Community advocate jobs

This is an exciting time to join us. Diversity Voice has recently merged with CCS, and with aligned values and mission, we are delighted to be able to work more effectively as one team to serve diverse ethnic, faith and belief communities in Somerset.

CCS has also recently secured funding for another 4 years for our work with our diverse communities. Alongside the “Welcome for All” Displaced people programme, this will allow us to build a strong community infrastructure to support individuals and communities across the county. Our work combines grassroots engagement, specialist support, and strategic influence to build a stronger, more connected, and inclusive Somerset.

This is a key strategic role in our organisation. You will lead and manage the Somerset Diverse Communities (SDC) team. Together with your team, you will listen to community needs, promote suitable responses and convene individuals and organisations to seek community-based solutions, supporting communities to thrive together.

As part of this role you will also be responsible for managing a varied programme of ESOL courses, groups and support in schools. In addition, you will manage the delivery of our support for Open Mental Health Alliance partners to provide programmes that integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into everything they do.

Our approach is rooted in trust, cultural humility, and lived experience. We work with, not for, our communities — creating space for voice, leadership, and influence. This has allowed us to surface sensitive and complex issues such as immigration, faith-based exclusion and rural racism, and work through them constructively with communities and institutions. 

Are you confident, approachable, self-motivated and have a flexible attitude?

Then join our team supporting Young Carers, aged 5-18 years, who have caring responsibilities for someone in their family due to disability, long-term illness, mental health, or drug or alcohol misuse.

You’ll deliver the service across Dover and Folkestone and Hythe, so your own car is essential. You will manage an existing caseload and new referrals, meeting with families and Young Carers to complete statutory assessments and providing short-term interventions that support Young Carers to improve their resilience, educational chances and wellbeing. This might be signposting to local services, action planning, one-to-one support, or our workshop programme.

Working closely with schools and Childrens Services, you will make referrals to a range of professionals and community services, ensuring whole family needs are met and thereby reducing the impact of caring on the Young Carer.

As a CYP Coordinator, you will plan and deliver workshop sessions and respite activities, providing opportunities for Young Carers to spend time with their peers and recognise that they are not alone.

Applicants may have relevant experience of working or volunteering in education, health or social care, or be looking to start a career working with children or young people. This is a full-time role.

You can make the difference and give a Young Carer their childhood back.

We offer our employees:

· Inclusive values-based environment

· Competitive remuneration package

· Workplace pension scheme

· Generous annual leave entitlement

· Opportunities for hybrid working

· Benenden Health Care

· Death in Service Benefit

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Employee Supported Volunteering scheme

· Development opportunities

· and more

Imago is committed to Safer Recruitment practices, and the post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Please either submit your CV with a short covering note or visit our website for full details.

Imago recognises that many people in our society experience discrimination or lack of opportunity for reasons that are not fair. We aim to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences, and see these differences as an asset, as they improve our ability to meet the needs of the organisations and people we work with. We proactively seek to increase opportunities for inclusion and celebrate diversity across our organisation and within communities.

Imago recognises its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children, young people and adults at risk who access its services or with whom it comes into contact.

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Community Advocate to work with a new partnership of local VCS organisations working together to provide an accessible advocacy service, across the borough of Enfield. The role will suit someone with experience of promoting vulnerable individual voices, and representing their rights through the provision of high quality information, advice, and advocacy support.

Duties will include:

• ·Providing goal focused community advocacy to eligible clients
•  Processing new referrals and queries, ensuring that appropriate referrals and logged and inappropriate signposted to relevant services
• Supporting the triage of referrals across the LEAP partnership, signposting to other providers where appropriate

The successful candidate will have:

• experience of working with people experiencing Mental Health issues
• experience of working in an advocacy role
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• excellent multi-tasking and time management skills
• the ability to produce well -written reports and meet deadlines
• good knowledge of relevant legislation such as Care Act 2014, Mental Health Act 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005
• knowledge of Benefits, social care, housing, and other relevant areas

The successful candidate should have a minimum 1-2 years of experience working with people with mild, moderate and severe mental health issues. 

Please see the attached job descrition which includes all duties and skills required.

This is a full-time position, 35 hours per week covering the service between 9-5 Monday to Friday. 

The role is based at Enfield Mind office at 275 Fore Street, N9 0PD. You may be asked to work from other locations, as and when required.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?  

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge? 

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility. 

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team in Bradford.  Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

About us 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website. 

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Professional Development?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.

Benefits

· 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service

· 5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution

· Salary sacrifices pension scheme

· Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)

· Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc

· 24/7 Employee Assistance programme

· Access to remote counselling service

· Paid Disability Leave

· Paid compassionate Leave

· Home Working Allowance 

Support with continuous professional development

 Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development 

Personal Development Plans

 How are staff supported to work remotely?

 VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs). 

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account on our website and follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midday 23 July 2025

Interviews w/c 28 July

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Mind in Enfield and Barnet is a fast-growing charity in North London providing much needed therapy, wellbeing support and advocacy services to people with mental health problems. 

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

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

Duties will include providing professional advocacy to all patients, informing them of their rights and supporting them with any issues that are impacting them during their hospital admission. Ensuring that advocacy is available for all patients, that appropriate methods of communication are available in order to meet the needs of all patients, and to be able to adapt to changing ward based or external changes.

This role is providing specialist advocacy for 12 Forensic Wards at Chase Farm Hospital and in community locations.

The successful candidate will have experience of working in a Forensic Advocacy Role within a Psychiatric Inpatient Setting and have at least 3 years experience of working in an Advocacy Role.

Full job description attached.

These vacancies are restricted to Black and minoritised women due to the nature of the roles. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

We reserve the right to close these adverts early if we have sufficient interest, so early applications are encouraged.

To provide high-quality and comprehensive advice, information, practical and advocacy support relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG) against Black and minoritised young women and children, with multiple needs, across West London.
To assist with educational, developmental, policy and campaigning work arising from advice and casework, in particular to young women across West London.

We have an exciting opportunity for Caseworkers (known internally as Independent Witness Advocates) to join the Pre-trial witness support service, working 37.5 hours a week.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
• Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

These roles are offered on a hybrid working basis. There is a requirement to work 1 day per week from our London Singer Street office. The remaining 4 days per week will be home-based but there will still be the requirement on these days to travel to London courts to deliver pre-trial visits.

As an Independent Witness Advocate you will:

• lead on providing pre-trial, outreach & post-trial support for witnesses; ensuring their pre and post-trial needs are assessed and a plan for support is put in place so they can attend court to give their best evidence
• provide advocacy, support in court, and emotional/practical support around their physical, mental, social or financial wellbeing
• liaise with criminal justice partners to ensure witnesses are kept up to date with arrangements for attendance at court and where applicable, ensure special measures have been granted
• provide practical and emotional support in a way that is approachable, flexible and caring, showing empathy at all times
• need to be tenacious in support of your clients and being able to solve problems and surmount the challenges posed by the criminal justice system

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

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 may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

We are looking for two new Advocates to join our team in Lincoln on a 12-month fixed term contract. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

About us

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Lincoln to support parents whose children are subject to s47 Care proceedings and other meetings accordingly. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

This is a full-time role for 35 hours per week. 

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Professional Development?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day.

Benefits:

· 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

· 5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

· Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

· Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

· Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

· 24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

· Access to remote counselling service 

· Paid Disability Leave 

· Paid compassionate Leave 

· Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).  

 VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking on the link to our webpage. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midnight, Sunday 6 July 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

We look forward to hearing from you.

About us

This is a rare opportunity to lead our Support & Communities teams who provide direct support, practical guidance and other patient focused activities to over 1500 members and their families, UK-wide, whose lives are affected by MPS, Fabry and related diseases.

Our Support Team raise awareness both within the MPS community and external agencies, offering information, advice, support, and advocacy in a range of areas including health and social care, housing, education, transition, independent living, palliative care, and bereavement.  Our Projects and Communities team contribute to the development of our resources and facilitate project work such as youth engagement, advisory boards, and support groups, as well as leading on support focused social media.

Ideal candidate

As Head of Support & Communities, you will exhibit strong leadership skills and have significant experience working within a health and social care or relevant field of work.  You will have an in-depth understanding of the needs of those with disabilities, their families and carers. 

You will primarily be responsible for the overall management and development of the teams and the services they provide. As the company safeguarding lead you will have an in-depth understanding of policy and procedure to protect all.  You will be a relationship builder who cares about the community we serve and ensures that the individual (or family) remains at the centre of support. 

You will have a good understanding of managing budgets and able to produce accurate monitoring/evaluation reports. Excellent IT skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales are essential.  You will be self-motivated and highly organised, juggling many strands of work. 

As a team player, you will demonstrate a willingness to participate in the day-to-day activities of the team, have excellent staff management and development skills along with the confidence to motivate and inspire. 

You will have the passion to work with us to develop our services, play an active role in our senior leadership team and work with members and other key departments to move the charity forward to achieve its goals.

What we can offer you

Join us and you will be working for a caring charity offering:

• A competitive salary
• Generous annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time hours)
• Extra leave between Christmas and the New Year
• Pension
• Life assurance (subject to the conditions of the scheme)
• Employee assistance programme offering support 24/7

Further information

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.

The main duties, responsibilities and essential requirements of this role can be viewed on the attached job description.

This is an essential car user post. The applicant must hold a current UK driver’s licence, with no more than 6 points, have access to a car and be able and willing to drive UK wide as required.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in our Amersham office each week. As part of the role, UK wide travel is necessary. which may on occasion include early morning and/or evening working and sometimes overnight stays.  You may also occasionally be required to attend evening or weekend conferences and events. We have policies in place to ensure that any unsociable hours worked are fairly compensated.

This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) however part time hours, with a minimum of 28 hrs per week may be agreed for the right candidate.  Salary will be pro-rata for part-time.

We encourage candidates to visit the MPS Society website to learn more about us and the community we serve.  Alternatively, if you would like an informal chat about the role or the work of the MPS Society, please contact Sophie Thomas.

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

The MPS Society is a charity that provides a range of care, support and activities for children and adults at risk throughout the UK. This is provided in several ways through our dedicated support and advocacy service, annual events, patient expert meetings and conferences. MPS staff, trustees and volunteers may be asked to be involved in the delivery of its regulated activities and therefore will require an enhanced DBS check during recruitment and for this to be reviewed on a regular basis.

To apply:

Please provide your CV and a cover statement giving examples to demonstrate your competencies, achievements and skills alongside explaining how your previous roles and experiences make you the candidate we are looking for.

Closing Date:whilst we have an initial closing date of 18 July, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview and assessment.

Youth Forum Co-ordinator

NYCC, LocalMotion & Edmonton Community Partnership are looking for a dynamic and community-focused Forum Co-ordinator to lead the development of a brand-new role within the Enfield Professional Partners Youth Forum. This is an exciting opportunity to shape how local organisations work together, foster trust,  collaborate and ensure the voices of young people are heard and their needs, met. If you’re passionate about building meaningful relationships, coordinating impactful partnerships, and driving systems change at a grassroots level, we want to hear from you.

Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in community engagement, partnership working or voluntary sector co-ordination
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect and unite diverse stakeholders
• Understanding of the challenges of working with local authorities and how to engage effectively
• Strong advocacy and communication skills, with the ability to amplify under-represented voices
• Ability to navigate complex community dynamics, ensuring collaboration remains balanced and inclusive
• Experience in facilitating collaboration, resource sharing and collective decision-making

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of the needs and challenges faced by under-served communities and young people
• Familiarity with funding and investment processes for community-led initiatives
• Previous experience in a co-ordinating role within the voluntary, community or public sector.

Apply here to help shape a more collaborative, inclusive, youth-centred future. Submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining why you’re the ideal candidate for this role.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care or have an interest in people and are looking for a new challenge?

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

Due to continued contract growth, we are looking for new Advocates to join our team in Lambeth. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

About us

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About the role

We have exciting opportunities for Advocates to join our team covering Lambeth. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Professional Development

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to achieve, or already hold, the Level 4 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with specialisms suitable for the role undertaken. To develop yourself for an exciting new career

Benefits:

• 28 days annual leave per year raising to 30 days upon 5 years of service pro rata plus bank holidays
• 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Life Assurance/ Death in service two times your annual salary
• Staff discount scheme including major supermarkets discounts, retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
• Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
• Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance.
• Support with continuous professional development
• Paid Disability leave
• Paid Volunteering leave

· Paid compassionate Leave 

· Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).  

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Friday 11th July 12pm however, VoiceAbility may interview suitable candidates before this date and reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

We look forward to hearing from you.

As a Community Support Worker, you will work alongside the Community Hub Service Manager, providing frontline support to individuals and families who come to the Makery for help. This role requires proven experience in safeguarding, crisis intervention, and advocacy, as well as the ability to risk assess and respond appropriately to a range of situations.

Applications will not be considered without relevant Safeguarding experience and training, and proven track record of working in a community support role (not domicilary care)

Your responsibilities will include:

• Frontline Support & Safeguarding

• Providing immediate crisis support, signposting, and making referrals to specialist services.

• Acting as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), handling safeguarding concerns and ensuring individuals are safe.

• Conducting risk assessments to determine the most appropriate support for individuals.

• Offering mental health first aid, de-escalating crises, and providing practical guidance to those in distress.

• Having a strong understanding of MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) and how they function, though referrals will be handled by the manager.

• Community Support & Advocacy

• Engaging with individuals facing issues such as homelessness, addiction, domestic abuse, bereavement, and mental health struggles.

• Providing information, advice, and guidance (IAG), helping individuals navigate support systems and access appropriate resources.

• Advocating on behalf of individuals to ensure they receive the help they need from local services.

• Working to break isolation and loneliness by offering time, conversation, and emotional support.

• Teamwork & Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Working alongside the Community Hub Manager to ensure a smooth-running service.

• Supporting volunteers, engaging in community outreach, and building relationships with external organisations.

• Being hands-on in the hub, whether that’s making a cup of tea, preparing a meal, or simply offering a listening ear.

• Helping to maintain a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all visitors.

We are looking for a compassionate, experienced, and adaptable individual who:

• Has proven experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), including handling referrals and working with safeguarding protocols.

• Holds mental health first aid training and has strong knowledge of risk assessment and crisis intervention.

• Has direct experience working with individuals facing domestic abuse, addiction, homelessness, or mental health challenges.

• Understands information, advice, and guidance (IAG) and knows how to advocate for individuals in need.

• Has experience working in a community support setting with vulnerable individuals.

• Is a team player, willing to support colleagues, volunteers, and visitors in any way needed.

• Can remain calm and professional in unpredictable situations and respond appropriately.

• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a non-judgmental approach.

• Can work flexibly and adapt to the changing nature of the role.

Qualifications and Experience (Essential):

• Educational Background: Possession of an NVQ Level 3 or 4 in fields such as Mental Health, Community Work, Psychology, Youth Work, or other related disciplines.

• Safeguarding Certification: Holding a Level 3 or 4 Safeguarding certification, qualifying them to serve as a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

• Professional Experience: Demonstrated experience in community engagement, mental health support, or outreach work, specifically within community settings rather than traditional care environments.

• Skill Set: Proficiency in applying safeguarding measures, trauma-informed care approaches, and mental health support strategies.

• Community Engagement: Proven ability to support vulnerable individuals, engage effectively with diverse communities, and implement programs that promote mental well-being.

Why Join Us?

At the Makery, you will be part of a purpose-driven organisation that truly makes a difference. You’ll work closely with a dedicated team, helping people who are often at their most vulnerable, and playing a key role in shaping a supportive, responsive, and community-led service.

If you have the experience, passion, and resilience for this role, we’d love to hear from you!

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

We are looking for Domestic Abuse Housing Advocates to join our team

Salary: £26,000 - £32,000

Location: Hammersmith with travel to other service locations Finsbury Park and Stratford

Hours:   35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

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

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

About us

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

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

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

About the role:

As a Housing Domestic Abuse Advocate, you will provide intervention, advocacy, and support to survivors of domestic abuse. Working within a fast-paced team, you will help empower women and ensure that the voice of survivors informs every stage of their journey towards improved safety. You will have your own caseload of survivors who hold social tenancies with local authorities or housing associations, and you will encourage them to engage with our service and ensure they have access to support. You will also co-ordinate the provision of multi-agency support which focuses on working with domestic abuse survivors to maintain their tenancies and prevent homelessness.

About You:

To be successful as the Domestic Abuse Housing Advocate you will need the below experience and skills:

You will bring solid experience of supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse in all its forms; coming from a sector with transferrable skills or possess a feminist/VAWG degree and be keen to learn and to train on the job. You will have a good understanding of violence against women and girls with a particular focus on the dynamics of domestic abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, so-called ‘honour-based violence’, forced marriage, stalking and harassment) and its impact on women, children, families, and communities. You will have proven skills and experience in conducting comprehensive assessments of needs and risk for survivors experiencing domestic abuse, including carrying out short risk management and safety planning. We will expect that you have experience in assessing the needs and safety of any children that women using the service may have and an understanding of the criminal justice system and relevant legislation with regard to legal and civil options, housing, benefits, matrimonial and children. Lastly you will bring your knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures, and legislation.

With many skills and qualities to add to this role, if you have good IT literacy, data collection and monitoring these skills are maximised in your role. If you have experience or have been trained or are qualified in the fields related  to substance misuse, criminal jusice, law, social work or domestic abuse we would love to hear from you. 

We recognise that women often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the criteria. We encourage you to demonstrate how your skills and experience would make you an asset to the role, and if you don’t have the exact skills/experience, tell us in your cover letter how you think you might grow and develop in the role.

How to apply:

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

Closing date: 6th July 2025 @23:59 *Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

· Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

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

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: 

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

**************************************************************

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

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

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

Safeguarding

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

About Women in Prison

Women in Prison is a national, women-led, feminist organisation. We deliver front line support to women harmed by the criminal justice system, through our work in prisons, in the community and ‘through the prison gate’ as they resettle back into their communities. We also campaign for systems change that addresses the root causes of offending, reduces the harmful impact of prison, and creates workable, community-based alternatives to imprisonment.
 

Job Description:
Job Purpose:

Women in Prison’s South London Women’s Hubs provide support and advocacy to women at different points of the criminal justice system – whether they are at risk of offending, serving a community sentence, or in custody and leaving prison. The primary purpose of this role is to work with women in custody, including on remand, offering support to prepare for release and connect them with vital community support services prior to and on release from prison.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy one to one and group support in prison, to women on remand in HMP Bronzefield, HMP Downview and HMP Send
2. Development and maintenance of professional relations in prison and the community
3. Ensure clear, timely and effective communication and record keeping
4. Proactively seek to develop your personal and professional practice, and contribute to wider organisational development
5. Contribute to building a feminist leadership culture and positive working environment for Women in Prison