Care support jobs

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

Our Participation and Involvement Manager will build on existing practice across the organisation and lead on the implementation and further development of a participation and involvement framework, enabling a large and diverse range of kinship carers to share their views and expertise meaningfully, safely and effectively to shape Kinship’s activity. It will also support our growing participation and involvement activity which involves children, young people and young adults with experience of growing up in kinship care.

You will work closely with kinship carers and colleagues across the organisation to understand the key challenges and opportunities with embedding participatory methods, including co-production and co-design, which improve Kinship’s work – right from the design and delivery of our advice and support services through to influencing policy and campaigning for change.

With support from colleagues, you will act as the key cross-organisational adviser on participation and involvement practice, supporting and empowering colleagues to develop the skills and knowledge they need to embed a consistent approach to the involvement of kinship carers to best suit the needs of their roles.

As an enthusiastic and engaging facilitator, and an advocate for participatory methods, you will sensitively and skillfully work alongside kinship carers and colleagues to deliver high quality involvement activity which supports the charity’s mission and aims. You will also be an experienced project manager, ensuring all activity is appropriately monitored and evaluated, and aligned with best practice around equality and diversity, remuneration, safeguarding and governance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Refine and further develop an existing organisational participation and involvement framework which supports staff to meaningfully, safely and effectively involve kinship carers in their work.
• Design and implement a plan to embed effective practice based on the framework across Kinship, building a positive organisational culture and providing appropriate training, upskilling and support to colleagues to ensure consistency of delivery and experience for kinship carers.
• Lead a cross-organisational working group of people with relevant lived, learned and professional experiences to support and advise on embedding high-quality participation and involvement activity.
• Work closely with colleagues across the whole organisation to understand their bespoke needs, strengths and requirements around implementing participatory methods in their day-to-day work, and develop strategic relationships with colleagues in areas with more extensive existing participatory or adjacent activity (e.g. research, volunteering).
• Develop and recruit a network of people with lived experience interested in being more intensively involved in participatory activities, with a focus on increasing the diversity of people working with us.

Essential experience includes:

• Experience managing and leading the delivery of participation or involvement activity with people with lived experience of social issues.
• A commitment to meaningful participation and involvement activity, including a nuanced understanding of the individual and organisational opportunities and challenges associated with this.
• Knowledge of models, methodologies and approaches used in high quality participation and involvement activity, and strong skills in creative facilitation – particularly with groups.
• An understanding of kinship care and how this may impact on kinship carers’ involvement with Kinship and our activity.
• Experience of effective project management with strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) as well as a generous pension scheme. We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity!

How to apply

Please apply via Charity Job with your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages for the attention of Sam Turner. Please include your notice period and earliest availability to start in your cover letter.

• Application deadline:      9.00am, Wednesday 25 June 2025
• First interview:                 Online, Monday 7 July 2025
• Second interview:          In-person (Vauxhall), Wednesday 16 July 2025

Kinship reserves the right to close applications early on receipt of sufficient applications. Apply early!

Job Title: Accounts Assistant

Location: London N2 0RU with some flexibility for working from home

Reports To:  Head of Finance

Department: Finance

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent, 4-days per week considered

Salary range:  £25,000-£26,500 full time equivalent

About the Company:

Nazareth Care Charitable Trust is a provider of care homes, retirement villages and a nursery, offering high-quality, compassionate services for the elderly and very young. With a commitment to excellence in care and well-being, we operate a network of care homes and retirement villages across England, Scotland and Wales. We are now seeking an experienced and motivated Accounts Assistant to join our Finance team and support the strategic financial management of the business.

Job Overview:

The Accounts Assistant will support the Purchase Ledger Officer with purchase ledger transactions, bank reconciliations and supplier reconciliations as well as ad hoc accounting.  This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a business that positively affects people’s lives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Purchases and payments:

o Log purchase invoices into the finance system, check that documentation is complete and correct.

o Save all back-up and authorisations for purchase invoices in appropriate files and ensure these are well managed and easily navigable.

o Request and reconcile supplier statements.

o Maintain a log of all direct debits and regular payments to ensure that invoices are received and processed in the appropriate accounting period

o Download and distribute credit card statements to holders and process payments on the finance system. Follow up on missing documentation or non-compliance.

o Ensure finance policies are followed for the set up of new suppliers.

o Assist with finance training for new and existing administrative staff.

o Manage and act on queries sent to purchase ledger inbox in a timely and courteous manner.

o Deputise for the Purchase Ledger Clerk as appropriate. In their absence, upload payments on the bank and send out notifications to staff allocated to carry out checks and authorisations.

• Month end support:

o Reconcile bank accounts for the main entity and subsidiaries.

o Check ledgers for missing costs.

• Compliance & Audit:

o Assist with year-end audit, providing supporting documentation to auditors.

• Other

o Support the finance team with other ad hoc tasks, such as posting journals.

o

Key Requirements:

• Qualifications:

o AAT Level 3/4 or equivalent professional qualification or qualified by experience

o GCSE in English and Mathematics at grade C or above.

o Excellent IT skills including advanced knowledge of excel and good all-round knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Experience:

o Proven experience as a Purchase Ledger Assistant or in a similar financial role, ideally within the healthcare, social care, or similarly regulated sector.

o Competent in the use of medium/large accounting packages and systems.

o Understanding of financial ledgers and of control accounts and reconciliations.

o Previous experience in care homes, retirement villages, or the broader healthcare sector is advantageous but not essential.

• Skills:

o Excellent IT skills including advanced knowledge of excel and good all-round knowledge of Microsoft Office.

o Excellent reconciliation skills

o Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Personal Attributes:

o Methodical approach with attention to detail

o Collaborative team player

o Ability to plan and organise to meet deadlines

o Good written and verbal communication; customer service mindset

o Proactive, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Opportunities for professional development and progression.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience for the role via the apply button on this website.

Nazareth Care Charitable Trust is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Contract:  Permanent, full time  

Salary:  £26,208 plus £3,954 London Weighting Allowance per annum 

Location:  Merton animal hospital, London SW19 1BD 

Closing date:  Sunday 15th June 2025 

Interview date:  Monday 23rd June 2025 

By joining our animal hospital in Merton as an Animal Care Assistant, you’re joining a team who won the first BVA Wellbeing award for being a great place to work!

More about the role

Since June 1999, we've been a cornerstone of the Merton community, delivering veterinary services to approximately 6,000 unique pets every year. From routine procedures like neutering to intricate surgeries and advanced diagnostics, our hospital offers a comprehensive range of treatments.  
 

As an Animal Care Assistant (ACA), you have a key role in our fast-paced hospitals, providing a high standard of care to the pets in our hospitals and providing support to their owners. You’ll do this by providing the highest level of animal care and customer service with empathy and a non-judgmental mindset in all situations. 

Each day will see you providing care to the pets in our hospitals which includes cleaning, feeding, exercising, grooming, laundry and administering treatment. Another part of this role is where you will be based on our reception, working with customers face to face, answering the phone, using the computer, dispensing medication and taking payments. 

Our ACA's are responsible for managing the laboratory as part of their shifts so your duties will include processing and documenting all samples at the hospital. To do this, you will use our in house lab machines to run blood samples, staining and preparing microscope slides for inhouse analysis, perform urine testing, prepare samples for external analysis and maintain accurate records of sample handling and reporting.

This is full time role working 42 hours a week with a one hour paid lunch break on a rota to include weekends and public holidays. Due to the nature of the work of Blue Cross, and this post, it may be necessary to exceed these hours when the workload demands.

Let’s work together to see if this is the role for you!

About you

The ideal candidate for this role is someone who has previous experience in a veterinary support role which may have been in a vet practice, or kennel setting. As well as the practical animal handling skills, we would ideally like someone who has experience working in a busy reception alongside their animal care role who feels confident in both animal facing and customer facing environments, however this is not essential.

As mentioned in the 'More about the role' section, lab work is an important part of this position, therefore having an understanding of urinalysis and use of a centrifuge for example would be advantageous. 
 
With great communication skills you will be able to speak to a wide variety of people including senior vets, members of the public and your team. Working in an animal hospital can involve supporting clients that are distressed and you will be working in an emotionally challenging environment therefore you will need the ability to keep calm under pressure and re-prioritise tasks where needed.
 
Knowledge, skills, and experience 

• Experience working or volunteering in a veterinary practice or within a similar role
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal 
• IT literate with MS Office and web-based databases and platforms 
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values  

Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:

• Experience within a reception or client care role  
• Qualification in Animal Care or similar 
• The ability to observe changes in animals health and wellbeing 
• The ability to interact face to face with clients and visitors and communicate effectively with a range of people 

How to apply 

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 15th June 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.  

Blue Cross benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. 

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.  

Our generous benefits package includes: 

• Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)  
• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support  
• Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family   
• Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention  
• Health cash plan  
• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme  
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution   
• Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.  
• Life assurance   
• 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance   
• Enhanced family friendly policies   
• Recognition scheme   
• Annual volunteer days  
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers 

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.

*This role is being advertised as Substance Misuse Practitioner however on appointment your job title will be Complex Needs Practitioner (Recovery Worker)

You have an understanding of drug, alcohol, and health related issues, and experience of working with adults in an addictions, housing or social care setting? All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Aquarius as a Complex Needs Practitioner (Recovery Worker).

Aquarius is a charity that helps people and communities overcome the harm caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling. We are part of ‘One Recovery Buckinghamshire’ (ORB), a partnership between Inclusion (MPFT NHS Trust), Aquarius, and Build on Belief providing support for alcohol and drug issues across Buckinghamshire.

The purpose of the role is to engage people in a variety of interventions, using a person centred approach, empowering them to reduce risk, increase resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

All Complex Needs Practitioners (Recovery Worker) work flexibly across the community and within our multi-agency partnership settings. The caseload will include a mixture of community and multi-agency referral pathways including health and social care. You will join our caring multi-disciplinary teams, to help empower you to provide quality psychosocial interventions to our diverse client groups. 

A core part of the role will be working with people to address holistic support needs across all aspects of the person’s substance use and wellbeing. This could include diverse work related to physical and emotional health, meaningful use of time, family and relationships, community engagement and activities, accommodation, physical and emotional health, offending as well as substance use (drug use and / or alcohol use).

An energetic and confident self-starter, you have a qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (e.g. NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies).  Alternatively, we’ll consider candidates with experience of working in the substance misuse field with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. Experience of liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals and engaging effectively with clients in a variety of settings is essential. You’ll also need a flexible approach, excellent record keeping and report writing skills and a willingness to work flexibly across the community and within our multi-agency partnership settings, on an outreach basis, with a central hub base at our head office.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a Black, Asian and those in Minority Ethnic background.

This is a rolling recruitment process; shortlisted candidates will be interviewed as and when they apply.

When applying, please upload a CV and supporting statement which should clearly outline your skills and experience.

For details of how to prove your right to work in the UK please visit the government website and please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship. 

Aquarius Action Projects is a long-established charity (since 1982) based in Birmingham with a national reach of contracts and Partnerships. Aquarius is a subsidiary of Waythrough – a large charity that specialises in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas.

Client Adviser – Services & Grants Team

Location: Hybrid working (currently two days per week in our London office). 

Contract type: 1 year Fixed Term-Contract, 35 hours a week 

Starting Salary £35,790 per annum

About Bank Workers Charity

We’re the charity for past and present bank employees and their families – here when life gets tough.

Every year, we help thousands of people navigate challenges like financial problems, mental health concerns, housing issues and more. We do that through free, confidential support – from expert advice and specialist referrals to financial grants.

We believe everyone deserves support when they need it most and we work hard to make sure that happens. If you care about making a real difference to people’s lives, you’ll be in good company here.

 About the role

Our Client Advisers are often the first people our clients speak to – and that first conversation really matters.

Whether someone is facing financial hardship, struggling with their mental health, or unsure where to turn for help, you’ll be there to listen, understand, and guide them through the support we offer.

It’s a varied and rewarding role. You’ll provide advice and guidance, coordinate casework, process grants, and refer clients to our trusted partners – helping them access the right support at the right time.

You’ll be part of a friendly, collaborative team who share ideas, support one another, and care deeply about doing good work. We’ll make sure you’re fully trained, supported, and encouraged to grow.

If you’re empathetic, organised, and want to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives, this could be the role for you.

 About you

You’re someone who genuinely cares about helping others – and knows how to listen without judgement.

You have experience supporting people with things like housing, benefits, mental wellbeing or budgeting – or you might come from another role where empathy, problem-solving and clear communication were key.

Some of the people you support may be facing difficult situations, so you’ll be calm under pressure and confident making decisions. And while not every call is as complex, you’ll always have the support of your team.

You’ll be organised, curious, and open to learning. Most of all, you’ll want your work to have a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives.

What we offer

We’ve put a lot of energy into being a great place to work. We’re proud of our supportive culture and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. There are plenty of learning opportunities, and as a wellbeing charity we aim to be a leader in wellbeing support for our people.

Our benefits include:

· 28 days holiday, plus statutory bank holidays

· 8% employer contribution to Bank Workers Charity’s pension scheme and up to 3% matched with employee contributions

· A wide range of employer funded wellbeing experiences through Heka

· Flexible benefit provision (including Bupa plan, cycle to work, payroll giving and electric car scheme)

· Group Life Cover (three times annual salary)

· Weekly wellbeing half hour

· Employee Assistance Programme

To apply, please review the attached applicant pack, which includes the job description and person specification, and send a CV and a supporting statement. 

In your supporting statement, please tell us (around 100 words per answer):

1. What makes you a good fit for this role? Tell us about the experience and transferable skills you’d bring – particularly anything that relates to the role description.

2. Can you share an example of how you’ve supported someone facing a difficult situation? We’d like to hear how you’ve helped them overcome challenges to do with housing, benefits, debt, mental health, domestic abuse or caregiving.
 

3. Describe a situation where you had to explain something clearly and sensitively to someone who was struggling. How did you approach it?

Closing Date: Tuesday 17th June 2025.

Interview date: Tuesday 24th June 2025
 

Bank Workers Charity is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. 

Salary: £33,048
Contract: Permanent - 35 hrs per week
Location: London, Old Street -  2 days per week 
Closing date: 25th May
Benefits: 8% pension, cycle to work scheme, discounted health scheme

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Supporter Care Co-Ordinator, working with The Children’s Society. This role will be working within the customer care team that provides warm and dedicated assistance to the charity's supporters.

This is busy, multi-faceted role where you will be inspiring and leading other members of the team, processing and thanking donations to agreed deadlines, engaging with supporters and fellow staff members through a variety of different channels, and championing and adhering to data protection and fundraising compliance.

As part of this exciting role, you will be part of a friendly team, ensuring that supporter correspondence is responded to promptly and in a warm and engaging manner.
To be successful as the Senior Supporter Care Co-Ordinator, you will need:
 

• Experience working in a customer-facing environment 
• A real pride in your work and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills across all channels

If you would like to have an informal discussion, please call and ask to speak with Ashby

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency; we use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector, you can read more about our commitment to diversity here.

We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.

If enough applications are received the charity reserves the right to end the application period sooner.

If you would like to discuss this role with us please quote the reference 2598AJ

 

Do you have a passion for supporting carers and making a real difference? Are you looking for a rewarding new role in a small, local charity?

Join the Carers’ Hub team and make a lasting difference to the lives of unpaid carers in Lambeth. This is an opportunity to manage a talented and dedicated team as we enter the next phase of our development.

The Adult Carers Team Leader reports directly to the Operations Manager and is responsible for leading and managing the Adult Carers team. 

You will provide leadership and stability to the Adult Carers staff team, by line managing, coaching and supporting employees to create a happy, productive work environment. You will work within the Adult Carers team to deliver an engaging, accessible range of peer support groups, social activities and one to one support, working to targets and budget, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to funders.

This role requires you to work collaboratively with carers and professionals to meet carers’ needs and shape the service, building and maintaining strong partnerships to do so. You will support our wider organisational objectives and help out with events, communications and other ad hoc work.

About us

Carers’ Hub plays a vital role in Lambeth, supporting the many unpaid carers across the borough with 1-1 and peer support, signposting, monthly forums, training, workshops and social activities. We are a charity with ambition, a big heart, and an outsized impact.

As the Adult Carers Team Leader you must be:

• Available to work between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday (with regular evening and occasional weekend work)

• Skilled at using IT, including Google Suite and Zoom.

• Experienced working with vulnerable adults and those with complex needs.

• Willing to travel within Lambeth

• Willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check
   

What can we offer you?

• Professional development, induction, ongoing training and support

• Hybrid working

• Permanent contract

• Holiday pay and pension

• Travel reimbursed

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 17th June

Interviews: Monday 23rd June

Are you a motivated, enthusiastic, inclusive, organised, and caring individual with the leadership qualities to support people to move on to greater independence?

We are looking for a Support Coordinator within our Manchester Personalisation mental health recovery services in Northenden.

This post is an ideal opportunity to become involved in dynamic and varied recovery services that give real job satisfaction, whilst utilising your experience in a coordinator position. You will have excellent line management support from the CQC registered manager.

A minimum of three years of experience in providing mental health support, and possession of a relevant professional qualification, is essential.

The role will involve practical assistance with daily living, while developing a wide range of activities that promote wellbeing. You will work flexible shifts on a rota to meet individual needs in a personalised way.  The rota will be set four weeks in advance.

The service has been running for over 20 years, providing high level support to males with established diagnoses and enduring mental health issues & some dual diagnosis.  The role is varied and enjoyable. This is a great opportunity for a progressing manager and leader.  

Vacancy Reference Number: 83358

Applications for this role must be submitted via the Creative Support website using the above vacancy reference number

Full training is provided, as is the opportunity to work towards QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care. Benefits of working with Creative Support include a probationary bonus, pension contributions, 33 days Annual Leave and company paid enhanced DBS.

We are a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organization - Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Gold award.

Applications are reviewed as they are received, we do not provide feedback for unsuccessful applications. We can only accept applications from candidates who are located in and eligible to work within the UK.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our PCN3 Care Co-ordinator team. We are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated people to take the role of Care Coordinator and join our fantastic PCN team. We will provide full training for the role. The Care Coordinator will be directed to undertake a key role in helping to drive improvements in health outcomes for patients through the delivery of early diagnosis and preventive work with a specific focus on improving the uptake of Health promotion & screening. The Care Coordinator role will support identified patients from all 7 practices across the PCN to navigate the NHS health care system and ensure that their care is coordinated.

Our PCN (PCN3) consists of 7 GP practices serving a diverse population of over 70,000 patients in and around Barnet. We enjoy excellent collaborative working relationships. Our practices are all high-achieving and innovative training practices, and our ethos is to develop our PCN with a focus on high quality, holistic patient care.  We are a strong PCN leadership team consisting of a Clinical Director & Head of Business Development & Transformation who are both aspirational and transformational. We require Care Coordinators who will complement the existing team through an enhanced passion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality patient services and to the wider agenda of team working.

We have a rich diversity of PCN staff who aim to provide a personalised care approach for our patients, including Administrative Ops Team, Pharmacists, Nursing Associate, First Contact Physiotherapists, Pharmacy Technicians, Care co-ordinators, Speciality Care Coordinator, Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Social Prescribers working alongside our GPs, nurses, and extended practice teams

Preference for full time , but flexible working will be considered.

*option if interested to also work Saturday and evening as part of the Enhanced Access Service

Please note you must have UK registration or a right to work in the UK. We do not provide any form of sponsorship or work visas

Job Description

Spires was established as a response to homelessness in the late 1980s. Initially providing a hot meal, clothing, and advice to those who came for help, Spires has developed into an organization that provides a range of services, including day centre style drop ins for homeless people, a Women’s drop in, a Refugee drop in and outreach targeted at supporting Women who are sex working. 

Our core mission is to support homeless people into housing and to assist those who have been homeless in maintaining their accommodation, reducing the risks they face, and increasing their choices. We assess need, create support plans, and provide ongoing key work to empower people to improve their circumstances.

Purpose of Role:

• Support the effective delivery of Spires services across the range of activities provided, 
• Provide casework, support planning, and key working sessions for Spires’ clients.
• Assess and respond to client needs, ensuring high-quality, person-centred support.

Position in Organisation:

Part of the Spires Support Team, reporting to the Head of Clients Services. This is a new position and will work across all of Spires’ services. 

Working Contacts:

• Internal: Collaboration with staff and volunteers, particularly the head of client Services, Service Coordinators, and other support workers.
• External: Direct engagement with vulnerable individuals and coordination with partner agencies as part of a multi-agency approach.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure smooth and safe running of drop-in sessions in collaboration with staff and volunteers.
• Welcome and assess new clients, providing appropriate support and referrals.
• Maintain a psychologically informed environment and manage challenging behaviours effectively.
• Supervise and support volunteers.

Outreach and Support Work:

• Engage with individuals in various settings to connect them with relevant services.
• Conduct needs assessments, crisis interventions, and ongoing support planning.
• Assist clients in achieving support plan goals, including attending appointments.
• Work with partner agencies to coordinate multi-agency support.

Information Management:

• Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant client records and case notes.
• Report safeguarding concerns and contribute to service improvements.
• Keep up to date with sector developments and best practices.

General Duties:

• Adhere to Spires’ policies and contribute to organisational development.
• Engage in personal development and team collaboration.
• Undertake other duties as required, including session cover.

Person Specification:

Essential Experience:

• Supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Working with vulnerable adults with complex needs.
• Managing a caseload within a support setting.
• Maintaining professional boundaries while managing challenging behaviour.
• Liaising with service providers to improve client access to support.

Desirable Experience:

• Working with volunteers.
• Supporting individuals engaged in high-risk activities.

Essential Knowledge:

• Understanding issues faced by vulnerable individuals, including those in high-risk activities.
• Trauma-informed practice and safeguarding principles.
• Confidentiality, data protection, and social care services.

Desirable Knowledge:

• NVQ2/3 or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Understanding of health promotion and sexual health.
• Current UK  Driver Licence

Essential Skills and Qualities:

• Flexibility to work varied hours, including evenings.
• Strong communication and IT skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage time effectively, and work independently.
• Commitment to inclusivity and equality.

Summary of Terms and Conditions:

• Location: Based at Spires’ Offices, 5 Stockwell Mews, SW9 9GX
• Probation: Six-month probation period.
• Notice: One week’s notice during probation, four weeks thereafter.
• Annual Leave: 35 days pro rata (including bank holidays and three closure days over Christmas).
• Pension: Employer contribution of 5%, employee contribution of 3%.
• Other Benefits: Life and income protection insurance for eligible employees.
• Expenses: Travel expenses reimbursed as per policy.
• Safeguarding: Adherence to Spires’ safeguarding policy; subject to a DBS check.

this is rolling recruitment and we will be actively interviewing throughout the recruitment process.

​

Role Context

The Accelerating Reform Fund is an initiative launched in 2023 by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) which aims to transform social care services, making them more responsive to the needs of the community. It is a national programme, with 42 regions taking part and contributing to a national evaluation led by Ipsos. Greater Manchester (GM) is one of the ARF regions – we have formed a consortium across the GM Integrated Care System area consisting of the ten local authorities, health and VCSE partners to deliver projects on two themes:

1. Services that reach out to, and involve, unpaid carers through the hospital discharge process. (We have 8 hospital discharge projects across GM currently in the delivery phase across GM)

2. Improving respite options for carers via the community-based care model, Shared Lives through increasing workforce and exploring flexible options to reduce risk of carer breakdowns (Our main, GM wide, projects are delivering a regional communications campaign to raise awareness of Shared Lives and recruit more carers, and developing an early intervention model of Shared Lives supporting people living with dementia).

Gaddum was appointed to provide dedicated infrastructure support to ensure effective coordination and delivery of ARF projects and the GM consortium. This includes secretariat and project management responsibilities, financial oversight, leadership on coproduction, stakeholder engagement, and liaison with national partners.

Role Purpose

The Lived Experience Coordinator will sit within Gaddum’s Coproduction team but work closely with the ARF infrastructure team consisting of Senior Project Manager and Project Administrator and our appointed external marketing and communications partner agency to ensure a seamless, joined-up approach to embedding engagement and coproduction in the ARF in line with the overall project aims and timelines.

The main purpose of the role is to ensure that people with lived experience (PWLE) are enabled and empowered to contribute to project design, steering, evaluation, and decision-making processes in the ARF, thereby driving service transformation and improvement across all ten GM Local Authority Social Care Systems and partner organisations. This will include providing expert advice, information and guidance to project teams on embedding coproduction approaches; establishing and supporting a lived experience steering group for our Shared Lives project, supporting the recruitment and development of PWLE representatives, and fostering inclusive, accessible opportunities for their involvement; and leading on a Community Research project to ensure lived experience voices shape the evaluation and subsequent recommendations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Coproduction Support

• Provide specialist information, guidance, and support about service user/carer engagement and involvement to Adult Social Care staff, partners and stakeholders across a range of services and departments in Greater Manchester, either individually to project teams or in our established GM Carers Leads meetings.

• Provide and signpost to best practice tools and resources to support project teams with their coproduction initiatives.

• Compile and share case studies showcasing examples of best practice in coproduction across the ARF consortium to facilitate learning and improvement.

• Maintain records and data and provide regular monitoring reports on outcomes, including end of project evaluation report. Lived Experience Steering group management.

• Set up and provide ongoing management of a new Lived Experience Steering Group consisting of people with lived experience of Shared Lives across GM (carers and service users) ensuring the underpinning principles of coproduction are explained and embedded.

• Manage the recruitment and support of specific members for any additional opportunities.

• Identify and, wherever possible, remove barriers to member participation including but not limited to travel, childcare, carer responsibilities and/or translation costs.

• Ensure Lived Experience Representatives receive inductions and training suitable for their level of engagement and ensure they are properly off boarded when their involvement ends.

• Coordinate regular meetings and events via a hybrid approach of face-to-face and virtual.

• Liaise and collaborate with our external creative agency partner who are leading on the delivery of the Communications and Marketing Campaign for Shared Lives.

• Collaborate with the ARF infrastructure support team (Senior Project Manager and Project Administrator) and relevant ARF subgroups to ensure work is joined up and seamless and feedback loops between the various groups are closed.

• Assist Lived Experience Representatives to capture their experiences into their CV’s or find opportunities in the community where people with lived experience are needed to help develop services, creating links with Gaddum’s Coproduction Management Committee where relevant.

• Maintain records and data and provide regular monitoring reports on outcomes, including end of project evaluation report. Community Research evaluation project.

• Working to an agreed methodology, recruit and support a small group of Community Researchers to lead on ethnographic story collection across the ARF programme to capture on the ground lived experience perspectives.

• Work with key stakeholders across the various ARF project to coordinate the implementation of this project and agree how this will contribute to the overall evaluation of the programme.

• With the group of Community Researchers, lead on the collation and analysis of stories, emerging learning and recommendations, and designing a strategy for presentation of the research for maximum impact.

• Liaise and collaborate with the ARF infrastructure support team (Senior Project Manager and Project Administrator) and relevant ARF stakeholders to ensure project complements other monitoring and evaluation activities and aligns with broader evaluation plans.

• Contribute to Gaddum newsletters, website, and meetings, sharing information and learning form the project.

• Maintain records and data and provide regular monitoring reports on progress and outcomes, including an end of project evaluation report.

• Undertake responsibility for financial procedures related to PWLE remuneration in line with procedures

All staff are expected to work within all Gaddum policies and procedures. This role is subject to a Basic DBS Check.

Job Title: Housing Support Worker

Location: Luton, floating support service based within the office and around different locations within the community

Salary: £24,500

Shift Pattern: 12 month fixed term contract, 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. You may be required to work outside these hours as necessary to service requirements.

About the role

This is an exciting new role within a brand new contract to support the referral process from the Housing Solutions teams! The service focuses on providing floating and wraparound support to single applicants who are at risk of homelessness and are able to live independently, by providing a housing support plan towards resolving housing needs and support them into long-term, stable housing.

In this role, you will conduct proactive outreach with our participants to develop personalised support plans for housing for appropriate long-term housing options, including accessing private rental listings and understanding application processes for tenancy. You will help our participants navigate the resources available to them including benefits and support services, advocating for their needs whilst empowering them to take ownership of their housing journey. You will work closely with the Landlord Liaison Officer who bridges the gap between our participants and private landlords. You will work closely with them to achieve prevention and relief outcomes by assisting the participant to remain in their provided accommodation. 

You will provide follow up support to ensure tenancy sustainment and successful transitions into permanent housing, keeping casefiles up to date with activities and documents, and escalating any high risks or high needs to the management team.

About you

This role is ideal for someone who has a real passion towards helping to end the cycle of homelessness, providing support to those who need it to live in stable accommodation. You will thrive in a person centred environment with real compassion and a non-judgmental attitude, understanding that people face different life experiences and sometimes just need that extra support to get back on their feet. We're looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives! You will have:

• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds and/or a good understanding of the sector
• Understanding of the housing and social needs of people with multiple and complex needs
• Knowledge of resources and opportunities within the local community, including knowledge around benefits and employment opportunities to sustain independent living
• The ability to influence and negotiate positive outcomes with others
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral. Ability to form and build effective relationships and rapport with others
• The ability to work proactively to make decisions to deal with challenges and providing a solution focused approach using initiative
• The ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and participants

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

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We're proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles. 

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks. Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

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

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Looking to make a real difference to young care experienced people? We’re now recruiting two Housing Support Officers to be part of our Hummingbird Homes project, a unique new model helping young people transition from care to independent living.

At Handcrafted we work with a range of vulnerable people including care leavers. Their stories and experiences have helped us to recognise that there is a gap in provision from 16+, where transitioning into independent living is either an overly support intensive time or very isolating. We have created a new model of support for those transitioning from care to independent living, bridging a critical gap in services.

Your impact:

As Housing Support Officer you will

1) Provide relationship-based support to create a nurturing, supportive environment for young people. We want to empower them while guiding them through an overwhelming time.

2) Be part of a small, close-knit community of homes where young people can live near each other, independently and close-by to support workers.

3) Be at the heart of the mission and build strong relationships with young people. Create an open space for growth, learning, and development.

BACKGROUND

For over thirty years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum in the UK. Our welfare advice team provide generalist advice on welfare benefits, housing, asylum support and related issues to Westminster residents with refugee and migrant backgrounds who do not have English as a first language and who would otherwise be unable to access vital advice which enables them to avoid destitution, homelessness and food poverty. We deliver this advice as part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership through a drop in and outreach at local community venues, and supported by local volunteers many of whom speak community languages.

The post of Appeals Support Advisor is a new post established with the benefit of a grant from Westminster City Council. The post holder will support clients with appeals and reconsideration requests in relation to welfare benefits and housing. This will allow us to provide a more comprehensive service for our clients, many of whom struggle to lodge appeals and reconsideration requests, and to gather evidence in support of their appeals without advice, due to language barriers.  The post holder will deliver advice in community languages, including with the assistance of interpreters, to local residents as part of our partnership work. Most of our clients are refugees, people seeking asylum and others with a refugee or migrant background. The Appeals Support Advisor will work with clients referred from Asylum Aid’s Information and Advice Service (including our weekly drop in) and from other partners in the local community. They will also provide training and supervision to the Generalist Advisor and our volunteers. External supervision will be arranged for the post holder.

The ideal candidate will be resident in or near to the City of Westminster and fluent in one or more community languages. In particular, fluency in one or more of the following is highly desirable: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani/ other Kurdish dialects, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya.

As this is a new post delivering a specialist appeals and casework service from within our generalist advice team, it offers an exciting opportunity to set up and establish systems for the delivery of this service during the six month fixed term contract, including ensuring that case management processes are established which meet the requirements of our Lexcel quality mark and that clear referral procedures are established with the drop in service and our partners.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post-holder will:

· Be part of a generalist advice service, with special emphasis on language support, as part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership (WASP), a collaboration of advice agencies Asylum Aid, Westminster Citizens Advice, Age UK Westminster, and Deaf PLUS Westminster Advice Service.

· Provide specialist appeals casework and support to clients who do not speak English as a first language and need to challenge decisions, request  mandatory reconsiderations, internal housing reviews, lodge appeals in relation to welfare benefits and housing.

· Provide ongoing casework support up to the Tribunal stage, including helping clients to gather evidence in support of their mandatory reconsiderations and appeals and preparing for hearings (but not including representation at hearings)

· Where capacity allows, help to deliver generalist face to face and telephone advice and information, in a community language and English, to migrants and asylum seekers on issues related to welfare benefits, housing and asylum support in accordance with Asylum Aid’s contract within the WASP partnership, and taking responsibility for the quality of advice given.

· Provide training and supervision to the Generalist Advisor and to volunteers, supporting the development of their advice skills and ensuring the quality of advice delivered throughout the advice service.

· Maintain a high standard of electronic case records (using AdvicePro) for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, monitoring and evaluation of the service, and to help identify issues to be raised through policy advocacy.

· Ensure that all casework is conducted in accordance with the Lexcel quality standard, including by establishing case management procedures for the delivery of specialist advice which meet the Lexcel standard, and participate as required in annual Lexcel quality mark audits

· Attend external and in-house training organised by Asylum Aid and regular supervision sessions to develop and maintain the skills and knowledge required to help deliver a quality advice service, and to keep up to date with changes in welfare benefits, housing and asylum support law

· Cascade information, changes,  and developments in social welfare law, including learning from external training, to other staff and volunteers who assist with the delivery of the welfare advice service

· Work effectively with partners to provide a seamless service for clients, making and receiving referrals and maintain up to date information about other service providers for the purposes of referrals and signposting. 

· Be responsible for achieving relevant targets for quality and quantity set by the WASP coordinator

· Provide case studies and other information from the work of the advice service to support policy advocacy and strategic legal work in support of Asylum Aid’s vision of fair and dignified treatment of people seeking asylum, refugees and other vulnerable migrants 

· Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

The post holder will need to be able to travel to and within Westminster to deliver advice at outreach locations as well as at a drop-in in or around the Church Street Estate. Travel expenses will be paid to attend locations away from Asylum Aid’s office(s) and the main location of our drop-in service (currently the Church Street library).

Other duties:

• Respect for client confidentiality at all times in line with Asylum Aid’s confidentiality agreements and consent forms. 

• To attend staff meetings as required.

• To undertake other duties which are generally compatible with the functions of the post.

• To comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures, particularly those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, diversity, equity & inclusion, confidentiality and security, as set out in the Office Manual as well the policies of other relevant partner organisations.

Person Specification

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

· At least 12 months’ experience of supporting benefits appeals through to Tribunal stage and Housing Reviews

· At least 5 years’ experience of working face to face with clients to deliver generalist advice in different areas of law including welfare benefits and housing

· Knowledge on a range of issues on which advice may be sought including health and social care, housing and welfare benefits, including a thorough and up to date understanding of social security and welfare benefits legislation and policy  

· Experience of managing a case load

· Knowledge or ability to understand and use relevant legislation

· Have completed Advice UK’s Learning to Advise training or hold the Citizens Advice Generalist Adviser certificate or an equivalent qualification

· Be fluent in written and spoken English as well as a second language spoken by a substantial proportion of the Westminster population, ideally Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani/ other Kurdish dialects, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya (to a standard that enables accurate advice to be given in the language)

· Experience of working with interpreters in the delivery of advice

· Able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, meet performance targets and take responsibility for their work, while working flexibly within a team environment

· Able to relate to a wide cross section of clients in a non-judgmental way.

· Able to use a range of IT systems and packages confidently and competently to be able to support and encourage others in using online systems and resources to enable them to self-help.

· Able and willing to learn and assimilate new knowledge in a working environment.

· Able to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.

· Able and willing to work both on own initiative and as part of a team.

· Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of Asylum Aid service and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

· Good understanding of the needs of migrants and asylum seekers and the issues and barriers that affect them in UK.

Desirable:

· Experience of specialist advice work, including appeals and mandatory reconsiderations

· Friendly, polite, and patient

· Experience of working under a relevant quality mark such as the Advice Quality Standard or Lexcel

· Understanding of the housing and other support available to people seeking asylum who do not have the right to work in the UK

· Experience of working with volunteers

· Experience of supervising other advisers, including volunteers  

· Demonstrable understanding of issues facing vulnerable clients whose English is not the first language and many with mental health problems.

· Lived or learned experience of the difficulties that migrants and refugee communities face when they have to deal with the UK welfare system

· Personal experience and/or Knowledge of the advice process and experience in the areas of either benefits, housing or debt.

· Experience of using interpersonal skills, including sensitive listening, and questioning skills to understand the needs of others,

· Ability to communicate with other organisations, housing, and welfare departments.

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 9 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1. Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your

relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2. Upload your current CV

3. Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial 15-minute online screening meeting week commencing 16 June 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interview week commencing 23 June 2025. We will also ask you to complete a short written task on the day.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

Eligibility

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.