Independent living advisor jobs in Manchester

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach, Wheelchair Skills and Wider Engagement

· Engage the widest possible range of people with spinal cord injury to sign up for further contact with Back Up, through organising and/or delivering wheelchair skills training sessions and talks for patients and families at the spinal cord injury centre in the region, general hospitals and with other key partners or locations as identified.

· Coordinate, support and manage volunteer trainers who are helping to deliver sessions and talking to patients and families.

· Lead, sustain and develop strong and effective working relationships with a wide range of health professionals and other charity representatives e.g. through presentations, calls and meetings, to ensure that people access seamless support.

Proactive Contact with People Affected by Spinal Cord Injury

· Maintain and support relationships with a large number of people affected by SCI (adults, children and young people and their parents) through regular proactive contact. This could be in person in the spinal cord injury centre, other settings or through events, telephone contact or other interactions.

· Explore their feelings, wishes and needs and provide tailored peer support to help them feel supported, access relevant services from Back Up and elsewhere through proactive referrals, and become more aware of the possibilities of life after SCI.

Networking, Partnerships and Sustainability

· Develop and maintain a map of touchpoints in the region, where people with an SCI will come into contact.

· Develop partnerships, referral routes and signposting processes to develop reach beyond the spinal cord injury centre.

· Develop and manage a network of community ambassador volunteers to support the wider work and sustainability of Back Up through fundraising and other related activities.

· Take a lead on encouraging localised fundraising activity; working towards wider income targets that support ongoing sustainability.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

· Maintaining accurate records on the database.

· Work as a team, consulting with others to ensure you give and receive high quality support.

· Keep Back Up informed of the issues affecting the people you are supporting and of developments at the spinal cord injury centre, general hospitals and other settings.

· Input into team planning and activities.

· Manage the budget relating to activities in your region.

· Help recruit new volunteers as needed to ensure a diverse team representing Back Up.

· Other duties as required by the Regional Outreach & Engagement Team Leader.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope of this role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Experience of working to support vulnerable people to achieve goals/move forward in life
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High standard of IT including experience of using databases and MS Office
• Self-starter; highly organised, able to drive own workload
• A creative and proactive approach to all areas of work with a 'can do' attitude, in line with the charity's values
• Commitment to delivering a high-quality service
• Respect for confidentiality
• Suitable to work safely and appropriately with children and vulnerable people
• Strong team working orientation with a flexible and adaptable approach to work demands across the whole organisation, a real people person
• Respect for others; able to work in a way that respects diversity and values equality
• Great listener, warmth, empathy, respect for everybody. Able to be non-judgmental and focus on the individual and their needs
• Willing and able to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends including overnight stays
• GCSE Maths and English A-C or equivalent

Desirable:

• Spinal cord injured person or family member
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
• Experience of working with people in trauma
• Presentation skills and the ability to manage a group
• Proactive approach to own support needs, health & wellbeing
• An understanding of the needs of people adjusting to life with spinal cord injury

Money and Benefits Adviser

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Generalist Adviser working as a Money and Benefits Caseworker.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide specialist welfare benefits advice and casework to people affected by cancer, helping them navigate financial challenges and access the support they are entitled to. Working as part of a compassionate and professional team, you will play a vital role in reducing financial hardship and improving wellbeing for clients at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds as the organisation is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and holds the Derbyshire LGBT+ Rainbow Accreditation

Position: Generalist Adviser

Location: Derbyshire (Remote working with travel to healthcare and community settings and quarterly meeting in the local office)

Salary: £29,806.00 per annum, pro rata

Hours: Full-Time (37 hours per week) Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 21st August 2026

About the Role

We're looking for highly motivated and committed individuals to provide specialist advice and representation on welfare benefits, grants and financial support, managing a caseload that includes complex cases, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals. The Money & More Benefits Caseworker supports clients across all stages of the cancer pathway, including diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and end-of-life support. You will deliver advice through a range of channels including telephone, email, digital platforms and face-to-face appointments within healthcare and community settings.

Key duties include:

· Deliver specialist welfare benefits advice and casework.

· Manage a varied caseload, including complex benefit appeals and tribunal work.

· Support clients to maximise income through benefits, grants and other financial assistance.

· Advocate and negotiate on behalf of clients with third parties.

· Work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, community organisations and partner agencies.

· Maintain accurate case records and meet quality assurance standards.

· Contribute to service development, research and campaigns work.

About You

The ideal candidates will have:

· Significant experience providing welfare benefits advice and casework, including Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals

· A strong understanding of welfare benefits legislation and financial support available to vulnerable clients

· Experience supporting vulnerable people using a person-centred and empathetic approach

· Experience managing a caseload and achieving targets and deadlines

· A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

· A non-judgemental, empathetic approach to people

· Strong IT and digital skills, with the ability to learn new systems quickly

Successful candidates will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and provide proof of Right to Work.

About the Organisation

Join a local charity that provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to everyone across Amber Valley, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash and High Peak.

This advice can help people find a way forward with their problems, whoever they are, whatever the problem.

What is on offer:

The charity offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth:

· Generous annual leave: 35 days per year (pro rata), including all bank holidays and Christmas

· Buy/sell leave scheme: Flexibility to buy or sell up to one week of leave each year (pro rata)

· Employee Assistance Programme: Includes wellbeing support, free counselling, and lifestyle perks

· Contractual sick pay: depended on length of service

· Long service rewards: Extra leave and gift cards after five years of service and beyond

· Workplace pension: Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme

· Hybrid working: the option to work from home, if it works for you and for the team

Successful candidates will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and provide proof of Right to Work. Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsor licence.

Other roles you may have experience of include Money and Benefits Adviser, Money Advisor, Benefits Advisor, Housing Advisor, Cancer Support, Cancer Advice and Support.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

We are looking for a Safeguarding Lead to provide dedicated safeguarding leadership as our flagship Drive Project working with high-harm, high-risk perpetrators of domestic abuse, scales across England and Wales. Acting as a Safeguarding Lead, you'll hold oversight of safeguarding governance across our network, lead a shift from compliance towards collaborative, relational learning, and support delivery partners as a trusted peer and source of expertise. This is a pivotal, newly created role for someone energised by culture change, skilled at holding both accountability and compassion, and comfortable working in complexity.

Closing date: Tuesday 25th August, 9am. Please refer to the job description for further details.

To apply, please visit Respect UK website