Experienced Benefits Advisor Jobs in Central London, Greater London

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

As our Interim HR Advisor, you will play a key role at BookTrust in taking forward our ambitions. With your experience and skills, you will be able support and develop the organisation as we continue to go through significant change to deliver our strategy.

You will have the experience and skills to ensure that our HR processes are managed to a high standard, and you can work with the organisation in delivering highly effective HR support. This will involve working with the HR Lead, our Team Leaders and Senior Managers from recruitment, onboarding, payroll. This includes the maintenance of the HR Information System, supporting core processes and the provision of frontline HR assistance to colleagues on HR issues, where appropriate.

You will also have experience and will be skilled in building strong internal relationships. You will be comfortable taking a deeply collaborative approach and be keen to work alongside expert colleagues in BookTrust to deliver our strategy.

To apply please, send a copy of your CV and covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role. Your covering letter should not be longer than two sides.

PLEASE NOTE: Applying as soon as possible is advised, as the vacancy may close early, due to the number of applicants.

Want to join us? Find out more about who we are at by visiting our website.

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details can be found on our website). 

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

The Immigration Adviser at LAH will provide advice and assistance on basic visa and immigration matters, including handling straightforward cases, often referred to as "initial advice" or "entry-level advice." You will assist LAH service users with applications within the immigration rules including visitor visas, Spouse and dependent visas, straightforward EU Settlement Scheme applications, extensions of leave and Settlement and British citizenship applications, offering advice on non-complex immigration rules and regulations, and explaining to LAH service users the relevant procedures, helping them to complete application forms and gather necessary supporting documents.

LAH’s Immigration Advice service is currently provided in partnership with Seraphus, an external law firm. This collaboration offers valuable career development opportunities for the right candidate, including mentoring and the chance to shadow one of their experienced practitioners.

Additional benefits: Paid OISC Level 2 Training

Main duties and responsibilities 
● Efficiently responding to LAH service users' inquiries while creating a friendly, warm, and welcoming environment
● Providing one-to-one specialist high-quality immigration advice at OISC Level 1 on basic immigration matters, including visitor visas, Spouse and dependent visas, straightforward EU Settlement Scheme applications, extensions of leave to remain, Settlement and British citizenship applications, providing guidance on eligibility and ensuring LAH service users understand their rights and obligations
● Representing LAH service users by completing straightforward application forms, such as visa and leave to remain applications, and assisting them in gathering and preparing the necessary documentation for their applications, maintaining professional conduct with LAH service Users at all times
● Liaising with the Home Office and other relevant authorities on behalf of LAH service users for non-complex matters and submitting high standard applications to the Home Office
● Assisting LAH service users with correspondence related to their applications or immigration status
● Recognising when a case is beyond the scope of OISC Level 1 authorisation, such as appeals, asylum cases, or more complex immigration matters, and referring these to higher-level advisers or solicitors
● Operating within professional boundaries, ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times

Monitoring and Evaluation
● Maintaining accurate records and case files, ensuring all advice and actions are properly documented, adhering to OISC Code of Standards and AQS
● Overseeing administrative systems for case management and partaking external file reviews and supervision as instructed, tracking workload, and monitoring submitted applications and their outcomes
● Assisting in demonstrating the impact of our work by recording clear and detailed case notes in our database and tracking outcomes against project targets, identifying challenges and issues affecting the LAH community, all of which will be used to inform our provision
● Providing LAH management with necessary information on the Immigration Advice service, including case studies, detailed reports, and relevant data when required

Professional Development
● Participating in learning and evaluation sessions with partner organisations as relevant
● Attending regular staff and other team meetings as required
● Undertaking OISC Level 2 training procured by LAH
● Staying current with legislative changes and policy updates affecting individuals' rights to remain in the UK, and adhering to best practices set by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and Advice Quality Standard (AQS)

Other Accountabilities
● Ensuring that work is carried out in accordance with LAH's policies and procedures as well as with the OISC and AQS Code of Standards
● Participating in regular one-to-one sessions for both service and professional development purposes, including regular supervision to assess the quality standard of advice work
● Working closely and collaboratively with other advisers, staff team members, interns, trainees, and volunteers as needed to address the holistic needs and circumstances of LAH service users
● Supporting the preparation for audits by the OISC and AQS, as well as for internal and external reports
● Collaborating with the Head of Operations to ensure the smooth running of the service and implement an efficient administrative strategy
● Conducting workshops and presentations on immigration matters as instructed
● Assisting in creating, maintaining, and distributing relevant informational materials and resources for both the team and service users

Deadline to apply: We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Our aim is to recruit the most suitable candidate for the job, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from those who identify as members of minoritised groups, as well as from Latin Americans and individuals with lived experience of migration and/or second generation to better reflect the community we serve.

Background to the role

Age UK East London are recruiting a Welfare Benefits Advisor to join our growing information and advice

team.  We support thousands of people a year to maximise their income, challenge bad decisions, and ensure that they understand their rights and entitlements.

We support some of the most deprived communities in the UK, tackling poverty and health inequality while promoting independence and well-being.  Working in well networked and integrated systems you will make a key contribution to improving the lives of adults, their carers and the wider community.

Job description

Job Purpose

· To provide Information, advice and support to clients enabling them to remain independent in their own homes.

· To work with the Advice Service to deliver and maintain excellent services to AQS standard.

· To provide home visits and office appointments, delivering advice via a variety of channels such as phone, video call and face to face.

· To work with clients to deliver holistic support that promotes wellbeing, independence that reduces health inequality and poverty.

Key Tasks

· To provide quality-assured independent advice and casework support to adults across East London. 

· To maintain accurate case records in line with all relevant legislation and quality assurance benchmarks.

· To conduct welfare benefit calculations and advise accurately on entitlements.

· To complete applications for welfare benefits and grants etc.

· To support people to understand their rights and challenge decisions made against them such as welfare benefit appeals to first tier tribunal. 

· To deliver a holistic, person-centred and strength-based service focussed on independence and wellbeing.

· To support service data input to support the service with evaluation and monitoring KPI’s.

· To keep up to date knowledge of welfare benefit, Housing and Social Care policy and legalisation.

· To support the service to be flexible and responsive to change and community need.

· To train and mentor volunteers.

 General

· To meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.

· To attend team and staff meetings, committee meetings, partnership, network forums and monitoring meetings as required.

· To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London.

· To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.

To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK East London’s policies and procedures including: EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

 Functional Links

· The role reports to the Information & Advice Team Leader

· Close working with the Advocacy Service.

· Close working with GP’s, Outreach Venues, Hospital Ward Staff.

· Close working with the Advice Providers Network in Hackney.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

· Minimum of 18 months experience of providing welfare advice whether in a paid or voluntary setting.

Desirable

· Experience of supervising volunteers.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

· Holds NVQ Level 3 Advice & Guidance, or equivalent, qualification, or ability.

· Expert knowledge and understanding of Social Welfare rights and all relevant legislation/areas of law.

· Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.

Desirable

· Knowledge of social care and the care act.

Skills/Attributes

Essential

· Intermediate IT skills, in particular use of Microsoft Windows, Word and Excel.

· Strong written and verbal communication.

· Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered.

· A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers*.

· A commitment to professional learning and development and reflective practise.

Additional Requirements

· This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

· Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.

· This post may require occasional evening and weekend work.

Employment Details

 Contract type

This contracted post is for 28 hours per week and may very rarely require some out of hours or weekend work as required.  We welcome application for flexible working including reduced hours and other flexible working arrangements.

Location

We support hybrid working to suit our team. When in the office, the post holder will be based at Russia Lane but some travel across east London may be required to meet the needs of the service.

Salary 

Between £31,930 and £35,020 pa pro rata for part time.  Plus 5% employer pension contribution.

We have recently introduced a salary bands system. This salary range refers to the lowest and top steps of the grade. Salary will progress every year until the top salary is reached.

Holiday entitlement

25 days (pro-rata for contracted hours) of paid holiday per year plus bank holidays. This increases after two years of service to 27 days, and then a further one day per every year of service up to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service. In addition, all employees are entitled to one day off on (or around) their Birthday.

Conditions of employment

The job offer is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory Employment References, an enhanced DBS Check and evidence of relevant Qualification.

How We Value Our People

Learning and development

We are committed to supporting our staff through a variety of training, e-learning, workshop and shadowing. A training needs assessment is carried out annually. During the appraisal and reviewed during supervision. The majority of vacancies are advertised internally to encourage staff to progress their careers within the charity.

Flexible working policy

We welcome flexible working requests from day one and anyone can make as many requests as they wish to.

Family Friendly Policy

We have a competitive Family Friendly Policy which includes maternity, paternity adoption and shared parental leave. We have an enhanced maternity and paternity pay policy based on the length of service.

Sick leave policy

We also have a competitive sick pay policy which will give you up to 4 months full pay and 4 months half pay after 4 years of service.

Death in service insurance

We have a Death in service insurance which will help your family to cope financially should something happen to you while employed with us.

Employee assistance programme

We offer an Employee Assistance programme called WeCare which includes 24/7 online GP, Get fit programme, Mental health support, Financial and legal guidance.

Menopause and menstrual policy

The policy supports employees in their ability to adequately self-care during their period and menopause, while not being penalised by having to deplete their sick leave.

Open Door policy

The purpose of policy is to encourage open communication, feedback, and discussion about any matter of importance to an employee.

Wellbeing policy

The policy is aimed to promote mental wellbeing among staff and volunteers and tackle the causes of work-related mental health problems.

Duncan Robertson Award

For the outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of older people.

Cycle to work scheme

The scheme allows employees to obtain commuter bikes and cycling accessories through their employer, whilst spreading the cost over 12 months and making unbeatable savings through a tax break

Other benefits

Through Age UK National we provide the BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, the Blue Light Discount Card, access to a discount portal provided by AON and Ticket for Good.

Next Steps

 How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form on our website.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline to receive applications: 23rd September 2024 at 9.00am

1st stage interviews: Week commencing 30th September 2024

Have any questions? If you want to find out more about the recruitment process or the role, please contact our HR department

Senior Legal Advisor (Commissioner Contracts/Housing)

Commercial Contracts Lawyer (for Commissioner contracts and housing agreements in the social care sector)

We have an exciting full-time, permanent opportunity for a Senior Legal Advisor to join our Legal Services Team. A small, dedicated team of Lawyers central to the work of a national charity across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They work closely with the Teams and Directorates across the organisation to ensure that they operate safely and securely, and providing advice on complex issues.

The charity offers flexibility about where the role is undertaken. For this role, a presence in Peterborough is preferable where possible, but the individual would be required to attend team meetings in the Peterborough office once a month. Occasionally, it will be necessary to travel nationwide.

The Senior Legal Advisor will provide high quality commercial  contract drafting; advice and assistance  to support the Personal Support (PS) Service Teams with the  tendering and contracting  process;  working with different Commissioning Authorities of Social Care Services; and with the provision of suitable housing agreements

The Senior Legal Advisor will be required to review the tenders and contract terms in relation to the majority of PS contracts , some of which are multi million pound framework agreements, and put in place Direct Funding Contracts.  In relation to Housing arrangements, the candidate will review and advise on Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Housing Management Agreements (HMAs) with Housing Associations and other Housing Providers.

Qualifications required:

For this role you would need to be a Solicitor or Barrister qualified to practise in England (or comparable jurisdiction) preferably holding a practising certificate. Previous in-house experience would be viewed positively.

Essential key skills, experience & abilities required for this role:

· 5+ years PQE and experience in commercial contract law,

· Excellent drafting and negotiation skills

· Solid awareness of GDPR provisions

· Experience and good technical expertise with Commissioner contracts and in a similar role would be beneficial

· Experience and good technical expertise with social housing provider agreements (SLAs and HMAs) would be beneficial

· Analytical thinker and problem-solving skills.

· Confident and effective communicator across all levels and understand how to share insights with stakeholders.

· Excellent time management and communication skills and strong collaborator

· Dynamic self-starter with a sound ability to manage your own

· Commercially pragmatic, able to succinctly evaluate complex issues and deliver clear, focused advice

If this role sounds like the move that you were looking for then please provide an up to date CV that demonstrates all your skills and experiences relevant for this role and tell us why you want to join the team.

The charity are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applicants with disabilities to apply for all roles. To find out more about the scheme please visit the direct gov website.

The charity are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and particularly welcome and encourage disabled applicants and those from the Black and Asian communities to apply for the role as they are under-represented within the workforce.

An initial ‘informal conversation’ call for those shortlisted will take place with the hiring manager on the 9th October. First stage interviews are being held Via TEAMS on 16th October.

*We are also advertising for a Senior Legal Advisor to cover Procurement and Fundraising. If you would like to be considered for that also, please complete another application on the vacancy.*

Benefits

As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.

· 32 days holiday (including bank holidays) increasing to 35 days with long service plus the ability to buy up to another 10 days via our HolidayPlus scheme

· Service related sick pay when 6 month probation is completed

· Eligibility to join the Pension Plan where the organisation matches contributions up to 5% on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings. If you don’t join the Plan you start, you will be auto-enrolled after three months.

· Membership of the Pension Plan to include up to 3 times salary death in service live cover AND Income Protection of 50% salary to be triggered at 26 weeks of long term sickness

· Loans for debt consolidation, bikes, computers and phones when you have been with us for 6 months

· Interest free season ticket loans

· Discounts and cashback from 3% to 30% at high street shops including major super markets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more

· Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.

· Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support

· Quarterly award scheme and recognition at every 5 years through the YouRock program

· Access to award winning training and development

*T&C's apply based on contract

About the organisation

The charity works in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all services support people to live life as they choose. Everyone wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. This charity can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and activist. They want to make you feel inspired to reach your potential.

Their work includes;

· providing high-quality, flexible services that allow people to live as independently as possible in a place they choose

· providing advice through our help lines and web sites

· campaigning for the changes that people with a learning disability want

World Jewish Relief created the Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) for refugees in 2016 and today we are the largest provider of specialist employment support to refugees in the UK. 

STEP provides a bespoke employment programme that addresses the complex barriers that refugees face when preparing for, and ultimately finding work in the UK.  We now have an exciting opportunity for Employment Advisors to join the STEP team, working remotely from home, providing employment support to refugee clients across the UK. 

​You will prepare clients for competitive employment and help them to achieve their chosen training and employment objectives. You will work to a variety of performance targets based on the progression outcomes of clients such as successful completion of training courses, voluntary and work placements and achieving sustaining paid employment. 

​This is a fixed term contract to March 2025.

​About you

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Experience in successfully supporting refugees into sustainable employment
• Understanding the issues and challenges faced by unemployed people to finding work, including those whose first language is not English
• Experience of providing advice and guidance and supervising a caseload of clients
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong IT skills (CRM database, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams) and the ability to work remotely with confidence
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with clients with varying levels of English
• ​Competency in speaking another language is desirable e.g. Amharic, Arabic, Dari/Pashto, Dinka Farsi, Kurdish, Ormo, Somali, Tigrinya, Turkish

​Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 23 days holiday pro rata plus bank holidays and Jewish holidays.
• Pension scheme – we contribute 5% to the World Jewish Relief pension scheme.
• Life Insurance – up to 3 times salary to nominated beneficiaries.
• Health Cash Plan – cash back to cover the costs of dental treatment, optical care, specialist consultations and a range of complementary therapies.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme – free, confidential advice or support with any personal or work. related concerns or free counselling if needed.
• Season ticket / travel to work loan.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• On Friday the office closes at 3pm.

​As this role has contact with vulnerable groups, it is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

World Jewish Relief promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We invite and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from candidates of different ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and of faith or none that meet the criteria set out for this role. You don’t need to be Jewish to work for us, but you must share our desire to assist those who need help based on their vulnerability, not their identity, recognising the dignity and potential of all people.

To apply

Please upload your CV and a covering letter which outlines why this role appeals to you and the skills you have that will help you excel in this role. 

​Interviews will be held remotely on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th September

​

Senior Legal Advisor (Procurement & Fundraising)

Commercial Contracts Lawyer (for Procurement contracts and  Fundraising).

We have an exciting full-time, permanent opportunity for a Senior Legal Advisor to join our Legal Services Team. A small, dedicated team of Lawyers central to the work of Mencap across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work closely with Mencap’s Teams and Directorates across the organisation to ensure that they operate safely and securely, and providing advice on complex issues.

At Mencap, we offer flexibility about where the role is undertaken. For this role, a presence in Peterborough is preferable where possible, but the individual would be required to attend team meetings in our Peterborough office once a month. Occasionally, it will be necessary to travel nationwide.

The Senior Legal Advisor will provide high quality commercial contracts and documentation, advice and assistance to support all Directorates across Mencap, as part of Mencap’s internal procurement process and Fundraising Teams. 

The Senior Legal Advisor will be required to work with different Teams and Directorates across Mencap to draft suitable and robust commercial contracts (including IT contracts); and standard terms and conditions; or review third party’s contracts and terms.  Similarly, will be required to negotiate contracts and provide advice for the Fundraising Teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance and radar scanning for changes in law which impacts fundraising.

The Senior Legal Advisor will represent the Legal Services Team on a number of Panels and Committees, such as the Procurement Panel, and would be the lead point of contact with the Legacy Team.

Qualifications:

For this role you would need to be a Solicitor or Barrister qualified to practise in England (or comparable jurisdiction) preferably holding a practising certificate. Previous in-house experience would be viewed positively.

Essential key skills, experience & abilities required for this role:

· 5+ years PQE and experience in commercial contract law

· Excellent drafting and negotiation skills

· Solid awareness of GDPR provisions

· Experience and good technical expertise in contract law and IT agreements

· Experience and good technical expertise in and awareness of regulation effecting fundraising agreements would be beneficial

· Analytical thinker and problem-solving skills.

· Confident and effective communicator across all levels and understand how to share insights with stakeholders.

· Excellent time management and communication skills and strong collaborator

· Dynamic self-starter with a sound ability to manage your own workload.

· Commercially pragmatic, able to succinctly evaluate complex issues and deliver clear, focused advice

If this role sounds like the move that you were looking for then please provide an up to date CV that demonstrates all your skills and experiences relevant for this role and tell us why you want to join Mencap. You can read more in depth information about this role in the Job Description. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applicants with disabilities to apply for all roles with us. To find out more about the scheme please visit the direct gov website.

We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and we particularly welcome and encourage disabled applicants and those from the Black and Asian communities to apply for the role as they are under-represented within the workforce.

An initial ‘informal conversation’ call for those shortlisted will take place with the hiring manager on the 9th October. First stage interviews are being held Via TEAMS on 16th October.

*We are also advertising for a Senior Legal Advisor to cover Commissioning Contract and Housing Agreements. If you would like to be considered for that also, please complete another application on the vacancy.*

Benefits

As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.

· 32 days holiday (including bank holidays) increasing to 35 days with long service plus the ability to buy up to another 10 days via our HolidayPlus scheme

· Service related sick pay when 6 month probation is completed

· Eligibility to join Mencap Pension Plan where Mencap matches contributions up to 5% on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings. If you don’t join the Plan you start, you will be auto-enrolled after three months with us.

· Membership of Mencap Pension Plan to include up to 3 times salary death in service live cover AND Income Protection of 50% salary to be triggered at 26 weeks of long term sickness

· Loans for debt consolidation, bikes, computers and phones when you have been with us for 6 months

· Interest free season ticket loans

· Discounts and cashback from 3% to 30% at high street shops including major super markets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via Mencap Extras

· Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.

· Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support

· Quarterly award scheme and recognition at every 5 years through our YouRock program

· Access to award winning training and development

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Mencap

We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose. Everyone wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. At Mencap, we can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and activist. We want to make you feel inspired to reach your potential.

Our work includes;

· providing high-quality, flexible services that allow people to live as independently as possible in a place they choose

· providing advice through our help lines and web sites

· campaigning for the changes that people with a learning disability want

Hours: Full- and part-time positions

Contract: Permanent

Location: CAML charity offices and outreach venues across Merton

Salary (pro rata for part time):

From £26,500 per annum, dependent on experience, for accredited Advisers

Annual Leave: 25 days (pro rata for part time), Charity Day, plus public holidays

Pension: The charity operates a pension scheme

The charity offers an employee assistance programme

Deadline: 6pm, Sunday 22nd September 2024

Are you an experienced accredited Adviser?

Do you want to support individuals and families impacted by the cost of living crisis?

Are you looking for a role with a professional, supportive and expanding advice charity with over 80 years of experience working in South West London?

If so please read on:

Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (CAML) is the leading advice charity supporting individuals and families across the London boroughs of Lambeth, Merton but also wider London. We provide a range of information, support and advice services. We also work to raise awareness and understanding of the challenging issues affecting our clients and communities.

Owing to charity expansion, we are looking for experienced, accredited Advisers to provide comprehensive advice and support to clients. If you have at least one year’s experience of working in an advice support organisation, are passionate about supporting individuals and families in need and interested in joining a dedicated, professional team we would love to hear from you.

The successful candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly with clients and for the charity. You will be meticulous in your work, especially when supporting clients and maintaining case records for continuity of follow up advice and casework. You will also be very well informed with regard to legislation, case law and policy changes relating to advice and benefits.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive advice in all generalist subject areas including welfare benefits, debt and income maximisation, in line with Citizens Advice requirements.

• Commit to ongoing training/development as requested by the charity

• Use your interpersonal skills to explore, listen and understand complex problems as they affect each individual and tailor your approach to advice accordingly

• Provide a clear plan of action and follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate

• Identify and escalate serious problems, including safeguarding, appropriately

• Ability to work to own initiative within a team environment. Work closely with service colleagues and wider CAML team

• Support clients in CAML offices and outreach venues

Monitoring Quality and Case Recording

• Ensure all client engagement and support is comprehensively and accurately recorded

• Review your work, and monitor quality standards, as per the Citizens Advice quality framework

• Ensure data protections regulations are adhered and office procedures followed

• Work with your line manager and senior managers to develop and improve services, and your own standards.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• With wider charity team and other organisations, ensure clients are supported with related advice issues

• Ensure all work is fully compliant with our policies and procedures and Citizens Advice Quality Standard

• Assist and contribute to the charity’s communications, research and campaigns work

• Maintain positive working relations with our stakeholders

• Professionally represent Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth

• Other duties as requested by your line manager, senior manager and Chief Executive

Professional Development

• All our team receive comprehensive induction to the charity and our work. We support Advisers in their professional development to ensure we’re up to date with recent legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to benefits and debt and undertake appropriate training as agreed with your line manager.

Person Specification

• Generalist Adviser certificate (Citizens Advice or equivalent) - Essential

• Experience of using client management databases (we use Casebook) – Essential

• Fantastic communication skills - Essential

• Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and manage caseload – Essential

• IT competency and experience – Essential

• Ability and willingness to work as a team – Essential

• Understanding of and commitment to the aims, principles and values of Citizens Advice service – Essential

This job description and personal specification does not form part of any contract.

If you’re interested in the role and joining us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please follow the link to our website in order to apply.

The deadline for applications is 6pm, Sunday 22nd September 2024. 

If you do not hear from us, we are afraid your application was unsuccessful.

We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to our online Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and stored.

CIEH is seeking to encourage a culture of governance that promotes openness, transparency, integrity, values diversity, is compliant, accountable and responsive.

The Governance Advisor will:

• Advise CIEH's Board and Committees in line with the governance framework and statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Provide high quality, professional governance services as well as support successful AGMs and elections.
• Work across a full range of governance activities, leading on identifying and delivering opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our governance.
• Provide support for fitness to practice cases and act as hearing co-ordinator to fitness to practice panels.

The contract will be for a period of 3 years, commencing January 2025. As such, the salary noted above does not apply, fees will be agreed as part of the Invitation To Tender (ITT) process. Further details of the ITT Governance Advisor role, including how to apply, can be found in Application resources section below.

About The Connection at St Martin’s

We believe that no one should have to sleep rough on London’s streets, and that everyone should get the support they need to find a place to call home. We get to know every person we work with, understanding what they need to recover, helping them build on their strengths, and supporting them to find their own way home. Help us make London a city where no one sleeps rough on our streets.

London’s diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates with lived experience of homelessness who we believe are an essential asset in our sector.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome the opportunity to consider flexible working arrangements.

About the Role

• You will have substantive experience in providing immigration advice and casework, with the relevant Level 2 OISC qualification (or OISC level 1 working towards Level 2). Please note only candidates with the relevant OISC qualification and legal experience will be considered.
• You will be part of a specialist team that provides a migration service within a centre for people experiencing homelessness and interconnecting needs.
• You will have experience of working jointly with other agencies and building strong, effective partnerships internally and externally.

Full job description can be found on our website.
 

Salary: £36,159
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd September
Interview Date: Friday 26th September

Our Benefits

· 30 days holiday plus bank holidays

· Generous training budget, plus an annual personal training budget

· Enhanced Sick Pay Policy

· Enhanced family friendly policies

· Day off for moving house

· Hybrid working (depending on role requirements)

· Pension – 5% Employer, 3% Employee

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Season Ticket Loan

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Reward Gateway (access to discount vouchers and cashback at the UK’s favourite retailers)

We are a London Living Wage employer

The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness.

Job title: Housing Advisor

Reports to: Manager of Advice Services
Location: Westminster, Central London
Hours: Full time or part time (21-35 hours)

Salary: £36,000 per year (pro rata for part time)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you want to leverage your skills to combat homelessness for children and young people? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit a Housing Advisor to provide a structured advice and information service to clients of the centre in housing law, housing options and aspects of welfare benefits that relate to housing and homelessness. This is an exciting role in our Advice team that will manage a specialist housing caseload and provide emergency housing advice to clients in crisis. You will work closely with other teams in the centre to ensure clients are offered an integrated holistic service. You will also build and maintain good relationships with statutory and other partners and to work together with them to get the best outcomes for our clients and to monitor unmet need locally so that this can be addressed.

This is just one of the new posts we are recruiting as part of a new project to support families experiencing homelessness in and around Westminster.  It follows a report we published last year on the lived experience of families living in temporary accommodation. We are delighted to have secured funding to help us build on this research and pilot different approaches to reach those most in need.  We want to develop support that not only meets emergency needs but can enable longer term outcomes.  Our aim is to build the case for positive change and reduce future rates of homelessness and poverty.  In this role you can play a part in designing, testing and evidencing different approaches with a team of colleagues that cross different advice specialisms and professional family support.

You will join a Centre with a distinct service offer.  In our staff survey last year 94 % of colleagues said they enjoy the work they do, and 95% felt they make a difference.  Our central London location and generous supporter base is helping us build our impact and influence through a strengthened ability to evidence the impact of our work.  We work hard to give our advisors the time and autonomy to achieve the greatest change for our clients. 

Please refer to the job description for further information.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. You must account for any gaps in your employment history. In your cover letter please outline how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The Centre requires staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.

Benefits
‍· 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata for part time staff), rising to 28 days (pro rata for part time staff) after two years’ service
· Pension: the Centre provides a stakeholder pension scheme and will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.
· Life assurance cover(after probation passed)
· Season ticket loan
· Training and development opportunities

Closing date for applications: There is no closing date for this role.  We will be evaluating applications as we receive them, so if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Are you passionate about helping people to turn their lives around? If so, come and join our small, friendly team at Working Chance.

We are an award-winning national charity, the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions.     

We’re led by our vision of a society where every woman with a conviction has the support and opportunities she needs to flourish. Our mission is to support these women to create independent, purposeful lives through helping them to build careers. We believe no woman should be held back by her past.

Our Employment Advisors help our clients to find work that fits their skills and aspirations and that enables them to build the life they want. You will do this either by advising clients on their own job search and applications, or by supporting them to apply for roles with particular employers we have relationships with.

The ideal candidate will be highly empathetic with fantastic people skills and able to quickly build rapport. You’ll need personal credibility and confidence to liaise with employers about vacancies they need to fill. Excellent literacy and proofreading skills are essential so that you can help clients to produce high quality CVs and supporting statements.

Previous experience of supporting people into employment is a must.  Experience of working with people who have faced adversity and complex challenges would be an asset.

You will join a friendly and supportive team who are passionate about what we do. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer benefits including flexibility, generous holiday allowance, time off for your birthday and wellbeing days.  

Closing date:  5pm 27th September 2024

Interview date:  w/c 7th October 2024

As an organisation passionate about supporting women with criminal convictions into employment, we welcome applicants with lived experience of the criminal justice system. We welcome a broad range of candidates, particularly those who identify as Black, people of colour, and a range of ages as they are underrepresented in the organisation and the sector.   

If you believe you would add value to the organisation within this role but don’t meet all the criteria we have laid out in the advert and job description, we would still love to hear from you.  

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; let us know if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you. 

Proud to be Organisation of the Year in the Howard League Community Awards 2022, a finalist in the Centre for Social Justice Awards 2022, and shortlisted for Charity of the Year 2019 and 2021 at the Charity Times Awards.  

We are a dynamic mental health charity on a mission to support Londoners facing mental health challenges to harness good employment as part of their mental health recovery journey.  We have been successfully changing lives for over 30 years by applying innovative evidence-based approaches to employment support.  Our approach is guided by our core values, and we are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation.

The service you will work in enables NHS Talking Therapies (TT) services in Harrow to offer a personalised package of psychological therapy and employment support to all TT clients who want to find, sustain, get back to, or positively leave, work.  As an Employment Advisor at Twining Enterprise, you will play a crucial role in our employment support services. Your contributions will directly influence the lives of our clients, changing their lives by guiding them towards a path of empowerment and independence.

A day in this role might include client meetings in person or online, reviewing client documents and providing feedback, following up on new client referrals, completing client records using Twining's client database, completing performance/progress reports, liaising with employers about potential job vacancies, going to jobs fairs, and liaising with referral partners.

Why Twining Enterprise?

Joining Twining Enterprise means more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We offer a supportive, inclusive and resolution driven work environment where your contributions are recognised and valued. As a member of our team, you will have the chance to grow both personally and professionally while making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

We are looking for candidates who bring a combination of passion, expertise, and dedication to the table. To excel in this role, you should possess:

• A commitment to Twining's mission, vision, values;
• A dedication to promoting mental health and meaningful employment;
• A positivity to champion equality, diversity and inclusion'
• Engage a mixed caseload of around 25-35 clients at any given time (100-125 per year), with common mental health problems, to establish trusting, collaborative relationships to support them to find new employment or support them in, or to leave, existing employment. Support will be provided face-to-face in TT settings, via secure online meeting platforms or over the telephone.
• Along with their NHS clinician, assess clients' support needs with a view to creating, implementing and adjusting a personalised action plan to help improve clients' mental health and achieve their stated employment goals.
• Develop and deliver a range of practical services to support clients to find work, including career guidance, job searching skills, CV preparation, application form completion, interview skills, advice on local labour market opportunities and advice on education and training to further their career.
• Provide guidance to support clients to stay in existing work, including advice on mental health disclosure, negotiating reasonable adjustments to existing workplaces, creating wellness action plans and improving productivity, support to return to work after sickness absence or to leave an existing role with dignity, and signpost clients to organisations that can represent them (EAs should only look to represent clients in exceptional circumstances).
• Facilitate access to other advice in areas such as financial benefits, debt management, food banks and community food outlets and social housing providers, as necessary.

The role holder must also:

• NVQ Level 3 minimum or equivalent in either employment support/advice, mental health or other relevant area, or equivalent experience gained through work experience in the field.
• Understanding and experience of the support needs of people with common mental health conditions in finding, retaining, returning to, or leaving mainstream employment.
• Knowledge and experience of working in a health or social care setting.
• Evidence of basic counselling skills.
• Ability to assess individual client strengths and needs in relation to employment and think creatively to provide bespoke client action planning and solutions.
• Experience of effective diary management, prioritising tasks and working to tight deadlines to manage own caseload and associated administration.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with clients (face to face, by telephone and in writing) and as part of a team.
• Able to present confidently to external stakeholders and partners at various levels.
• Proven ability to work effectively and be accountable in an outcome-driven environment.
• Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation.
• Excellent computer skills including ability to utilise database and Microsoft packages.
• Willingness and ability to undertake the relevant training associated with the role and then integrate that training into practice.
• Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
• Knowledge of and commitment to relevant policies, procedures, and standards e.g. Health & Safety, Confidentiality (Data Protection), Equality & Diversity and Sustainable Development, Equality Act 2010 and employment law.
• Willingness to travel in designated Borough of Harrow.
• This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Twining Enterprise is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

We want a world where no one dies from hunger. Life-threatening hunger is predictable, preventable and treatable. Join Action Against Hunger and together we will stop it in its tracks.

Action Against Hunger is an optimistic, inspiring place to work. We want passionate and dedicated people to help build a better world. We’re a creative team made up of people with a wide range of talents, styles and expertise. But we are united in our relentless dedication to end world hunger.  No challenge is too big. With you we can do it.  Join us.

Action Against Hunger UK invested in an accelerated the roll-out of the best approaches to prevent and treat severe acute malnutrition. This includes ensuring that operational research is supported by robust costing and cost-effectiveness analysis. The Research Adviser will work within theNutrition Unit of the Operations Department at Action Against Hunger UK.

As Research Advisor you will: 

1. Support or lead the implementation of a wide range of research projects (including evidence synthesis, economic evaluation, programme evaluations, clinical trials, coverage surveys, Link NCAs and community studies)
2. Support the development of new research projects which includes building research partnerships 
3. Support evidence dissemination, knowledge management, research uptake activities as well as the development of training materials. 

You will be involved in internal projects and external consultancy projects. In addition to members of the Nutrition team, you will work with external partners which might include other NGOs, academic partners, UN agencies and independent consultants. You will apply analytical skills, strong technical experience and enjoy a flexible and adaptive working environment, while supporting the positioning of Action Against Hunger as a key reference on nutrition assessments and research. Most importantly, you will work with a very caring team which holds kindness and professionalism at its core.For more detailed information on the roles, please download the attached pdf Job descriptions.

Closing date: 30 September 2024 at 23:30    Interview Date: Between 07/10/2024 and 11/10/2024.

Please read the following carefully before making your application:

Then all you need to do is send your CV and write a covering letter explaining why you want the job and how your skills and experience make you the right person for the role. Please specify in the application which role you are applying for.

• For further information on pay and employee benefits please visit our careers page on our website
• As a UK based position, candidates must have the right to work in the UK
• We welcome applications from all sections of the community and we encourage as broad a range of candidates as possible. If you need any additional support to help you through this process, please let us know (contact details in the job pack)
• Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only contact shortlisted candidates, within two weeks of the closing date Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback
• If you experience any technical difficulties in submitting your application, please contact the charityjob helpdesk.

We are a dynamic mental health charity on a mission to support Londoners facing mental health challenges to harness good employment as part of their mental health recovery journey.  We have been successfully changing lives for over 30 years by applying innovative evidence-based approaches to employment support.  Our approach is guided by our core values, and we are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation.

The service you will work in enables NHS Talking Therapies (TT) services in Hounslow to offer a personalised package of psychological therapy and employment support to all TT clients who want to find, sustain, get back to, or positively leave, work.  As an Employment Advisor at Twining Enterprise, you will play a crucial role in our employment support services. Your contributions will directly influence the lives of our clients, changing their lives by guiding them towards a path of empowerment and independence.

A day in this role might include client meetings in person or online, reviewing client documents and providing feedback, following up on new client referrals, completing client records using Twining's client database, completing performance/progress reports, liaising with employers about potential job vacancies, going to jobs fairs, and liaising with referral partners.

Why Twining Enterprise?

Joining Twining Enterprise means more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We offer a supportive, inclusive and resolution driven work environment where your contributions are recognised and valued. As a member of our team, you will have the chance to grow both personally and professionally while making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

We are looking for candidates who bring a combination of passion, expertise, and dedication to the table. To excel in this role, you should possess:

• NVQ Level 3 minimum or equivalent in either employment support/advice, mental health or other relevant area, or equivalent experience gained through work experience in the field.
• Understanding and experience of the support needs of people with common mental health conditions in finding, retaining, returning to, or leaving mainstream employment.
• Knowledge and experience of working in a health or social care setting.
• Evidence of basic counselling skills.
• Ability to assess individual client strengths and needs in relation to employment and think creatively to provide bespoke client action planning and solutions.
• Experience of effective diary management, prioritising tasks and working to tight deadlines to manage own caseload and associated administration.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with clients (face to face, by telephone and in writing) and as part of a team.
• Able to present confidently to external stakeholders and partners at various levels.
• Proven ability to work effectively and be accountable in an outcome-driven environment.
• Ability to collect and report data to support service performance and evaluation.
• Excellent computer skills including ability to utilise database and Microsoft packages.
• Willingness and ability to undertake the relevant training associated with the role and then integrate that training into practice.
• Knowledge of employment and disability related benefits.
• Knowledge of and commitment to relevant policies, procedures, and standards e.g. Health & Safety, Confidentiality (Data Protection), Equality & Diversity and Sustainable Development, Equality Act 2010 and employment law.
• Willingness to travel in designated Borough of Hounslow.
• This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The role holder must also:

• Pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an Enhanced level.
• Possess excellent IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office software, as well as experience updating and maintaining databases.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of activity and outcomes in line with service performance requirements, ensuring the IT database is up to date and paperwork compliant.
• Receive regular supervision and training to meet individual, team and organization's needs.
• Contribute to the development of a service that is locally responsive and supports minority/disadvantaged communities.
• Comply with and actively promote all Twining policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, Safeguarding, Data Protection and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Twining Enterprise is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.