Advocate jobs

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about autism, equality, and empowerment, and who believes autistic adults should be listened to, respected, and supported to lead fulfilling lives.

This is an exciting opportunity to join and support a growing and developing user-led grassroots organisation.

We are seeking a Specialist Autism Caseworker and Advocate to join our local charity and support autistic adults to have their voices heard.

You will provide independent, person-centred advocacy and casework, supporting Camden autistic adults to understand their rights, access services, overcome barriers, and make informed choices. This may include attending meetings, supporting appeals, liaising with professionals, and providing post-diagnostic support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one specialist community autism advocacy and casework
• Support autistic adults to identify and express their views, wishes, and concerns
• Promote self-advocacy and informed decision-making
• Liaise with health, social care, and voluntary sector professionals
• Maintain accurate case records and uphold confidentiality and safeguarding
• Contribute to service development and awareness-raising

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has:

• Experience working with autistic adults or within advocacy, disability, or mental health services
• Strong communication and casework skills
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (or willingness to learn)
• A person-centred, inclusive, and rights-based approach

We actively welcome applications from autistic people and people with lived experience. Reasonable adjustments will be offered throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.

Please send your CV and Covering Letter outlining how you meet the attached criteria for the Person Specification.

About Us

Advocacy Support Cymru (ASC) is a registered charity with offices in Cardiff and Swansea. We provide Independent Mental Health and Mental Capacity Advocacy Services across most of South Wales, employing 55 employees.

About the role

The post holder will provide support to clients who lack capacity and to implement the safeguards of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 or the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They will provide non-instructed advocacy (NIA) support to people who lack capacity to make specific decisions and who have no-one else to support them. The successful candidate will travel efficiently and effectively within the Advocacy Support Cymru area of operation.

This role will operate within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

​About you

You will have experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children, either within health or social care setting, or indirectly, for example as a carer. You will understand and have experience of working effectively in an intra-agency context with Health and Social Care Professionals. Knowledge of the role of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate as defined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is essential.

Previous direct experience in the role would be preferred but training will be provided.

Essential Information

The salary band for the role is £10,691.89 to £12,627.89 based on a 16 hour week.

This post is for 16 hours a week.

All successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check.

Closing Date: 5pm, 20th February 2026.

Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview. Interviews will be conducted in English.

Are you passionate about promoting empowerment and self-determination?

Can you uphold equal opportunities, equality and diversity?

Do you have experience with supporting people to access their rights?

About Us

Advocacy Support Cymru (ASC) is a registered charity with offices in Cardiff and Swansea. We provide Independent Mental Health and Mental Capacity Advocacy Services across most of South Wales, employing 55 employees.

About you

You will have significant experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children, either within health or social care setting, or indirectly, for example as a carer. You will understand and have experience of working effectively in an intra-agency context with Health and Social Care Professionals.

Previous direct experience in the role would be preferred but training will be provided.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE VACANCY (CARDIFF & VALE BASED)

To provide a Community Advocacy service to people in the area who are receiving services from Community Mental Health Teams, Tier 2 services or above, or who qualify for a fast track assessment under Part 3 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.

The salary band for the role is £19,443.24 to £20,738.92 based on a 30 hour week. This is a permanent part role at 30 hours per week.

Essential Information

All successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check.

You must be able to drive and have access to a car during the working week.

Closing Date: - 5pm, 19th February 2026.

Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview. Interviews will be conducted in English.

No Agencies Please.

Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager

Position Type: Maternity Cover

Reports to: Founder/Chief Executive

Based at: School Food Matters, Blackfriars Settlement 9 Rushworth Street SE1 0RB

Salary: £40,500

Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension: School Food Matters pays pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays

School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year

Job Purpose

· To lead and shape School Food Matters’ policy and advocacy strategy, ensuring our voice influences national and local decision-making on school food and food education

· To design and deliver campaigns that support and advance SFM’s mission

· To line manage the Policy and Communications Assistant and Press and Communications Officer

Key Tasks

· Lead and provide strategic input to campaigns, convene groups and partnerships

· Represent SFM at external meetings and coalitions such as the School Food Review

· Monitor, analyse and interpret relevant research, policy developments and news, identifying implications or opportunities for SFM

· Oversee the strategic direction of SFM’s external affairs and communications, ensuring all policy, campaigns, and public messaging align with the charity’s mission and priorities

· Provide policy research and analysis to support the activities of the School Food Review

· Oversee meetings and governance for the School Food Alliance

· Provide policy and communications expertise for the Food Education Network workstreams

· Represent SFM at relevant policy consultations, meetings and conferences to influence and inform policy discussions, and deliver presentations as required

· Lead drafting of responses to government consultations

· Working closely with the Press and Communications Officer, provide insights to inform timely media responses to policy developments

· Ensure colleagues are regularly briefed on policy activities, priorities and messages, and run internal workshops to keep them up to date with the school food sector

· Provide strategic input to meeting content for the School Food Review, and support the Policy and Communications Assistant to organise meetings for workstreams

· Oversee the development web content, articles, blogs and newsletter content by the Press and Communications Officer and the Policy and Communications Assistant

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

· The Policy and Advocacy Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time.  Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!

Person Specification

Essential

· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment

· General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education

· Comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political system

· Experience of coordinating policy/research-based projects

· Experience designing, coordinating and delivering campaigns

· Experience of working in coalitions

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain relationships with a range of individuals and organisations

· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes

· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials

· Strong understanding media landscape and social media platforms to oversee the communications activity of the organisation

· Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation

· Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity

Desirable

· Strong knowledge of the public health, food and education policy landscape

· Experience managing others

· Experience managing projects

· Experience managing meetings

· Experience of working with Drupal CMS

· Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations

· Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers

· Digital campaigning and social networking skills

· Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative

· Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively

About the Role

The post holder will provide support to people in relation to their medication, treatment and care, ensuring that they understand and can access their rights, within the context of Independent Advocacy as set out in the Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice.

IMHAs are expected to provide a duty advocacy role as part of a rota which includes occasional Saturday working. (There is no additional payment for this, although time off in lieu is given)

To provide an Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service to Welsh Qualifying Patients in hospitals and registered settings as required by the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007 Amendment) and the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010

About You

You will have significant experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children, either within health or social care setting, or indirectly, for example as a carer. You will understand and have experience of working effectively in an intra-agency context with Health and Social Care Professionals.

Previous direct experience in the role would be preferred but training will be provided.

Essential Information

You must be able to drive and have access to a car during the working week.

The starting salary for this role is £24,725 based on a 37 hour week.

This is a permanent full-time role at 37 hours per week, based in our Cardiff Office.

All successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check

Closing Date: 17:00, 16 February 2026.

Interviews will be conducted in English.

Team: Advocacy

Location: Remote with regular travel - Must be a commutable distance to Edinburgh or Belfast

Work pattern: Mon-Fri, 7 hours per day. Occasional weekend or evening hours required

Salary: Up to £37,565.95 per year

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Scotland/Northern Ireland:

- This role will cover both Scotland and Northern Ireland, the successful candidate will need to be able to travel between the two nations

- Lead engagement with the Scottish Government, the Northern Irish Executive, UK and local Government

- Support engagement with the UK Parliament

- Monitor parliamentary activity daily and conducting online research

- Preparing position statements and responses to external policy developments

- Developing public-facing charity campaigns including online resources, organising events and delivering presentations

- Media spokesperson for Cats Protection

About the Advocacy team:

You will be working as part of the Advocacy & Government Relations team in the Advocacy & Influence Directorate. The team is made up of 11 members who work across the whole of the UK speaking up for cats. Our campaigns change laws to better protect the health and welfare of cats.

What we’re looking for in our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Scotland/Northern Ireland:

- Experience of advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns), ideally in Scotland/Northern Ireland

- Lives within a commutable distance of Edinburgh or Belfast or willing to relocate to the area

- Experience of policy work and research

- Experience of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g. Ministers, MSs, MPs, MSPs, MLAs, Government Officials, Local Councillors and officers, corporate executives; professional organisations

- Proven ability to multi-task and work independently on own initiative, accurately and under pressure

- Resilience and an ability to deal with potentially upsetting topics

- Experience of effective use of social media and the internet in an advocacy/campaign context

- A confident communicator with good written and oral skills; and great people skills

- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable

- Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office – Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

What we can offer you:

- range of health benefits

- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service

- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing

- Access to a wide range of internal and external learning and development opportunities

- A friendly and supportive team

- We are happy to wait for the right candidate, please still consider applying if you have several months’ notice period

- and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 11th February 2026

Virtual interview date: 5th & 6th March 2026

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. Anonymised application form

2. Video screening

3. Virtual interview

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

Team: Advocacy

Location: Remote with regular travel across Wales and UK - Must be a commutable distance to Cardiff

Work pattern: Mon-Fri, 7 hours per day. Occasional weekend or evening hours required

Salary: Up to £37,565.95 per year

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Wales:

- Lead engagement with the Welsh Government and MSs

- Support engagement with the UK Parliament

- Monitor parliamentary activity daily and conducting online research

- Preparing position statements and responses to external policy developments

- Developing public-facing charity campaigns including online resources, organising events and delivering presentations

- Media spokesperson for Cats Protection

About the Advocacy team:

You will be working as part of the Advocacy & Government Relations team in the Advocacy & Influence Directorate. The team is made up of 11 members who work across the whole of the UK speaking up for cats. Our campaigns change laws to better protect the health and welfare of cats.

What we’re looking for in our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Wales:

- Experience of advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns), ideally in Wales

- Lives within a commutable distance of Cardiff or willing to relocate to the area

- Experience of policy work and research

- Experience of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g. Ministers, MSs, MPs, MSPs, MLAs, Government Officials, Local Councillors and officers, corporate executives; professional organisations

- Proven ability to multi-task and work independently on own initiative, accurately and under pressure

- Resilience and an ability to deal with potentially upsetting topics

- Experience of effective use of social media and the internet in an advocacy/campaign context

- A confident communicator with good written and oral skills; and great people skills

- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable

- Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office – Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

What we can offer you:

- range of health benefits

- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service

- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing

- Access to a wide range of internal and external learning and development opportunities

- A friendly and supportive team

- We are happy to wait for the right candidate, please still consider applying if you have several months’ notice period

- and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 11th February 2026

Virtual interview date: 19th & 20th February 2026

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. Anonymised application form

2. Video screening

3. Virtual interview

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

One Strong Voice Lived Experience Coordinator

Contract: Fixed Term 12 months

Hours: 35 per week

Location: London/hybrid

Starting salary:  £31,387 per annum

Closing date: Sunday 22nd of February

Expected date of interviews: Wednesday 4th of March 2026

Job ref:

Freedom from Torture is the Winner of the Overall Award for Excellence and the top prize for Campaigns and Advocacy at the 2023 Charity Awards.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lived Experience Coordinator for One Strong Voice.

Would you like to join our award-winning organisation?

About the role

The One Strong Voice Lived Experience Coordinator will coordinate the work of the OSV network, supporting and mobilising members with lived experience of the UK asylum and immigration system to lead and engage in campaigns and activities. The postholder will work closely with the Asylum Reform Initiative Deputy Director to facilitate the implementation of the OSV vision and strategies which strengthen Lived Experience leadership across the refugee and migrant sector. The post holder facilitates engagement of OSV members and, when required, may need to represent OSV in external stakeholder forums.

About you

You will have lived experience of the asylum and migration system, together with knowledge of huma rights and issues affecting refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants in the UK.  You will have excellent organisational and inter personal skills to enable you to coordinate workshops and events, some of these will be in the evening.

In return, we offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement, and 6% employer pension contribution (minimum 1% employee contribution).

Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles, in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality.

Our policy is that all appointments will be at the start of the salary range but successful candidates will have the opportunity to move up the scale over time. The progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to affordability. For this role, the salary range is £31,387 - £36,409

To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please kindly find the attached file. 

Please note a CV and a cover letter addressing the job description and person specification of the role are mandatory to be considered for the position.

Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally, we fight to hold torturing states to account and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK.

We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.

Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced  DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.)

Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

No agencies please.

Job Title: Advocacy and Research Officer

Department: Advocacy Department

Reports To: Senior Advocacy Officer

Location: UK Based, remote

Compensation: £32,000 per annum

About Humanists International:

Humanists International is the global representative body of the humanist movement, uniting a diverse range of non-religious individuals and organizations committed to reason, compassion, and human rights. We work to build and strengthen the humanist movement worldwide, advocate for secularism and human rights, and promote humanist values in public life and at international institutions.

Humanists International’s advocacy programme promotes human rights priorities based on humanist values at the global level and represents a core role and function of organization. We do this by: advocating directly at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, New York, and Paris, advocating at regional institutions, including the European Union, Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights, and African Commission for Human and People’s Rights; supporting and training our members to engage with, and advocate at, relevant regional human rights bodies. 

This work relies on having an advocacy team that can; (1) communicate and lobby in a clear, focused, and convincing manner, informed by high-quality and professional research; (2) can understand the dynamic international landscape on core human rights priorities and produce documentation and briefings on the organization's position; and (3) train and work with members to support their human rights advocacy at the regional and international level. The Advocacy and Research Officer will be instrumental in contributing to these areas.

Duties:

1. Advocate on behalf of Humanists International, by:
1.1. Drafting written and oral statements and submissions for the UN Human Rights Council;
1.2. Analyzing and summarizing complex legal / policy documents, such as International Conventions or UN reports, or jurisprudence at international courts and tribunals;
1.3. Undertaking research tasks and producing pieces of comprehensive legal research, and providing briefing or meeting notes for the Senior Advocacy Officer;
1.4. Representing and speaking on behalf of Humanists International at meetings of different sizes, including at the UN Human Rights Council;
1.5. Preparing and delivering presentations (often with the use of powerpoint);
1.6. Working with other civil society actors to lobby on common causes and mobilize on issues of concern;
1.7. Writing news stories for the website and contributing to the media output of the organization;
1.8. Undertaking administrative tasks to support the Senior Advocacy Officer in their work.

2. Supporting Humanists International's members in advocacy, by:
2.1. Developing and implementing trainings sessions for members and associates, including our annual UPR training, and others which leverage the expertise of the Advocacy and Research Officer;
2.2. Liaising with Humanists International members to enable and support them to make statements at the UN Human Rights Council, including with technical assistance;
2.3. Providing advocacy updates and briefings for Members and Associates;
2.4. Liaising with Humanists International members to use their knowledge and experience to feed into advocacy output;
2.5 Collaborating with the European Advocacy and Research Officer to forward advocacy priorities at European institutions.

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent understanding of, interest in, and demonstrable commitment to human rights and equality issues - particularly in the areas of freedom of religion or belief, gender equality and non-discrimination, reproductive and sexual rights, LGBTI+ rights, populism, democracy, and secularism. 
• Good knowledge and background in international human rights law, international law, or global justice. 
• Experience in the area of advocacy and/or of advocacy-related training. 
• Familiarity (academic and/or practical) with the international human rights systems, particularly the United Nations and any regional human rights bodies. 
• Good research, analytical and writing skills, and an excellent command of English.
• Well-organized, efficient and able to work independently. 
• A clear and convincing communicator. 

Desirable:

• Excellent understanding of, and sympathy with, the philosophy and policies of Humanists International. 
• A good knowledge of other international NGOs and their role and scope. 
• Knowledge of other languages (especially Spanish, French, or Arabic) would be an asset. 
• Prepared to travel, and do so alone, including to United Nations headquarters in Geneva and to Humanist International’s annual World Humanist Congress, as well as to London on a quarterly basis.

If selected for interview, candidates will be asked to complete a short assignment, and interviews will be conducted on 30 March 2026. The successful candidate will also be asked to provide contact details for two references.

We are recruiting for a Housing Advocate to join our team in Hertfordshire; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Housing Advocate

Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Housing Advocate to support women and children who are impacted by domestic abuse. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing date: 9.00am on 13 February 2026

Interview date: 23 February 2026

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

AAFDA was founded by Frank Mullane in memory of his sister Julia Pemberton and her son Will who were both killed by her ex-partner in 2003.

Each year, around 150 families lose a loved one to domestic homicide. The actual number of suicides as a result of domestic abuse remains unknown. Most of these families suffer significant problems including relationship breakdown, job difficulties/loss and mental and physical health issues. We help these families in many ways, our prime function being to provide families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with specialist peer support and expert and specialist advocacy for the range of statutory reviews that will take place after domestic homicide.

AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) is a growing Charity and to meet the demands we are looking for a specialist Advocate for Scotland. Although home based, some travel will be required - frequency will be commensurate to the role. We welcome applications from candidates with experience of domestic abuse. We are also committed to diversity and strongly encourage applications from those with Black and/or Minoritised backgrounds.

Scotland is expected to introduce Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews commencing in April 2026. We are looking for a candidate with a good understanding of the Scottish legislative system and good understanding around domestic abuse to join our growing charity

Our Specialist Advocates support families impacted by fatal domestic abuse through provision of lay advocacy, for and on behalf of, families with a range of statutory service providers (e.g. those conducting reviews and inquiries, social services, police, housing) and work to build good relations between all parties. To ensure that families get the support they need, you will use AAFDA’s Home Office endorsed seven-step approach to working with individuals and families, to ensure that they receive the best possible support and advocacy to restore dignity and relief for families and to help them cope and recover. Through trauma-informed approaches, you will:

· Listen to families and advocate for them in a complex system that too often treats them as passive participants and overlooks the value of their insight.

· Provide information, support, guidance, advice and advocacy on Domestic Homicide & Suicide Reviews (DHSR’s) and other reviews where relevant and appropriate.

· Manage families’ expectations of the legal and procedural processes facing them by supporting families in meetings with agencies such as health, police and local authorities.

· Give families practical help on a wide range of issues - including help with letter writing or advocating with employers and local authorities on the families’ behalf.

· Support AAFDA in our bringing families together in AAFDA’s peer support events, such as the Hear Our Voice weekend and the on-line peer support Zoom sessions, where families can speak with others to share their experiences and stories. This will involve occasional evening work.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:

· 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays

· Excellent development and training opportunities

· Pension Scheme

· Healthcare Scheme

· Employee Assist Scheme

Application Instructions

To apply for this role, please submit a supporting statement along with your CV. Closing date:

Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification. Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants.

Please note that we will not progress applications where the supporting statement does not address the criteria for the role being applied for.

.You will be required to visit families and clients across Scotland. 

About the Role

The post holder will provide support to people in relation to their medication, treatment and care, ensuring that they understand and can access their rights, within the context of Independent Advocacy as set out in the Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice.

IMHAs are expected to provide a duty advocacy role as part of a rota which includes occasional Saturday working. (There is no additional payment for this, although time off in lieu is given)

To provide an Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service to Welsh Qualifying Patients in hospitals and registered settings as required by the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007 Amendment) and the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010

About You

You will have significant experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children, either within health or social care setting, or indirectly, for example as a carer. You will understand and have experience of working effectively in an intra-agency context with Health and Social Care Professionals.

Previous direct experience in the role would be preferred but training will be provided.

Essential Information

You must be able to drive and have access to a car during the working week.

The starting salary for this role is £23,389 based on a 35 hour week.

This is a permanent full-time role at 35 hours per week, based in our Cardiff Office.

All successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check

Closing Date: 17:00, 8 February 2026.

Interviews will be conducted in English.

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

The Role:
• This is an exciting opportunity as we are looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager who will be responsible for developing and directing the delivery of Coed Cadw programme of advocacy and campaigning work in Wales.
• You will be responsible for developing relationships across broad policy-influencing audiences to achieve key policy outcomes in line with the Woodland Trust’s goals and objectives.
• Responsible for ensuring the Trust have and are following integrated and focused influencing strategies to achieve our public policy goals.
• Lead the Wales Policy and Advocacy team whilst integrating our policy and campaigning work across the wider Wales team, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our employees and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust.
• Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of Welsh policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Collaborate with UK colleagues to ensure our policy and advocacy work is supported and aligned across the four nations and ensure consistent campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans.
• This is a hybrid role with travel to the Cardiff office and around the UK as required.

The Candidate:
• This is a key role in our Wales team and for candidates to stand out, we are looking for experience of working within a policy & advocacy or political context.
• Experience in shaping and implementing policy and advocacy or political strategies preferably in the environmental/voluntary sector, providing technical policy input and advice.
• Knowledge of the Welsh Government and Senedd with a strong understanding of current environmental policy, conservation and land management issues. You’ll have awareness of current affairs and processes through legislation, policy and grants in the Welsh context.
• Confident in building and developing partnerships with external and internal stakeholders, able to influence different audiences, to successfully change attitudes, behaviours and/or policy of key stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse range of teams and stakeholders to ensure the best development of strategies and policies.
• Ability to analyse complex information and be able to communicate in effective ways for diverse audiences.
• Understanding of different levers and approaches that can be used effectively to influence decision-makers.
• This role is based in Wales and will require the successful candidate to undertake travel across Wales and the UK. 

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our employees, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. 
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for your CV at application stage OR so they do not see your CV until shortlisting is completed. [Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 

Acceptable Use Policy - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

First Stage Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams

Ynglyn â Ni: Coed Cadw (y Woodland Trust) yw elusen cadwraeth coetiroedd fwyaf y DU sydd wedi ymroi i greu byd lle mae coed a choedwigoedd yn ffynnu ymhlith pobl a natur. Mae ein cenhadaeth yn cynnwys ysbrydoli ac ymgysylltu ag unigolion i gyfrannu at fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng natur a hinsawdd drwy warchod, adfer a chreu cynefinoedd o goetiroedd hollbwysig.

Y RÔL
• Dyma gyfle cyffrous wrth i ni chwilio am Reolwr Polisi ac Eiriolaeth a fydd yn gyfrifol am ddatblygu ac arwain y gwaith o gyflawni rhaglen eiriolaeth ac ymgyrchu Coed Cadw yng Nghymru.
• Byddwch yn gyfrifol am ddatblygu perthnasoedd ar draws cynulleidfaoedd polisi eang i sicrhau canlyniadau polisi allweddol yn unol â nodau ac amcanion Coed Cadw.
• Yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod yr Ymddiriedolaeth yn dilyn ac wedi dilyn strategaethau dylanwadu integredig â ffocws i gyflawni ein nodau polisi cyhoeddus.
• Arwain y tîm Polisi ac Eiriolaeth yng Nghymru tra'n integreiddio ein gwaith polisi ac ymgyrchu ar draws y tîm ehangach yng Nghymru, gan roi arweiniad clir, ysbrydoli ein gweithwyr a meithrin galluoedd a sgiliau, cynnal a hyrwyddo gwerthoedd ac ymddygiadau'r Ymddiriedolaeth.
• Ymroi i fonitro, casglu gwybodaeth, deall a dadansoddi meysydd perthnasol o bolisi a gwleidyddiaeth Cymru, gan weithredu ar gyfleoedd allweddol. Cydweithio â chydweithwyr yn y DU i sicrhau bod ein gwaith polisi ac eiriolaeth yn cael ei gefnogi ac yn gyson ar draws y pedair gwlad a sicrhau bod y negeseuon ymgyrchu yn gyson â strategaethau a chynlluniau cyfathrebu a dylanwadu ehangach yr Ymddiriedolaeth.
• Mae hon yn rôl hybrid gyda theithio i'r swyddfa yng Nghaerdydd a ledled y DU yn ôl yr angen.

YR YMGEISYDD
• Mae hon yn rôl allweddol yn ein tîm yng Nghymru, ac er mwyn i ymgeiswyr sefyll allan, rydyn ni’n chwilio am brofiad o weithio o fewn cyd-destun polisi ac eiriolaeth neu wleidyddol.
• Profiad o lunio a gweithredu polisïau ac eiriolaeth neu strategaethau gwleidyddol yn ddelfrydol yn y sector amgylcheddol/gwirfoddol, gan ddarparu mewnbwn a chyngor polisi technegol.
• Gwybodaeth am Lywodraeth Cymru a’r Senedd gyda dealltwriaeth gref o bolisïau amgylcheddol, cadwraeth a materion rheoli tir ar hyn o bryd. Bydd gennych ymwybyddiaeth o faterion cyfoes a phrosesau drwy ddeddfwriaeth, polisïau a grantiau yn y cyd-destun Cymreig.
• Hyderus wrth feithrin a datblygu partneriaethau gyda rhanddeiliaid allanol a mewnol, sy'n gallu dylanwadu ar wahanol gynulleidfaoedd, i newid agweddau, ymddygiadau a/neu bolisïau rhanddeiliaid allweddol yn llwyddiannus.
• Sgiliau arwain cryf gyda'r gallu i gydweithio ag ystod amrywiol o dimau a rhanddeiliaid i sicrhau'r datblygiad gorau o ran strategaethau a pholisïau.
• Y gallu i ddadansoddi gwybodaeth gymhleth a'r gallu i gyfathrebu mewn ffyrdd effeithiol ar gyfer cynulleidfaoedd amrywiol. 
• Dealltwriaeth o wahanol ysgogiadau a dulliau gweithredu y gellir eu defnyddio'n effeithiol i ddylanwadu ar y rhai sy'n gwneud penderfyniadau.
• Mae'r rôl hon wedi'i lleoli yng Nghymru a bydd angen i'r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus deithio ledled Cymru a'r DU.

Mae ein Natur Sefydliadol yn ein galluogi i ddeall yn well beth mae’n ei olygu i fod yn rhan o Coed Cadw, a’n grymuso i wneud argraff, bob dydd. Rydyn ni eisiau i chi fod yn fodel rôl ar gyfer ein gwerthoedd; ‘Tyfu Gyda’n Gilydd’, ‘Ffocws’, ‘Archwilio’ a ‘Gwneud iddo Gyfrif’ i sicrhau bod pob un ohonom yn chwarae ein rhan wrth helpu i warchod, adfer a chreu ein coedwigoedd a’n coed.
Buddion a Llesiant: Mae ymuno â'n tîm yn golygu y byddwch yn rhan fawr o fynd i'r afael â materion amgylcheddol a hinsawdd. Rydyn ni’n cymryd gofal da o'n gweithwyr, gan gynnig cymorth a chyfleoedd hyfforddi. Rydyn ni hefyd yn cynnig:

• Pensiwn Uwch i Gyflogwyr
• Yswiriant Bywyd
• Opsiynau Gweithio Hyblyg a Hybrid
• Gwyliau Blynyddol hael
• Tâl Rhiant Uwch
• Rhaglen Cymorth i Weithwyr

Ymrwymiad i Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant: Mae Coed Cadw yn cofleidio amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant. Rydyn ni eisiau i'n tîm adlewyrchu cymuned amrywiol y DU. Rydyn ni’n cefnogi pobl o bob cefndir i wneud cais, yn enwedig y rhai sydd heb gynrychiolaeth ddigonol.
 
Cyngor wrth Wneud Cais: Hyd yn oed os nad ydych yn bodloni holl ofynion y rôl, byddem yn eich annog i wneud cais. Eich brwdfrydedd dros yr amgylchedd a'n gwerthoedd craidd - Tyfu Gyda’n Gilydd, Archwilio, Ffocws a Gwneud iddo Gyfrif - sydd bwysicaf. Rydyn ni hefyd yn cadw manylion personol ein hymgeiswyr wrth y rheolwyr sy’n cyflogi, fel nad ydynt yn gweld eich CV nes bod y rhestr fer wedi'i chwblhau. Gwnewch yn siwr bod eich Datganiad Personol yn dangos yn glir eich profiad a’ch angerdd am y rôl.

Gwnewch gais nawr: Os ydych chi'n barod i wneud gwahaniaeth a thyfu gyda ni, anfonwch eich cais heddiw. Efallai y byddwn yn cau'r swydd yn gynnar os cawn lawer o geisiadau, felly mae'n syniad da gwneud cais yn fuan. Edrychwn ymlaen at glywed wrthych a chydweithio i gael effaith bositif ar ein planed.

We have an exciting opportunity for experienced and skilled advocates to join the staff of a unique social enterprise. The core function of this role is to provide specialist advocacy to individuals who are navigating the NHS continuing healthcare assessment and complaints processes. With a long history in delivering skilled advocacy and training in NHS continuing healthcare, we want you to be part of a strong team committed to delivering excellence and achieving success in line with our objectives.

You will be an excellent communicator and skilled advocate with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working within the field of NHS continuing healthcare or a similar role with a transferable knowledgebase. A health, social care, advocacy or legal qualification is desirable but not essential. A proven ability to analyse complex matters, provide a clear and coherent rationale and deliver robust advocacy by presenting a persuasive, fact-based argument is essential.

The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders in challenging circumstances. You will be able to establish a good rapport with clients in a professional and caring manner and represent them in situations that may at times be highly emotionally charged, always upholding brand values.

In return, you can look forward to working with a highly-skilled and dynamic team and having influence over the future strategic direction of the company. We also offer a competitive salary with performance-related bonus and an excellent benefits package.

The nature of the role demands complete confidentiality and flexibility with regard to the needs of the business and its clients. Some evening and weekend work will be expected. The ability to travel long distances with overnight stays on a frequently (weekly) basis is a key requirement of the role.

MAIN DUTIES:

1. To provide advocacy and active case support in person or remotely to clients in England and Wales, throughout the NHS continuing healthcare assessment process.

IMPORTANT NOTE: a majority of assessments will take place in person at various locations across England. Therefore this role involves frequent (most weeks) long-distance travel and overnight stays within the UK, sometimes with only a few days’ notice. Applicants also need to be comfortable working from home in between traveling.  

1. To analytically examine all relevant care records and assessments in preparation for continuing healthcare assessments and reviews, to prepare clients for their assessment and provide robust advocacy at assessment meetings based upon a sound understanding of the facts, and referencing evidence compiled from such records.
2. To manage personal travel arrangements in line with company policies and procedures.
3. To provide advocacy and casework to clients who wish to make a formal complaint through the NHS complaints procedure about a continuing healthcare-related matter from a sound understanding of the facts, having prepared key arguments by researching relevant records.
4. To prepare factual written submissions and reports for clients and relevant Integrated Care Boards.
5. To provide specialist information and advice to our clients tailored to their specific situation and needs regarding the interpretation of a primary health need from a thorough understanding of relevant criteria, assessment frameworks and legal tests which are based upon case-law. 
6. To keep informed of issues, policies, guidance and legislation affecting clients ensuring that the information provided is relevant, current, complete and accurate.
7. To respond to new referrals by making prompt initial contact with the client within the timescales specified by company policies.
8. Work closely and efficiently with health professionals from relevant Continuing Healthcare (CHC) teams with the aim of resolving client issues at the earliest possible opportunity so as to provide an efficient and cost-effective service, and to minimise stress for the client.
9. To develop and maintain working relationships with health and social care colleagues within the field of Continuing Healthcare in order to influence best practice.
10. To work with partner organisations and stakeholders to share knowledge, make appropriate referrals, maintain consistency and draw upon each other’s expertise, always striving to improve the quality of both services and provide a better customer experience.
11. To keep relevant and sufficiently detailed case records at each stage and as the case progresses; ensuring that all client information is kept up to date in line with Beacon’s systems and procedures, including data protection (GDPR) policies.  This applies to case files, database entries, authority forms, client correspondence, use of the project management system, filing and archiving.
12. To minimise business costs and maximise income for the company by meeting chargeable time targets, working efficiently, charging clients appropriately and in a timely manner.
13. To uphold the principles of paralegal casework as specified by the Institute of Paralegals, providing a good standard of client care by working with skill and competence thereby ensuring clients are able to place their trust in you.
14. To uphold organisational values, promoting Beacon’s social goals through each area of your work.
15. To manage your own caseload and work independently within the boundaries of Beacon policies.
16. To foster an atmosphere of continuous learning and development.
17. Attend line management, supervision and team meetings as appropriate, and to play a full part in the development and success of Beacon.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your developing role and the overall objectives of the company.

This post may be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service check or equivalent.

STAFF BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Generous Annual Leave Entitlement, Company credit card, Death in Service Benefit 4x salary, Flexible Working, Health & Dental Care Plan, Professional Development Plan, Employee Rewards Scheme (Perkbox) and Performance-Related Bonus.

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare?

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the name given to a package of care that some people need to receive due to disability, accident or illness. People who are eligible for CHC have the full cost of their care and residential accommodation funded by the NHS. This relieves families of sometimes astronomical care bills.

The criteria for determining who is eligible for CHC are highly complex and can be very difficult for the public to understand, and for professionals to apply consistently. The assessment process is lengthy and detailed. Likewise, the appeal process can be very daunting and perplexing.

About our organisation

Beacon was established in May 2014 for the purpose of providing independent and high-quality support to individuals and their families in England who need help navigating the NHS Continuing Healthcare process.

Beacon is a registered social enterprise and a proud member of Social Enterprise UK. We operate with a core set of ethical social objectives and values through which all of our work is delivered.

Social enterprises are businesses. Like any other business, they seek to make a profit and succeed commercially. But how they operate, who they employ, how they use their profits and where they work transforms lives and communities across the UK. At Beacon, we donate any surpluses to supporting charitable objectives that are in line with our aims.

Through expert advocacy, advice and training, Beacon enables people to be heard and to enact real and positive change in their lives. We help people to understand their rights and the realistic options available to them, equipping some of those most vulnerable in society with the knowledge and practical support to make meaningful and transformative decisions.

Our Values

At Beacon, we employ people who want to do things differently to other organisations working in this field. Five values sum up our culture and how we treat our clients and our staff:

1. Ethical

Commitment to our clients

We operate with honesty and integrity. We are transparent about our funding set-up and our fees, which we keep as low as we sensibly can. We never ‘hard sell’ our services, we keep you informed at every step, and we always give our honest opinion of your chances of success. As a social enterprise, we donate any profits to charity.

Commitment to our team

We operate with honesty and integrity, and always work hard to get the best results for our clients and the business. We work to high standards, and trust our people to respectfully speak out if we fall short.

1. Expert

Commitment to our clients

We pride ourselves on being recognised as leading independent experts in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). We apply our knowledge and experience to help every case and caller. We also strive to improve CHC for everyone, by training health and social care professionals.

Commitment to our team

We are the leading experts in our field. We encourage and value innovation and evolution in what we do, and how we do it. We are united in developing the business and its services.

1. Personal

Commitment to our clients

By listening carefully to you and the people who really know about your care needs, we can provide excellent advice and powerful advocacy tailored to your unique situation.

Commitment to our team

We get results by getting to know our clients. We do the same with our people, offering flexible working options to suit your circumstances, and taking time out to have fun as a team.

1. Compassionate

Commitment to our clients

We are mindful of the immense stress that our callers and clients can be under, at what is often a really tough time. We do our best to lift some of that burden by providing a quality service that you can trust, and by being compassionate and courteous at all times.

Commitment to our team

The nature of the work can be stressful and emotionally draining. We take care and time to look out for each other, and encourage healthy work habits.

1. Rewarding

Commitment to our team

We take the time to celebrate success and are inspired by one another’s achievements. We provide a generous and varied suite of benefits that can be enjoyed by our people and their families.