Hiv jobs

We’re looking for a Legal Adviser who sees law as part of a wider movement for justice to join our social justice legal team in London. You’ll work alongside people harmed by drug criminalisation, poverty, and inequality — delivering outreach advice and casework in benefits, housing, and debt, while contributing to policy and advocacy that strengthens communities and challenges harm at its roots. If you believe legal work should build power, shift systems, and stand in solidarity with those most affected — this could be the role for you.

Since Release’s inception in 1967, the organisation has continuously and actively advocated for open access to justice for all individuals with a specific emphasis on substance misuse and dependency. By addressing the legal needs of people who use drugs and those in recovery the consequences can have a profound and positive affect not only for the individual but also for those who live, support and work with them. Reducing health and income inequalities’ significantly improves a person’s life chances and integration back into their community. Whilst legal services are available to the public via other sources, our client group will often be unable to access such services because of fear of stigma or discrimination.

We also operate a national drugs and legal helpline, and produce a number of free informative publications for the public, and specialist guidance material aimed at professionals in the substance misuse and dependency field.

Details:
Salary: £28,000 – £31,000 + 5% pension
Contract: Permanent, 35 hours/week
Holidays: 29 days + public holidays
Location: Hybrid – Spitalfields, London / Remote
Closing Date: 5:00 pm, Thursday 05 February 2026
Interviews: Commencing Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 or Friday 13 February 2026.
Start Date: Ideally March/April 2026

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) working a minimum of 3 days a week from our office in Spitalfields, London with the remaining 2 days working from home, if desired. The working hours are 10am – 6pm Monday to Friday with a one-hour lunch break.

The post holder will join our social justice legal team and will be required to deliver a minimum of 2 services through our in-person and ‘virtual’ legal services to clients attending alcohol/drug treatment centres, homeless day centres, and sexual health clinics. The legal advice, assistance and representation we provide has a particular focus on debt, housing including homelessness, and welfare benefits. The post holder will also be required (after a period of induction and/or training) to provide advice on Release’s national legal helpline pertaining to the criminal law and the criminal justice system related to drugs offences, and broader legal advice through our new Harm Reduction Hub drop-in service. In addition to the delivery of legal services, the postholder will also be required to assist with the policy work undertaken by the organisation.

We have been successful in tendering for legal aid contracts for Community Care and Public Law, and there may be opportunities for the post holder to work within these in the future.

As a member of our dynamic social justice legal team, based in London, your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering a minimum 2 legal outreach services at alcohol/drug treatment centres, homeless day centres and sexual health clinics in the London area, and with training deliver our expanding ‘virtual’ legal outreach services to clients elsewhere in the country.
• Completing casework resulting from our legal outreach services on issues including welfare benefits, housing, and debt;
• Providing advice to the public and professionals about legal issues connected with drug use (training will be provided);
• Updating our specialist publications;
• Contributing to our local and National policy commentary/response on drugs, and all associated legislation;
• Assisting with the development of our website and other IT-related service initiatives and their legal compliance.

Minimum requirements for the post include:

• Completion of LLB, GDL, or SQE1 and minimum six months’ experience in social welfare legal advice and casework in areas such as crime, housing, benefits, or debt.

If you think you can make a difference as a Legal Adviser for Release then please download and read the job description and person specification together with the application guidelines for details.

As an interim Supervising Solicitor in Public Law, you will supervise and carry out CPAG’s public law legal aid cases, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will play an active role in managing CPAG’s legal practice and conduct high-profile public law litigation. 

We are looking for someone who is passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

We welcome applications on a secondment basis.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Supervising Solicitor - Public Law (Interim)

Job Title: Public Affairs & Policy Lead – Devolved Nations

Job Type: 12-month contract

Hours: 21 hours/ week

Department: External Affairs

Salary: Pro rata £22,173 – £23,205 (FTE £36,955 - £38,509)

Reports to: Director of External Affairs

Location: Hybrid – COSRH Office (London Bridge), home working. For anyone wishing to work remotely in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, home working with occasional travel to London will also be considered. Generally, travel to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and where applicable, London, should be assumed to occur at least 12 times a year in total.

The role:

The Policy and Public Affairs Lead for Devolved Nations will drive CoSRH’s engagement and policy work in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This key strategic liaison role will support the Director of External Affairs in enabling delivery of the CoSRH’s Hatfield Vision across all UK nations, and in supporting CoSRH members and interests in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For this new role, we are seeking an experienced and forward-looking individual interested in developing the strategic and influencing work of CoSRH in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in ensuring that CoSRH represents members and their interests across the UK.

Who we are:

The College of Sexual and Reproductive (CoSRH) is the leader in the field of sexual and reproductive healthcare, and we are the voice for professionals working in this area. As a multi-disciplinary professional membership organisation, we set clinical guidance and standards, provide training and lifelong education, and champion safe and effective sexual and reproductive healthcare across the life course for all. 

Key tasks:

 a. Stakeholder engagement:

• Lead CoSRH’s stakeholder engagement programme in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales - influencing policy debate, contributing to building internal capacity on devolved and regional issues, and in building key relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues across CoSRH to develop and deliver a strategic programme of engagement across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, ensuring that the work of member committees in devolved nations feeds into wider CoSRH activity, inclusive of the Hatfield Vision, and that the CoSRH President maintains appropriate oversight at Taskforce level. 
• Manage internal and external relationships with key individuals and organisations including parliamentarians, civil servants and policymakers in the devolved governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales; staff and member representatives of sister organisations like British Association for Sexual Health and HIV  and Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, and nation-specific networks and collaborative groups such as Cross-Party Group for Women’s Health in Scotland, and Women’s Health Wales.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate plans for specific areas of policy and stakeholder engagement work, including influencing decision-makers, building, and strengthening support among key regional and national stakeholders in the devolved nations.
• Working in collaboration with the Director of External Affairs and Chairs of the CoSRH Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Committees, to represent CoSRH at a variety of conferences, meetings, and events across the three devolved nations.

b. Policy, Public Affairs & Partnership Building

• Monitor the external environment for issues that may impact on SRH, and help identify, analyse and grasp opportunities to influence policy and public opinion relevant to CoSRH’s work within the three devolved nations, outlining CoSRH’s position/response to policy and public opinion developments.
• Develop and oversee the effective monitoring of parliamentary activity in the devolved nations in relation to sexual and reproductive healthcare and related interests.
• Produce policy briefings for the organisation’s leadership including President, Officers and CEO as relevant.
• Advise on, assimilate evidence for and produce responses to external consultations issued by Government departments and other relevant agencies across the three devolved nations, consulting with members and drawing on relevant policy documents.
• Engage with CoSRH members, policy makers and the public across the three devolved nations including supporting the CoSRH Media and Communications Manager role where necessary, helping with media and social media output.

c. Committee support

• Work with the CoSRH External Affairs & Membership & Engagement Teams to provide secretariat support as required to CoSRH’s member committees in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• As required, work with the CoSRH External Affairs & Membership & Engagement Teams as well as devolved nation chairs to develop and implement meetings and their agendas, record actions and discuss strategic approaches to the delivery of actions with relevant leaders. 
• As required, work with the CoSRH External Affairs & Membership & Engagement Teams  to ensure that the work of member committees in devolved nations feeds into wider CoSRH activity, inclusive of the Hatfield Vision, and that the CoSRH President maintains appropriate oversight at Hatfield Vision Taskforce level. 

Key skills and attributes

 Essential:

• Proven public policy experience, ideally within the health sector, with a good understanding of devolved policymaking and influencing opportunities.
• Knowledge of the healthcare systems across the three devolved nations.
• Experience in developing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including developing partnerships for collaboration on joint initiatives, projects and/or events, in order to deliver organisational impact.
• Demonstrable experience of drafting clear and engaging briefings and policy submissions, tailored to different audiences.
• Ability to work proactively and independently supporting colleagues in nations as well as part of a broader team function.
• Demonstrable evidence of supporting the delivery of business priorities and delivering stakeholder engagement plans.
• Ability to manage a varied workload with flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to quickly grasp complex issues and provide analysis.
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Excellent prioritisation and time-management skills.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in charity and/or membership organisation.
• Experience of organising parliamentary or stakeholder events.
• Knowledge of sexual & reproductive healthcare policy.

Join our team and contribute to the exciting work of the External Affairs team - influencing policy and practice through evidence-based advocacy as well as raising awareness of SRH among our partners, members and the wider public across the UK.

A flexible approach to working hours is necessary as there are some evening meetings in various locations and, with occasional travel possibility elsewhere in the UK, although many of them take place virtually.

 NB:  In order to fulfil this role you should be resident in the UK with a valid right to work; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa.

We will offer you:

We offer a range of benefits at CoSRH to support staff wellbeing, including:

• 25 days holiday, with an additional 2 days leave after 2 years of service, and a further 3 days after 5 years.
• Birthday leave
• Flexible working culture
• Pension and life assurance scheme: 10% employer contribution / 5% employee contribution after successful completion of probation. This also includes access to life assurance at 4x annual salary and an income protection scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee discounts portal
• Free Lunch Thursday
• Enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption pay
• Free eye tests
• ­Training and development

To Apply

To apply please follow this link – Public Affairs & Policy Lead – Devolved Nations job - Hybrid - College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare

Deadline for applications is 15 February 2026 at 12pm

Interviews are likely to take place w/c 2 March 2026

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

We value diversity, promote equality and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We are working hard to minimise unconscious bias and your application will be anonymised to support this.

NB:  In order to fulfil this role you should be resident in the UK with a valid right to work; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa.

We are seeking a senior, practice-led Senior Neighbourhood Insight & Resident Support Lead to play a pivotal role at the interface between residents, communities and the local health and care system.

This role is rooted in participatory approaches, community engagement and direct resident support. You will work hands-on with residents — listening, supporting, signposting and helping people navigate services — while ensuring that what people experience on the ground is captured, understood and translated into meaningful insight.

Join BBS UK and help deliver compassionate support within NHS highly specialised clinics, supporting children and families living with Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

At Bardet-Biedl Syndrome UK (BBS UK), we are dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by this rare genetic condition. Our charity provides specialist support services that help children, young people and families feel informed, supported and able to navigate complex health and care systems, working in partnership with NHS Highly Specialised BBS Clinics.

We are seeking a compassionate and organised individual to join our Clinics Support Team as a Patient Liaison Officer (PLO). This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver charity-led support within specialist paediatric clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, working alongside NHS multi-disciplinary teams while remaining part of a close-knit and supportive charity team.

About the Role

As a Patient Liaison Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring families feel prepared, supported and heard before, during and after their clinic appointments. You will provide emotional and practical support, advocacy and system navigation, helping families to understand their care and access appropriate support, while referring more complex casework to BBS UK’s specialist Advice Service.

You will:

• Support families before, during and after NHS Highly Specialised BBS clinic appointments

• Facilitate clinic attendance by preparing families for appointments, addressing concerns and helping to reduce “Did Not Attend” rates

• Attend specialist BBS clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and St Thomas' Hospital, providing on-the-day support to families and clinicians (Approximately 2-4 days per month)

• Act as a key point of contact between families and clinical teams, supporting communication and information-sharing

• Provide light-touch advocacy, information and signposting in relation to health, education, social care and local authority support

• Identify unmet needs or emerging issues during clinic interactions and refer families to the BBS UK Advice Service for specialist advocacy and follow-up

• Support families during key transition points, particularly the move from paediatric to adult services

• Maintain accurate and confidential records using BBS UK’s CRM system (CharityLog)

• Contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the wider work of BBS UK

This is a home-based role with attendance at clinics in central London and occasional travel to other clinic sites and BBS UK events. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with BBS UK policies.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for an experienced individual with a background in supporting children and families, who can work confidently in a clinic-based, people-facing role.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience working with children, young people and families, ideally within health, social care, education or the voluntary sector

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with families experiencing distress or uncertainty

• Experience providing emotional and practical support to individuals with complex or long-term conditions

• Ability to organise and manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and work independently

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management/CRM systems (e.g. CharityLog)

• Understanding of safeguarding principles and professional boundaries

• A strong commitment to improving outcomes for people living with rare or complex conditions

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Knowledge of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome or other rare or genetic conditions

• Experience working alongside or within NHS services or multi-disciplinary teams

• Understanding of education, health and social care systems in England

• Experience supporting families affected by disability or visual impairment

• Ability to travel for work, including clinic attendance (travel expenses reimbursed)

Why Join BBS UK?

BBS UK is a small, dedicated charity making a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families affected by Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. Our Clinics Support Team is widely recognised by families and clinicians as an essential part of the specialist BBS service.

By joining us, you will:

• Have a direct and positive impact on families at critical points in their care journey

• Be part of a supportive, values-driven charity team

• Work flexibly from home while delivering face-to-face support in specialist clinics

• Receive training, supervision and ongoing professional development

• Contribute to a nationally recognised rare disease support service

Additional Information

• DBS Check: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role

• Safeguarding: Completion of safeguarding training within the first month of employment

• Flexible Working: Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, with time off in lieu provided

• Hours: This is a permanent, part-time role (20 hours per week)

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about supporting children and families living with a rare condition and would like to be part of a dedicated charity team, we’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to discuss the role before applying, details can be found in the application pack.

Application Deadline: 8th February 2026

Introduction and Purpose of the post: 

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven Clinical Services Manager to provide clinical leadership, operational oversight, and strategic development for our Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression service. 

You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, high-quality, and culturally responsive psychological therapies, while supporting and developing a multidisciplinary clinical team. 

This role combines clinical leadership, service management, workforce development, and quality assurance, with a strong emphasis on inclusive practice and community accountability. 

Main duties and responsibilities: 

Clinical & Professional Leadership 

• Provide senior clinical leadership across the service, ensuring safe and ethical practice in line with professional, legal, and organisational standards. 

• Maintain oversight of clinical risk, safeguarding, and governance arrangements. 

• Promote culturally responsive, anti-oppressive, and LGBTQ+ affirmative clinical practice. 

Service Management & Development 

• Lead day-to-day operational management of the Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression service 

• Oversee access, waiting times, outcomes, and service performance 

• Use data, feedback, and community insight to drive service improvement 

• Contribute to service development, innovation, and funding or commissioning requirements 

Workforce Leadership & Supervision 

• Line manage clinical staff, including therapists, supervisors, and trainees 

• Ensure high-quality clinical supervision, reflective practice, and CPD opportunities. 

• Foster a supportive, psychologically safe, and inclusive team culture 

• Provide training, supervision, guidance, and consultation to other professionals who directly contribute to the formulation and treatment of individual patients, including those in other teams within the organisation.  

Equity, Inclusion & Community Engagement 

• Embed anti-racist, culturally informed, and LGBTQ+ inclusive frameworks across the service. 

• Work collaboratively with community organisations and stakeholders 

• Champion the voices and experiences of ACH, Global Majority, and LGBTQ+ service users 

Personal specification  

The remaining sections outlines what criteria will be used to appoint the suitable candidate.

Criteria are marked as (E) are essential and (D) desirable. (I) would indicate which criteria shall be evaluated at the interview. 

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities - Values and Motivations: 

Connected: Creating a compassionate and supportive community. 

• Ability to build trusting relationships with staff, service users, and external partners (E, I) 

• Experience of collaborative, multidisciplinary team working (E, I) 

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to engage sensitively across cultural, racial, and LGBTQ+ identities (E, I) 

• Commitment to reflective practice, supervision, and staff development (E, I) 

• Experience of engaging with service user feedback to inform service delivery (E, I) 

• Experience working in partnership with community organisations, voluntary sector, or grassroots groups (D) 

• Lived or professional experience working closely with ACH, Global Majority, and/or LGBTQ+ communities (D) 

• Experience co-producing services or pathways with service users and communities (D) 

Fair:  We strive for equity - no-one's needs should go unmet. 

• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in mental health services (E, I) 

• Understanding of structural inequalities and their impact on mental health and access to care (E, I) 

• Experience delivering or overseeing culturally responsive and LGBTQ+ affirmative psychological therapies (E, I) 

• Knowledge of safeguarding, ethical practice, and clinical governance frameworks (E, I) 

• Commitment to fair, transparent, and supportive people management practices (E, I) 

Introduction

East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) working with Mind CHWF and other voluntary sector partners is delighted to offer a secondment as a community connector to support the mental well-being of people with complex mental health and social needs in the Neighbourhoods in City & Hackney.

This is a new role and we are looking to work with individuals from the voluntary sector to help us co-design and test out the role.  You will help to shape the role, working closely with people in Neighbourhoods to reflect their strengths, interests and ideas for what matters to them about good mental well-being.

You will be a welcome member of the multi-disciplinary (MDT) mental health team, with day-to-day managerial and professional supervision provided within the team. You will also be able to access training and other staff support within ELFT during this time.

Background

In the autumn of 2019 ELFT was successful in securing funding from NHS England (NHSE) for community mental health transformation. It is one of 12 national pilot sites. City and Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets are all part of the ELFT pilot. The aim of the transformation is to develop a model of support for people with serious mental illness (SMI) that recognises complexity and social determinants over and above diagnosis, and supports them through a blended team of voluntary sector, mental health and primary care staff to connect better into a range of activities in their neighbourhoods. The new teams are organised around City & Hackney Primary care networks (PCNs) / Neighbourhoods, and will provide wraparound support for people with varying levels of need. These teams will develop a rich understanding of population mental health need, and work with individuals, families, and communities to develop capacity for self-management, and provide local treatment and support for individuals when they need it.

The teams include the new community connector role. This will be someone from the voluntary sector, well connected in the neighbourhoods and bringing expertise in wider social support and well-being. We are working with voluntary sector partners to design and test this role.

Responding to Covid 19

Since the Covid 19 emergency began in mid-March much of the transformation programme has had to be adapted. ELFT is keen that where the transformation can support the Covid 19 response it should continue. In particular the role of the community connector could be valuable during the Covid 19 emergency and recovery.

The role obviously needs to be different and we will work closely with the connectors and the voluntary sector to design and test out the role. The description here is intended as a starter for ten to give some idea about the shape the role might take.

During the Covid pandemic, the community connectors will be part of the ELFT community MDT team, making links to specific Neighbourhoods. Also the face to face work in terms of assessments, interventions, group work, partnership working may need to be carried out differently. The role will now include:

· providing support to service users by phone/virtually

· connecting service users to the fast developing range of Covid 19 resources in each neighbourhood and keeping the mental health and primary care teams up to date about these resources and how to refer people to the/access them. Including supporting the new Neighbourhood MDTs as these develop.

· developing a good knowledge of all the online resources in each neighbourhood and connecting service users and staff to these

· we will keep the option for face to face work and group work under review, depending on the government guidance on social distancing. As lockdowns are lifted there may be some possibility to offer this type of support

The following five design principles have guided our model development to date:

1. Service users and citizens will be active, equal partners: leading the design, implementation, governance, and delivery of our new mode

2. We will integrate mental and physical health, wellbeing and social care: our services will feel fully integrated to service users and carers

3. The right support in the right place and the right time: services will be delivered in the PCN footprint, and service users will not be “bounced around” services

4. A focus on what matters to service users: care planning will look beyond health goals to life goals and wider determinants of health; and we will work to connect people to each other and their communities

5. Evidence-based interventions: Service users will be confident that our services provide the latest evidence-based care, treatment and support.

The role

The Community Connectors will support individuals to connect within neighbourhoods, and use local assets to self-organise.

Who you will support

The post-holder will work closely with individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or personality disorders (PD), developing an understanding of complexity in order to provide the most appropriate support. Some of the service users you will work with will have been supported by community mental health recovery teams, seen in outpatients and are not care co-ordinated, so could be better supported by their local neighbourhood team. Other service users will be on primary care SMI registers and likely to benefit from additional support, but do not meet the thresholds for traditional secondary care. Other people might not be known to our services currently, and could benefit from the more personalised, local, holistic offer you will be developing.

Your approach

The ethos of this work will be recovery focused, move away from a traditional referral model, blur the boundaries between primary and secondary care, explore needs through complexity (rather than diagnosis), focus on a person’s strengths and assets, and focus on the wider determinants of health and wellbeing. This approach is as important as your experience and expertise. You will develop a strengths based biopsychosocial assessment, and supportive approach, and work with colleagues and local people to develop the MDT approach in its infancy. 

Although not exhaustive, below is a list of the skills and responsibilities that may be required:

Individual Support

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills. It is important that you listen to service users and carers to find out what is important to them, and that you build open, supportive and trusting relationships (working with the challenges of not meeting face-to-face, at least initially, due to the current Covid-19 public health crisis. We will keep the option for face to face work and group work under review, depending on the government guidance on social distancing. As lockdowns are lifted there may be some possibility to offer this type of support.)

· A strong sense of what factors influence health and wellbeing.

· The ability to assist service users in setting goals and making changes that are meaningful to them.

· You will conduct regular innovative and engaging sessions (currently with individuals, over the phone) in order to work towards support plan goals.

· You will ensure ongoing assessment and management of risks within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'.

· You will give people time to tell their stories and focus on ‘what matters to me’, build trust, providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices.

· You will use health coaching and motivational interviewing techniques, identify barriers to people accessing services, and work with service users to overcome these. You will support people to identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, employment circumstances and unemployment, loneliness, isolation and caring responsibilities.

· Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful employment, where appropriate.

Community Development

· You will act as the ‘glue’, linking people in with experts and local assets, and undertaking support work in partnership with external stakeholders to complement their interventions.

· You will stay up to date with the constantly developing environment, local offer, and national policies, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Significant experience in local statutory and/or voluntary sector services.

· You will have a deep knowledge of City & Hackney (or a specific local area or demographic), what is available locally and how to signpost and support people (network creation, mapping).

· You will develop productive relationships with local partner organisations to improve service outcomes, and involve service users and carers in the design, development and delivery of the service.

· You will need to triage referrals and signpost to specialist support quickly where necessary, and deal with general queries to contribute to the overall smooth running of the neighbourhood team.

· Where appropriate, introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable.  Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.

· Where appropriate you will connect people to each other through shared common interests and the need for mutual support.

· You will have the ability and drive to build networks with local community resources such as activities and services that may have an impact on health and wellbeing, and support individuals to access these. To be proactive in encouraging self-referrals, and connecting with all local communities.

· You will work in partnership with existing community navigation roles in City & Hackney.

Project Management

· You will monitor and record outcomes of all those accessing the service through the use of recognised assessment tools and outcome measures. With the wider team, you will gather and collate statistical and other information and data as required, reporting on activity and outcomes and ensuring effective qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation of the services.

· You will help to develop and adapt this role as the societal circumstances we are operating under change (as the Covid-19 public health situation develops and/or social distancing is relaxed).

General

· You will reflect on practice and participate in team meetings, practice development forums and peer supervision. You will identify own training and development needs in conjunction with your Line Manager and participate in training opportunities.

· You will develop an awareness of local and national developments and best practice in this area of work and to attend relevant conferences, meetings and training events as required.

· You will adhere to organisational policies and procedures relating to risk and personal safety. You will refer all safeguarding issues in line with local policy.

· You will manage volunteers and other team members as required.

· You will identify issues relating to systemic challenges and disconnects, and report these to the Programme Manager, developing an eye for service improvement opportunities.

Person Specification

As a community connector, you will become a local expert, gathering and sharing information about local opportunities, activities, and support, bringing people together and supporting them to remain confident and independent in their everyday lives.

We are looking for community connectors with experience supporting with people with their mental health, with significant experience in statutory and/or voluntary sector services, knowledge of City & Hackney (or a specific local area or demographic), and strong interpersonal skills.

Skills and experience:

Person Centred

- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others.

- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour. Is approachable and open-minded.

- Prefers working as part of a group or team.

- Has a practical and logical mind.

- Well organised and knows how to prioritise tasks. Able to plan own workload.

- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments.

- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication.

- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgmental.

- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential.

- Experience of supporting people, families and care in a related role (including unpaid work).

- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.

Community Development

- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.

- Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.

- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.

- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.

- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.

- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude.

- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour.

- Demonstrates a desire for continuous professional development.

- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work).

- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.

Knowledge:

- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities and how adverse circumstances and structural barriers can affect people's relationships

- An understanding of the experiences of people who live with significant mental distress.

- Knowledge of community development approaches.

- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports.

- Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.

- Knowledge of voluntary and community services in the local neighbourhood.

Essential:

- Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent by experience).

- NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent.

- Significant experience in statutory or voluntary sector services.

- IT literate.

Desirable:

- Mental Health First Aid or willingness to work towards the qualification.

- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.

- University degree and/or professional qualification.

- Experience of delivering peer support groups.