS organisations, local authorities, homelessness services and community partners. 

• Support the Services Director to develop relationships with commissioners and strategic partners. 

• Represent Groundswell at operational meetings, networks and multidisciplinary teams. 

• Champion peer-led health advocacy and the involvement of people with lived experience. 

• Work with partners to identify shared challenges and develop practical solutions. 

Embedding HHPA in Local Systems: 

Help ensure HHPA becomes an established and valued part of local health and homelessness systems by strengthening collaboration and improving access to the service. 

• Embed HHPA within partner organisations' day-to-day practice.  

• Strengthen collaboration between HHPA staff and local services.  

• Develop and improve referral pathways.  

• Support timely, appropriate referrals and monitor referral activity. 

• Identify and resolve barriers to effective partnership working. 

• Work with the Systems Manager to strengthen systems that support collaboration. 

Leading Health Promotion: 

Lead the development of Groundswell's peer-led Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, helping people engage with healthcare earlier through accessible, trauma-informed support in hostels, day centres and community settings. 

• Develop partnerships that expand Health Promotion opportunities.  

• Oversee delivery across boroughs.  

• Develop accessible health information with communications colleagues.  

• Monitor quality, impact and learning and produce reports for funders  

• Ensure activities are delivered safely, including venue risk assessments where required.  

Leading and Developing People: 

Create a supportive, high-performing culture where staff and volunteers can thrive. 

• Line manage a team of Caseworkers and support volunteers.   

• Provide reflective supervision that encourages learning, wellbeing and high-quality practice.   

• Promote continuous learning and reflective practice.   

• Working alongside the Volunteer Management team, support volunteer recruitment, induction and ongoing development.   

• Foster collaboration, accountability and shared learning across teams.   

• Use coaching and asset-based approaches to help staff and volunteers recognise their strengths, build their skills and reach their potential.  

Improving Services: 

Use learning from partnerships, health promotion and complex casework to strengthen HHPA and improve system responses. 

• Work with the Health and Social Care Lead to improve multi-agency responses.  

• Identify opportunities to develop and expand HHPA.  

• Support the introduction of services in new boroughs.  

• Share innovation and best practice across the organisation.  

• Contribute to continuous improvement.  

Supporting Service Delivery: 

Alongside your strategic responsibilities, you'll help ensure HHPA delivers a responsive, safe and reliable service every day. 

• Participate in the HHPA duty system, including occasional early and late shifts.  

• Maintain effective communication with partners around referrals and triage.  

• Work with colleagues to resolve operational challenges.  

General Responsibilities: 

As a member of the HHPA leadership team, you'll contribute to the wider development of Groundswell. 

• Contribute to organisational planning and Team Leads meetings.  

• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.  

• Promote trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.  

• Ensure all work reflects Groundswell's values and commitment to lived experience.  

• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role.  

What Success Looks Like 

Success in this role is measured not simply by the partnerships you build, but by the difference those partnerships—and Groundswell's Health Promotion programme—make to people's lives and to the way health and homelessness services work together. 

In your first year, you will have: 

• Built trusted partnerships across London's health, housing and homelessness system, establishing Groundswell as a valued and reliable partner.  

• Embedded HHPA within local services, strengthening referral pathways and making it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access timely, coordinated healthcare.  

• Led and developed Groundswell's Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, expanding peer-led health promotion across London and creating more opportunities for people to engage with healthcare earlier, in trusted community settings.  

• Supported and developed Caseworkers, volunteers and colleagues, creating a positive culture of reflection, collaboration and continuous learning.  

• Worked alongside colleagues and partner organisations to improve responses for people with complex needs, removing barriers to healthcare and strengthening multidisciplinary working.  

• Used learning from partnerships and frontline delivery to improve existing services, support innovation and contribute to the growth of HHPA into new boroughs.  

• Helped strengthen the wider health and homelessness system by promoting earlier intervention, improving collaboration and ensuring more people experiencing homelessness can access healthcare with dignity, confidence and choice.  

Above all, you'll have created the conditions that enable both excellent health advocacy and impactful Health Promotion to thrive. By bringing organisations together, supporting colleagues and volunteers, and embedding peer-led approaches within local systems, you'll help more people experiencing homelessness access healthcare earlier, experience better outcomes and receive more connected, compassionate and person-centred support. 

Working as Part of the HHPA Leadership Structure 

These roles work closely together, combining strategic leadership, operational delivery, partnership development and specialist expertise to ensure HHPA is safe, effective and continually improving. 

The HHPA service is delivered through a collaborative leadership model: 

• Services Director  
  Provides strategic direction, secures funding, and holds overall accountability for delivery, performance and growth.  

• Systems Manager  
  Designs and maintains the systems, processes and infrastructure that enable safe, efficient and compliant delivery.  

• Health and Social Care Lead   
  Leads on supporting individuals facing the greatest barriers, providing specialist knowledge and navigating complex health and social care systems.  

• Development Manager (this role)  
  Ensures HHPA is embedded within local systems and relationships, so that partnerships translate into effective access to healthcare in practice.  

Together, these roles ensure the service is: 

• Well designed (systems)  

• Well connected (development)  

• Effective for those with greatest need (health and social care)  

• Strategically led and sustainable (director)  

Our work is: 

• Person-centred — responding to individual needs  

• Peer-led — shaped by lived experience  

• Collaborative — built through partnership  

• Rights-based — focused on access and equity  

• System-focused — working to create lasting change  

We understand that care is demonstrated through consistent, reliable and thoughtful practice — in how we communicate, follow up, and deliver support. 

Person Specification 

At Groundswell, we know there is no single route to becoming a great manager. You may have gained your experience through paid work, volunteering, community organising, supporting people experiencing homelessness or other forms of social exclusion, or through your own lived experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who share our values and commitment to improving people's lives. 

We're looking for someone who shares our values, enjoys building relationships and wants to help create a health and homelessness system that works better for everyone. 

What We're Looking For 

A) Core Requirements: 

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate: 

1. Experience of building and developing partnerships across health, housing, homelessness or voluntary sector organisations dealing with similar issues.  
2. Experience of leading, supporting or managing staff and helping others to develop.  
3. Experience of working collaboratively across organisations to improve services or outcomes.  
4. The ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of people, including frontline staff, senior managers, commissioners and people with lived experience.  
5. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and work effectively in a complex environment.  
6. Sound judgement when responding to risk, safeguarding concerns and sensitive situations.  
7. A commitment to Groundswell's values of lived experience leadership, participation, equity, compassion and collaboration.  

B) Knowledge and Experience: 

The successful candidate is likely to have knowledge or experience of: 

Essential: 

1. The barriers people experiencing homelessness face when accessing healthcare.   
2. Health, housing and adult social care systems, and how they work together.   
3. Trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.   
4. Building partnerships that improve services and outcomes.   
5. Safeguarding, professional boundaries and information sharing.   
6. Contributing to service development, quality improvement or organisational learning.   
7. Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook  

Desirable: 

1. London's health and homelessness landscape.   
2. Health Promotion, outreach or community engagement.   
3. Co-production, peer-led services or lived experience leadership.   
4. Developing services across multiple sites or boroughs.   
5. Working within a duty-based or high-volume service.   
6. Salesforce or another case management or CRM system.   
7. Using coaching and asset-based approaches to support people to develop their skills, confidence and independence.  

C) Personal Qualities: 

We're looking for someone who is: 

1. An excellent relationship builder who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose.   
2. Compassionate, approachable and respectful in the way they work with colleagues, partners and people using our services.   
3. Curious and reflective, always looking for opportunities to learn and improve.   
4. Confident working across organisational boundaries and able to influence through collaboration rather than authority.   
5. Adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment where no two days are the same.   
6. Passionate about reducing health inequalities and improving access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness.   
7. Reflective and solution-focused, with a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.  

We'd Particularly Welcome Applications from People Who Have: 

• Lived experience of homelessness or another form of social exclusion. 

• Experience of working in partnership with local communities.  

• Experience of co-production or supporting people with lived experience to shape services.  

• A commitment to using lived experience to influence systems and improve outcomes.  

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment: 

Groundswell is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, migration, the criminal justice system, mental ill health, substance use or other forms of social exclusion. 

We recognise that no one candidate will meet every requirement. If you believe you have the skills, values and potential to succeed in this role, we'd encourage you to apply. 

Why Join Groundswell 

Meaningful Work 

This is an opportunity to improve not just individual lives, but the way services work together. 

As HHPA Development Manager, you'll help shape partnerships that make healthcare more accessible for people experiencing homelessness. Your work will influence how organisations collaborate, how services are designed and how people experience care. Every partnership you strengthen and every barrier you help remove has the potential to improve health outcomes for people who are too often excluded from healthcare. 

A Supportive Team 

We're a values-led organisation where collaboration, compassion and lived experience shape everything we do. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues who are committed to learning from one another and supporting each other to do challenging work well. 

We believe good leadership is rooted in reflection, openness and trust. Through regular supervision, reflective practice and close collaboration across the HHPA leadership team, you'll have the support and autonomy to develop your ideas, build strong partnerships and make a lasting contribution. 

Learn and Grow 

HHPA is continuing to grow, creating exciting opportunities to influence the future of the service. 

You'll have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of health inequalities, partnership working and systems change, while developing your leadership skills and contributing to the expansion of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy across London. Whether you're looking to broaden your expertise, lead new initiatives or help shape the future direction of the service, we'll support your professional development every step of the way. 

Benefits 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.  

• 5% employer pension contribution.  

• Flexible and hybrid working, where service delivery allows.  

• A compressed hours working pattern is available.  

• Regular reflective practice and high-quality supervision.  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.  

• A supportive, inclusive and values-led working environment.  

Be Part of Something Bigger 

At Groundswell, we believe everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

By joining us, you'll help create stronger partnerships, more connected services and a fairer health system for people experiencing homelessness. You'll work alongside colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations who share a commitment to collaboration, lived experience and lasting systems change. 

Better partnerships create better healthcare. 

By bringing organisations together, supporting colleagues and strengthening the systems around people experiencing homelessness, you'll help ensure more people receive the care they need, when they need it. 

If you're looking for a role where you can influence services, build lasting partnerships and help create fairer access to healthcare, we'd love to hear from you. 

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process.  

1. Application 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter. The cover letter should explain:

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 17th August.

1. Interviews 

Interviews will be held online on the week beginning August 24th. 

If you do not have a computer or a suitable space to do an online interview, we can arrange for you to come into our office.

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

1. Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference and DBS check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

We care about your privacy; read here how we manage your personal data.

Job Description and Person Specification

Job title Participation Manager

Hours 35 hours per week. We are opening to discussing flexible arrangements – please highlight any requests when applying.

Length of contract  12 months

Location Hybrid work between home and our Vauxhall office. Please read more about our approach to hybrid working in the relevant section below.

Reports to Director of Evidence and Improvement

National Voices

Making what matters to people matter in health and care

National Voices is the leading coalition of health and social care charities in England. We have more than 200 members covering a diverse range of health conditions and communities, connecting us with the experiences of millions of people. We work together to strengthen the voice of people: patients, service users, carers, their families, and the voluntary organisations that work for them.

Our Vision: People shaping their health and care.

Our Mission: We advocate for more inclusive and person centred health and care, shaped by the people who use and need it the most.

We do this by:
 

• Understanding and advocating for what matters to people especially those living with health conditions and groups who experience inequalities.
• Finding common cause across communities and conditions by working with member charities and those they support.
• Connecting and convening charities, decision makers and citizens to work together to change health and care for good.

The Role

At National Voices, our aim is to make what matters to people matter in health and care. Too often, we see decisions made about the design of health and care services which don’t consider the people who use and need those services – especially those with long term conditions and from groups experiencing inequality. While the intentions of decision makers are usually good, they can unwittingly develop services which are difficult to access, stressful to experience and which don’t enable people to live life to its full potential.

We believe that if health and care leaders were better supported to meaningfully involve people living with health conditions, disability, inequality and their carers in decisions about how services are delivered then our NHS and social care services would be more equitable, and person centred.

At National Voices, we believe that this can best be achieved by connecting health and care leaders in health and care to key groups including:

• Leaders within the patient participation movement, who can support and advise health and care leaders on how to share power with people and communities using coaching and quality improvement techniques, and by acting as a critical friend.
• Leaders from voluntary sector organisations and community groups, who can bring insight into the needs, experiences and priorities of the communities they serve. They can identify opportunities to improve how services are designed and delivered, and help connect decision-makers with communities whose voices are often underrepresented.
• People with lived experience of inequality, particular conditions or services, who bring unique expertise based on their direct experience of care. They can provide timely insight into the impact of policies and services, helping decision-makers stay tuned to current needs, experiences and priorities, rather than relying on historical evidence or assumptions.

We are looking for a Participation Manager who can lead on the design, development and delivery of funded projects that generate insight, support improvement, and enable meaningful participation in health and care decision making. This will include end-to-end responsibility for project design, delivery, reporting and impact.

Projects may include designing and delivering activity such as workshops, coordinating lived experience advisory groups, coordinating coalitions of VCSE organisations, undertaking qualitative research, facilitation and engagement work. The postholder will need sufficient breadth of experience across these areas to confidently design and steer programmes, while drawing on colleagues, partners and associates for specialist input where needed.

You will be responsible for overall programme management - ensuring projects are well planned, appropriately resourced, and delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard. This includes managing risks, reporting requirements and funder relationships.

Projects may also include co-ordinating the delivery of Voices for Improvement coaching relationships and workshops on meaningful participation. We are open to a Participation Manager who has skills and experience around coaching theory and practice, however, we can also bring in external Associates with this subject matter expertise where needed to guide and supervise the coaching elements of the process.

You will also play an active role in identifying and developing new funding and partnership opportunities, contributing to the growth of National Voices’ portfolio of externally funded work.

Finally, where needed, you will also work collaboratively with another Participation Manager who leads National Voices’ Lived Experience Partner programme, membership scheme and partnership programme. You will contribute to these areas where required, particularly where they intersect with funded projects, but they will not be the primary focus of this role.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and delivery of funded participation projects

Lead the end-to-end design, delivery and management of funded programmes and projects that generate insight, support improvement and drive meaningful participation in health and care, including:

• Lead on shaping, securing and delivering funded projects from proposal stage through to completion, ensuring clear outcomes and impact
• Design and oversee programmes that may include research, engagement and participatory activity, such as qualitative and quantitative research, stakeholder engagement and participation work
• Convene and coordinate a range of delivery approaches including advisory groups, workshops, events, VCSE engagement and system partner collaboration
• Ensure delivery is well planned, resourced and managed, including oversight of budgets, timelines, risks and funder reporting
• Draw on colleagues, partners and associates for specialist expertise where needed, while holding overall responsibility for programme design and coherence
• Translate insights and findings into clear, accessible outputs in collaboration with policy and communications colleagues to support influence and impact
• Develop and shape new funding opportunities and proposals to grow the organisation’s portfolio of externally funded work

Deliver coaching and engagement programmes

Manage the delivery of structured coaching and engagement programmes, including National Voices’ Voices for Improvement model, where included within funded projects:

• Oversee delivery of coaching and engagement activity including matching, coordination and participant support
• Ensure coaching relationships between people with lived experience and system leaders are well supported and of high quality
• Contribute to the design and facilitation of associated engagement or learning sessions where required
• Work with associates or external specialists to bring in coaching or quality improvement expertise where needed
• Capture learning, feedback and impact from coaching programmes and contribute to funder reporting, case studies and evaluation outputs

Contribute to wider participation programmes

Work collaboratively with another Participation Manager to support integration with National Voices’ wider participation infrastructure:

• Contribute where relevant to the Lived Experience Partner programme, membership scheme and partnership programme
• Support the involvement of lived experience partners, members and partners in funded projects and engagement activity
• Ensure alignment across programmes and share learning between project delivery and participation infrastructure

General

• Provide line management to one Project Officer within the team, if needed - quality assuring outputs, holding regular 1-2-1s as well as setting annual objectives and completing appraisals.
• Provide matrix management for other National Voices colleagues as and when required.
• Work in sync with other managers across National Voices, contributing to a joined-up, supportive team culture.
• Deputise for the Director of Evidence and Improvement, or other senior colleagues, when required.
• Follow organisational processes to measure, monitor and communicate the impact of our work
• Support good project, financial and data management

Person Specification

Values, attitudes and behaviours

• Passionate about National Voices’ mission and the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and reducing health inequalities
• Proactive, flexible, and responsive, with a willingness to work in complexity
• Comfortable working both collaboratively and independently, taking ownership of delivery
• Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines without compromising quality
• Confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including constructively challenging where appropriate
• Entrepreneurial - able to spot opportunities for growth, collaboration, and impact
• Energised by variety, able to work across diverse themes while identifying connections and opportunities

Skills and abilities

• Strong programme and/or project management skills, with demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-stakeholder funded programmes from design through to delivery and completion
• Ability to shape ideas into deliverable programmes, including contributing to funding bids, designing delivery approaches, and translating proposals into practical delivery plans
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex qualitative and quantitative insight into clear, structured outputs that inform decision making and drive action
• Excellent organisational skills, including planning, prioritisation, risk management and delivery of high-quality work to deadlines
• Confident stakeholder and relationship management skills, with experience working across partners, funders, subcontractors, commissioned work and multi-organisation collaborations
• Strong facilitation and engagement skills, including designing and delivering workshops, events and participatory sessions for diverse audiences
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, accessible written outputs and presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively, support others in delivery, and contribute to shared outcomes

Experience, knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrable experience of leading or delivering participation work with people with lived experience, ideally addressing inequality
• Strong experience of designing and delivering insight generation projects (qualitative and/or quantitative) that have led to real-world impact and improvement
• Experience of working meaningfully with people experiencing inequalities in safe and inclusive ways
• Experience of managing projects, budgets, and multiple stakeholders, working with a high degree of autonomy
• Experience of managing partnerships, funders, or commissioned work, including contributing to income generation
• Experience of facilitating workshops, events, or participatory sessions
• Understanding of the health and care landscape
• Good understanding of the participation landscape, with the ability to act as a credible contributor in the field (desirable)
• Experience of managing or contributing to coalitions or networks of VCSE or membership organisations (desirable)
• Understanding of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approaches to evidence generation and analysis (desirable)
• Coaching and/or quality improvement qualifications (desirable)
• Lived experience of disability, caring responsibilities and/or inequality (desirable)

Our approach to hybrid working

We recognise the importance of coming together regularly, in-person, as a team, so we can share learnings and spend social time with each other. We also recognise that people need flexibility, and that homeworking enables focused work and can fit well in people’s lives.

We ask all staff to take part in pre-arranged team meetings which take place every six weeks in our office space. We also might ask you to meet in-person with members of your team from time to time, or to be available for face-to- face meetings with clients and partners where this enhances the work.

We assume that this would usually not amount to more than one day per fortnight for people who work full time. We are happy to discuss how this sits in your life. This can be agreed by your line manager.

Please note that our offices are fully wheelchair accessible and that we are committed to making our workplace fully inclusive.

Application guidance

Please submit a CV and cover letter to apply. We are also recruiting a permanent Participation Manager role at the same time. If you would like your application to be for both roles, please make this clear in your cover letter.

You're welcome to use AI tools to help you prepare your application. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. We often see similar AI-generated writing styles, which can make applications less distinctive. As a charity, we're particularly interested in hearing why our mission matters to you and how your values align with ours.

Please specify any access or other requirements of which we need to be aware for the online interview.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 30th July.  

The interviews will take place in early August on Microsoft Teams. Details of an interview task and interview questions will be emailed to you in advance.

We are committed to diversifying our team in order to broaden the insight and experiences we can draw on, and to do our work more credibly. In particular, we would welcome applications from older people, disabled people and people who have experienced socioeconomic inequality. Our offices are fully accessible and we are a Disability Confident and an LGBT+ friendly employer.

ob Title: Advocate

Service: Coram Voice London, Greater London and South East service areas

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 per week(open to part-time/ flexible working for the right candidate)

Salary: £27,000 - 28,000 per annum (including London Weighting) depending on experience

Location: Hybrid and flexible (a mixture of working from Coram Campus, home and meeting with young people in the community)

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Coram Voice

Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity which was established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.

Coram Voice exists to enable and equip children and young people to hold systems to account, to challenge and support them to do their jobs properly, and to uphold the rights of children and young people to actively participate in shaping their own lives.

Coram Voice strives for a society which recognises, and willingly accepts, its responsibilities to children and young people, where the inequalities and discrimination they currently face have been eradicated. Where those children and young people are fully engaged in all decisions that are made about their lives. Where the views, needs and feelings that they express are at the core of those decisions.

Our Advocacy services

We provide advocacy direct to children and young people in a variety of situations. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through the telephone Helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.

About the Role

We are looking for an Advocate to join our team in London. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn, a desire to promote the rights of children and young people or already have an IAP City and Guilds Level 3 or IAQ City and Guilds Level 4 in Advocacy.

You will work directly with children and young people in, and on the edges, of care, providing them with advocacy support in the community and a variety of settings.

You will empower and support them to ensure their voices are heard within decision–making processes that effect their lives.

You will be a capable ambassador for Coram Voice with the ability to engage effectively with professionals, carers, other stakeholders and most importantly children and young people.

If you have the necessary experience and skills and a commitment to promoting the rights of young people, we would like to hear from you.

What you will receive

We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of up to 25 days’ annual leave, increasing with years of service, and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year. We offer a supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies which promote employee wellbeing.

You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.

Recruitment process

Our Children’s Rights Managers will undertake shortlisting. Successful candidates will be invited for interview. The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview. Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview with an independent Warner consultant in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.

Returning your application:

• We cannot accept general CVs.
• When completing your application form, please address the essential criteria in the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
• Applications will not be considered if incomplete.
• If you are a current Coram Voice employee you may submit a supporting statement only, addressing the person specification requirements for the post.

Closing date: 2nd August 2026 @ 11.59pm

Interview date: Interviews are likely to take place on the week beginning 10 August 2026

General consideration for applications:

• DBS checks: all posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check.
• Training: All successful candidates are required to complete our compulsory training programme which includes training in Advocacy (Advocacy in Action), Safeguarding, and Diversity.
• Conflict of interest: the independence of the service is important to Coram Voice. Prospective applicants need to raise any other potential conflicts of interest when initially contacting Coram Voice about this post.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neurodiversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Mind in Brighton and Hove empowers and supports people who have experience of mental health issues in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex. Our Advocacy Services take action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests, and obtain services they need.

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic manager to support, develop and manage staff delivering high quality mental health advocacy services and ensure services reflect best practice. You will work closely with other agencies, delivering services in partnership and identify opportunities for service development.

The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills, knowledge of and commitment to advocacy services and experience of managing and delivering mental health services with a strong client focus.

Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week.

Base: Queens Road, Brighton - with travel across West Sussex required.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including full induction, learning and development opportunities, and 29 days’ leave (pro rata) per year excluding bank holidays, 3% pension contribution and access to a confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.

Full job details and an application pack can be found on our website via the apply button.

Closing date: Midday on Monday 10th August 2026.

Tentative interview date: Tuesday 18th August 2026 at a central Brighton location. Alternative interview dates may be available, if required. 

All successful applicants are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are committed to equal opportunities and we value diversity in our workforce and aim to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from everyone irrespective of age, disability (including experience of living with mental health issues), gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

Help transform access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness in Islington 

Thank you for your interest in joining Groundswell. 

We're looking for someone who believes everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

As our new Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Caseworker in Islington, you'll play a key role in establishing an exciting new service that helps people experiencing homelessness get the healthcare they need while bringing local health, housing and homelessness services together around the people who need them most. 

Every day you'll build trusted relationships, remove barriers to healthcare and support people to take greater control of their health and wellbeing. Whether you're accompanying someone to a health appointment, helping them understand their treatment, supporting a safe hospital discharge or working alongside local partners to coordinate care, you'll see the difference your work makes. 

At Groundswell, we believe lasting change happens through relationships. We work alongside people rather than doing things for them, building confidence, creating opportunities and supporting people to become active participants in their own health. 

This is an opportunity to help shape a new service from the beginning, working as part of an ambitious partnership that's committed to reducing health inequalities and creating a more joined-up, compassionate system for people experiencing homelessness in Islington. 

If you're passionate about tackling health inequalities, enjoy building relationships, and want to be part of a values-led organisation where lived experience is at the heart of everything we do, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Groundswell 

For 30 years we've worked alongside people with lived experience to develop practical solutions that improve health, reduce inequalities and create opportunities for lasting change. We believe that people who have experienced homelessness are experts in the barriers they face and should play a central role in designing services and shaping the systems that affect them.  

Today, Groundswell delivers peer-led services, helping thousands of people each year access healthcare, improve their wellbeing and influence the systems that affect their lives. As Islington HHPA Caseworker, you'll join a supportive organisation that believes lasting change happens through relationships, partnership and involving people with lived experience at all levels.  

Our Vision 

Our vision is for a society which is fair, inclusive and equal. 

We need equitable access to a healthier life and a better future for anyone with experience of homelessness. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to bring people together to: 

• Amplify voices of people with lived experience to create solutions to homelessness and health inequalities. 

• Stand in solidarity and champion their rights, to create positive change. 

Our Strategy 

We co-produced our strategy with staff and volunteers with experience of homelessness. We’re proud to have remained true to our values of participation and co-production. 

Stronger Voices, Healthier Lives, Better Futures, Greater Together 

People with experience of homelessness must inform the solutions – because they understand the problems people face. 

At every stage, we will hear, unite and amplify more voices of people with lived experience to speak out. Through participation we will build a stronger, more inclusive community to create change – through our organisation, in services, our sectors and wider society, locally and nationally. 

Homelessness is a health emergency. 

We will work to end health inequalities for people who have or are experiencing homelessness through advocacy, practical support, information and by influencing people, policy and services. 

Everyone deserves a better, more hopeful life and future. 

Lived experience of homelessness can lead to barriers that impact people’s life chances. 

Recognising the potential in everyone, we will provide more opportunities and support for people with experience of homelessness to progress if, and when, they are ready. 

We can’t achieve our goals alone – we are more impactful when we pull together. 

We will become more effective and sustainable, building on our culture of relationships, compassion and transparency, and working closely with partners to learn, share and create change. 

How Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Works 

HHPA helps people experiencing homelessness overcome the barriers that prevent them accessing healthcare. 

Many people face significant challenges navigating health services. Appointments can be difficult to book and attend, treatment can be confusing, and previous experiences of stigma, trauma or exclusion can make healthcare feel inaccessible. Without the right support, people often delay seeking help until their health has deteriorated. 

"I need someone with me that I know that I can trust. I wouldn't do things like that on my own." 

HHPA Client 

HHPA provides practical, person-centred support that helps people access the care they need while building the confidence to manage their own health. Rather than providing one-off interventions, HHPA works alongside people over time, developing trusted relationships, responding flexibly to changing needs and supporting people to become more confident and independent. 

The service combines the expertise of skilled Caseworkers with the unique insight of trained volunteer Peer Advocates who have lived experience of homelessness. Together they provide one-to-one advocacy, practical support and health promotion to help people: 

• register with healthcare services 

• prepare for and attend appointments 

• understand treatment and care plans 

• navigate hospital admission and discharge 

• access wider health and wellbeing services 

• make informed decisions about their health 

• become increasingly confident in managing their own health. 

Alongside one-to-one support, HHPA delivers peer-led health promotion in hostels, day centres, outreach settings and other community spaces. Through informal conversations and group activities, Peer Advocates share accessible information about physical health, mental health and wellbeing, encourage preventative healthcare, identify unmet health needs and help people access support earlier. These conversations often provide the first step towards engaging with healthcare, creating trusted pathways into ongoing advocacy and reducing the need for crisis intervention. 

This relational, peer-led approach improves individual health outcomes while strengthening partnerships across health, housing and homelessness services, helping more people access coordinated, person-centred care.  

Delivering HHPA in Islington 

Groundswell has been commissioned by Islington Council to deliver a new borough-wide Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) service. 

The service supports people who are sleeping rough or living in hostels, supported accommodation and temporary housing to access healthcare earlier, stay engaged with treatment and receive coordinated support across local services. 

Working alongside Single Homelessness Project (SHP), Thames Reach, the Islington Health Outreach Team (IHOT), Whittington Health NHS Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Islington GP Federation, Change Grow Live, Islington Council and local accommodation providers, the service delivers outreach, in-reach, health advocacy, healthcare accompaniment, hospital discharge support and health promotion for people experiencing homelessness across Islington. Alongside supporting individuals, the service also strengthens local partnerships, improves referral pathways and identifies opportunities to make the health and homelessness system work better for people experiencing homelessness. 

"Groundswell are the stitches that keep homeless and health professionals working together." 

Partner organisation 

As the Islington HHPA Caseworker, you'll play a key role in establishing this new service and helping it become a trusted part of Islington's health and homelessness system. You'll manage a varied caseload, working alongside people experiencing homelessness to improve access to healthcare, coordinate support and help them achieve the health outcomes that matter to them. Every day is different, but throughout your work you'll work alongside people, collaborate with local partners and help create a service that enables people to access healthcare with dignity, confidence and choice. 

Role Description 

Through outreach, health advocacy and partnership working, you'll support people experiencing homelessness to access healthcare, stay engaged with treatment and build the confidence to manage their own health. Alongside direct support, you'll help strengthen partnerships and improve local pathways into care. 

Key Responsibilities 

Outreach and Engagement: 

• Undertake outreach with SHP, Thames Reach and the Islington Health Outreach Team (IHOT).

• Deliver in-reach sessions within hostels, supported accommodation and temporary housing.

• Respond to referrals and identify people who would benefit from the service.

• Build trusting relationships through persistent, compassionate engagement.

• Complete holistic assessments and develop person-centred support plans. 

Health Advocacy and Casework: 

Manage a caseload of people experiencing homelessness with multiple and complex health needs, providing practical, person-centred support to improve access to healthcare and long-term health outcomes. 

You will support people to: 

• Register with GP practices and other primary healthcare services.

• Access physical health, mental health, dental, sexual health, optometry and substance use services.

• Arrange, prepare for and attend healthcare appointments.

• Understand their treatment, care plans and available support.

• Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and advocate where barriers arise.

• Build the confidence and skills to manage their own healthcare independently over time.

• Promote preventative healthcare, including screening, vaccinations and long-term condition management where appropriate.

• Deliver informal health promotion and accessible health information in hostels and community settings.

• Encourage people to seek support earlier and become active participants in managing their own health and wellbeing.

You'll tailor your support to each individual, recognising the impact of homelessness, trauma and social exclusion on health and wellbeing. 

Hospital Admission and Discharge 

• Support people before, during and after hospital admission.

• Advocate with hospital teams.

• Contribute to discharge planning.

• Help prevent discharge to rough sleeping.

• Provide follow-up support to maintain engagement with healthcare. 

Partnership Working 

Develop strong working relationships across Islington's health, housing and homelessness system to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive coordinated, person-centred support. 

You will: 

• Attend multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, case conferences and other partnership forums.

• Coordinate care for people with multiple and complex needs.

• Develop and maintain effective referral pathways with partner organisations.

• Share information appropriately to support safe, coordinated care.

• Promote collaborative, person-centred working across the partnership. 

• Champion the value of peer-led health advocacy and lived experience.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and improve access to healthcare across the borough. 

Safeguarding and Professional Practice 

• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Assess and manage risk.

• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

• Follow Groundswell's safeguarding, health and safety and lone working procedures.

• Participate in supervision, reflective practice and training.

Recording and Service Development 

• Maintain accurate records using Salesforce.

• Monitor outcomes and report on service activity.

• Contribute case studies and learning.

• Share insights to improve services and local partnership working.

• Support the development of the Islington HHPA service. 

General Responsibilities 

You will: 

• Work in line with Groundswell's values and policies.

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred practice.

• Work flexibly across community settings in Islington.

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role. 

What Success Looks Like 

In your first year you will have: 

• Built trusted relationships with people experiencing homelessness.

• Helped more people access and engage with healthcare.

• Worked effectively alongside Peer Advocates and local partners.

• Supported safer hospital admissions and discharges.

• Delivered high-quality, person-centred health advocacy.

• Helped establish Groundswell's HHPA service as a trusted part of Islington's health and homelessness system. 

Person Specification 

At Groundswell, we know that excellent Caseworkers come from many different backgrounds. You may have gained your experience through paid work, volunteering, community organising, supporting people experiencing homelessness or other forms of social exclusion, or through your own lived experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who are committed to improving people's lives. 

We're looking for someone who shares our values, enjoys building relationships and wants to help create a health and homelessness system that works better for everyone. 

What We're Looking For 

A) Core Requirements: 

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate the following: 

1. Experience of supporting people facing homelessness, multiple disadvantage or other forms of social exclusion through advocacy, casework, health navigation or other person-centred support.
2. The ability to build trusting relationships with people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion or negative experiences of services.
3. Excellent communication and partnership working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across health, housing and voluntary sector organisations.
4. Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritise competing demands and maintain accurate records.
5. Sound judgement when managing risk, safeguarding concerns and complex situations.
6. A commitment to Groundswell's values, including lived experience leadership, equity, participation, compassion and collaboration.

B) Knowledge and Experience: 

The successful candidate is likely to have knowledge or experience of: 

Essential 

1. Health inequalities experienced by people facing homelessness and multiple disadvantage.
2. Trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.
3. Safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality.
4. Working collaboratively with other organisations to support people with complex needs.
5. Microsoft Word and Outlook 

Desirable 

1. Health advocacy, care navigation or homelessness services.
2. Outreach or assertive engagement.
3. Hospital admission and discharge support.
4. NHS, housing or adult social care systems.
5. Coordinating volunteers or people with lived experience.
6. Salesforce or another case management system.

C) Personal Qualities: 

We're looking for someone who is: 

1. Compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental.
2. Calm and resilient when working in complex or challenging situations.
3. Curious, reflective and committed to continuous learning.
4. Flexible and adaptable, recognising that no two days—and no two people—are the same.
5. Passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

We'd Particularly Welcome Applications from People Who Have: 

• Lived experience of homelessness or another form of social exclusion. 

• Experience of working in partnership with local communities.  

• Experience of co-production or supporting people with lived experience to shape services.  

• A commitment to using lived experience to influence systems and improve outcomes.  

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment: 

Groundswell is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, migration, the criminal justice system, mental ill health, substance use or other forms of social exclusion. 

We recognise that no one candidate will meet every requirement. If you believe you have the skills, values and potential to succeed in this role, we'd encourage you to apply. 

Why Join Groundswell 

Meaningful Work 

"Without someone beside them, many of my clients simply wouldn't attend. It isn't just support—it's the difference between care happening or not happening at all." 

Groundswell Peer Advocate 

Working at Groundswell is about making a genuine difference.It's rewarding work where you'll see the impact of what you do, both in people's lives and in the way local services work together. 

A Supportive Team 

We're a values-led organisation where compassion, collaboration and lived experience shape everything we do. You'll be part of a friendly, supportive team that values reflection, learning and mutual support. Through regular supervision, reflective practice and close working with colleagues and partners, you'll have the support you need to do challenging work well. 

Learn and Grow 

We're committed to helping our people develop. You'll have opportunities to deepen your expertise in homelessness, health inequalities and trauma-informed practice, build your understanding of health, housing and social care systems, and contribute to the development of a new service. Whether you're looking to broaden your skills or progress your career, we'll support your learning every step of the way. 

Benefits 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.  

• 5% employer pension contribution.  

• Flexible and hybrid working, where service delivery allows.  

• A compressed hours working pattern is available.  

• Regular reflective practice and high-quality supervision.  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.  

• A supportive, inclusive and values-led working environment.  

Be Part of Something Bigger 

Every relationship you build, every barrier you help remove and every person you support to access healthcare has the potential to change a life. 

By joining Groundswell, you'll be helping to build a fairer health system—one where everyone, regardless of their housing situation, can access the care they need with dignity, confidence and hope. 

If you're looking for a role where your compassion, skills and commitment can make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you. 

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process.  

1. Application 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter using. The cover letter should explain:

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Friday 7th August. 

1. Interviews 

Interviews will be held online on Wednesday 12th August. 

If you do not have a computer or a suitable space to do an online interview, we can arrange for you to come into our office.

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

1. Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference and DBS check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

If you would like to discuss this role before applying then please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We care about your privacy; read here how we manage your personal data. 

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

Team Background

The Debt Advice Team at Toynbee Hall provides crucial support to individuals and families struggling with financial burdens. Funded by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), this team delivers expert guidance and practical solutions to help clients manage and reduce their debt. 

Key Responsibilities 

Management of local sites to ensure all services are available.

• Ensure local services are available daily by effectively managing staffing, sickness, annual leave, emergencies and operational challenges.
• Work closely with internal teams, external contractors and local stakeholders to ensure all sites operate safely, efficiently and in line with organisational standards.

Line management of a team to ensure objectives are set and met.

• Lead, motivate and support the team to achieve agreed service, quality, compliance and performance objectives.
• Conduct regular one-to-one supervision, team meetings and performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and clear expectations.

Ensure compliance and the quality of advice required are achieved.

• Ensure the team consistently delivers high-quality, client-focused debt advice in line with FCA requirements, funder expectations and Toynbee Hall policies.
• Monitor case quality through audits, supervision, management information and performance data, implementing improvement plans where required.

Contribute to the team

• Be an active member of the Advice Services management team, contributing to service planning, operational improvements and organisational change.
• Work collaboratively with funders, partner organisations and colleagues across Toynbee Hall to support strategic priorities, projects and service development.

Other

• Provide visible leadership across multiple Toynbee Hall locations, ensuring consistency of culture, service delivery and operational standards.
• Travel across London as required, and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

Experience and Skills

• Significant experience of managing frontline advice services and leading high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to provide technical supervision and support on complex debt advice cases.
• Up-to-date knowledge of debt advice legislation, FCA requirements, funding compliance and sector best practice.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Hold a recognised debt advice qualification (e.g. CertMAP or equivalent) with demonstrable experience of delivering and supervising FCA-regulated debt advice services.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, partners, funders and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Personal Attributes

• Inclusive, collaborative and approachable leadership style.
• Highly organised, proactive and solutions focused.
• Calm and resilient under pressure, with the ability to make informed decisions.

Commitment

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to Toynbee Hall’s mission, values and strategic objectives.
• Willingness to work across multiple Toynbee Hall and community locations.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training, including safeguarding and regulatory requirements.

Please note the right to work in the UK is a requirement of this role.

Please refer to the attached job description for more details.

ABOUT GROWTH

GrowTH is a Christian charity in Tower Hamlets, working with local churches to house and empower people experiencing homelessness to start a new life. Through shelter, advocacy, and supported housing, we create environments where people are welcomed, listened to, and supported as part of a community. Our aim is not only to meet immediate needs, but to help each person rediscover their self-worth, unlock their potential, and encounter the transforming love of Jesus.

SUMMARY OF SUPPORT & HOUSING MANAGER

The Support & Housing Manager is a management role responsible for leading frontline staff, overseeing the quality of frontline support, and ensuring GrowTH’s Housing Project and wider support work operate safely, effectively, and in alignment with GrowTH’s purpose: enabling people experiencing homelessness to receive an excellent quality of holistic support in the practical, emotional, and social areas of their lives – as well as to encounter Jesus and experience genuine life transformation.

The role ensures that services not only function well operationally, but consistently deliver on GrowTH’s mission, promise to people, and values – supporting individuals to move from crisis towards stability, community, and restored identity.

ABOUT FRONTLINE SERVICES

GrowTH’s Frontline Services are:

1. Night Shelter (church based, rotating model)

2. Housing Project

GrowTH’s Frontline Staff currently are:

1. Night Shelter Advocate Workers (x2)

2. Housing Worker (x1)

As GrowTH develops its new Hub model, the Support & Housing Manager will play a key role in ensuring that the Night Shelter, Housing Project, and wider support functions operate as part of one joined-up pathway. Through effective management of frontline staff, the role will help create a culture in which staff are developed in their roles, work closely together, share insight appropriately, collaborate around complex cases, and ensure that guests and residents experience consistent support as they move between different parts of GrowTH’s work.

 RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Operational Oversight of Frontline Services

The S&HM will oversee the quality and consistency of support delivered across GrowTH’s frontline services, including support provided to Night Shelter guests through the Advocate Workers, while holding direct management responsibility for the effective running of the Housing Project.

1. The S&HM ensures frontline services consistently embody GrowTH’s promise by creating an environment where individuals are welcomed with dignity, experience belonging, are supported to move forward, and have opportunities to explore the Christian faith.

2. Managing the effective running of Frontline Services through monitoring the quality and consistency of support delivered by staff using the following: Line Management reports (monthly); statistics; casework files; support plans; move on plans; resettlement processes and regular calls to referral agencies and churches to gather feedback on GrowTH staff.

3. Manage and support frontline staff in resolving operational issues and practical service delivery challenges.

4. Holding a small, focused frontline caseload, alongside their wider management responsibilities. This will include direct casework with a limited number of guests and residents, particularly within the Housing Project, where additional management input, continuity of support, or more complex casework is required. The S&HM will also work alongside frontline staff on complex cases, support plans, move-on planning, key meetings, and periods of increased frontline need, modelling high-quality, relational, well-recorded and appropriately boundaried support. This casework involvement should also be used to model good practice, strengthen casework quality, and support the development of frontline staff in their roles.

5. Manage and support frontline staff to improve the quality and effectiveness of guest and resident move-on by:

o Monitoring referral levels into services

o Monitoring move-on pathways and move-on discussions

o Assist frontline staff in identifying system blockages (e.g. move-on, referrals) and facilitating solutions to unblock them.

6. Ensuring consistency and clarity in how frontline services operate

7. Ensure GrowTH accommodation is safe, well maintained, and compliant with all relevant requirements.

8. Ensuring appropriate boundaries and expectations are maintained

2. Overall Management and Oversight of the Housing Project

The Support & Housing Manager will hold overall responsibility for the safe, effective, and mission-aligned running of GrowTH’s Housing Project, which currently provides accommodation for 16 residents. Working closely with the Housing Worker, the S&HM will ensure that the project provides stable, affordable, well-managed accommodation alongside clear, tailored support that helps residents move towards independence, community, and long-term housing stability. Responsibilities include:

1. Providing overall day-to-day leadership and management of the Housing Project, ensuring it operates safely, consistently, and in line with GrowTH’s values, policies, and purpose.

2. Supporting and overseeing the Housing Worker in their work with residents, ensuring support plans, risk assessments, case records, move-on plans, and resident engagement are of a high standard.

3. Ensuring residents are welcomed, treated with dignity, and supported to make progress in practical, emotional, social, and spiritual areas of life.

4. Overseeing referrals into the Housing Project, including suitability discussions with the shelter/support team, referral partners, and prospective residents.

5. Ensuring that residents are appropriately inducted into the project, understand the expectations of their licence agreement, and are supported to sustain their placement well.

6. Monitoring rent, licence fee, service charge, arrears, and housing-related financial processes in liaison with the relevant administrative/finance staff, ensuring that residents are supported to keep payments up to date and that financial issues are addressed promptly.

7. Ensuring Housing Project properties are safe, well maintained, appropriately furnished, and compliant with relevant health and safety, fire safety, gas, electrical, and housing requirements.

8. Managing day-to-day operational relationships with key housing stakeholders, including landlords, housing associations, contractors, maintenance providers, and other relevant agencies, particularly in relation to repairs, lettings, inspections, safety checks, rent/service charge issues, property standards, and resident sustainment.

9. Ensuring that Housing Project policies, procedures, house expectations, and resident agreements are clear, up to date, implemented consistently, and reflect actual practice.

10. Overseeing resident support, including budgeting, benefits, employment, training, life skills, wellbeing, relationships, community engagement, and preparation for independent living.

11. Ensuring appropriate boundaries, accountability, and standards of behaviour are maintained within the Housing Project, responding to concerns, complaints, safeguarding issues, and breaches of expectations in line with GrowTH procedures.

12. Managing move-on planning for Housing Project residents, ensuring residents are supported to prepare for suitable accommodation and that links are developed with appropriate move-on providers and pathways.

13. Working with the Director to review and develop the Housing Project, identifying strengths, gaps, risks, opportunities for improvement, and future development needs.

3. Staff Leadership, Performance, and Development

Ensure frontline staff are supported, effective, and accountable. Responsibilities include:

1. Line management of frontline staff

2. Performance management and addressing challenges in service delivery

3. The S&HM will model and cultivate GrowTH’s values within the team, ensuring that staff:

a. Demonstrate compassion and consistency in their work

b. Follow through on commitments to guests and partners

c. Take responsibility for delivering high-quality support

d. Work collaboratively as part of a unified team

4. Supporting staff in decision-making, particularly with complex or challenging cases.

5. Ensuring staff receive appropriate training and development

6. Building a healthy, collaborative, and mission-focused team culture

4. Faith 

As part of a Christian organisation, the Support & Housing Manager will:

1. Contribute to maintaining a Christ-centred culture across frontline services

2. Support staff to create environments of Christian community, care, and hospitality

3. Ensure accessible opportunities for guests to explore the Christian faith

4. Encourage staff to integrate GrowTH’s Christian ethos into their work in a way that is authentic and non-coercive

5. Other responsibilities

These include:

1. Being an active member of GrowTH’s Senior Management Team

2. Ensuring that safeguarding is embedded across all frontline services.

3. Participating in complaint resolution where appropriate

4. Escalating issues where necessary in line with organisational procedures

5. Ensuring frontline service procedures reflect actual practice on the ground

6. Supporting development of operational processes (e.g. referral pathways, service flow)

7. Occasionally representing GrowTH in external conversations where appropriate

Location: This role is based in the London office 1 day a week, with the rest of the working week being based from home.

Salary: £40,400 per annum rising to £43,700 after 1 year of service

Responsible to: Head of Marketing and Sales

Contract type: Full Time (37 hours per week), Permanent

Closing date: 29th July 2026, Midday

Interviews: We will be interviewing on a rolling basis. Please apply as soon as possible

Who we are

Futures For All is the largest social mobility charity in the UK. We help to level the playing field between state and independent schools by giving all young people access to the same prestigious networks available to the top fee-paying schools.

We believe that by inspiring young people to explore their ambitions through our speaker programme, facilitating access to multi-day experiences of the world of work, and supporting young people to successfully seize opportunities available to them, then we can make a profound difference to the lives of young people, their future happiness and prosperity.

By 2028, our ambition is that every young person in the UK has access to high quality work experience. Yet today, less than half of young people leave secondary school having had any work experience whatsoever. 

Role Summary

We're looking for a Press and Media Manager to help us tell the story of our work and grow our profile across local, regional, and national media. This is a press-led role, with the majority of time focused on proactive and reactive media work, alongside supporting wider marketing activity where it strengthens campaigns and storytelling.

You'll own and drive our day-to-day media presence, ensuring communications activity directly supports our core goal: increasing the number and diversity of employers offering work experience across the UK.

You'll take the lead on media work - pitching stories, building journalist relationships, drafting press releases, and developing thought leadership content including blogs, op-eds, and features. For major set-piece moments (around six per year), you'll work alongside an external PR agency to help secure national coverage. You’ll also work closely with, CEO Nick Brook, and will have the opportunity to work alongside founder Robert Peston and Chair Andrew Law at key moments.

An early and significant focus will be the launch of our inaugural State of Work Experience report in autumn 2026, a major annual publication designed to shape the national conversation on work experience, skills and opportunity.

This isn't about publicity for its own sake. Your work will be measured by how effectively it contributes to employer and partnership growth, amplifies the voices of young people we support, and positions Futures for All as a leader in the work experience and social mobility space.

What success looks like in this role

• Regular, high-quality media coverage across local, regional, and national outlets
• Strong relationships with key journalists and media contacts
• Clear contribution of media activity to employer sign-ups and partnerships
• Consistent, high-quality storytelling across press and campaign activity

Key Duties / Responsibilities

Press and Media

• Lead day-to-day media activity: identifying stories, writing press releases, pitching to journalists, and responding to media enquiries
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and bloggers across local, regional, trade, and national outlets
• Identify newsworthy angles and develop stories aligned to organisational priorities
• Create compelling press and thought leadership content, including blog posts, op-eds, case studies, and feature articles
• Monitor media coverage and maintain a media mentions log; report on reach and impact
• Coordinate with our contracted PR agency on major campaigns and set-piece moments
• Brief spokespeople and prepare key messages for interviews
• Provide occasional out-of-hours support for press activity where required
• Occasional travel across the UK for key events

Marketing

• Work closely with colleagues to align press activity with marketing campaigns aimed at growing employer sign-ups and regional partnerships
• Support and contribute to the creation of marketing materials, email campaigns, and social media content where it aligns with press and campaign activity
• Contribute to the development of an integrated communications calendar

General

• Maintain and grow our media contacts database
• Stay informed on education, employment, and social mobility trends
• Champion our brand voice and ensure consistency across all external communications
• Ensure safeguarding best practice is embedded across communications activity
• Support wider communications activity as required

Skills / Experience / Knowledge:

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in a press, PR, or communications role — in-house, agency, or journalism· Excellent writing skills with the ability to craft clear, engaging copy for different audiences and formats· Good understanding of the UK media landscape· Highly organised, able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines· Genuine interest in social mobility, education, or youth employment
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team
• Ability to identify newsworthy angles and translate organisational priorities into compelling stories
• Confident pitching stories and building relationships with journalists
• Experience of proactively securing media coverage (print, broadcast, or online)

Desirable:

• Experience working in the charity or education sector· Experience working with external PR agencies· Existing media contacts (education, business, or regional press)
• Experience working in a small, fast-paced organisation
• Skills in social media or content creation (e.g. Canva, video editing)
• Familiarity with marketing principles and campaign delivery

Diversity at our core

Futures For All is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and encouraging equality and diversity among our workforces. We acknowledge that some candidates may require additional support to overcome barriers experienced during the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please reach out to us.

The Application Process:

Please apply as soon as possible by clicking the 'apply for this job' button in the top right-hand corner of the job advert. Once clicked, you will be asked to complete your application by submitting your CV and a cover letter. The cover letter is an opportunity for you to share the skills and knowledge you have to be successful in this role. Appointees are subject to a DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK to apply.

The deadline to submit your application is 29th July 2026, Midday. Please note that we reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications

We will be interviewing on a rolling basis. Please apply as soon as possible.

Futures For All is committed to safeguarding the young people we work with and expects all staff members to share this commitment. Appointees are subject to a DBS check. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants. You are also required to have the Right to Work in the UK for this role.

Benefits offered at Futures For All

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Morning of your birthday off 
• £500 a year professional development fund 
• Option to purchase additional annual leave yearly
• 'Winter shutdown' gifted so no need to use annual leave between Christmas and new years eve. 
• Early bank holiday finish - we finish at 3:30pm on a Friday before all bank holidays
• 22.2 hours of volunteering days to use each year
• Home office set up support
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced family friendly leave 
• Employee Assistance Programme 

Futures For All Values

PASSION: We are committed to levelling the playing field for young people across the UK, creating social mobility and tackling disadvantages.

AGILITY: We challenge our ideas of what is possible in order to better meet the needs of those we support. We are human, make mistakes, learn, evolve and adapt.

INTEGRITY: We act with empathy and bring our authentic selves to work every day. We value and respect the talent, time and intentions of those we work with.

COLLABORATION: We are one team with one mission and only by working together can we deliver better outcomes for young people. We support each other unconditionally and feel motivation in shared success as well as individual progress.

DIVERSITY:  We know it takes people with different ideas, strengths, identities, interests, and cultural backgrounds to make our organisation succeed. We encourage constructive debate and critical friendship.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

 We are looking for an Operational Manager – Prison Services

 Salary: £35,340 – £40,920 pro rata

Location: HMP Peterborough, HMP Bronzefield and our Hammersmith head office. During the week you will spend at least 3 days in face-to-face, in-person contact either in the Prison Estate, Hammersmith Head Office or external visits. Up to 2 days per week can be done remotely.

Hours:   35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term – until 31st March 2027 with a possibility of an extension

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.  We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. 

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. 

About the role:

As an experienced manager with a proven track record of leadership in providing services in prisons and possibly, to women in contact with the Criminal Justice System you will work collaboratively with other partner organisations, criminal justice services, Ministry of Justice and HMPPS. You will manage the prisons advocacy services and teams for unsentenced and sentenced women within the custodial settings at HMP Peterborough and HMP Bronzefield. You will have a great understanding of the prison systems and regime including some of the challenges faced.

You will build and maintain key relationships, partnerships and contracts with relevant partners and funders, together with the Head of Criminal Justice Services and Director of Criminal Justice Services. 

You will be an inspirational leader, responsible for recruiting, developing and managing a team and will be responsible for coordinating, reporting, and the delivery of the related services as commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. You will be accountable for managing your teams safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities within the prison setting.

A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential.

About You

To be successful as the Operational Manager for Prison Services you will need the below experience and skills:

• A thorough understanding of and knowledge of the issues relating to women in the criminal justice system.
• A sound knowledge of safeguarding adult and children principles, child abuse, child protection issues and safeguarding.
• Experience of working within a custodial setting.
• Significant experience of working with women and/or service users with a complex range of needs, particularly within the criminal justice system, in custody and/or community.
• Experience of developing relationships with funders/commissioners and achieving required outcomes.
• Experience of implementing quality assurance frameworks, monitoring, evaluating and measuring impact.
• Strong influencing skills, enthusiasm, self-confidence, excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills , and a can do proactive solution focussed approach.
• Strong negotiating skills and the ability to build strong and effective relationships and partnerships, dealing with ambiguity and resolving conflict effectively, achieving the right outcomes for the organisation, collaborating and networking.
• Able to think, act and plan strategically to develop practical and creative solutions to the management of existing and new services and complex problems that may arise while maintaining high levels of diplomacy and professionalism.

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered. 

• Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 9th August 2026
• Interviews are taking place on: w/c 10th August 2026

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: 

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) 
• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• One-week paid carers’ s leave
• Career development pathways

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe.  We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks.  We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

The Role

This is a management position, known internally as Head of Therapeutic Services, with both strategic and clinical responsibility. As Therapeutic Services Manager, you will drive and develop our therapeutic offer, ensuring that our young people receive high-quality, evidence-based, and culturally responsive care. You will lead our team of multi disciplinary  therapists, providing clinical oversight and operational support, and  hold a small caseload of clients. You will also manage and oversee our weekly group therapy sessions on Tuesday afternoons in Croydon.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Therapeutic Services Manager will contribute to organisational strategy, safeguarding, service development and build strong working processes across the different strands of Play for Progress. You will work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team to shape the organisation’s Therapy Department.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Service Development 

• Provide strategic leadership for all therapeutic services, including individual therapy, group work, and psychosocial support programmes

• Develop and implement the clinical strategy aligned with the charity’s mission and the specific needs of traumatised young refugees

• Represent therapeutic services within the Senior Leadership Team.

• Contribute to organisational planning, annual reports and funding reports.

Clinical Practice

• Maintain overall responsibility for clinical quality and standards of practice (clinical and non-clinical) to multi-disciplinary colleagues. 

• Ensure all therapeutic work is grounded in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive, anti-racist practices.

• Provide clinical supervision to therapists and frontline staff.

• Maintain a small therapeutic caseload, modelling excellent trauma-informed practice.

• Support therapists with complex clinical work and risk management.

Safeguarding 

• Act as one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads.

• Provide safeguarding support and oversight to the therapy team.

• Respond to safeguarding concerns arising from therapeutic work.

Operational Management 

• Oversee referrals and allocation of one-to-one therapy.

• Monitor and manage therapy waiting lists and service capacity.

• Coordinate delivery of weekly Creative Arts Therapy programmes.

Team Leadership 

• Line manage and support a small team of therapists and therapeutic support workers

• Foster a reflective, compassionate, trauma-informed and well-supervised working culture

• Provide day-to-day support on clinical and operational matters.

For detailed job description see attached Job Pack.

Who You Are

Essential

• Qualified therapist (e.g. BACP, UKCP, BPS, or equivalent accreditation) with substantial post-qualification experience

• Demonstrable experience working therapeutically with children and young people who have experienced trauma, ideally including refugee or forced migration contexts

• Strong understanding of complex trauma, PTSD, loss, grief, and the psychosocial impacts of displacement and persecution

• Good skill or ability to provide clinical supervision

• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and practice in the UK

• Cultural humility and experience working across cultural and linguistic differences

• Experience managing or leading a small team

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

What We Offer

• A flexible, supportive and genuinely values-driven working environment

• The chance to be part of an organisation doing vital and meaningful work with young people

• 20 days annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays

• Pension - 5% contributory pension scheme with 3% employer contribution 

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

• Regular supervision and access to professional development opportunities

• A warm, diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Play for Progress is an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and from people with direct, generational and/or indirect lived experience of the refugee  or asylum journey. We believe that a team which reflects the diversity of the young people we support makes us stronger and more effective in our work.

If you require any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Part Time Advocacy Support Worker with the delivery of our Community One-to-One Advocacy project.

The Project Worker / Advocacy Assistant will work closely with the Project Manager to deliver a high-quality, person-centred Community One-to-One Advocacy service across the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Supporting the day-to-day delivery of the project, the postholder will help ensure that project objectives, outcomes, and timescales are achieved in line with organisational policies and funder requirements.

The postholder will work directly with individuals with learning disabilities, autistic people, and other vulnerable adults to help them understand their rights, access services, overcome barriers, and improve their independence and wellbeing. They will also support the Project Manager with community outreach, volunteer coordination, partnership working, monitoring and evaluation, and maintaining accurate records to ensure the effective delivery and ongoing development of the project.