Independent advocate jobs in croydon, greater london

The QICN is the oldest professional nursing charity in the world and is a leading voice for nurses working in the community. Our values of excellence, inclusivity, partnership, independence, advocacy, legacy and integrity underpin the charity’s strategic plan 2021-2025, which is included in the Job Pack.

Job location: Central London – we are currently operating hybrid working and we ask employees to attend our London office with their core team for one day every two weeks, as well as other occasional key events such as away days, inductions and training that are more effective in person.

NB: The post holder will also be expected to support learning and networking events around the country which will involve regular travel and overnight stays (approx. 10 days per year).

• Do you want to take the next step in your career at The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, a highly successful national community nursing charity?
• Are you hardworking, flexible, highly organised and efficient?
• Are you reliable, with excellent attention to detail?
• Do you have office administration experience?

The Senior Events and Programme Coordinator (Leadership) has key responsibility for supporting our Leadership Programmes working alongside the Events and Membership Manager and the Director of Nursing Programmes (Leadership and Standards) to ensure work is covered by the wider team and to act as a central point of contact for partners and clients.

The Programme, Network and Event Coordination Team is a key core team led by our Events and Membership Manager, responsible for ensuring that professional programmes, network and event support is provided to the QICN’s core programmes of work and the nurses in the team that lead them.

The role will also include several additional co-ordinator duties as part of the wider team, which is expected to work flexibly to cover the requirements of the organisation.

The post holder will require the ability to work in a fast-paced response environment with a high level of efficiency and the ability to take initiative. Essential is the ability to manage, balance and prioritise several one-off tasks, while ensuring critical routine tasks still take place. While not a key prerequisite for the role, project management would be a skill that would be expected to be developed.

Responsibilities

· Acting as the main point of contact and knowledge base for the Leadership Programme speakers, clients, partners and participants on the programme.

· Acting as a key point of contact for business development and exploring alongside the Director of Nursing Programmes (Leadership and Standards) the pipeline for new partners and funding opportunities

· Ensuring with the Events and Membership Manager coverage of the team for the setting up workshops and programmes and ensuring the underpinning administration and coordination is in place.

· Working with the Director of Nursing Programmes (Leadership and Standards) to track key deliverables within a programme and ensuring the maintenance of records.

· Ensuring the issuing of invoices and onboarding of participants where appropriate

· Ensuring appropriate updating of the CRM and events management software and liaising with the communications team.

· To support the development of a Leadership Programme alumni network and build that into a self-organising community with the wider QICN team.

· Overseeing the coordination and administration of several QICN professional networks.

· Supporting the Network Lead with outreach to potential network members.

· Preparation of online network meetings (creating Zoom events, setting online registration pages, sending out joining instructions, overseeing attendance list, preparation of materials, liaising with attendees and speakers, assistance on the day).

Person Specification

· Minimum of four years’ experience of working in a coordination, support or administrative environment

· Experience of working in a delivery environment supporting course delivery and learning objective

· High level of digital literacy (MS Office, MailChimp, Eventbrite, Zoom)

· Experience of using CRM packages to manage, distribute, and update work

· Experience of organising events/workshops

· Experience of financial administration

· Good problem-solving and communication skills

· Highly organised and methodical approach to managing workload, including competing deadlines

· Able to work on own initiative and deliver timely, high-quality results

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please refer to the Job Pack.

We are dedicated to the continual professional development of our employees and offer access to training opportunities.

We offer 25 days’ holiday per year plus up to 10% employer contribution to pension scheme and interest-free season ticket loans.

Make a real difference in Newham: Supported Housing Services Manager

Are you passionate about empowering communities and tackling homelessness head-on? The Renewal Programme is seeking a skilled and passionate Supported Housing Service Manager to lead our dedicated team and deliver life-changing impact.

About Us

For over 50 years, the Renewal Programme has stood alongside Newham’s most marginalised residents. We're a respected local charity supporting people through advocacy, education, housing, and wellbeing. Our mission is rooted in dignity, inclusion, collaboration, and empowerment—inspiring hope and enabling lives to flourish.

Your Role

As Supported Housing Service Manager, you'll lead a trauma-informed, strengths-based housing service for single homeless adults. You'll drive performance, support your team, and ensure residents are equipped with the tools to live independently—managing finances, maintaining tenancies, and building brighter futures.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver impactful support: Oversee personalised casework, support planning, and use of tools like Outcome Star.

• Lead performance & improvement: Monitor KPIs (move-on rates, tenancy sustainment), refine supervision and quality assurance, and implement our move-on strategy.

• Inspire your team: Foster a positive, proactive, and solution-focused culture.

• Maximise sustainability: Ensure rental income and effective arrears management.

• Strengthen partnerships: Collaborate with commissioners, housing partners, and support services.

• Ensure compliance: Uphold safeguarding, health & safety, and risk management standards.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven leadership in supported housing or homelessness service settings

• The ability to effectively lead and inspire a team

• Experience with contract delivery, KPIs, and outcomes-based commissioning

• Strong financial and budgetary skills

• Knowledge of safeguarding and trauma-informed practice

• A collaborative, values-driven approach and commitment to continuous improvement

Why Join Us?

• Permanent, full-time role (36 hours/week)

• Salary of £45,000 – £48,000, depending on skills and experience

• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays

• Cycle & tech salary sacrifice schemes, employer pension, EAP, staff development

• Based across our two supported housing sites in the London Borough of Newham

Please review the full job description and person specification. An enhanced DBS check will be required.

Newham Community Renewal Programme proudly welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and identities.

We can't wait to hear from you!

The Service

Newham Together Café is a high paced, out-of-hours mental health service provided by MindTHNR, in collaboration with NHS East London Foundation Trust (NEFLT). It provides a safe space for people who may be experiencing or moving towards a mental health crisis. The service will offer a range of psychotherapeutic interventions including 1-1 support and safety plans, wellness & recovery action plans and therapeutic groups. 

Newham Together Cafe has an asset-based approach, focusing on the strengths and coping skills of people using the service, helping them to understand how they could use these strengths to decrease their own distress and promote their wellbeing.

The service at the Café will be co-produced with those who use it as well as with local voluntary, statutory and community-based organisations. The Café strives to be a warm, welcoming and non-stigmatising environment, offering a range of therapeutic activities and a quiet, low sensory space to cater for individual needs and aspirations.

Purpose of the role

The main purpose of this role is to draw upon personal experiences of mental health issues and use these experiences in a positive and enlightening way to support others who are at a crisis point in their recovery journey. You will provide quality support and interventions to those at crisis point or likely to experience a mental health crisis, as an alternative to using statutory crisis services.

This service is open every day, so we have variable schedules Monday to Sunday including weekends and Bank Holidays [2:00PM-9:30PM]. You must be able to work these shift patterns to be considered for this role.

Job Purpose

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for strategic and operational oversight of the effective delivery of the Creating Community Connections Pilot, ensuring the successful delivery of the pilot project, balancing the demands of supporting the various partnerships between funders, providers, and stakeholders to collectively deliver the required impact and ensure contract compliance.

Creating Community Connections is a three-year Domestic Abuse (DA) pilot Project, funded by HMPPS. The project is led by a partnership of women’s centre providers - Women in Prison, Anawim, Together Women, and Nelson Trust and aims to connect women in prisons with vital specialist community support services across the country, especially women's centres and organisations providing support around DA. By connecting prisons and women in custody to a network of local women’s services, we hope to aid resettlement and support engagement with holistic support to meet women’s needs, address root causes of offending, improve outcomes on release and intercept cycles of trauma, disadvantage, and abuse, with a particular focus on DA services. The project will ultimately support women who have experienced domestic abuse and work with them so that their experiences do not negatively influence their opportunity of successful resettlement back into the community.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. To lead and take accountability for the delivery of the Creating Community Connections (CCC) project.
2. To actively engage with funders, stakeholders, delivery partners and the internal team(s), to build a solid understanding of the CCC Project.
3. Provide effective leadership to direct reports, fostering a positive, supportive and collaborative team culture.
4. To have oversight on a cross-organisational basis of leading practice in project management methodologies, tools and techniques advising teams and colleagues on suitable approaches to ensure the effective delivery of a range of diverse projects and programmes.

We're Morden College: An almshouse charity with a proud 330 year history and a big vision for the future. We're entering in to a exciting new phase, with a fresh strategy focused on excellent housing, high quality services, and thriving communities. 

What you’ll do 

As our Director of Resident Services, you’ll be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, leading on everything from resident experience and care quality to community life and strategic direction. You’ll: 

• Oversee services that help residents feel safe, supported, and truly at home. 

• Lead teams, manage budgets, and make sure everything runs smoothly. 

• Champion inclusion, wellbeing, and independence for older people. 

• Collaborate across teams and with external partners to keep improving what we do. 

What you’ll bring 

• A strong background in leadership in a charity or customer services setting, perhaps in health, social care, or housing. 

• A strategic mindset and a warm, people-first approach to leadership. 

• Excellent communication, financial oversight, and problem-solving skills. 

• A deep commitment to dignity, equity, and resident voice in everything we do. 

Why join us? 

• A real chance to be part of shaping a vibrant, values-led organisation. 

• An ambitious, kind, and forward-thinking team. 

• Great benefit and wellbeing initiatives flexible working, and the opportunity to genuinely improve lives. 

SOS Children’s Villages UK is part of a global federation, which exists to ensure that each child and young person grows up with the healthy relationships they need to become their strongest selves. We are the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people who don’t have, or who are at risk of losing, parental care.

We are now looking for an experienced Senior Programme Funding Manager to secure crucial support from grant-making organisations and institutional funders.

• Drive strategic growth by mapping global programmes to UK funding opportunities, developing innovative strategies, and pioneering our humanitarian funding approach.

• Craft compelling partnerships by transforming programme insights into standout proposals and building strong relationships with like-minded funders.

• Collaborate globally with international teams to ensure funding applications reflect real community needs and align with expert input across safeguarding, finance, and programme delivery.

• Innovate by forming strategic partnerships with NGOs, research institutions, and development actors to co-create impactful new approaches.

• Lead grant processes from end to end, ensuring excellence in donor communications, reporting, and internal collaboration across departments.

• Maintain rigorous standards by managing due diligence, tracking progress in Salesforce, forecasting KPIs, and ensuring compliance with policies and best practice.

If you are an exceptional relationship builder, experienced in international development, looking for a pivotal role within a friendly, flexible, and supportive team, then this could be for you!

To Apply

Please read the full Candidate Pack attached which contains the entire job description and person specification, and submit a copy of your CV and a covering letter.

The deadline for applications is Friday 27 June 2025, 17.00 UK time. 

Please note: 

The post-holder must be UK-based and able to work on a permanent full-time contract. We are unable to provide employment sponsorship if required and unfortunately cannot progress applications without the required right to live and work in the UK on a permanent contract.

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

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

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post-holder will:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other duties:

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

• To attend staff meetings as required.

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

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

Person Specification

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

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

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

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

· Experience of managing a case load

· Knowledge or ability to understand and use relevant legislation

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

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

· Experience of working with interpreters in the delivery of advice

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

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

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

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

· Able to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.

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

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

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

Desirable:

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

· Friendly, polite, and patient

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

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

· Experience of working with volunteers

· Experience of supervising other advisers, including volunteers  

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

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

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

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

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

How to apply 

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

The website form will ask you to:

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

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

2. Upload your current CV

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

Selection Process

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

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

Eligibility

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

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

Adjustments

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

Join our friendly and mission-driven team at NFER, where you’ll help bridge the gap between research and classrooms. This is your chance to bring vital insights directly to schools – raising awareness of the NFER Classroom brand and increasing the reach and impact of our research findings within the education community.

Pay: £36,000 - £40,000 (FTE)
Contract: 18-month fixed-term contract
Hours: Part-time (21 hours)
Location: Remote within the UK, with occasional visits to our Slough office (approx. 6 times per year)
Annual Leave: 30 days plus 4 paid closure days FTE
Pension Contributions: 10% employer contributions
Family Support: Enhanced maternity/parental leave and paid compassionate leave

What you’ll be doing
In this role, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to connect schools with powerful, practical research. You’ll take a leading role in shaping how NFER communicates with educators, using your creativity and insight to bring our work to life across digital channels.

One day you might be crafting social media content that sparks conversation among teachers, the next, you’ll be writing an email newsletter that lands just right with a headteacher seeking evidence-based ideas. You’ll help turn research into engaging, accessible summaries, so schools can quickly grasp key insights and put them into action.

You’ll also update and improve our For Schools website pages, ensuring every word is useful and user-friendly. Behind the scenes, you’ll track performance using analytics, learning what works and what could work even better. And throughout it all, you’ll collaborate with researchers, designers, and communications experts to deliver thoughtful, impactful campaigns that schools actually want to read.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential skills and experience:

• Experience in marketing communications or a related role
• Excellent writing skills and creative flair
• Confidence using digital tools such as social media platforms, Canva, Google Analytics and CRM systems
• Strong time management and the ability to work independently
• A collaborative approach and a clear focus on impact
• Experience working in or with schools is a bonus, but not essential.

If you meet only 70% of our essential skills, still apply; you may have skills we didn’t know we needed.

Other roles you may have experience of include: Marketing Executive, Marketing Officer, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Specialist, Brand Executive, Communications Executive, Digital Marketing Executive, Social Media Executive, Content Marketing Executive, Email Marketing Executive, SEO Executive

WHY NFER?
At NFER, we are recognised globally for providing trusted research, resources and insights that drive meaningful change. By joining us, you’ll contribute to a mission that prioritises impact over profit, working in an environment where collaboration, flexibility, and inclusion are valued.
What we offer:

• A supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance from day 1.
• The chance to make a real difference in the education sector.

APPLICATION PROCESS
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply early. Shortlisting will commence from 23rd June 2025.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any stage, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support
you and ensure a positive experience. For further details, please review the Job Information Pack.

If you’re ready to bring your skills and passion to a role that makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and start your journey with NFER.

Robertson Bell is exclusively partnering with the British Medical Association (BMA) in their search for a Group VAT Accountant to join their team on a permanent basis. The BMA is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK.  They represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students.

Reporting into the Group Financial Controller, the Group VAT Accountant will be responsible for ensuring that the BMA Group (BMA and BMJPG) properly accounts for VAT and meets their statutory return, including overseas equivalents. You will proactively ensure that the finance systems and internal processes across the group are compliant and will manage relationships with external advisors and HMRC, as the organisation’s VAT Subject Matter Expert.

The organisation:

Founded in 1832 as a member-run and led organisation, the BMA champions the rights and interests of the medical profession, negotiates doctors' contracts, and advocates for public health improvements. As of August 2024, the BMA boasted a record-breaking membership of over 195,000.

Beyond national representation, the BMA is expanding its international reach by supporting global health initiatives, such as the Health Information for All (HIFA) campaign, which aims to provide accessible healthcare information worldwide. Through these efforts, the BMA continues to influence healthcare policy both within the UK and globally, and this Group VAT Accountant will be critical to supporting the continued development of their international reach.

The key duties of the role are as follows:

• Responsible for submission of accurate and timely statutory VAT returns (and international equivalents) for the Group.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations on a regular basis that supports the VAT return submission.
• Undertake annual reviews of the VAT position, including any exemptions applied during the year.
• Proactively ensure that the finance systems and internal processes across the Group are compliant with the required tax legislation and remain alert to any future changes.
• Proactively manage the relationship with external advisors and HMRC.
• Liaise with Group Auditors, providing support and information for financial audits, preparation of financial statements and other requests.
• Compile and communicate appropriate tax guidance and training wherever needed within the group, liaising with external advisors as necessary.
• Provide non-finance managers with insight, creativity and support whilst new business proposals are developed for proposed new income streams

To be successful as a Group VAT Accountant you'll ideally have:

• Accounting Qualification (CCAB) (essential)
• Significant experience in VAT within a commercial organisation (essential)
• Previous experience of working in a VAT compliance role (essential)
• Knowledge of applying VAT law and how it affects corporations.
• Knowledge and understanding of UK, EU and global VAT compliance issues
• Good relationship building and management skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail, accuracy and data analysis skills

The deadline for applications is on Sunday 22^nd June, with first stage interviews due to take place the week commencing 7^th July. Applications will be under continuous review before this closing date so please do not delay in applying.

Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession!

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Ealing.

£28,500.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS (take this out if BSW advert)
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post. Specialist Support Workers provide information, social inclusion and vocational opportunities to support people to recover and stay well; exercise choice and control in their care and lives; and participate on an equal footing in the community. Support is also provided to develop a model of self-advocacy, self-management and empowerment, incorporating the principles and practice of recovery, co-production and peer support.

Oaklands & St Kilda is a pair of 6 unit supported accommodation mental health rehab services working with young people between the ages of 18-25 who may have experienced a mental health related hospital admission to gain and develop skills for future independent living. The service will support individuals transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult services.

This role is set for 9-month, ending on 12 January 2026, with the possibility of extension.

The Specialist Support Worker role involves early shifts (8:00-16:00) and late shifts (14:00-22:00) throughout the week, including some weekends each month.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience supporting young people or people experiencing mental health challenges.

Specialist knowledge relevant to supporting young people with a Mental Health diagnosis.

Desirable:

Experience of working in a complex mental health environment

Demonstrable experience of trauma-informed practice

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.

You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact. 

The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.

As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and strategy

·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy

·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework

·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;

·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;

·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;

·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;

·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.

Governance  

·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid

·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid

·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;

·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;

·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.

Management and Supervision 

·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;

·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;

·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;

·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.

Policy & Strategic Legal Work

·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;

·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;

·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.

Finance & Fundraising

·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;

·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;

·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.

Other duties

·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;

·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;

·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);

•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;

•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds

•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;

•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;

•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;

·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;

•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;

•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;

•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;

•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration,  asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;

•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;

•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and

•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.

Desirable Experience

·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems

·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;

·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2.Upload your current CV

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

For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Wednesday 3rd July 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

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

We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.

Eligibility

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

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

Adjustments

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

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.

We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.

We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.

We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.

The Development Manager will play a pivotal role in deepening the connections between the school and our alumni and parent community to inspire financial support. We are entering the early stages of a new major philanthropic campaign, which will significantly scale the ambition for the school’s fundraising and engagement activity. As a team, we have a major role to play in shaping the future of the school’s bursary ambitions. Our success will widen access and support the futures and aspirations of disadvantaged young people within our local community, and beyond.

This is a fundraising position which involves leading on our operational effectiveness and developing effective communication techniques to help deliver the school’s philanthropic objectives. You will be required to assist the Director of Development in managing an effective portfolio of fundraising streams, securing regular giving donations, whilst also stewarding our donors effectively, creating innovative and compelling ways to demonstrate the impact of their philanthropic support.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will need to:

• Be able to demonstrate a track record of securing, administering, and stewarding gifts at any level, or experience in leading income generation activity through regular giving programmes within the charitable sector.
• Maintain positive working relationships with all constituents in the King’s community, including alumni, parents, and pupils to encourage lifelong engagement through participation, advocacy, and support.
• Be a great problem solver with the ability to work laterally to identify opportunities and provide solutions to fundraising challenges.
• Assist the Director of Development in prioritising prospects, through a thorough research strategy, leading the regular giving activity and helping to implement the development fundraising strategy to support the school’s vision and bursary ambitions.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and understand how to bring others with them to collectively make a contribution to our wider social aims.
• Work systematically and maintain the strong support ecosystem that is in place, including the identification, research, and management of supporters, donor stewardship and acknowledgement, gift administration and due diligence procedures.
• Demonstrate a high level of written and oral communication, with a keen eye for attention to detail.
• Show a passion for fundraising and the need to make giving more effective for all level of donors by demonstrating increased impact across all fundraising initiatives.
• Be able to work independently and effectively, is comfortable with ambiguity and has a proven ability to manage competing priorities both operational and strategic in nature.
• Be experienced in using donor and potential donor relationship management systems, for example Raiser’s Edge or Toucan Tech.
• Be a flexible and supportive team player, who is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever is required.

King’s is an extremely sought-after school with outstanding academic results and a vibrant co-curriculum. It strives to appoint able, committed, and compassionate colleagues to help ensure every child at the school achieves their best.  Overlooking Wimbledon Common, the school is situated in one of the most attractive parts of south-east England and benefits from exceptional grounds and facilities. We offer excellent benefits including healthcare provision, contributory pension scheme, gym membership and lunch during term time.

To apply for this role, please visit our website.

Closing date: 9am on Thursday 12th June 2025

Interview date: Wednesday 18th June 2025

Second round (if required): Monday 23rd June 2025

Interviews may be staged and we may choose to appoint at any time during the application process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. King’s College School is fully committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment of teaching and support staff.

About the role:

In this role, you’ll be at the heart of a team transforming the lives of people who need support the most. Working alongside the Regional Services Manager, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of clients at our Ashley Road, Milton House, and Highbury New Park projects. You will provide vital support to those facing complex challenges, including mental health difficulties, substance use, trauma, and physical health concerns. Your work will directly impact their ability to recover, rebuild their lives, and create a brighter future.

The role is all about using a strengths-based approach within a psychologically informed environment, supporting clients on their journey towards stability and independence. Your day-to-day will involve delivering tailored interventions, guiding clients through their recovery process, and helping them tap into community and statutory resources that can support their growth. With a focus on improving outcomes, your work will empower clients to build resilience, grow their confidence, and achieve lasting change.

As part of a dynamic and collaborative team, you’ll also promote client involvement and co-production, working alongside other agencies to develop programs that reflect the true needs of the community. Whether encouraging social inclusion, running physical health checks, or strengthening partnerships with local services, your role will drive positive change across the borough, creating opportunities for clients to thrive in every aspect of their lives.

About you:

• Previous experience of working with people with complex support needs.
• Ability to manage your time and work across different Services & Teams to promote social inclusion and provide a wealth of Opportunities for our clients.
• A flexible, innovative and creative approach to working with a sometimes hard to engage and challenging client group, is also required.

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 12,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 8th June at midnight

Interview date: Monday 16th June at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. 

We are seeking a Head of Services to lead our Youth Work and Day Centre provision at NHYC. This is an exciting time to join the organisation as we prepare to launch our new five-year strategy. You should be a thoroughly organised individual with extensive experience and expertise in operational service delivery. You should be capable of balancing strong attention to detail with the ability to think strategically, and be flexible to respond to changing demands. You should be an inspirational leader, able to motivate a diverse staff team to deliver consistently high quality services to young people. 

• Salary: £46,800 to £52,000
• Deadline: Midday Thursday 19 June

For more information on the organisation and role, please click 'Apply'.