Independent living officer jobs in thornton heath, greater london

Job description

We are recruiting one or more Support Workers to work primarily at our Stud Nursery community garden project in Home Park, Richmond Borough as well as the potential of supporting our clients in the Wandsworth Borough.
 

Who we are

At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independent, fulfilled and self-confident lives. We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services.
 

About this post
You will be creative and independent thinker, with a desire to demonstrate and develop positive relationships with your colleagues and clients alike. You must have excellent IT skills. You will need the patience and and a commitment to enhancing the experience of those using our services on the basis of individual preferences, strengths and skills.
 

You are someone who:

• shares our values of professionalism, staff recognition, independence, empowerment, partnership and sustainability
• has excellent interpersonal, organisation and IT skills. 
• is willing to actively support and promote the charity's objectives across its core boroughs and contractual partnerships.
• works well both in a team and independently.

Working expectations:

• The working day is 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, with the possibility of some out of hours or weekend working. Clients are typically on site from 9:30am - 3:30pm.
• Attendance and commitment to further training. 
• We are open to the possibility of multiple part-time roles within this setting.

Key Responsibilities for this role

• Through partnership, support and develop client’s skills, confidence and interests as part of a multi-disciplinary service offer. 
• To support your colleagues, team leaders, service managers, volunteers and other key professionals to put those using our services at the centre of your daily work. 
• To support the planning and delivery of garden-based activities and therapeutic interventions for adults with complex needs. 
• To maintain and update client and related operational records with an accurate and professional commitment. 
• To ensure compliance with and the delivery of the charity policies and procedures particularly those related to safeguarding, inclusion and disability discrimination. 

Please note we will be holding interviews as we get applicants in and may close the post early.

We are unable to support applicants who do not already have the right to work in the UK.

You must submit a cover letter explaining why you feel you are a suitable fit for this role and what your expectation of commitment to hours would be.

Nightingale Hammerson is an independent charity and a leading specialist in the care of older people. We have served the Jewish community since 1840. We have two care homes, Nightingale House in Clapham and Hammerson House in East Finchley.

At Nightingale Hammerson, we offer a warm, supportive environment, with personalised care that places residents and their families at the centre of everything we do. Our homes benefit from expert teams, on-site therapists, and a wealth of services designed to make a real difference every day.

The Role

Are you highly organised, approachable, and passionate about supporting people through important life transitions? If so, becoming our Resident Admissions Officer could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Moving into a care home is a major life decision, and the way we manage admissions is key to ensuring a smooth and reassuring journey for residents and their families. As our Resident Admissions Officer, you will be the first point of contact for many families, guiding them through the admissions process with compassion, professionalism, and great attention to detail.

You will handle enquiries, organise tours of our beautiful homes, liaise with local authorities and funding bodies, and ensure all paperwork and administrative tasks are completed accurately and sensitively. You will also work closely with our clinical teams, resident services colleagues, and external stakeholders to ensure that every new resident’s arrival is as smooth and welcoming as possible.

This is a varied and rewarding role that would suit someone with excellent communication skills, great organisational abilities, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference. While experience in a care setting is helpful, we welcome applicants from a wide range of administrative or customer-facing backgrounds who can bring empathy, efficiency, and warmth to the role.

Hours

Full Time – 37.5 hours per week

Salary

£30,000 per annum

What is in it for you?

• A friendly, supportive team environment

• Subsidised staff canteens

• Training and development opportunities

• 25 days (plus bank holidays) annual leave, increasing with service

• Refer-a-friend bonus scheme (T&Cs apply)

• Perkbox – access to discounts and wellbeing resources

Apply Now

If you meet the above requirements and are passionate about providing outstanding support to residents and families, we would love to hear from you! It is very important to us that, as well as meeting the job description, you can bring empathy, attention to detail, and excellent organisational skills to your work every day.

Values

We are proud to uphold our core values of Compassion, Respect, Excellence, Dignity, Integrity, and Teamwork. If you share these values, you will find a welcoming home at Nightingale Hammerson.

Safeguarding

Our positions are subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosures, which will be completed upon a successful application. All applications will be handled individually, following our policy and organisational requirements. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Diversity

We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities and residents we serve. You will find a supportive environment where everyone is driven by the same purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Emmaus Greenwich is a unique charity that offers a home, work and individual support to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. We don’t just give people a bed for the night; we offer a home, work opportunities and a sense of belonging.

At the heart of Emmaus Greenwich is our companions. Companion is the name given to those who live in an Emmaus community and contributes to the social enterprise, where they support themselves and one another. Living in a stable environment with the opportunity of work and individually tailored support helps our companions to regain lost self-esteem and the confidence needed to get back on their feet.

Some of the things that we are looking for in our Community Manager:

• The ability to focus on impact and deliver results.
• Experience of planning, developing, and managing support services for clients with support needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of Strength-based practice and Trauma informed care.
• Knowledge and understanding of In-form client management system.
• Experience of managing the performance, learning and development of staff.
• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness issues.
• Demonstrable commitment to inclusive working, ensuring equality and valuing diversity.
• A belief in the potential of each individual and an understanding of the importance of the Community in helping an individual achieve their potential

Some of the things you would be responsible for as a Community Manager:

• Responsible for the admission welcome including assess new referrals, interviewing potential Companions, welfare and care of Companions, their integration into the Emmaus Community and the wider community at large, developing a sense of extended family.
• Lead and implement a culture which provides confidentiality, promotes professional boundaries, protects data, and safeguards Companions, Volunteers and staff.
• To manage support relating to Companion’s needs regarding their daily living requirements, physical and mental health, safety and personal development.
• To assist and encourage Companions to move into independent accommodation where appropriate
• Ensure that effective Safeguarding systems are in place and maintained, acting as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Person, with delegated responsibility for policy development, implementation, and reporting.
• Working in partnership with the Retail Manager, facilitate, encourage, and support companion engagement and training within the social enterprises to ensure they are viable businesses.
• Assist the Multi Site Property and Facilities Manager in the upkeep and maintenance of the Community, to ensure that it provides a pleasant and comfortable home for the Companions, whilst adhering to health and safety requirements.

So, if you hold optimism for change, advocate for social justice and have in-depth understanding of challenges faced by people with experience of homelessness and migration and have a positive “can do” attitude we would love to hear from you. You will be joining a friendly and enthusiastic team who are passionate about what they do. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of trauma informed practice, asset-based approaches, quality assurance frameworks or from a background of supporting vulnerable adults into work; experience of working in partnership with a range of agencies to coordinate activities and initiatives and achieve positive outcomes. 

We are looking for an experienced, visionary and strategic Director of Community Services to lead and develop our Advice and Support Services and our Engagement and Development Programmes. You will have a passion for, and a demonstrable track record of, building strong, resilient, and inclusive communities as well as developing and motivating a team of staff and volunteers. You will be a supportive, compassionate, enthusiastic, and experienced leader and manager of Community led and quality-led Community services.

An effective change manager, you will be passionate about making a real difference to the Irish and wider communities across London. This is a great opportunity to join the leadership team of the London Irish Centre (LIC) as it embarks upon a significant turning point in its 70-year history, helping the charity deliver its ambitious organisational strategy to empower and enrich even more lives through Irish Community and Culture.

About You

• You have demonstrable experience of leading and managing community services in the independent or public sector for a minimum of ten years.
• You are a professional, enthusiastic leader who can bring your sector experience to benefit this critical role and the wider organisation.
• You are an inspirational leader, bringing a team and others with you and leading by example.
• You have a proven track record in successfully leading a team, across multiple service delivery areas, and in implementing change.
• You are well-organised, able to manage several competing requirements with the ability to prioritise your work effectively to meet tight deadlines.
• You demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal and are comfortable working with people across a wide portfolio, with various levels of experience and socio-economic backgrounds.

Key areas of responsibility

 Workforce

• Maintain a positive culture within the Centre in line with the London Irish Centre values and expectations.
• Overall responsibility for management, development, motivation, support and appraisal of the community services teams, and other team members when agreed with the line manager.
• Maintain and implement effective policies and processes for managing staff and volunteers, including recruitment and retention, induction, training and appraisals. 
• Ensure adequate and appropriately skilled staffing of the community services team.
• Monitor performance against budgets, targets and Key Performance Indicators.
• Ensure best practice and quality assured delivery of Community Services and Programmes.

Financial 

• Overall responsibility for management and reporting of community services budget. 
• Overall responsibility for management and monitoring of all community services` grants. 
• Responsibility for ensuring services are managed within delegated budget.
• Operating within financial governance arrangements at London Irish Centre.

Income generation

• Ensure relationships with all supporters and donors are managed and developed effectively, including trusts, individuals, major donors and corporate partners. 
• Identify suitable new grant and trust funds and lead on applications.
• Lead on monitoring, reporting and submissions for current grant and trust funds in accordance with funders` requirements.

Impact and Innovation 

• Overall responsibility for the service`s impact management in line with the London Irish Centre’s theory of change. 
• Lead on identification and adoption of innovative technology to improve the processes and impact on community services.
• Overall responsibility for communicating the outcomes and impact of the community services and programmes.
• Strategic Development.
• Work with the CEO, other management and the Board of Trustees to set and achieve the charity`s strategic objectives. 
• Ensure Community Services resources are effectively targeted. 
• Lead in implementing a strategic plan for Community Services and support team leaders to deliver against performance targets. 
• Develop and foster positive relationships with external stakeholders. 
• Engage with existing and new partners to ensure the charity meets the increasing needs of those who use our community services.

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Director of Community Services. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed as required.

In our application pack we have included a job description and person specification to support your candidature. The details in the job description and person specification should be addressed in a maximum one-page cover letter. The cover letter should include your current job title, salary and position within banding where relevant. Click apply, upload your CV and cover letter to the portal on our website link.

 Please note that all roles at the London Irish Centre are subject to enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks as part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable individuals.

 The deadline for applications is Wednesday 30th April 9:00 a.m.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we will be actively interviewing. We reserve the right to close applications before the stated deadline. Interviews will begin with an initial online screening, followed by in-person interviews at the Centre, likely during the week commencing May 5th.

With over 300 volunteers at Crimestoppers, this important role is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the volunteer programme.

We're looking for someone to support with:

• Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding
• Volunteer Data Management​
• Vounteer Support and Retention
• Event Coordination
• Volunteer Communications

We're hoping that you'll have:

Experience:

• Proven experience in an administrative role, ideally within a volunteer or community-based environment.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
•  Excellent attention to detail, particularly when maintaining records and databases.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with volunteers, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and CRM systems.

Attributes:

• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach to work.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• A proactive and flexible attitude to work, with a willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges.

You'll find out more information in the job pack, along with details of how to apply.

Job Title: Advocacy and Mobility Services Manager

Reporting To: Executive Director of Services 

Salary: £46,335 pro rata

Hours: 21 or 28 hours per week

Location: Hybrid with one day in the office in Kings Cross N1 9LG

DBS: This post is subject to an enhanced criminal record check under the arrangements established by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Context of Job

AFK is a national charity helping young disabled people develop their independence and find employment. Our vision is a world where all people living with a disability get to lead the life they choose. As part of this we provide bespoke employment skills training and organise work placements across North London.

At a national level, we provide mobility equipment not available on the NHS for disabled children and young people up to the age of 25. The Advocacy and Mobility Services Manager leads this service.

Overall Job Purpose

To develop and manage AFK’s Mobility Service including overseeing the progress of funding applications for mobility equipment, managing the waiting list and ensuring a quality service to our beneficiaries. The Advocacy and Mobility Services Manager will be responsible for providing advocacy support, enabling applicants to secure equipment from statutory services, where appropriate. They will also manage the maintenance and reallocation of AFK-owned powerchairs.

Working Conditions

The post is 21 or 28 hours a week, normally between 9am and 5pm. (We are Hybrid working organisation with 1 core day in the office and 2-3 days working from home, with core hours between 10am and 4pm).

The post holder may be expected to work some evenings and weekends as required by the job.

AFK operates a No Smoking policy.

Working Relationships

Line Manager to the Fundraising and Mobility Officer

Close working relationships with mobility equipment suppliers

On a day-to-day basis there will be regular contact with beneficiaries and their families, mobility equipment suppliers and health professionals, as well as Service Delivery and Fundraising Managers.

On-going contact with grant giving organisations and associated bodies.

Principal Responsibilities

1. To develop policies to support the direction of AFK’s Mobility Services, in relation to criteria for funding equipment, guidance on managing the waiting lists and the provision of loaned/ beneficiary owned equipment etc.

2. To identify applicants for mobility funding who could access statutory funds. To provide advocacy support to those families including submitting formal letters of complaint to NHS Trusts and/or taking legal advice. To monitor savings to the Mobility budget, as a direct result of advocacy intervention.

3. To ensure the mobility equipment budget is spent appropriately by developing and implementing funding criteria, negotiating competitive rates with suppliers, encouraging families to consider a range of options for high end equipment and ensuring statutory services support funding where appropriate.

4. To line manage the Fundraising and Mobility Officer to enable her/him to progress applications for mobility grants, from initial enquiry to order and delivery of equipment.

 5. To provide AFK’s Fundraising and Communications teams with data and feedback from families and to identify potential case studies.

6. To support selected applicants with individual fundraising, including applying to Trusts and charities and writing to businesses.

7. To monitor the funds raised by AFK’s individual fundraising activity.

8. To keep abreast of changes in the field for example: developments among competitors and pricing in the market; progress of the NHS England wheelchair campaign; and changes to Clinical Commissioning Groups’ criteria.

9. To provide families with information to enable them to make a decision about whether to apply for funding.

10. To liaise with other grant giving charities to keep up-to-date with changes in the field and to ensure part funding is provided effectively.

11. To ensure AFK’s equipment grant application form is clear and up-to-date and that the process is managed in a timely and efficient way.

12. To oversee the development and maintenance of systems for recording the grant application process.

13. To manage the maintenance and repair of loaned powerchairs, developing procedures for reallocating chairs and/or passing ownership on to beneficiaries.

14. To supervise the Fundraising and Mobility Officer to develop systems for monitoring and reporting on maintenance expenditure.

15. To undertake other relevant responsibilities as required by the Executive Director of Services.

First Interviews: Friday 23rd May (also Thursday 22nd May, if necessary) online

Second Interviews: Tuesday 3rd June in person

This exciting new role is perfect for a candidate who is ready to make the role their own, and a self-starter keen to make an immediate impact, through a combination of:

• Supporting the expansion and transformation of our client advice services by ensuring operational service procedures are established, embedded and monitored.
• Exploring, implementing and enabling office and hybrid-working modernisations, including supporting senior members of the operational team to implement business innovations around hybrid-working software, HR systems, and integration of technology (possibly including AI) into our work.
• Alleviating administrative burdens so far as possible on our team delivering advice to clients, helping us to make an even greater impact on our community.
• Contributing to the design and development of robust policies that relate to office and outreach coordination, HR support and budgeting.
• Supporting our supervisory team in their management of people and relevant office administration duties.
• Maintaining and developing office resources, including our office manual, IT equipment, and shared online and offline documents.
• Supporting the trustee board and senior members of the leadership team in the delivery of their strategic goals and day-to-day administration.

You will provide advice and representation to rough sleepers within northwest London to end homelessness. By resolving immigration status of service users, you will help eliminate destitution and allow them to access support for a better future - an initiative funded under the London Councils Homelessness Project. 

You will work closely with supporting organisations including local authorities and homelessness organisations to break down barriers caused by immigration status and support migrant communities to thrive and become independent. 

Established in 1970, NKLC is the first community-based legal service centre that fights for equality and justice for the disadvantaged residents our locality.  We are proud that we have ended homelessness for many within our community who now have access to employment and study for a better future ahead. Sadly, due to In the height of the cost of living crisis, homlessness persists in the capital. As a result, the Mayors project has now been extended to end of March 2026 so we can continue supporting those facing destitution.

The London Metropolitan University Students' Union is looking to grow our team of dedicated Student Advisers. Our Student Advisers support students to navigate the university’s academic regulations, offering impartial advice, supporting with written submissions and attending formal hearings in support of students. 

We are looking for someone who is a good listener, is empathic and non-judgemental and who has a genuine desire to ensure that every student has the best student experience whilst studying at London Metropolitan University. The ideal candidate will be organised and efficient, confident in working with academic regulations, and excellent at communicating complex information clearly verbally and in writing. 

We are looking for a full time adviser, but we are open to applications from those seeking either full time or part time work, for a minimum of 2.5 days per week (please state your availability in your cover letter). 

Job purpose for the role 

· To deliver a high-quality professional academic advice to students at London Metropolitan University 

· To provide independent, confidential and impartial advice and representation that has a positive impact on the experience of students 

· To ensure the advice service operates in line with best practice and that students and elected officers are well-informed on the issues affecting students 

· To support the Advocacy & Communications team in identifying and reporting on issues affecting the wider student body, providing evidence-based support for the Students’ Union’s representative work.

Application deadline: 1pm on 9th May 2025 
 
Interviews will take place on the week commencing 19th May 2025 

 
What's in it for you? 
 
Hybrid and Flexible working arrangements  
Learning and development opportunities  
27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, office closure and sick leave  
Cycle to work scheme  
DSE assessments and eye tests  
Free access to Gym & Classes

Competitive pension contribution scheme 
Interest-free loans - Seasonal ticket and tenancy deposit loans 

Other Standard employees’ benefits 
 
At LMSU we are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce, as we understand the importance of having staff with varied lived experiences and backgrounds that reflect various needs of our student community. We welcome applications from all interested applicants, and we strongly encourage applications from people of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people with dependants and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. We conduct anonymous shortlisting, and ll of our interview panels have Unconscious Bias Training in order to support a fair recruitment process.

Development Manager

Are you a passionate and skilled land and property professional with a heart for serving older Christians? We are seeking a Development Manager to play a key role in expanding and strengthening our mission to provide compassionate, faith-based care. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of our residents while working alongside a dedicated and motivated team.

We are looking for a Development Manager who will be instrumental in driving our vision forward, identifying new land and acquisition opportunities, and ensuring the highest standards of development and innovation.

As a Development Manager, you will be responsible for leading on strategic development projects, forging key partnerships, and ensuring our growth and renewal programme moves forward in alignment with our mission.

If you are a dynamic and experienced land and property professional with a strong background in acquisitions, planning, project management, and a heart for Christian service, we invite you to apply now.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage strategic development projects from inception to completion.
• Identify and develop new opportunities for growth and expansion.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders .
• Manage budgets effectively and ensure financial sustainability of development initiatives.
• Prepare reports and provide updates to senior management and trustees.

Skills/Experience:

• Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven experience in land acquisition, development project management, or a similar role.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in managing development budgets.
• A proactive and innovative approach .
• IT proficient, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

Applicants must be evangelical Christians (This role has an Occupational Requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010).)

Hours:

Full-time, 40 hours per week.

Benefits:

• Salary: £54,000 per annum
• Remote working
• 5 Weeks' paid holiday per year as well as bank and public holidays
• On-going training and support
• Team events
• Pension scheme
• Care Friends referral 
• Medicash
• Perkbox – including an Employee assistance programme.
• Long-standing service rewards
• Birthday rewards

— What our staff say about us: “It is a friendly and welcoming place to work.” —

We are committed to having a diverse leadership team and encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented at the senior management level.

Closing date: 23rd May 2025 – However, this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications are received, so please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Be a part of a collective and supportive team by joining the London District.

Our District Digital Enabler will take the lead in our social media communications but also work directly with our Churches and Circuits across London, providing them with a supportive guiding light by advising all things digital. You must have knowledge of social media and websites (that’s a given), but you’ll also need some skills in IT applications, the ability to write creatively and fluently, and be able to bring some slick confidence to the role. We value independent thinkers, working on your own initiative, but also those who can work collaboratively with a team, and bounce those ideas.

Why work with us?

A brilliant central office in Westminster, ability to work remotely, great (supportive) colleagues, flexible working, learning and development opportunities, pay, pensions and generous down time, committed to equality diversity and inclusion, and, did we mention the great colleagues?

Take a look at the job description. If this is for you, complete an application form, or give us a shout with any questions about the role.

BACKGROUND

This is an exciting opportunity to join the legal aid casework team at Asylum Aid. You will be responsible for coordinating and delivering the billing of our legal aid work (including controlled work, certificated work and inter partes bills), which is vital to ensure the financial sustainability of our work. Asylum Aid holds legal aid contracts in the immigration & asylum and public law categories.

For thirty-five years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum. We have built an expert service, delivering vital and life-saving services in some of the most complex legal cases, with a particular speciality working with unaccompanied children, survivors of trafficking, torture or other forms of human cruelty, and stateless people. Our vision is that all those in need of protection from persecution and other forms of human cruelty in the UK can obtain it, and are treated fairly and with dignity.

Since August 2020, Asylum Aid has been part of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group. Asylum Aid operates as an independent charity, led by its own Executive Director within the group structure, and is ambitious about growing its impact and reach in the future to ensure protection from persecution for those who need it. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role would suit a person with strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills and numeracy. The ideal candidate will have already embarked on or be looking to develop a career providing excellent legal aid billing support and coordination essential to the financial sustainability of legal aid practice, whether within the charity sector or private practice. You will have a strong commitment to the values of Asylum Aid and an understanding of the importance of sound legal aid billing practices to our continued ability to provide our expert service to our clients. Prior experience is not essential as full training will be given and peer support is available.

The focus of the role of billing coordinator is to ensure the efficient and robust delivery of costing and billing of legal aid files conducted under Legal Aid Agency (LAA) contract (Legal Help / Controlled Legal Representation and certificated work) as well as liaising with external costs lawyers to oversee the preparation of Inter Partes bills and negotiations with the paying party where we have obtained an order for our costs in judicial review proceedings.  This includes reconciliation of Legal Aid Agency payments received and made, and to provide essential coordination within the organisation to support lawyers in ensuring files are billed promptly and accurately, and costs are maximized. The billing coordinator will work with the Director of Legal Casework to develop and maintain an effective tracking system to ensure timely progression from case closure to billing.

This role will work closely with the Legal Team of Asylum Aid and the Finance team of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group. You will also have access to the London Legal Support Trust Centres of Excellence legal aid billing peer support group and peer-to-peer support.

As this is a new role, there will be clear targets set as to the additional legal aid income brought in as a result of the extra capacity it will bring and a review will be undertaken after 12 months as to whether it is having the desired impact on our legal aid income.

Equal Opportunities

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 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 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 refugee and migration sectors. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK and you will receive full training to enable you to transfer your knowledge and skills to the UK context.

How to apply 

Please note that the successful candidate will be offered the job subject to suitable references and a basic DBS check.

If appointed you will be required to give your consent to Asylum Aid to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment. 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9.00am on 12 May 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 19 May 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interview week commencing 26 May 2025. We will also ask you to complete a short written task ahead of/on the day.

At Helen Bamber Foundation Group we want to be transparent about what kind of qualities we are looking for and build trust from the very beginning of your journey with us. The first step is your interview, and we mean ‘your’ interview so we will provide you with your interview questions ahead of the interview. This will allow you time to prepare, and ensure you have your best examples in mind.

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

We offer a guaranteed 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 though phone or email.

Experts by Experience Support

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 at  which may help in preparing your job application. .

Please complete this form request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application

This exciting new role is perfect for a candidate who wants to deliver an immediate impact in their work and is enthusiastic about bringing people long with them, through a combination of:

• On-the-day supervision to our paid and voluntary staff across various workstreams.
• Conducting case review of debt issues (supported by our Quality of Advice and Case Review team) to ensure a gold standard in the quality of our advice.
• Playing a leadership role in nurturing partnerships, such as with council officers and specialist debt charities, to support our debt advice work and create pathways for client solutions.
• Shaping our directory of services for debt advice by supporting our leadership team to identify key areas of debt advice, desired client outcomes, and the steps required to resolve those client issues.
• Design and deliver training on debt issues to both paid and voluntary staff, as well as to community stakeholders.
• Supervise and monitor volunteers carrying out a small amount of casework where the client’s issue is of sufficient complexity to warrant engaging your expertise.
• Guaranteeing compliance with Financial Conduct Authority rules and regulations.
• Leading on research and campaign issues relating to debt and identifying where we can make a difference locally through our advocacy and case studies.

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is seeking a strategic and creative Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager to lead our outreach, advocacy, and communications efforts. This part-time leadership role is ideal for someone passionate about empowering disabled communities, building influence, and shaping impactful campaigns in a flexible, supportive work environment.
 

Job Title: Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager

Location: Flexible (with occasional travel required)

Reports to: CEO

Salary: £17,280-18,720 gross per annum (£36,000-£39,000 FTE)

Hours: Part-time, 18 hours per week 

About Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a charity dedicated to empowering, supporting, and advocating for individuals living with neuromuscular conditions. Our mission is to ensure that those affected by these conditions have access to the resources, representation, and information they need to live fulfilling and independent lives. 

Job Summary

We are looking for a creative, driven, and collaborative Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager to lead on internal and external communications and to deepen engagement with our members, stakeholders, and the wider community. This is a key role in growing our influence, raising awareness of our work, and supporting our mission to empower people with neuromuscular conditions. Your work will ensure that our user base remains actively engaged, well-informed, and central to our projects and campaign planning. You will oversee an Engagement Officer, Social Media Officer, and Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, working collaboratively to amplify our impact, strengthen user connections, and further our mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. User Engagement and Relationship Management

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance engagement with our users across projects, events, and online platforms, ensuring their voices are integral to our work.

• Work with the Engagement Officer to design and coordinate events, workshops, and other engagement activities, both in-person and online, that support community connection and provide valuable resources to users.

• Gather and analyse feedback from users to ensure our services, content, and campaigns remain relevant and responsive to their needs.

• Manage the CRM and membership of the charity in line with the membership policy.

 2. Content Creation and Communications

• Develop and implement a communication strategy for the organisation to set our key messages, approach and KPIs for engaging with individual, community and professional audiences as well as for internal communications.

• Support the Social Media Officer in developing and implementing a communications plan in particular focused on our social media based activities and content creation.

• Oversee and produce high-quality content for digital platforms, newsletters, reports, and publications that engage and inform our audience.

• Lead on creating and placing feature articles, policy briefings and press releases, and serve as the main media contact to ensure consistent, clear messaging. 

3. Policy, Campaigning, and Advocacy

• Work with the CEO to develop and implement, through the Policy and Campaigns Team, a campaigns strategy that responds to the needs of the neuromuscular community and creates positive, meaningful change for our community.

• Collaborate with the Campaigns and Advocacy Officer to formulate and promote evidence-based policy positions, engaging key stakeholders in government, healthcare, and related sectors.

• Support the Campaigns and Advocacy Officer to expand the Pathfinders advocacy service and drive referrals to the service.

• Represent the organisation at events, sector meetings, and forums to build our profile and increase our influence on policy issues relevant to our community.

 4. Team Leadership and Development

• Manage, support, and foster the professional growth of the Engagement Officer, Social Media Officer, and Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, building a collaborative and empowered team.

• Set team objectives and KPIs, monitor progress, and provide regular feedback to ensure alignment with organisational goals and impact.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Cultivate relationships with relevant stakeholders, including influencers, partner organisations, funders, policymakers, and the neuromuscular community.

• Work closely with the CEO to manage community partnerships, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and expanding opportunities for user engagement.

  6. Organisational management

• Support the CEO with the overall running of the organisation by attending meetings of the management committee as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, taking on additional tasks as agreed.

• Provide contingency support to the  Senior Leadership Team to cover essential tasks such as reporting hours to our payroll team in the event of staff absence.

• Maintain an overview of projects and teams across the organisation to provide short-term management and HR support in the event of staff shortages or incapacity.

• Review, approve and document payments in the charity using our software and finance process.

• Support the development of funding bids and project plans for introducing new projects.

• Represent the Senior Leadership Team at external events and in meetings with Trustees and Members.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, engagement, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3-years experience in a communications, policy, or engagement role, ideally within a charity or non-profit setting.

• Experience engaging directly with user communities and developing outreach initiatives.

• Strong writing and editing skills with experience producing content for a variety of platforms including Youtube.

• Experience managing a small team to achieve strategic objectives.

• Knowledge of or strong interest in the healthcare, disability, or neuromuscular sector is desirable.

• Lived experience of a neuromuscular condition is desirable but not essential.

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance advocacy, engagement, and communication initiatives effectively.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build relationships across diverse audiences.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise, and maintain high standards under tight timelines.

• Proficient in social media management, content creation, and analytics.

• A commitment to advocating for and advancing the rights of individuals with neuromuscular conditions.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a purpose-driven, supportive organisation.

• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance.

• Ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to lead impactful campaigns and user engagement efforts.