Independent Advocacy is an organisation whose vision is to “Empower People to Live Fulfilling Lives”.

We are looking for an individual who shares our passion to give vulnerable people a voice in expressing the outcomes they wish to achieve in their daily life. 

We now have the following exciting opportunity:

ADVOCATE (Permanent contract)

Starting Salary:

Unqualified - Tier 6 - Scale SCP 12, Salary £21,589 (FTE) (prorated to hours contracted), rising to £23,836 upon qualification.

Qualified - Tier 5 - Scale SCP 17, Salary £23,836 (FTE) (prorated to hours contracted).

37 Hours per week

Location: Working from home with travel throughout Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire*

Are you passionate about upholding the rights of others? Are you committed to ensuring that their voices, wishes and feelings are the ones professionals hear and respond to?

As an advocate, you will carry your own caseload and undertake a variety of work across different areas of advocacy. You will be part of an experienced team of advocates and contribute to the development of our services. 

You will either have an accredited qualification in advocacy i.e. The Level 3 City and Guilds Diploma or Certificate in Advocacy or relevant experience looking to become a qualified advocate.

You will need to demonstrate:

• for Tier 5 (qualified) a minimum of 2 years experience plus qualification, IMHA modules essential, Care Act desirable) 

• for Tier 6 (unqualified) at least 2 years formal or informal experience of working with disabled people.

• For both tiers you must have: 

• Experience of working within safeguarding and risk management frameworks

• Experience of working with people who are experiencing emotional distress

• Strong IT skills

• NHS complaints casework experience is desirable

Interested?

To obtain an application form, including full role descriptions and person specifications, please download an application pack from our website. 

Please note:

CVs will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1st March 2021

Shortlisting will take place on 9th March 2021

Interviews will be held via video conference on Monday 15th March 2021

These roles are subject to a Disclosure and Barring check.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equality of opportunity as an employer. 

*Due to covid 19 most of our meetings are being delivered remotely currently, for example via video conferencing.

Independent Advocacy is the trading name of Warwickshire Independent Advocacy Alliance
Registered Charity No. 1082961, Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3942462.

Independent Advocacy is an organisation whose vision is to “Empower People to Live Fulfilling Lives”.

We are looking for an individual who shares our passion to give vulnerable people a voice in expressing the outcomes they wish to achieve in their daily life. 

We now have the following exciting opportunity:

Independent Peer Advocate, 37 hours maternity cover until 30th July 2021 and then 22.5 hours permanent post.

Starting Salary:

Unqualified - Tier 6 - Scale SCP 12, Salary £21,589 (FTE) (prorated to hours contracted), rising to £23,836 upon qualification

Qualified - Tier 5 - Scale SCP 17, Salary £23,836 (FTE) (prorated to hours contracted)

37 hours per week

Location: Working from home with travel throughout Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire*

As an Independent Peer Advocate, you will undertake a variety of work across different areas of advocacy. This will include supporting clients at meetings in hospitals and in the community. You will hold your own caseload as part of an experienced team of advocates and contribute to the development of our services.

This role is for someone who has used mental health services.

Interested?

To obtain an application form, including full role descriptions and person specifications, please download an application pack from our website.  

Please note:

CVs will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1st March 2021

Shortlisting will take place on Tuesday 2nd March 2021

Interviews for the post will be held via video conference on Monday 8th March 2021

These roles are subject to a Disclosure and Barring check.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equality of opportunity as an employer. 

*Due to Covid 19 most of our meetings are being delivered remotely currently, for example via video conferencing.

Independent Advocacy is the trading name of Warwickshire Independent Advocacy Alliance

Registered Charity No. 1082961, Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3942462.

Victim Support is looking for two Domestic Abuse Programme Team Leaders. These roles are full time and home based with travel around England and Wales.

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity for people affected by crime in England and Wales. We work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and respect they deserve.

VS is looking to recruit an outstanding team who will deliver a transformational national Domestic Abuse early help support programme. This programme will provide specialist information and support, enabling people to act on domestic abuse as soon as possible and stop it from happening again. Funding for this programme has been secured for 3 years (to December 2023).

VS is recruiting two Team Leaders with excellent staff coaching and performance management skills, to nurture a Group Facilitators to deliver consistent information, advice and support to low risk victims of domestic abuse and those at risk of domestic abuse.

As Team Leader you will manage a team of Group Facilitators who are responsible for delivering group work to victims of domestic abuse. You will be responsible for supporting and guiding the team to achieve the required key performance Indicators, working closely with the Operations manager providing appropriate information and support. Completing regular 1-1 performance reviews and annual appraisals. You will also facilitate or co-facilitate some of the group work sessions.

Ideally you will have experience of successfully managing culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams, including working with teams remotely utilising platforms like Zoom.

You will be highly organised, have strong IT and administration skills and be able to prioritise work effectively and manage competing deadlines.

You will have direct experience of facilitating group work and have an excellent understanding of the domestic abuse and services available to victims of domestic abuse. You will have experience of adapting services to meet the needs of diverse individuals and communities.

You will have experience of record keeping and data collection and you will be able to support your Group Facilitators to record, monitor and report on programme information systematically. You will understand the importance of confidentiality and safe working practices in accordance with safeguarding legislation and requirements under the Data Protection Act.

Victim Support reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Victim Support offers competitive rewards and benefits including pension and life assurance, 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), voluntary benefits such as season ticket loans and the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing world-class services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Applications should be explicit enough to provide good evidence against the shortlisting criteria, which are marked in the person specification as (A). In order to apply, please create a profile in our website (jobs section), complete and submit an online application form.

If the vacancy has not specified the essential criteria for shortlisting, please use this section to express how your experience and skills are relevant for the role.

If you have the drive to make a difference within an organisation which makes a difference we look forward to hearing from you.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

Victim Support is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for our staff. We believe having a diverse workforce at all levels allows us to represent the communities we serve and connect better with people affected by crime. We welcome applicants from all communities and as part of our commitment to the we would particularly welcome applicants of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage. We also particularly welcome applications from disabled people and people from LGBT+ Communities.

Join our dynamic team and you will be at the heart of delivering first class support to rare disease patients as part of an innovative third-sector Charity/NHS partnership.  Working from home and within NHS specialised multi-disciplinary clinics held in London and Birmingham, the successful candidate will assist our Patient Liaison Officer within our patient support team to provide information, support and advocacy services to those living with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.  This exciting role offers excellent learning and development opportunities for anyone looking to work within health and social care.

This is a permanent, part-time position commencing at 20hrs per week.

The successful candidate will live within commuting distance of London and Birmingham

Location: Flexible within England & Wales

Department: People Experience

Interview date: w/c 26 March 2021

Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the
confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a difference, every single day, to people from all walks of life? The people that turn to Citizens Advice need help overcoming an obstacle in their lives – from debt to evictions to trouble at work – and you can be key to them getting the support they need in the quickest, easiest, and most effective way.

This role is in the EDI Team, which provides the strategic lead on the delivery of Citizens Advice EDI goals, across the organisation. The team aims to secure an equitable and inclusive service for all clients, staff and volunteers.

In this role, you can expect to contribute to our thinking and challenge the organisation to address equity disparities. You will work with internal and external stakeholders to share your EDI expertise and inform how projects or activities are delivered; and develop information and guidance to ensure that EDI is understood and advanced by colleagues across the service.

As a candidate, you will have strong EDI expertise and knowledge, and a track record of applying this to help advance EDI in a relevant context.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented throughout Citizens Advice. We are a member of the race equality campaign at Business in the Community, the Prince’s responsible business network and are committed to improving employment opportunities for ethnic minorities across the UK. We also welcome applications from, LGB and Trans and non binary candidates.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for the
role as set out in role profiles. One of our strategic ambitions, articulated in our current strategic framework, is to advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across our service delivery and our advocacy.

Vacancy Reference Number:

HOHR/FS/UK-R1

Position title:

Head of Human Resources

Reports to:

Deputy CEO

Location:

Muslim Hands, 148 – 164 Gregory Boulevard, Gregory House, Nottingham, NG7 5JE

And

Remotely

Hours of Work:

Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary guideline:

(Up to) £44,000.00 per annum (commensurate with experience)

Terms of Employment:

18-Months’ Fixed-Term Contract (with a 6-Month Probationary Period)

Application Process & Closing Date:

Send an up-to-date CV and supporting Covering Letter by Email by no later than Wednesday, 17th February 2021

Approx. Interview & Role Commencement Date(s):

Interviews: W/C 1st March 2021

Start: ASAP thereafter

Note: Strong Applicants may be contacted sooner, ahead of the closing date, to hold a Zoom Interview with Muslim Hands.

About Us:

Muslim Hands is a UK based international relief organisation working in over 40 countries worldwide. The Head Office in Nottingham and a fundraising team in Whitechapel London; occasional travel between the two locations. Muslim Hands UK is seeking an enthusiastic and passionate individual to join our team during an exciting period of growth and change as we have ambitious plans to grow our activities by 2025.

Role Overview:

Reporting directly to the Deputy CEO, this pivotal new role will drive culture change across the charity, ensuring our change programme is underpinned by a coherent, long-term and practical commitment to building all aspects of a modern, diverse, capable workforce. In this exciting and wide-ranging role, you will deliver our strategies.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a high calibre, big picture thinker with considerable experience of advising Chief Executives and Boards and whose experience combines both strategic and operational leadership ability.  You will be skilled in driving and embedding organisational effectiveness and cultural change in line with organisational strategies.  With a demonstrable track record of delivering strategic impact, your approach to leadership will embody five core leadership traits: academic, learning, adaptable, inclusive and trustworthy. 

Main Responsibilities:

• To act as the authoritative People Strategy adviser to Muslim Hands and, where necessary, supporting the CEO in engaging with Trustees and governance Committees on key People issues, risks and priorities.
• To be a powerful advocate for Muslim Hands ambitions for workforce development and capability (paid and unpaid) by creating a visible personal leadership presence in all aspects of workforce development and culture change.
• To devise and deliver a transformative and innovative people and cultural change strategy that aligns fully with our values and Muslim Hands Strategy and sets us apart as a great place to work.
• Be an active, effective and accountable member of the organisation, exhibiting strong leadership, leading by example.
• To establish the development of our organisational learning and development agenda.
• To formulate credible proposals on all strategic considerations for our people and organisational culture – with a particular focus on increasing our equality, diversity and inclusion at all levels across the charity.
• To coach the senior leadership team as necessary, ensuring expert support is put in place that drives high standards of leadership, talent development and employee engagement.
• To create and lead a People and Culture style Human Resources function that is recognised and valued as a centre of excellence in delivering our strategic goals and organisational development priorities, offering relevant expertise and, proactively sharing insights that add value.
• To ensure all contributions from the Human Resources team fully meets expectations including quality of People Policies, Talent acquisition, Compensation and Benefits. Employee Relations and support to Senior Leadership roles.
• To exhibit Muslim Hands core values.
• To deliver and lead a People Strategy focused on culture change and organisational development intervention which creates a progressive, agile, dynamic workplace experience and environment for the future which enhances employee engagement and wellbeing.
• To work with colleagues to identify the skills, knowledge, and capability and culture of Muslim Hands needs to deliver future plans.
• To implement new talent management and wider learning programmes at all levels which align with our ambition to be a ‘learning organisation’, engaging our people to fulfil their potential, perform better and want to stay longer.
• To keep under constant review the charity’s approach to pay, reward/recognition and benefits to ensure we attract, recognise and retain talented paid and unpaid colleagues who are committed to Muslim Hands mission.
• To lead a department that provides an effective business-focused employee relations approach.
• To lead the charity’s approach to performance management, focusing on inspiring, equipping, empowering and rewarding colleagues to meet and exceed expectations.
• To ensure that paid and unpaid colleagues have access to appropriate support to maintain their personal wellbeing and maximise their contribution.
• To ensure that all other people and volunteering policies and procedures are as robust and efficient as possible; are legally compliant, fit for purpose and take account of emerging external risk factors and support delivery of the Strategy.
• To use data proactively to improve our organisational performance and encourage business-focused decisions.
• To ensure meaningful people insight (including through regular Employee Opinion Surveys) is provided in order to assist the Chief Executive and SMT in decision making and planning.
• To keep up to date with relevant Government policy proposals and legislation, and the best practice of relevant organisations, ensuring that the charity complies with legislation and adopts prevailing best practice wherever feasible.
• To act as a professional role model that inspires, motivates and enthuses staff within the team and more widely across the charity, promoting a culture of learning, professionalism, collaboration and innovation, celebrating successes and encouraging ambition and achievement.
• To demonstrate Muslim Hands’ values and ethics in own working practices, approach and conduct.
• To support with Fundraising activities from time-to-time, committing to partake in fundraising activities and ensuring the availability of staff during our peak periods.
• To undertake any reasonable responsibilities as required by Line Manager.
• To promote and adhere to all Muslim Hands Policies, Procedures and Professional Practices.

Note: This job description will change from time to time due to changes within the Organisation as well as the updating of procedures within your department.  If there is a major change to your role then a new job description will be produced.

About the Successful Candidate:

Essential:

• Ability to demonstrate current eligibility to work within the United Kingdom
• Must be able to either:

1. Provide a valid Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificate (issued within the last year) when requested by Muslim Hands; OR
2. Undertake to provide full cooperation for Muslim Hands to perform a DBS Check at the required level appropriate for this / similar role.

• Uphold Muslim Hands’ Organisational Values
• Hold a relevant Postgraduate or Master’s degree in Human Resources Management or equivalent (Level 7) with proof of Suitable HR related experience
• 7+ years' experience in HR, with a minimum of 3 years' experience in team management / in a senior leadership role
• Expertise in Employee Relations, Employment Legislation, Policy and Procedure and the ability to recruit and train new staff and instil highest standards amongst new employees
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of current UK Employment Law
• Extremely confident communicator with the ability to easily build relationships, rapport and trust with all types of people at all levels of the organisation.
• Experience in leading a People Operations or Human Resources functions.
• Previous experience of leading operational change programmes within a HR environment
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior stakeholders and programme leads to deliver results on time, on budget and to high standards.
• Able to make connections across the organisation and provide support and challenge, working collaboratively across functions.

Desirable:

• Associate member (or higher) of the CIPD with evidence of continuous personal development
• Track record in developing and delivering HR/ People and Culture strategy and of advising HR managers and senior staff
• Previous experience of working closely with an Exec Board member, delivering clear communications on their behalf.
• Working knowledge and experience within a similar Role
• Working knowledge and experience of working within an International NGO

This is a very rewarding position for the right person. If you feel this is you please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you feel you are suitable quoting the above reference number!!

Deadline for applications is Wednesday, 17th February 2021, however, we reserve the right to end the application procedure early should the right candidate be found. 

NB: Unfortunately, we will only be able to contact successful candidates so if you have not heard from us by the closure date unfortunately your application will have been unsuccessful.

Location: Flexible within England & Wales

Department: Policy Team

Interview date: w/c 8 March 2021

Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

We are looking for an outstanding person to recruit for the position of Principal Policy Manager, Energy Company Performance and Monitoring at Citizens Advice for a fixed term of 12 months. 

We’re an organisation with a relentless focus on making society fairer. Each year we help 2.8 million people to solve their problems face to face and see over 34.5m visits to our website. This data and our reputation give us unparalleled influence. We have a unique insight into emerging trends and issues affecting people, and we use it to work with government, regulators and industry to improve people's lives.

Citizens Advice is the statutory advocate for energy consumers. We use research and evidence from the people who contact our advice service every day to understand the problems facing energy consumers in Great Britain. We help solve these problems by engaging with industry, changing policy and supporting consumers to navigate the market.

In recent years we have done this by representing the views of energy consumers including: 

• Advocating for an energy price cap, which is saving energy consumers over £1 billion each year 
• Persuading the regulator to strengthen the licensing regime for energy suppliers and to improve protections for consumers at risk of self disconnecting from their prepayment meters
• Marshalling evidence that convinced the regulator to reduce the cost of capital for energy network companies, potentially saving energy consumers up to £5 billion over the next 5 year price control period 

You will lead the energy team’s work on energy company performance and monitoring, developing our research and advocacy programme largely focussed on the retail energy market. This includes managing a team of policy specialists. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the energy team, as well as our data, public affairs, campaigns and media teams to maximise impact for energy consumers. 

You’ll also support our wider energy advocacy work as well as supporting junior members of the team to reach their potential. Our strong brand will give you unique opportunities to engage with those who have the power to make change. You’ll influence regulators, MPs, civil servants, industry on behalf of energy consumers and the people who rely on Citizens Advice. 

We’re looking for someone with a wide range of skills, from exceptional judgement and excellent stakeholder management, to being able to lead in a large organisation. 

We are always happy to consider flexible working, which may include arrangements such as part-time working, formalised flexitime, fixed (non-standard) working hours, working from home and job-sharing.  

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented throughout Citizens Advice. We are a member of the race equality campaign at Business in the Community, the Prince’s responsible business network and are committed to improving employment opportunities for ethnic minorities across the UK. We also welcome applications from, LGB and Trans and non binary candidates.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role as set out in role profiles.

Social Worker

As a Social Worker, you will assess the needs of children, young people and their families/carers. Co-ordinate services that enable the best outcomes for children, young people and their families/carers. You will also ensure the appropriate use of resources as well as assisting in the overall provision of social work services by being responsible for a full and complex caseload.

Social Worker Responsibilities:

- As an experienced social worker, you are expected to manage a complex caseload.
- Promote anti-oppressive practice and challenge discrimination and racism in all areas of social work.
- Undertake a range of assessments with children, young people and their families/carers.
- Empower children, young people and their families/carers by listening to their views.
- Direct the work of the non-social work qualified staff who are carrying out tasks for service users on your caseload.
- Plan the services required to meet the needs of children, young people and their families/carers and ensure action is taken to implement plans.
- Advocate for children.
- Make best use of available resources when responding to the needs of children, young people and their families/carers.
- Provide written reports in a variety of different formats as required by receiver of the court.
- Carry out tasks to fulfil the statutory requirements of children & young people receiving services.
- Attend a range of meetings regarding children or young people to: Update and exchange information, make decisions & review progress.
- Present written and verbal evidence in court.
- Maintain records in accordance with the Trust’s guidelines.
- Communicate within the Division and across other disciplines and agencies to enable best outcomes for children and families/carers.

Social Worker Requirements:

- Social Work qualified and registered with Social Work England
- Must have completed the ASYE programme.
- At least 2 years post qualifying experience of working as a Social Worker in a Children & Families setting.
- Experience of court work.
- Experience of being a lead officer for Section 47 work.
- Sound knowledge of legislation, guidance etc, within chosen service area.
- A sound knowledge of child development.
- A sound understanding of the key elements of the Children Act 1989 and specific elements of that Act or other legislation in relation to the specific area of specialism.
- An ability to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and take the necessary safeguarding action.

About our client:

They are committed to delivering positive changes to the children and families of Sandwell. As they move forward on their continual journey of improvement, there couldn’t be a better time to join them. They are looking to enhance their Care Management, Safeguarding & Assessment and Children in Care Services with compassionate, dedicated, caring and experienced Social Workers, with at least 2 years post qualifying experience, who are committed to delivering positive changes to the children and families of Sandwell.

Location: Sandwell, West Midlands

Salary: £30,451 to £40,876 per annum plus the possibility of up to £6,500 relocation allowance

Type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37 per week as necessary. Some unsocial hours may be required.

Ref: 96816

Context of role

Citizens Advice Birmingham is partnered with Macmillan Cancer Support to deliver Welfare Benefit Advice across Birmingham and Solihull.

We are looking for enthusiastic caseworkers who will join an existing team to ensure delivery of service specifications, targets and quality standards for the Macmillan Service.

"Under normal circumstances your place of work will be our City Centre Birmingham Office with attendance at outreach locations in the Birmingham and Solihull areas. At present your duties will be undertaken mainly via home working due to government advice."

Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays pro rata per annum from 1st January to 31st December. This rises to 30 days pro rata over the next 5 years

Role purpose

The Welfare Benefit caseworkers will provide a high quality advice service for people affected by cancer.

The post holders will provide this service in hospital settings across Birmingham and Solihull. Delivery will be integrated with cancer care teams to provide seamless referral pathways that complement the assessment and care planning process of patients. 

You will undertake casework, assisting clients to access their entitlement to welfare benefits and other sources of financial help, up to and including tribunal representation. The post holder will also attend events to promote the service and provide support and training to volunteers and health care professionals.

For a job pack visit our website via the apply button. 

CV’s not accepted.

Closing Date: Monday 8th March 2021 at midday

Assessment Date: TBC

Interview Date: TBC

We are recruiting a full time (35 hrs per week) Key Worker to lead on a new and exciting project working with people who’ve experienced homelessness and have been involved with the criminal justice system. The projects aim is to develop best practice, improve the local response and involve people with lived experience to create a service user led forum. The post holder will work with a small caseload of service users providing support to help them identify their strengths, goals, and aspirations.