Independent living service support worker jobs

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic NYAS Cymru team.  We are currently seeking to appoint a Project Worker to conduct Return Home Interviews with children and young people living in South Wales, who have returned after being missing from home or care. This role will be full time, working 35 hours per week, and will be fixed term for 6 months with the possibility of extension (maternity cover). The role will be home based with some travel to a Basic Command Unit in Swansea Neath Port Talbot or Cwm Taf Morgannwg (Bridgend, Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff). 

Working alongside our project worker team and partner agency, South Wales Police, you will provide support for children and young people to explore the reasons for being missing, identifying risks and vulnerabilities to exploitation, ensuring reports are completed within the agreed timescale.

The successful candidate will work on an agile basis and will primarily involve extensive travel across the Swansea Neath Port Talbot area or Cwm Taf Morgannwg area with occasional requests for return home interview support across the force wide area.

About you

We are looking for a proactive and dynamic team member with significant experience of direct work with children and young people, within a social care environment, including those who have been and / or at risk of being exploited.  You will have the ability to work creatively with children and young people, responding to high service demand, with excellent interpersonal and report writing skills.

If you feel you could be an ideal candidate to join our NYAS Cymru team, we would love to hear from you.

You will receive a full induction with ongoing opportunities for continued professional development. With regular support and supervision from your line manager and the opportunity to partake in various staff wellbeing activities and initiatives.

When completing the application form, it is important that you refer to the person specification within the job description and detail how you can evidence the criteria.

The job description can be located at the right hand side of this page.

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references, South Wales Police Vetting and a Digital Risk Assessment.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

 NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.

At Bluesci, we believe that everyone deserves good mental health and wellbeing. Our staff and volunteers, many of whom have experienced our services, collaborate with individuals and their communities to help them achieve their aspirations and wellness.  

Bluesci operates across the borough of Trafford from four Wellbeing Centres, offering arts, cultural and volunteering opportunities, social prescribing, talking therapies, and group support. We partner with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust (GMMH) to deliver Trafford Living Well Neighbourhood mental health Service and with Trafford Libraries to co-deliver library services from two of our centres. Bluesci at Night offers a safe, welcoming space for people 365 nights a year, and we also provide Smoking Cessation Support.  

We’re currently recruiting for Wellbeing Practitioners, across our centres, including full and part time positions

Bluesci is an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, including the Five Ways to Wellbeing, recovery-focused models, and social prescribing. We are looking for people who can work alongside individuals using these approaches in a practical, compassionate way, supporting them to build on their strengths, improve their wellbeing, and connect with their communities.

What We Offer:

· 33 days holiday a year, including public holidays

· A supportive, values-driven team

· Flexible working arrangements

· Ongoing training and development

· Opportunities to shape innovative mental wellbeing support

About The Connection at St Martin’s

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

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

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

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

About the Role

Located at a 24-hour supported housing service in Clapham, we provide high quality self-contained accommodation for 18 women who have experienced homelessness and multiple disadvantage.  The aim of the service is to provide a therapeutic environment in which women feel safe and can flourish, enabling them to move on into independent, permanent accommodation.

In this role, you will provide direct support to all the women, as well as holding a small case load of residents who you will keywork. You will work closely with support workers and the in-house psychologist. You will model person-led, psychological, gender, and culturally informed support, will be skilled at building trust and you will be a great team player.

The post holder will undertake 8-hour shifts on a 7-day rota, covering the hours 07:45 am to 20:15 pm. Please be aware that the building has several floors and no lifts.

Salary: £36,380
Closing Date: Monday 8th June
Interview Date: Monday 15th June

Our Benefits

· 30 days holiday plus bank holidays

· Generous training budget, plus an annual personal training budget

· Enhanced Sick Pay Policy

· Enhanced family friendly policies

· Day off for moving house

· Hybrid working (depending on role requirements)

· Pension – 5% Employer, 3% Employee

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Season Ticket Loan

· Employee Assistance Programme

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

We are a London Living Wage employer

About The Connection at St Martin’s

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

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

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

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

About the Role

Located at a 24-hour supported housing service in Clapham, we provide high quality self-contained accommodation for 18 women who have experienced homelessness and multiple disadvantage.  The aim of the service is to provide a therapeutic environment in which women feel safe and can flourish, enabling them to move on into independent, permanent accommodation.

In this role, you will provide support to all the women, including running co-designed activities and accompanying women to appointments. You will work closely with Specialist Support Workers who manage individual resident support and safety plans. You will model person-led, psychological, gender, and culturally informed support, will be skilled at building trust and you will be a great team player.

The post holder will undertake 8-hour shifts on a 7-day rota, covering the hours 07:45 am to 20:15 pm. Please be aware that the building has several floors and no lifts.

Salary: £30,722
Closing Date: Monday 8th June
Interview Date: Tuesday 16th June

Our Benefits

· 30 days holiday plus bank holidays

· Generous training budget, plus an annual personal training budget

· Enhanced Sick Pay Policy

· Enhanced family friendly policies

· Day off for moving house

· Hybrid working (depending on role requirements)

· Pension – 5% Employer, 3% Employee

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Season Ticket Loan

· Employee Assistance Programme

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

We are a London Living Wage employer

About the role: 

This role involves providing information, support and advice, particularly around welfare benefits, housing and learning disabilities to Carers through one-to-one case work, and group facilitation. 

Our Charity: 

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times. 

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre: 

• Hybrid on completion of induction period with a minimum 60% office based

• Friendly team and working environment 

• Annual leave starts at 31 days increasing to 36 days plus bank holidays

• Contributory company pension, 

• Ongoing training and development opportunities

• Employee assistance program.

As the successful candidate, you will have experience of working in front line services, giving information and advice, as well as advocating on behalf of another and providing one to one support. You will have excellent communication and IT skills, and a commitment to working in the voluntary sector.

If you're committed to working in the voluntary sector and want to be part of a diverse team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, this role is for you! 

Key Responsibilities Include: 

• Providing advice & advocacy on welfare benefits and housing. Minimum of 3 days a week.

• Providing one to one support to Carers of people with Learning Disabilities. 

• Facilitation of the Learning Disability Carers Peer Support Group 

• Maintaining accurate case records, adhering to AQS standards.

• Managing your own case load 

Essential Requirements Include: 

• Experience of, or ability to provide one to one support, information, advice and advocacy, including welfare benefits. 

• Developed IT skills 

• The ability to balance and prioritise a busy and varied workload. 

• Ability and commitment to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

• Ability to deliver training and information sessions. 

• Experience of or ability to facilitate groups in person and online. 

Please see the job description and person specification for a full list of responsibilities and requirements.

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer, committed to the continued development of a diverse workforce.

Yellow Door is an amazing charity that is quite literally changing lives for the better in the Southampton area, with a team of around 100 staff and volunteers, working together to prevent and respond to domestic and sexual abuse. We provide a diverse and innovative range of services to local people of all ages and genders. Last year we engaged with over 4,500 clients to provide crucial support, information, and in some cases a lifeline. Right now, our services have never been more in demand, so our volunteers and supporters are absolutely critical to us. 

Would you like to be part of our amazing team that is changing lives for the better in the Southampton area?

The role of the ISVA Support Worker is a vital part of our valued team. We are looking for motivated and pro-active individuals with a ‘can do’ attitude to join our ISVA Team. ISVA Support Workers are the first point of contact for service users entering the service.

Day-to-day, you will be speaking with service users via the telephone, to provide key information and emotional support. Alongside administrative tasks such as processing referrals, you will be supporting service users accessing short term support, working closely with the ISVA team, ISVA manager and partnership agencies, to ensure that service users feels empowered about their choices and are well informed about their support options. For the role you must have strong organisational and administration skills, with an excellent attention to detail.

For further information and to apply for this role, please visit our website. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join RSVP’s well‑established ISVA Team. We are seeking a compassionate and motivated professional to provide specialist support to adults impacted by sexual violence.

This 24‑hour‑per‑week role, worked across three set days (Monday and Friday 9am–5pm, and Thursday 11am–7pm), offers the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have reported, or are considering reporting, their experiences to the police.

As an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA), you will provide practical guidance, emotional support and clear, empowering information to help adults understand their rights, options and choices. You will walk alongside survivors as they navigate their next steps — offering consistent support whether or not they choose to engage with the criminal justice process.

At Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, we believe that ageing should be about living well — staying connected, independent, and fulfilled at every stage of life.

Age UK Kensington and Chelsea’s Memory service provides support for people living with mild to moderate dementia, focusing on living well, providing relevant information on diagnosis and engaging in activities such as memory work.

The service is delivered through a range of channels, including face to face, home visits, telephone and email, through Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Groups across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

As well as responding to enquiries and carrying a caseload, the role focusses on continuous improvement of the service by implementing best practices and contributing to the development of more effective procedures to enhance service delivery and client outcomes.

We are recruiting part time - 2 days per week - come and join our fantastic team!

We will be interviewing on a rolling basis, so please don't wait to apply!

Due to the number of applicants we may not be able to respond to all unsuccessful candidates.

Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health Care Service in Newham. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£30,784.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Fixed term contract for one year from 6^th June 2026.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS

The Support Worker will be part of a team that operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

They will provide support to customers with complex mental health needs.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
• Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable:

A good understanding of mental health issues and how it affects people and experience of supporting customers to manage this and lead independent lives.

About us:

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.

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

About the role: 

Every day in this role is different, but at the heart of it is one thing: helping people feel safer, more stable and more in control of their lives.

As a Floating Support Worker, you’ll support people living across Westminster to sustain their tenancies, navigate challenges and build the confidence and skills needed to live independently. You’ll work alongside people facing homelessness, isolation, poor mental or physical health, domestic abuse, substance use and other forms of multiple disadvantage, providing practical and emotionally intelligent support that meets people where they are.

This is a role built on relationships. You’ll work closely with clients in their homes and communities, creating support plans that feel realistic, empowering and genuinely person-centred. Whether you’re helping someone manage rent arrears, reconnect with services, settle into a new home or take steps towards work, training or improved wellbeing, your support will help people move forward in meaningful and lasting ways.

You’ll be part of Westminster Floating Support, a fast-paced and supportive service funded by Westminster City Council, delivering housing-related support to people in all types of accommodation across the borough. Working as part of a collaborative and psychologically informed team, you’ll build strong partnerships with local services and agencies to make sure clients receive joined-up, holistic support.

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), we’re committed to helping our staff grow too. You’ll have access to ongoing training, reflective practice and real opportunities to develop your career within an organisation that is ambitious about creating change for homeless Londoners.

About you:

• You bring experience supporting people facing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, mental ill health, substance use, domestic abuse or social isolation, and know how to build trusting relationships that help people feel heard, respected and supported
• You feel confident helping people navigate the practical challenges that can put a tenancy at risk, from budgeting and benefits to rent arrears, housing options and building everyday independent living skills
• You work in a psychologically informed, strengths-based way, understanding how to motivate and empower people to move towards greater stability, confidence and independence at their own pace
• You’re able to balance empathy with professional curiosity, using support planning, risk assessment and safeguarding practice to provide safe, thoughtful and person-centred support
• You’re organised, proactive and able to manage a varied caseload while working collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to help clients achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 31st May at midnight

Interview date: Tuesday 9th June online via Microsoft Teams

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview. 

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. Applications with insufficient right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed.

Support Worker at Plus Services

Are you a positive, engaging and caring person that wants to make a real difference to the world?

Do you think the greatest gift you can give is to make other people’s lives better?

Do you believe that people living with Learning Disabilities and Autism should have happy fulfilling lives, with access to the Community and enjoy the same things the rest of us take for granted?

If you answered “Yes” to these 3 Questions then Plus has an amazing role for you!!!!!

Who are Plus Services?

Plus is one of the most respected Learning Disability and Autism Charities in London with a proud history stretching back more than 30 years.  We have an amazing team that is dedicated to supporting people to live their best possible lives and we have literally changed people’s worlds with the support we have provided.

Our Client Group is quite varied and during the recruitment process you would be specifically recruited to work with those that your personality, skills and experience would fit best with.  Some have really challenging behaviour, but unless you had the capability to best serve those people you would be assigned to a different group.  So, there is no need to worry about being out of your depth.

We also provide industry leading training and on-going support, so rest assured you will be ready for anything the job throws at you.  I cannot promise you it will be easy, but I can promise you it will be worth it.  And when you go home you will know you have made a massive difference and the world is a slightly better place as a result of your efforts.

Who are you?

You are a caring, compassionate and capable individual?  You could be either already working within Social Care or are thinking about joining the sector.  We recognise everyone, regardless of their personal history, talents, abilities and unique personal qualities

What does matter is you must care and you must want to enhance the lives of the people who we support and rely on us.

You will need to be comfortable spending large amounts of your day one-to-one with the Service Users, there is no leaping from client to client here with 15 minute blocks.  You will need to be happy supporting people to learn new skills and become independent.  And you will need to thrive on taking people out into the big wide world, expanding their horizons, bringing a smile to their faces and adding a spring in to their step.

To be considered for the role you will need to be able to:

• Do your share of weekend shifts, sleep-ins, waking nights and bank holidays.
• Be physically fit and able to move freely and physically and to support service users who may be physically dependent.
• Have a supportive attitude and want to help individuals to maximise their lives.
• You must be able to support people with Learning Disabilities who have different ways of expressing themselves
• Be eligible to work in the UK

In return we offer opportunities for professional development and real job satisfaction.  We can help you to develop your professional skills and knowledge and progress toward recognised qualifications such as Diploma in Adult & Social Care levels 3/4/5.

We are reviewing applications on a regular basis as part of our ongoing recruitment process and we are committed to ensuring all candidates are treated fairly

Available positions:

Full time Support Worker (38 Hrs per week)
Locations: Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich or Sutton

Pay: £29,245
Holidays: 28 days per Annum 

Part time Support Worker 
Locations: Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich or Sutton

Pay: £29,245 pro-rata
Holidays: 28 days per Annum (Pro Rata)

Bank Support Worker (zero hours contact)

Location: Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich or Sutton

Salary:  £14.80 per hour.

Holidays: Based on hours accrued

Our benefits package includes:
• Pension contribution scheme
• Fully funded Learning and Development
• Company employee assistance programme service

• Sleep in allowance

Working Hours: 22.5 hours per week

Salary: £17,631 - £18,402.60 per annum (Based on an FTE salary of £29,385 - £30,671 per annum)

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (Duty & Triage) at Solace Women's Aid. 

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service 

Tower Hamlets Solace Advocacy and Support Service (SASS) provides advice and support to individuals aged 16 and over who are currently experiencing domestic abuse in Tower Hamlets. The service is delivered by a multidisciplinary team including Core Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs), a Duty IDVA, and a range of co-located IDVAs.

These include specialist IDVAs based within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Housing services, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), hospitals, and GP surgeries, alongside a Housing Floating Support Worker.

About the Role 

We are looking for a Duty and Triage IDVA to join our team. The successful candidate will act as a first point of contact for incoming referrals to Tower Hamlets SASS. As the Duty IDVA you will triage referrals into the Tower Hamlets SASS team, responding to professionals and members of the public. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with external agencies. In addition, you will risk and needs assess and safety plan with survivors of domestic abuse. 

About You

The ideal candidate will have experience supporting individuals affected by domestic and/or sexual violence, with the ability to assess and manage risk and follow effective case management processes for a diverse and vulnerable client group.

You will have a good understanding of housing, welfare, and policy related to domestic and sexual violence, alongside strong administrative and time‑management skills, including confident use of Excel.

You will be able to manage a busy caseload and demonstrate a clear understanding of the causes and impacts of domestic and sexual abuse. Flexibility in your approach and a commitment to the values of Solace Women’s Aid are essential.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Complex Mental Health Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets

£20,009.60 per annum, working 26 hours per week.
2x 13 hour shifts per week, including weekends and bank holidays with team meetings on a Friday.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? 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
• 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
• 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.

The Barnsley Street Project is a pilot service funded by NHS money following a bid by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT). The service comprises of Look Ahead staff, ELFT staff, and Tower Hamlets Mental Health VCSE Alliance, formed of 17 local VCSE organisations. The Barnsley Street Project operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support for people in the catchment area of one primary care network in Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets. It provides a variety of psychosocial and clinical interventions, including the provision of 6 Hospitality Beds for short term support and intervention.

Support Workers within the Barnsley Street Project will be expected to support individuals requiring support from the local community that walk in to the service and those staying in our hospitality beds. This support may include providing tailored and co-produced practical, emotional, trauma-informed support to individuals with a variety of challenges relating to their mental health. This may include the management of symptoms, social support, navigating benefits and welfare systems, practical skills and signposting to specialist services in the local authority for intensive or specific support as required.

What you'll do:

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
• Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve individual goals
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
• Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
• Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
• Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
• Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
• Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
• Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
• Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
• Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks etc
• Taking on shift leading responsibilities by coordinating and leading shifts in the absence of a manager
• Being responsible for the handover of key information between shifts
• Adhering to all other Look Ahead's policies and procedures
• Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
• Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/Manager Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

Please see our website for the full job description.

Job Title:                     Case Worker – CAPSA Services (Culturally Appropriate Peer Support and Advocacy)  

Reports to:                  CAPSA Team Manager

Geographic focus: Lambeth

Salary:£30,500

Hours of Work: 37.5 per week (flexible working available)

Duration:                    2 Year Contract (with a potential to extend)

Benefits:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pension contribution, Employees' Assistance Programme.

Purpose of the role

The CAPSA (Culturally Appropriate Peer Support and Advocacy) Worker role has been specifically designed to support Black people using the secondary mental health system. As a CAPSA Worker, you will provide both Generic Mental Health Advocacy and Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to eligible individuals, including people detained under the Mental Health Act(MHA) 1983/2007, conditionally discharged restricted patients, those under Guardianship, and those on Community Treatment orders, as well as individuals considered for section 57 treatments.

You will play a key role in ensuring that the perspectives of Black service users are recognised and respected, addressing their unique and multiple needs, and promoting access to advocacy for all eligible individuals. You will raise awareness of advocacy, rights under the MHA, and the CAPSA service among professionals, individuals, and agencies.

In addition to direct advocacy, you will contribute to service development by supporting an effective administration system and helping evaluate the impact of advocacy for both service users and commissioners.

As part of CAPSA’s race-led approach to systems change, you will also help challenge systemic racism in mental health services, embed culturally competent practice, and promote equitable care within South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM).

Job summary

Black Thrive Lambeth has developed a co-designed, culturally appropriate peer support and advocacy service (CAPSA) on behalf of the Living Well Network Alliance (LWNA). CAPSA provides support to Black community members with mental health needs through peer support and advocacy, led by individuals with lived experience or lived understanding of mental health challenges. The service creates a space where experiences are respected, accepted, and valued equally.

The role involves building positive relationships with Black service users; offering one-to-one and group advocacy; supporting self-advocacy; gathering and sharing information to inform decision-making; and preparing monitoring reports and feedback. Advocates ensure that the views, wishes, and needs of Black service users are heard and acknowledged, addressing the impact of racism within traditional mental health services.

Duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy & Support for Black Service Users

• Work with individual Black service users to provide culturally informed advocacy, support, and representation to assist them in decision-making related to their care, treatment, and legal status.
• You will manage a caseload of up to 10 clients.
• This will consist of weekly meetings with clients and supporting them around their care in the mental health system, this will be both within inpatient services and CMHTs (Community Mental Health Teams) as well as in the community.
• Support Black service users in developing and maintaining their cultural identity by identifying strengths and advocating for culturally relevant mental health interventions.
• Develop trusting relationships with Black service users within appropriate boundaries to help them express their mental health needs.
• Assist service users in preparing for meetings, attend appointments with them if required, and advocate on their behalf where needed.
• Provide information and updates on the progress of advocacy issues and ensure clients understand proceedings.

Culturally Informed Peer Support & Recovery

• Use lived experience and cultural understanding to promote positive self-esteem and recovery through a culturally informed peer support model.
• Provide practical guidance to Black service users, and where appropriate, their carers, on self-care, resilience strategies, and managing mental health within a race equality framework.
• Promote service user involvement by empowering individuals to communicate their culturally lived experiences and mental health needs to professionals.
• Challenge peer support models, stigma, and discriminatory practices that fail to recognise the cultural needs of Black service users.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders and community members to develop a culturally informed advocacy and peer support model.
• Establish regular advocacy ‘drop-ins’ on wards and in the community, ensuring accessibility for Black service users.
• Signpost service users to culturally relevant community, inpatient, and online resources, as well as mainstream and specialist services.
• Liaise with, and when necessary, challenge NHS professionals, care teams, and local authorities to ensure due process and cultural competence in service delivery.
• To maintain a level of professionalism in all spaces always.

Role Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality, respect service users’ right to privacy, and ensure their dignity is always upheld.
• Keep accurate and timely records of advocacy and peer support work, providing regular verbal and written reports to the line manager.
• Attend team meetings, participate in one-to-one supervision, group supervision sessions, and complete mandatory training in peer support and other job-related areas.
• Raise safeguarding concerns following organisational policies and procedures.

GENERAL

• To attend and participate in meetings held by the CAPSA team and other bodies as required.
• To maintain records of hours worked and to complete accurate expense returns.
• To foster and develop an equality and diversity approach within the role, in line with Black Thrive’
• To promote the service through the distribution of publicity materials, liaising with statutory and voluntary services, and, where appropriate, through the media and presentations to local groups within the agreed company policies.
• To promote the role of advocates both within the Living Well Network Alliance (LWNA) and externally.
• To work well as part of the team in a way that promotes inclusivity and respect in a supportive environment.
• The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Qualities Required

Each quality is marked as either E (Essential) or D (Desirable).

Experience (E/D)

1. Understanding and/or experience of mental health legislation and the Mental Health journey process in numerous settings – E
2. Lived experience of racism or discrimination in wider society and in the provision of mental health services – E
3. Experience of identifying and meeting the needs of individual people – E
4. Experience and ability to develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders – E
5. A commitment to working in an anti-racist and anti-oppressive way – E
6. Confidence in challenging stigma and discrimination within structural settings – E
7. Experience of working in an advocacy or healthcare setting – D

Knowledge and Skills (E/D)

1. Understanding and knowledge of assessment of needs – E
2. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences – E
3. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including via telephone, in person, over video link, and through presentations, demonstrating confidence and assertiveness – E
4. Emotional resilience and the ability to cope with sometimes challenging people and environments – E
5. Ability to work flexibly to meet varying demands on the service – E
6. Good organisational skills, including timekeeping and ability to travel to different locations – E
7. Excellent computer literacy and a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office – E
8. An understanding and awareness of The Equality Act 2010 – E
9. Ability to act calmly and respond professionally to distress, disturbance, and unpredictability – E
10. Ability to work independently on own initiative and prioritise workload while working as part of a team – E
11. Commitment to learning through work-based learning and mandatory training – E
12. Knowledge of mental health legislation such as MHA 1983/2007, MCA 2017 – D
13. Understanding of the specific role, purpose, and responsibilities of an Independent Mental Health Advocate – D
14. Knowledge and/or awareness of safeguarding issues – D
15. An additional language (e.g., Portuguese, French, etc.) – D
16. Qualifications in Peer Support / Advocacy – D

We welcome applications specifically from Black people of African and Caribbean heritage, as the statutory requirement of the Equality Act 2010, Advance Equality in Mental Health 2020 and Parent Carer Race Equality Framework 2020, in order to address the importance of Black employee safety. These posts are therefore restricted to Black applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9 and Part 1.

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. Still, we will treat applicants with a criminal record fairly and not unreasonably discriminate because of a conviction or other information revealed.