Independent mental health advocate jobs

As a Housing Options Officer, you will provide housing-related support, advice, and guidance to vulnerable young people aged 16-35 living in YMCA accommodation. You will work closely with residents to help them develop independent living skills, manage their tenancies, maximise their income, access education and employment opportunities, and move on to sustainable housing solutions. 

What you'll be doing

• Managing a caseload of young people and providing person-centred support.
• Completing assessments, support plans, and risk assessments.
• Supporting residents with budgeting, welfare benefits, tenancy sustainment, and life skills.
• Working with housing providers, local authorities, and support agencies to secure positive move-on outcomes.
• Managing rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, and resident welfare issues.
• Promoting safeguarding, wellbeing, and a psychologically informed environment (PIE).
• Acting as a shift lead when required and helping maintain a safe and supportive accommodation environment. 

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting young people or vulnerable adults in a housing, support, youth work, or customer-facing environment.
• Understands the challenges facing young people experiencing homelessness.
• Has excellent communication, organisation, and relationship-building skills.
• Can work effectively with a range of internal and external partners.
• Is passionate about helping young people achieve positive futures.
• Can maintain professional boundaries while providing compassionate support.

We have a maternity cover opportunity available in the team at MASH. As an Outreach & Engagement Worker you will provide gender and trauma-informed support to women who are rough sleeping, begging and/or sex working in Manchester.

We believe in choice and empowerment, focusing on the material impact and reality of women’s lives, and how we can work with women to create the change that works for them. We hold a strong belief in women’s assets, talents, skills and abilities. Through our services we partner with women as they access and navigate services to aid recovery and realise their goals.

MASH is the only organisation in Greater Manchester which exists specifically to support women who sex work. Through our range of services we build trusted relationships with women to keep them safer, healthier and more equipped to take control of their lives.

Purpose of the role

To work with other members of the MASH team to achieve the following outcomes:

• To improve women’s health
• To improve women’s wellbeing
• To increase women’s safety
• To enable women to identify and achieve their goals
• Women who sex work are heard, understood and experience less stigma
• Other agencies and policymakers understand the needs of women who sex work and are more effective at supporting them

Using a gender and trauma-informed approach, the Outreach & Engagement Worker will deliver 2-4 daytime outreach sessions per week in Manchester alongside partners, colleagues and volunteers. They will also attend the Street Engagement Hub weekly to provide specialist support to women attending this multi-agency hub. They will provide brief interventions and casework support to women supporting their needs holistically.

Help children and young people recover from sexual abuse. 

Respond is looking for a compassionate and skilled Specialist Child and Young Person Advocate to join an innovative partnership delivering a new Child Sexual Abuse Support Hub. 

Working alongside SurvivorsUK and other specialist organisations, you will provide trauma-informed advocacy and emotional support to boys, girls and non-binary children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative service that places children and young people at the centre of support, helping them understand their options, improve their safety and access the specialist services they need. 

About the role 

You will: 

• Hold a caseload of children and young people requiring specialist advocacy and support. 

• Provide practical and emotional support tailored to individual needs. 

• Support children and young people to access health, education, social care, therapeutic and criminal justice services where appropriate. 

• Work collaboratively with families, carers and professionals while ensuring the wishes and rights of the young person remain central. 

• Contribute to safeguarding, risk management and multidisciplinary working across the partnership. 

• Help improve access to services for children and young people who experience additional barriers, including disabled children and young people and those from under-represented communities. 

Please note this is not a court advocacy or Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) role. Where ongoing ISVA or court support is required, you will work closely with partner organisations to ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time. 

About you 

We're looking for someone who has: 

• Experience supporting children and young people affected by trauma, abuse or exploitation. 

• A strong understanding of safeguarding and trauma-informed practice. 

• Experience working collaboratively across agencies. 

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills. 

• A commitment to equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice. 

• Experience supporting autistic children and young people, those with learning disabilities, or additional needs would be highly valued. 

Why Respond? 

For over 30 years, Respond has been a national leader in supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse, violence and trauma. We are committed to delivering accessible, inclusive and person-centred services that enable people to recover, heal and thrive. 

Joining Respond means becoming part of a supportive team that values collaboration, reflective practice and continuous learning while making a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people. 

We welcome applications from everyone 

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience and those from communities that are under-represented in our workforce. 

Respond is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. 

Community Mental Health Advocate / Eiriolwr Iechyd Meddwl Annibynnol Cymunedol

Are you passionate about promoting empowerment and self-determination?

Can you uphold equal opportunities, equality and diversity?

Do you have experience with supporting people to access their rights?

About Us

Advocacy Support Cymru (ASC) is a registered charity with offices in Cardiff and Swansea. We provide Independent Mental Health and Mental Capacity Advocacy Services across most of South Wales, employing 55 employees.

About you

You will have significant experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children, either within health or social care setting, or indirectly, for example as a carer. You will understand and have experience of working effectively in an intra-agency context with Health and Social Care Professionals.

Previous direct experience in the role would be preferred but training will be provided.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE VACANCY (SWANSEA BASED)

To provide a Community Advocacy service to people in the area who are receiving services from Community Mental Health Teams, Tier 2 services or above, or who qualify for a fast track assessment under Part 3 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.

The salary band for the role is £20,047 to £20,739 based on a 30 hour week. This is a permanent part role at 30 hours per week.

Essential Information

All successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check.

You must be able to drive and have access to a car during the working week.

Closing Date: – 5pm, 12th August 2026.

Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview. Interviews will be conducted in English.

No Agencies Please.

Ydych chi’n angerddol am hyrwyddo grymuso a’r hyder i wneud penderfyniadau?

Allwch chi gynnal cyfleoedd cyfartal, cydraddoldeb ac amrywiaeth?

Oes gennych chi brofiad o gefnogi pobl i gael mynediad at eu hawliau?

Amdanom Ni

Mae Cefnogaeth Eiriolaeth Cymru (ASC) yn elusen gofrestredig gyda swyddfeydd yng Nghaerdydd ac Abertawe. Rydym yn darparu Gwasanaethau Eiriolaeth Iechyd Meddwl a Galluedd Meddyliol Annibynnol ar draws y rhan fwyaf o Dde Cymru, gan gyflogi 55 o weithwyr.

Amdanoch chi

Bydd rhaid bod gennych chi brofiad sylweddol o weithio gydag oedolion a/neu blant sy’n agored i niwed, naill ai mewn sefyllfaoedd yn ymwneud ag iechyd neu ofal cymdeithasol, neu’n anuniongyrchol, er enghraifft fel gofalwr. Bydd rhaid bod gennych brofiad (ac yn deall y cysyniad) o weithio’n effeithiol mewn cyd-destun mewnol gyda Gweithwyr Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol Proffesiynol.

Byddai profiad uniongyrchol blaenorol yn y rôl yn fanteisiol ond byddwn yn darparu hyfforddiant.

SWYDD WAG – EIRIOLWR CYMUNEDOL (ABERTAWE)

Darparu gwasanaeth Eiriolaeth Gymunedol i bobl yn yr ardal sy’n derbyn gwasanaethau gan Dimau Iechyd Meddwl Cymunedol, gwasanaethau Haen 2 neu uwch, neu sy’n gymwys i gael asesiad llwybr carlam o dan Ran 3 o Fesur Iechyd Meddwl (Cymru) 2010.

Y band cyflog ar gyfer y swydd yw £120,047 i £20,739 yn seiliedig ar 30 awr yr wythnos. Mae hon yn rol rhannol barhaol am 30 awr yr wythnos. .

Gwybodaeth Hanfodol

Bydd angen gwiriad DBS manwl ar bob ymgeisydd llwyddiannus.

Mae’r gallu i yrru a a char i’w ddefnyddio yn ystod yr wythnos waith yn hanfodol.

Dyddiad Cau: – 5pm, 12 Awst 2026.

Byddwn ond yn cysylltu ag ymgeiswyr llwyddiannus i gael cyfweliad. Cynhelir y cyfweliadau yn Saesneg.

Dim asiantaethau os gwelwch yn dda.

Terms and Conditions

Job title: Advocate (Bridges to Health)

Reports to: Project Manager (Bridges to Health and Substance Misuse TTG)

Direct reports: N/A

Start Date: TBC once vetting has been cleared

Salary: 31,173 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 Southeast weighting)

Working hours: Full time - 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid - MP Downview, Sutton Ln, Sutton SM2 5PD. It’s expected that your working week will include time spent working in prison, time spent delivering community work across London and the South East, plus some working from home.

Job Purpose

Women in Prison’s Advocates deliver high-quality, trauma-informed, independent advocacy for women in communities and in prisons, which focuses on early intervention, and holistic provision as part of a ‘whole system’ multi-agency response that looks to address the root causes of women’s offending.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide in-depth, ongoing support to a caseload of women who have been referred for support by prison staff, predominately the Mental Health In-Reach Teams and Primary Care Teams. 

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and support to women in contact with the criminal justice system – both in prison and in the community. 

2. Maintain case management systems to ensure accurate and timely data recording. 

3. Develop effective relationships with key stakeholders such as statutory and voluntary sector agencies. 

Are you passionate about improving the health and well-being of your local community? Do you have the skills and compassion to support individuals living with long-term health conditions? We’re looking for a motivated Health & Wellbeing Facilitator to join our dedicated team at Age UK Bromley & Greenwich.

About the Role
As a Health & Wellbeing Facilitator, you will play a pivotal role in delivering our Long-Term Health Conditions Programme. This includes leading self-management workshops, organising peer support groups, and empowering clients to make positive lifestyle changes. You’ll be a key player in helping individuals build confidence, enhance their health knowledge, and take control of their well-being. Working closely with colleagues and volunteers, you’ll connect clients to valuable services, create support networks, and make a tangible difference in their lives.

What You’ll Do:

• Work with the Lifestyle Coordinator to plan and deliver engaging health and well-being workshops for individuals with ongoing health conditions.
• Facilitate support groups, training and supervising volunteer peer mentors to provide targeted, condition-specific guidance.
• Collaborate with partner organisations to ensure a smooth referral process for additional services like Befriending, Carer Support, and Handyperson services.
• Provide personalised support through various channels, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and online communication.
• Help clients develop essential skills, such as managing medication, reducing stress, and communicating with healthcare providers.
• Monitor programme outcomes, maintain accurate client records, and contribute to continuous service improvement.

About You
We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a genuine passion for helping others. You should have experience working with individuals who face health challenges and a commitment to promoting independence and well-being. Knowledge of local resources and services is a plus, as is experience in organising health-related workshops or programmes.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Strong communication skills with a track record of supporting individuals facing health challenges.
• A basic understanding of long-term health conditions and how they impact physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• A flexible and adaptive approach to meet the needs of our clients.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us
At Age UK Bromley & Greenwich, we are passionate about making later life a time to enjoy. Join a supportive, mission-driven team where your work is valued and where you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in your community. We value equality, respect, and creativity, offering a collaborative and flexible work environment.

What We Offer:

• 27 days of annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme with a competitive employer match.
• Hybrid working options considered (after completion of Probation Period) to support work-life balance.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme for mental, financial, and physical well-being support.

As a Domestic Abuse (DA) Team Leader, you will lead the team of DA Practitioner’s and our Armed Forces Independent Domestic Violence Adviser’s (IDVAs). You will be responsible for overseeing risk assessments, safety planning and case management, working within Trevi’s Domestic Abuse Team.

About the role

This role focuses on empowering women and families to improve their safety, wellbeing, and independence. The successful candidate will lead the team to provide support through emotional support, practical guidance, advocacy, and access to specialist services which will include legal resources, employment, education, finances, benefit support and group work.

 What you will do 

·   Supervise DA Practitioners, & Armed Forces IDVAs, providing daily guidance, case management oversight, and supervision

· Providing constructive feedback, conducting appraisals, and managing employee performance

· Lead on high-risk cases, ensuring comprehensive risk assessment (e.g., DASH) and safety planning for victims

What you will bring 

· Experience of working in domestic abuse delivery service

· IDVA Qualified

·       Ability to prioritise, work independently, and reflect on practice

· Strong communication and organisational skills

Help transform access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness in Islington 

Thank you for your interest in joining Groundswell. 

We're looking for someone who believes everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

As our new Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Caseworker in Islington, you'll play a key role in establishing an exciting new service that helps people experiencing homelessness get the healthcare they need while bringing local health, housing and homelessness services together around the people who need them most. 

Every day you'll build trusted relationships, remove barriers to healthcare and support people to take greater control of their health and wellbeing. Whether you're accompanying someone to a health appointment, helping them understand their treatment, supporting a safe hospital discharge or working alongside local partners to coordinate care, you'll see the difference your work makes. 

At Groundswell, we believe lasting change happens through relationships. We work alongside people rather than doing things for them, building confidence, creating opportunities and supporting people to become active participants in their own health. 

This is an opportunity to help shape a new service from the beginning, working as part of an ambitious partnership that's committed to reducing health inequalities and creating a more joined-up, compassionate system for people experiencing homelessness in Islington. 

If you're passionate about tackling health inequalities, enjoy building relationships, and want to be part of a values-led organisation where lived experience is at the heart of everything we do, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Groundswell 

For30yearswe'veworked alongside people with lived experience to develop practical solutions that improve health, reduceinequalitiesand create opportunities for lasting change. We believe that people who have experienced homelessness are experts in the barriers they face and should playa central rolein designing services and shaping the systems that affect them. 

Today, Groundswell delivers peer-led services, helping thousands of people each year access healthcare, improve their wellbeing and influence the systems that affect their lives.AsIslington HHPA Caseworker,you'lljoin a supportive organisation that believes lasting change happens through relationships,partnershipandinvolving people withlived experienceat all levels. 

Our Vision 

Our vision is for a society which is fair, inclusive and equal. 

We need equitable access to a healthier life and a better future for anyone with experience of homelessness. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to bring people together to: 

• Amplify voices of people with lived experience to create solutions to homelessness and health inequalities. 

• Stand in solidarity and champion their rights, to create positive change. 

Our Strategy 

We co-produced our strategy with staff and volunteers with experience of homelessness. We’re proud to have remained true to our values of participation and co-production. 

Stronger Voices, Healthier Lives, Better Futures, Greater Together 

People with experience of homelessness must inform the solutions – because they understand the problems people face. 

At every stage, we will hear, unite and amplify more voices of people with lived experience to speak out. Through participation we will build a stronger, more inclusive community to create change – through our organisation, in services, our sectors and wider society, locally and nationally. 

Homelessness is a health emergency. 

We will work to end health inequalities for people who have or are experiencing homelessness through advocacy, practical support, information and by influencing people, policy and services. 

Everyone deserves a better, more hopeful life and future. 

Lived experience of homelessness can lead to barriers that impact people’s life chances. 

Recognising the potential in everyone, we will provide more opportunities and support for people with experience of homelessness to progress if, and when, they are ready. 

We can’t achieve our goals alone – we are more impactful when we pull together. 

We will become more effective and sustainable, building on our culture of relationships, compassion and transparency, and working closely with partners to learn, share and create change. 

HowHomeless Health Peer Advocacy Works 

HHPA helps people experiencing homelessness overcome the barriers that prevent them accessing healthcare. 

Many people face significant challenges navigating health services. Appointments can be difficult to book and attend, treatment can be confusing, andpreviousexperiences of stigma, trauma or exclusion can make healthcare feel inaccessible. Without the right support, people often delay seeking help until their health has deteriorated. 

"I need someone with me that I know that I can trust. I wouldn't do things like that on my own." 

HHPA Client 

HHPA provides practical, person-centred support that helps people access the care they need while building the confidence to manage their own health. Rather than providing one-off interventions, HHPA works alongside people over time, developing trusted relationships, responding flexibly to changing needs and supporting people to become more confident and independent. 

The service combines theexpertiseof skilled Caseworkers with the unique insight of trained volunteer Peer Advocates who have lived experience of homelessness. Together they provide one-to-one advocacy, practicalsupportand health promotion to help people: 

• register with healthcare services 

• prepare for and attend appointments 

• understand treatment and care plans 

• navigate hospital admission and discharge 

• access wider health and wellbeing services 

• make informed decisions about their health 

• become increasingly confident in managing their own health. 

Alongside one-to-one support, HHPA delivers peer-led health promotion in hostels, day centres, outreachsettingsand other community spaces. Through informal conversations and group activities, Peer Advocates share accessible information about physical health, mental health and wellbeing, encourage preventative healthcare,identifyunmet healthneedsand help people access support earlier. These conversations often provide the first step towards engaging with healthcare, creating trusted pathways into ongoingadvocacyand reducing the need for crisis intervention. 

This relational, peer-led approach improves individual health outcomes while strengthening partnerships across health,housingand homelessness services, helping more people access coordinated, person-centredcare. 

Delivering HHPA in Islington 

Groundswell has been commissioned by Islington Council to deliver a new borough-wide Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) service. 

The service supports people who are sleeping rough or living in hostels, supported accommodation and temporary housing to access healthcare earlier, stay engaged with treatment and receive coordinated support across local services. 

Working alongside Single Homelessness Project (SHP), Thames Reach, the Islington Health Outreach Team (IHOT), Whittington Health NHS Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Islington GP Federation, Change Grow Live, Islington Council and local accommodation providers, the service delivers outreach, in-reach, health advocacy, healthcare accompaniment, hospital discharge support and health promotion for people experiencing homelessness across Islington. Alongside supporting individuals, the service also strengthens local partnerships, improves referral pathways and identifies opportunities to make the health and homelessness system work better for people experiencing homelessness. 

"Groundswell are the stitches that keep homeless and health professionals working together." 

Partner organisation 

As the Islington HHPA Caseworker, you'll play a key role in establishing this new service and helping it become a trusted part of Islington's health and homelessness system. You'll manage a varied caseload, working alongside people experiencing homelessness to improve access to healthcare, coordinate support and help them achieve the health outcomes that matter to them. Every day is different, but throughout your work you'll work alongside people, collaborate with local partners and help create a service that enables people to access healthcare with dignity, confidence and choice. 

Role Description 

Through outreach, health advocacy and partnership working, you'll support people experiencing homelessness to access healthcare, stay engaged with treatment and build the confidence to manage their own health. Alongside direct support, you'll help strengthen partnerships and improve local pathways into care. 

Key Responsibilities 

Outreach and Engagement: 

• Undertake outreach with SHP, Thames Reach and the Islington Health Outreach Team (IHOT).

• Deliver in-reach sessions within hostels, supported accommodation and temporary housing.

• Respond to referrals and identify people who would benefit from the service.

• Build trusting relationships through persistent, compassionate engagement.

• Complete holistic assessments and develop person-centred support plans. 

Health Advocacy and Casework: 

Manage a caseload of people experiencing homelessness with multiple and complex health needs, providing practical, person-centred support to improve access to healthcare and long-term health outcomes. 

You will support people to: 

• Register with GP practices and other primary healthcare services.

• Access physical health, mental health, dental, sexual health, optometry and substance use services.

• Arrange, prepare for and attend healthcare appointments.

• Understand their treatment, care plans and available support.

• Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and advocate where barriers arise.

• Build the confidence and skills to manage their own healthcare independently over time.

• Promote preventative healthcare, including screening, vaccinations and long-term condition management where appropriate.

• Deliver informal health promotion and accessible health information in hostels and community settings.

• Encourage people to seek support earlier and become active participants in managing their own health and wellbeing.

You'll tailor your support to each individual, recognising the impact of homelessness, trauma and social exclusion on health and wellbeing. 

Hospital Admission and Discharge 

• Support people before, during and after hospital admission.

• Advocate with hospital teams.

• Contribute to discharge planning.

• Help prevent discharge to rough sleeping.

• Provide follow-up support to maintain engagement with healthcare. 

Partnership Working 

Develop strong working relationships across Islington's health, housing and homelessness system to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive coordinated, person-centred support. 

You will: 

• Attend multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, case conferences and other partnership forums.

• Coordinate care for people with multiple and complex needs.

• Develop and maintain effective referral pathways with partner organisations.

• Share information appropriately to support safe, coordinated care.

• Promote collaborative, person-centred working across the partnership. 

• Champion the value of peer-led health advocacy and lived experience.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and improve access to healthcare across the borough. 

Safeguarding and Professional Practice 

• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Assess and manage risk.

• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

• Follow Groundswell's safeguarding, health and safety and lone working procedures.

• Participate in supervision, reflective practice and training.

Recording and Service Development 

• Maintain accurate records using Salesforce.

• Monitor outcomes and report on service activity.

• Contribute case studies and learning.

• Share insights to improve services and local partnership working.

• Support the development of the Islington HHPA service. 

General Responsibilities 

You will: 

• Work in line with Groundswell's values and policies.

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred practice.

• Work flexibly across community settings in Islington.

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role. 

What Success Looks Like 

In your first year you will have: 

• Built trusted relationships with people experiencing homelessness.

• Helped more people access and engage with healthcare.

• Worked effectively alongside Peer Advocates and local partners.

• Supported safer hospital admissions and discharges.

• Delivered high-quality, person-centred health advocacy.

• Helped establish Groundswell's HHPA service as a trusted part of Islington's health and homelessness system. 

Person Specification 

At Groundswell, we know that excellent Caseworkers come from many different backgrounds. You may have gained your experience through paid work, volunteering, community organising, supporting people experiencing homelessness or other forms of social exclusion, or through your own lived experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who are committed to improving people's lives. 

We'relooking for someone who shares our values, enjoys building relationships and wants to help create a health and homelessness system that works better for everyone. 

What We're Looking For 

A) Core Requirements: 

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate the following: 

1. Experience of supporting people facing homelessness, multiple disadvantage or other forms of social exclusion through advocacy, casework, health navigation or other person-centred support.
2. The ability to build trusting relationships with people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion or negative experiences of services.
3. Excellent communication and partnership working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across health, housing and voluntary sector organisations.
4. Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritise competing demands and maintain accurate records.
5. Sound judgement when managing risk, safeguarding concerns and complex situations.
6. A commitment to Groundswell's values, including lived experience leadership, equity, participation, compassion and collaboration.

B) Knowledge and Experience: 

The successful candidate is likely to have knowledge or experience of: 

Essential 

1. Health inequalities experienced by people facing homelessness and multiple disadvantage.
2. Trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.
3. Safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality.
4. Working collaboratively with other organisations to support people with complex needs.
5. Microsoft Word and Outlook 

Desirable 

1. Health advocacy, care navigation or homelessness services.
2. Outreach or assertive engagement.
3. Hospital admission and discharge support.
4. NHS, housing or adult social care systems.
5. Coordinating volunteers or people with lived experience.
6. Salesforce or another case management system.

C) Personal Qualities: 

We'relooking for someone who is: 

1. Compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental.
2. Calm and resilient when working in complex or challenging situations.
3. Curious, reflective and committed to continuous learning.
4. Flexible and adaptable, recognising that no two days—and no two people—are the same.
5. Passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

We'dParticularly Welcome ApplicationsfromPeople Who Have: 

• Lived experience of homelessness or another form of social exclusion. 

• Experience of working in partnership with local communities. 

• Experience of co-production or supporting people with lived experience to shape services. 

• A commitment to using lived experience to influence systems and improve outcomes. 

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment: 

Groundswell is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, migration, the criminal justice system, mental ill health, substance use or other forms of social exclusion. 

We recognise that no one candidate will meet every requirement. If you believe you have the skills,valuesand potential to succeed in this role,we'dencourage you to apply. 

Why Join Groundswell 

Meaningful Work 

"Without someone beside them, many of my clients simply wouldn't attend. It isn't just support—it's the difference between care happening or not happening at all." 

Groundswell Peer Advocate 

Working at Groundswell is about making a genuine difference.It's rewarding work where you'll see the impact of what you do, both in people's lives and in the way local services work together. 

A Supportive Team 

We're a values-led organisation where compassion, collaboration and lived experience shape everything we do. You'll be part of a friendly, supportive team that values reflection, learning and mutual support. Through regular supervision, reflective practice and close working with colleagues and partners, you'll have the support you need to do challenging work well. 

Learn and Grow 

We're committed to helping our people develop. You'll have opportunities to deepen your expertise in homelessness, health inequalities and trauma-informed practice, build your understanding of health, housing and social care systems, and contribute to the development of a new service. Whether you're looking to broaden your skills or progress your career, we'll support your learning every step of the way. 

Benefits 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays. 

• 5% employer pension contribution. 

• Flexible and hybrid working, where service delivery allows. 

• A compressed hours working pattern is available. 

• Regular reflective practice and high-quality supervision. 

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities. 

• A supportive,inclusiveand values-led working environment. 

Be Part of Something Bigger 

Every relationship you build, every barrier you help remove and every person you support to access healthcare has the potential to change a life. 

By joining Groundswell, you'll be helping to build a fairer health system—one where everyone, regardless of their housing situation, can access the care they need with dignity, confidence and hope. 

If you're looking for a role where your compassion, skills and commitment can make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you. 

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process. 

1. Application 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter using. The cover letter should explain:

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Friday 7th August. 

1. Interviews 

Interviews will be held online on Wednesday 12th August. 

If you do not have a computer or a suitable space to do an online interview, we can arrange for you to come into our office.

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

1. Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference and DBS check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

If you would like to discuss this role before applying then please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

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We are recruiting for a Children and Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ChISVA) to support and empower young survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

The ChISVA will provide information, support, advice and advocacy to children and young people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The post holder will deliver child-centred support to young survivors and non-abusing care givers around criminal justice processes, wellbeing, education and safety, while ensuring child protection procedures are followed at all times.

The post holder will work closely with other agencies such as Social Care, the Police, Education, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and voluntary sector organisations to ensure that children and young people are kept safe and are well supported. They will prioritise, assess, plan, evaluate and deliver all relevant aspects of support to an agreed and expected high standard.

This post is part of a countywide ISVA team providing a pro-active service to children, young people and adult survivors of sexual violence and abuse, within and outside of the criminal justice system.

For more information and to apply for the role, please click on the 'Redirect to Recruiter' button to visit our website where you will find all the documents and details required.

Job Role: Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (CIDVA)

Salary: £22,244 per year (£27,805 FTE)

Hours: 30 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Banes

Additional information:

• Participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
• A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes.

About Alongside:

Alongside is the new name for Julian House. We work with people experiencing social exclusion across the South and West of England, providing outreach, accommodation and support. Our clients may be sleeping rough, fleeing abuse, rebuilding after trauma, leaving prison, recovering from addiction, or trying to settle safely in a new community. Whatever their starting point, we work alongside people to help build safety, stability and independence.

If you’d like a real sense of job satisfaction, great career prospects and a competitive benefits package, you could be who we’re looking for!

About the Role:

As a Children and Young People’s Domestic Abuse Advocate (CIDVA), you’ll play a vital and inspiring role in helping young survivors find their voice, rebuild their confidence, and feel truly heard. Working with children and young people aged 5–17 who have experienced domestic abuse, you’ll provide compassionate, tailored support within a safe refuge environment alongside their non-abusive parent.

At the heart of this role is empowering young people, helping them understand their experiences, express themselves, and begin to move forward in a positive way. Through high-quality one-to-one support, you’ll offer guidance, advocacy, and reassurance, ensuring each young person feels supported every step of the way.

You’ll also bring creativity and energy to the role by delivering engaging group programmes focused on building healthy relationships, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. Alongside this, you’ll coordinate meaningful activities and work closely with partner agencies to ensure every child and young person receives the joined-up support they need.

This is a truly rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference - supporting young people at a pivotal time in their lives and helping them build safer, brighter futures.

What you’ll be doing:

Work closely with young survivors to co-produce and deliver personalised support plans that reflect their individual needs, strengths and goals.

Supporting young people as they transition from refuge into independent living, helping to build confidence and stability during resettlement.

Carrying out and regularly reviewing risk assessments to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each young person, in line with safeguarding policies.

Building strong partnerships with external agencies, enabling young people to access wider community resources and receive holistic, wraparound support.

Please note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.

You can view the full job description by clicking here.

What we’re looking for:

Experience of working with children and young people affected by domestic or sexual abuse, with a passion for supporting them to feel safe, heard, and empowered.

A strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches and the impact domestic abuse can have on young people’s wellbeing and development.

A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes.

There are many great reasons to join our team!

Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan

27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays - increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part-time staff)

30% staff discount at our charity shops

A generous and competitive pension scheme

A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted

Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators

For all the fantastic and valuable work, you’ll be doing, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands

Reflective Practice sessions from objective, external facilitators

Our Ethos

As an Equal Opportunities employer, we have an Equality and Diversity Action plan in place showing our commitment in ensuring continuous improvement in creating an inclusive culture. We also have a committed group of Inclusion & Diversity champions who meet monthly to ensure progress is being made. We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, especially minority groups that are underrepresented in the workplace. We also welcome applications from those with lived experience. We embrace flexibility and are proud to be a Disability Confident and Mindful employer, as well as an Armed Forces Covenant Supporter.

If you have any special access requirements or other support needs throughout the application process (including interview), please contact us so that we can let you know how we can support you. We accept CVs and applications in all formats.

DBS Checks

We welcome applications from people with lived experience. All applicants working with our clients will be expected to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming an employee, the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role. If you would like to discuss any convictions you may have, please contact the person named in the advert. All information will be dealt with according to our Data Protection Policy.

Help make healthcare work better for people experiencing homelessness  

Thank you for your interest in joining Groundswell. 

We're looking for someone who believes everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

As our Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Development Manager, you'll help make that happen by building the partnerships that enable people experiencing homelessness to access the healthcare they need. 

At Groundswell, we know that good services alone aren't enough. Lasting change happens when health, housing and homelessness organisations work together around the person, sharing responsibility, building trust and removing barriers to care. This role exists to make that collaboration happen in practice. 

Working across London, you'll strengthen partnerships, improve referral pathways and help embed HHPA within local systems so that more people can access timely, coordinated and person-centred healthcare. You'll also lead our Health Promotion programme, support the development of staff and volunteers, and help shape the future growth of the service. 

This is an opportunity to improve individual lives by helping organisations work better together. Through your leadership, you'll help create a more connected health and homelessness system—one where people experiencing homelessness can access healthcare with confidence, dignity and choice. 

If you're passionate about collaboration, committed to tackling health inequalities and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Groundswell 

For 30 years we've worked alongside people with lived experience to develop practical solutions that improve health, reduce inequalities and create opportunities for lasting change. We believe that people who have experienced homelessness are experts in the barriers they face and should play a central role in designing services and shaping the systems that affect them.  

Today, Groundswell delivers peer-led services, helping thousands of people each year access healthcare, improve their wellbeing and influence the systems that affect their lives. As HHPA Development Manager, you'll join a supportive organisation that believes lasting change happens through relationships, partnership and involving people with lived experience at all levels.  

Our Vision 

Our vision is for a society which is fair, inclusive and equal. 

We need equitable access to a healthier life and a better future for anyone with experience of homelessness. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to bring people together to: 

• Amplify voices of people with lived experience to create solutions to homelessness and health inequalities. 

• Stand in solidarity and champion their rights, to create positive change. 

Our Strategy 

We co-produced our strategy with staff and volunteers with experience of homelessness. We’re proud to have remained true to our values of participation and co-production. 

Stronger Voices, Healthier Lives, Better Futures, Greater Together 

People with experience of homelessness must inform the solutions – because they understand the problems people face. 

At every stage, we will hear, unite and amplify more voices of people with lived experience to speak out. Through participation we will build a stronger, more inclusive community to create change – through our organisation, in services, our sectors and wider society, locally and nationally. 

Homelessness is a health emergency. 

We will work to end health inequalities for people who have or are experiencing homelessness through advocacy, practical support, information and by influencing people, policy and services. 

Everyone deserves a better, more hopeful life and future. 

Lived experience of homelessness can lead to barriers that impact people’s life chances. 

Recognising the potential in everyone, we will provide more opportunities and support for people with experience of homelessness to progress if, and when, they are ready. 

We can’t achieve our goals alone – we are more impactful when we pull together. 

We will become more effective and sustainable, building on our culture of relationships, compassion and transparency, and working closely with partners to learn, share and create change. 

How Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Works 

HHPA helps people experiencing homelessness overcome the barriers that prevent them accessing healthcare. 

Many people face significant challenges navigating health services. Appointments can be difficult to attend, treatment can be confusing, and previous experiences of stigma, trauma or exclusion can make healthcare feel inaccessible. Without the right support, people often delay seeking help until their health has deteriorated. 

"I need someone with me that I know that I can trust. I wouldn't do things like that on my own." 

HHPA Client 

HHPA provides practical, person-centred support that helps people access the care they need while building the confidence to manage their own health. Rather than providing one-off interventions, HHPA works alongside people over time, developing trusted relationships, responding flexibly to changing needs and supporting people to become more confident and independent. 

The service combines the expertise of skilled Caseworkers with the unique insight of trained volunteer Peer Advocates who have lived experience of homelessness. Together they provide one-to-one advocacy, practical support and health promotion to help people: 

• register with healthcare services 

• prepare for and attend appointments 

• understand treatment and care plans 

• navigate hospital admission and discharge 

• access wider health and wellbeing services 

• make informed decisions about their health 

• become increasingly confident in managing their own health. 

Alongside one-to-one support, HHPA delivers peer-led health promotion in hostels, day centres, outreach settings and other community spaces. Through informal conversations and group activities, Peer Advocates share accessible information about physical health, mental health and wellbeing, encourage preventative healthcare, identify unmet health needs and help people access support earlier. These conversations often provide the first step towards engaging with healthcare, creating trusted pathways into ongoing advocacy and reducing the need for crisis intervention. 

Rather than doing things for people, HHPA works alongside them—building trust, reducing barriers and enabling people to become active participants in their own healthcare. This relational, peer-led approach improves individual health outcomes while strengthening partnerships across health, housing and homelessness services, helping more people access coordinated, person-centred care.  

The Role 

The HHPA Development Manager is a key leadership role within Groundswell's HHPA service. 

You'll help shape how people experiencing homelessness access healthcare by strengthening partnerships across London's health, housing and homelessness system while leading the continued development of our Health Promotion programme. 

People experiencing homelessness often interact with multiple services but still experience fragmented care, missed opportunities for prevention and barriers to accessing the support they need. HHPA bridges these gaps through trusted relationships, peer-led advocacy and health promotion. This role helps create the partnerships, systems and programmes that make that possible. 

This isn't a traditional partnership management role focused on maintaining stakeholder relationships. It's a practical, hands-on leadership role that brings organisations together, supports colleagues to deliver excellent services and identifies opportunities to improve how healthcare is delivered and experienced. 

Working closely with the Services Director, Systems Manager and Health and Social Care Lead, you'll help ensure HHPA remains well connected, continually improving and responsive to changing need. 

The role combines five key areas of responsibility: 

Leading the Service  
Providing day-to-day operational leadership, supporting colleagues and helping ensure HHPA is delivered safely, consistently and effectively. 

Building Partnerships  
Developing strong relationships with NHS organisations, local authorities, homelessness services and voluntary organisations to embed HHPA and strengthen collaborative working. 

Leading Health Promotion  
Developing and overseeing Groundswell's Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, working with partners to deliver accessible, peer-led health promotion that encourages earlier engagement with healthcare. 

Growing HHPA  
Using learning from frontline delivery and partnership working to improve services, develop new approaches and support the expansion of HHPA into new boroughs and communities. 

Developing People  
Supporting, developing and inspiring staff and volunteers through reflective supervision, shared learning and a culture that values lived experience, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Together, these responsibilities make this a varied and influential role where you'll help shape both the future of HHPA and the wider health and homelessness system. 

Role Description 

As HHPA Development Manager, you'll provide operational leadership for key areas of Groundswell's Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service. 

You'll lead the development of strategic partnerships, oversee the delivery and growth of our Health Promotion programme, support and develop staff and volunteers, and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand HHPA. 

Working closely with the Services Director, Systems Manager and Health and Social Care Lead, you'll help ensure the service is well connected, evidence-informed and continually improving, so that more people experiencing homelessness can access timely, coordinated and person-centred healthcare. 

Building Partnerships: 

Develop trusted relationships across health, housing and homelessness services so organisations work together more effectively and people experiencing homelessness can access timely, coordinated healthcare. 

• Build and sustain relationships with NHS organisations, local authorities, homelessness services and community partners. 

• Support the Services Director to develop relationships with commissioners and strategic partners. 

• Represent Groundswell at operational meetings, networks and multidisciplinary teams. 

• Champion peer-led health advocacy and the involvement of people with lived experience. 

• Work with partners to identify shared challenges and develop practical solutions. 

Embedding HHPA in Local Systems: 

Help ensure HHPA becomes an established and valued part of local health and homelessness systems by strengthening collaboration and improving access to the service. 

• Embed HHPA within partner organisations' day-to-day practice.  

• Strengthen collaboration between HHPA staff and local services.  

• Develop and improve referral pathways.  

• Support timely, appropriate referrals and monitor referral activity. 

• Identify and resolve barriers to effective partnership working. 

• Work with the Systems Manager to strengthen systems that support collaboration. 

Leading Health Promotion: 

Lead the development of Groundswell's peer-led Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, helping people engage with healthcare earlier through accessible, trauma-informed support in hostels, day centres and community settings. 

• Develop partnerships that expand Health Promotion opportunities.  

• Oversee delivery across boroughs.  

• Develop accessible health information with communications colleagues.  

• Monitor quality, impact and learning and produce reports for funders  

• Ensure activities are delivered safely, including venue risk assessments where required.  

Leading and Developing People: 

Create a supportive, high-performing culture where staff and volunteers can thrive. 

• Line manage a team of Caseworkers and support volunteers.   

• Provide reflective supervision that encourages learning, wellbeing and high-quality practice.   

• Promote continuous learning and reflective practice.   

• Working alongside the Volunteer Management team, support volunteer recruitment, induction and ongoing development.   

• Foster collaboration, accountability and shared learning across teams.   

• Use coaching and asset-based approaches to help staff and volunteers recognise their strengths, build their skills and reach their potential.  

Improving Services: 

Use learning from partnerships, health promotion and complex casework to strengthen HHPA and improve system responses. 

• Work with the Health and Social Care Lead to improve multi-agency responses.  

• Identify opportunities to develop and expand HHPA.  

• Support the introduction of services in new boroughs.  

• Share innovation and best practice across the organisation.  

• Contribute to continuous improvement.  

Supporting Service Delivery: 

Alongside your strategic responsibilities, you'll help ensure HHPA delivers a responsive, safe and reliable service every day. 

• Participate in the HHPA duty system, including occasional early and late shifts.  

• Maintain effective communication with partners around referrals and triage.  

• Work with colleagues to resolve operational challenges.  

General Responsibilities: 

As a member of the HHPA leadership team, you'll contribute to the wider development of Groundswell. 

• Contribute to organisational planning and Team Leads meetings.  

• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.  

• Promote trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.  

• Ensure all work reflects Groundswell's values and commitment to lived experience.  

• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role.  

What Success Looks Like 

Success in this role is measured not simply by the partnerships you build, but by the difference those partnerships—and Groundswell's Health Promotion programme—make to people's lives and to the way health and homelessness services work together. 

In your first year, you will have: 

• Built trusted partnerships across London's health, housing and homelessness system, establishing Groundswell as a valued and reliable partner.  

• Embedded HHPA within local services, strengthening referral pathways and making it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access timely, coordinated healthcare.  

• Led and developed Groundswell's Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, expanding peer-led health promotion across London and creating more opportunities for people to engage with healthcare earlier, in trusted community settings.  

• Supported and developed Caseworkers, volunteers and colleagues, creating a positive culture of reflection, collaboration and continuous learning.  

• Worked alongside colleagues and partner organisations to improve responses for people with complex needs, removing barriers to healthcare and strengthening multidisciplinary working.  

• Used learning from partnerships and frontline delivery to improve existing services, support innovation and contribute to the growth of HHPA into new boroughs.  

• Helped strengthen the wider health and homelessness system by promoting earlier intervention, improving collaboration and ensuring more people experiencing homelessness can access healthcare with dignity, confidence and choice.  

Above all, you'll have created the conditions that enable both excellent health advocacy and impactful Health Promotion to thrive. By bringing organisations together, supporting colleagues and volunteers, and embedding peer-led approaches within local systems, you'll help more people experiencing homelessness access healthcare earlier, experience better outcomes and receive more connected, compassionate and person-centred support. 

Working as Part of the HHPA Leadership Structure 

These roles work closely together, combining strategic leadership, operational delivery, partnership development and specialist expertise to ensure HHPA is safe, effective and continually improving. 

The HHPA service is delivered through a collaborative leadership model: 

• Services Director  
  Provides strategic direction, secures funding, and holds overall accountability for delivery, performance and growth.  

• Systems Manager  
  Designs and maintains the systems, processes and infrastructure that enable safe, efficient and compliant delivery.  

• Health and Social Care Lead   
  Leads on supporting individuals facing the greatest barriers, providing specialist knowledge and navigating complex health and social care systems.  

• Development Manager (this role)  
  Ensures HHPA is embedded within local systems and relationships, so that partnerships translate into effective access to healthcare in practice.  

Together, these roles ensure the service is: 

• Well designed (systems)  

• Well connected (development)  

• Effective for those with greatest need (health and social care)  

• Strategically led and sustainable (director)  

Our work is: 

• Person-centred — responding to individual needs  

• Peer-led — shaped by lived experience  

• Collaborative — built through partnership  

• Rights-based — focused on access and equity  

• System-focused — working to create lasting change  

We understand that care is demonstrated through consistent, reliable and thoughtful practice — in how we communicate, follow up, and deliver support. 

Person Specification 

At Groundswell, we know there is no single route to becoming a great manager. You may have gained your experience through paid work, volunteering, community organising, supporting people experiencing homelessness or other forms of social exclusion, or through your own lived experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who share our values and commitment to improving people's lives. 

We're looking for someone who shares our values, enjoys building relationships and wants to help create a health and homelessness system that works better for everyone. 

What We're Looking For 

A) Core Requirements: 

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate: 

1. Experience of building and developing partnerships across health, housing, homelessness or voluntary sector organisations dealing with similar issues.  
2. Experience of leading, supporting or managing staff and helping others to develop.  
3. Experience of working collaboratively across organisations to improve services or outcomes.  
4. The ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of people, including frontline staff, senior managers, commissioners and people with lived experience.  
5. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and work effectively in a complex environment.  
6. Sound judgement when responding to risk, safeguarding concerns and sensitive situations.  
7. A commitment to Groundswell's values of lived experience leadership, participation, equity, compassion and collaboration.  

B) Knowledge and Experience: 

The successful candidate is likely to have knowledge or experience of: 

Essential: 

1. The barriers people experiencing homelessness face when accessing healthcare.   
2. Health, housing and adult social care systems, and how they work together.   
3. Trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.   
4. Building partnerships that improve services and outcomes.   
5. Safeguarding, professional boundaries and information sharing.   
6. Contributing to service development, quality improvement or organisational learning.   
7. Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook  

Desirable: 

1. London's health and homelessness landscape.   
2. Health Promotion, outreach or community engagement.   
3. Co-production, peer-led services or lived experience leadership.   
4. Developing services across multiple sites or boroughs.   
5. Working within a duty-based or high-volume service.   
6. Salesforce or another case management or CRM system.   
7. Using coaching and asset-based approaches to support people to develop their skills, confidence and independence.  

C) Personal Qualities: 

We're looking for someone who is: 

1. An excellent relationship builder who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose.   
2. Compassionate, approachable and respectful in the way they work with colleagues, partners and people using our services.   
3. Curious and reflective, always looking for opportunities to learn and improve.   
4. Confident working across organisational boundaries and able to influence through collaboration rather than authority.   
5. Adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment where no two days are the same.   
6. Passionate about reducing health inequalities and improving access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness.   
7. Reflective and solution-focused, with a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.  

We'd Particularly Welcome Applications from People Who Have: 

• Lived experience of homelessness or another form of social exclusion. 

• Experience of working in partnership with local communities.  

• Experience of co-production or supporting people with lived experience to shape services.  

• A commitment to using lived experience to influence systems and improve outcomes.  

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment: 

Groundswell is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, migration, the criminal justice system, mental ill health, substance use or other forms of social exclusion. 

We recognise that no one candidate will meet every requirement. If you believe you have the skills, values and potential to succeed in this role, we'd encourage you to apply. 

Why Join Groundswell 

Meaningful Work 

This is an opportunity to improve not just individual lives, but the way services work together. 

As HHPA Development Manager, you'll help shape partnerships that make healthcare more accessible for people experiencing homelessness. Your work will influence how organisations collaborate, how services are designed and how people experience care. Every partnership you strengthen and every barrier you help remove has the potential to improve health outcomes for people who are too often excluded from healthcare. 

A Supportive Team 

We're a values-led organisation where collaboration, compassion and lived experience shape everything we do. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues who are committed to learning from one another and supporting each other to do challenging work well. 

We believe good leadership is rooted in reflection, openness and trust. Through regular supervision, reflective practice and close collaboration across the HHPA leadership team, you'll have the support and autonomy to develop your ideas, build strong partnerships and make a lasting contribution. 

Learn and Grow 

HHPA is continuing to grow, creating exciting opportunities to influence the future of the service. 

You'll have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of health inequalities, partnership working and systems change, while developing your leadership skills and contributing to the expansion of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy across London. Whether you're looking to broaden your expertise, lead new initiatives or help shape the future direction of the service, we'll support your professional development every step of the way. 

Benefits 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.  

• 5% employer pension contribution.  

• Flexible and hybrid working, where service delivery allows.  

• A compressed hours working pattern is available.  

• Regular reflective practice and high-quality supervision.  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.  

• A supportive, inclusive and values-led working environment.  

Be Part of Something Bigger 

At Groundswell, we believe everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

By joining us, you'll help create stronger partnerships, more connected services and a fairer health system for people experiencing homelessness. You'll work alongside colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations who share a commitment to collaboration, lived experience and lasting systems change. 

Better partnerships create better healthcare. 

By bringing organisations together, supporting colleagues and strengthening the systems around people experiencing homelessness, you'll help ensure more people receive the care they need, when they need it. 

If you're looking for a role where you can influence services, build lasting partnerships and help create fairer access to healthcare, we'd love to hear from you. 

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process.  

1. Application 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter. The cover letter should explain:

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 17th August.

1. Interviews 

Interviews will be held online on the week beginning August 24th. 

If you do not have a computer or a suitable space to do an online interview, we can arrange for you to come into our office.

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

1. Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference and DBS check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

We care about your privacy; read here how we manage your personal data.

The role

As Youth Advocacy Lead, you will develop and deliver GMYN’s new We Rise project, working alongside care-experienced and separated young people to transform housing and accommodation across Greater Manchester. 

This role is about more than delivering a project. It is an opportunity to help change not just young people's lives but how an organisation listens to them. We are looking for an advocate who believes young people already have the answers; they simply need adults and organisations willing to listen, share power and act. 

The role will combine direct work with young people, advocacy practice, organisational development and systems change. You will introduce and embed a self-advocacy approach across GMYN, supporting young people to understand their rights, build confidence and influence the decisions affecting their lives. 

Alongside this, you will support GMYN colleagues to develop the skills and confidence to make advocacy part of everyday practice; not something that only happens when things go wrong. Working across the organisation, you will help us move from supporting young people for them to achieving change with them. 

You will support young people to lead social action projects, distribute over grants through the We Rise Challenge Fund, influence regional housing reform, develop the creative projects and become the next generation of youth leaders across Greater Manchester. 

This is a real opportunity to build something from the beginning and help create an organisation where advocacy is not an activity – it is simply how we work. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the development and delivery of We Rise, ensuring young people are meaningfully involved learning is captured throughout the project.

• Develop a self-advocacy approach across GMYN, supporting young people to understand their rights and influencing decisions affecting their lives.

• Support young people to develop leadership, advocacy and social action skills so they can shape the services, systems and decisions that affect their lives.

• Design participation opportunities using rights-based approaches, ensuring young people are equal partners in shaping services and decisions.

• Develop strong relationships across Greater Manchester to strengthen youth voice and advocacy for young people to influence change.

• Model strong safeguarding practice to ensure young people are safe and supported. 

• Promote strengths-based and trauma-informed that ensure young people feel valued and heard.

• Capture insight, outcomes and learning to evidence impact and improve future practice.

• Manage project plans, budgets, reporting, and partnerships to ensure successful project delivery. 

• Support GMYN to embed advocacy approaches and continuously improve how we work alongside young people. 

• Promote youth-led advocacy and represent GMYN with stakeholders across Greater Manchester. 

• Carrying out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities that contribute to the organisation's overall aims andobjectives. 

Person specification 

• Experience delivering advocacy or rights-based support with young people, such as care-experienced and separated young people. 

• Understanding of advocacy approaches and how they differ from advice, counselling and key work. 

• Experience supporting young people to develop and lead social action projects. 

• Experience designing and delivering participation opportunities.

• Co-producing services or projects with young people and people with lived experience. 

• Experience facilitating groups, workshops and activities that create safe, inclusive and empowering spaces for young people. 

• Experience developing practice through training and coaching professionals and/or embedding new approaches across organisations. 

• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches, strengths-based practice, and rights-based participation, including the Lundy Model. 

• Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships with young people, professionals, organisations and stakeholders. 

• Experience planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating projects, including capturing impact and learning. 

Please see attached pack for further information about GMYN and the role. 

Role: Caseworker (Information and Advice)

Hours: 28 hours per week (flexibility around working pattern)

Salary: £30,282 - £32,445 (pro rata, per annum)

Location: Hybrid

Start Date: 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible there after

Contract Type: Fixed term until 31 Jan 2027, with potential of extension dependent upon funding.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

About the Role

This role sits within our Information and Advice team and is key to the smooth running of our Information and Advice service. This role will provide casework support relating to Adult Social Care, Housing, and Welfare Benefits to Disabled Merton Residents.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

1. To manage a varied caseload, providing accessible and quality information, advice, guidance and representation to Disabled people in Merton.

2.   To support Disabled people in Merton with Adult Social Care including but not limited to Care Act assessments, reviews and reassessments, including Financial Assessments.

3.   To support Disabled people in Merton with Housing including getting on to and improving positions on the housing register, aids and adaptions and Disabled Facilities Grants.

4.   To support Disabled people in Merton with Welfare Benefits including but not limited to applications, assessments, appeals and tribunal representation.

5. To support quality assurance processes to maintain the Advice Quality Standard including ensuring case notes are updated in-line with frameworks, carrying out peer file review and taking part in supervision sessions.

6. Where appropriate, refer Disabled people to other services in line with our policies, including other Merton CIL services.

7. To research and remain informed of new legislation or policy changes that impact casework.

8. To collaborate with the Policy and Campaigns Team to push for systems change.

9.  To understand safeguarding procedures and raise concerns with support from the safeguarding lead.

10. To work within the Social Model of Disability and ensure that it is understood by our members, service users, staff, local authority, and partners.

11. To carry out the duties of the post in line with our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Policy, and adhere to all Merton CIL’s policies and guidelines, including our values.

12. To undertake such duties and attend out-of-hours and/or weekend events when reasonably be required.

                                                                                                                                                                                                This job description reflects the requirements of the post at the time of writing. The needs and circumstances may change over time and therefore the Job Description may need to be reviewed in the light of any such changes which may occur.

Other Information

Merton CIL is committed to equity and inclusion and reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from marginalised communities.  

Please also email us if you:

·Have any questions or would like an informal discussion about the role,

· Need support to apply, adjustments or require any of the materials in a different format.

We do not use AI within our hiring processes. 

Are you an experienced practitioner with a passion for empowering young people and making a difference?

At NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service), we are dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of children, young people, and adults at risk. We believe no child or young person should ever be alone or voiceless in the care system, in family court, or when decisions are being made about their future.

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Senior Practitioner to join Project Unity England, working 28 hours per week. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver intensive, trauma-informed support to care-experienced young mothers who are pregnant or have recently given birth, helping families stay together and supporting young mothers to build positive futures.

About Project Unity England

Project Unity England is an innovative national initiative focused on improving outcomes for care-experienced young mothers and their children through collaborative, multi-agency working. The project aims to keep families together, strengthen service delivery, promote innovation and ensure that local needs are addressed effectively across England.

At the heart of Project Unity is a collaborative approach that brings together local authorities, health partners and community organisations to provide coordinated, community-focused support. By working closely with partner agencies, Project Unity helps ensure young mothers receive the right support at the right time, enabling them to make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their children.

About the role

As a Senior Practitioner, you will manage a complex caseload, providing independent, rights-based advocacy and one-to-one support to care-experienced young mothers. Working autonomously while supported by the Project Coordinator, you will empower young mothers to understand their rights, navigate statutory processes and make informed decisions that help keep families safely together.

You will build trust, complete assessments, develop support plans and advocate on their behalf within multi-agency settings. You will work alongside social workers, midwives, health visitors and other professionals to ensure each young mother's voice is heard and represented.

Alongside direct casework, you will contribute to peer support groups, workshops and community-based activities that reduce isolation, build confidence and strengthen parenting skills. You will also play an important role in safeguarding, quality assurance and service development by maintaining high-quality records, producing case studies and identifying opportunities to improve local services.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of care-experienced young mothers while working within an innovative, rights-based national programme.

About you

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting vulnerable young people and families. You will be confident working independently while building strong partnerships with professionals across health, social care and the voluntary sector.

You will have experience supporting families or parents with complex social care involvement and a sound understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment and relevant legislation. You will be an effective advocate with excellent communication skills, able to build trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.

You will be organised, resilient and confident managing a demanding caseload, with strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound professional judgements in complex situations.

Above all, you will demonstrate NYAS's values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empowerment, sharing our commitment to ensuring children, young people and adults at risk have their voices heard.

How to Apply

Please apply via the the NYAS website. In your application, evidence using specific examples how your skills and experience meet the criteria in the person specification within the attached job description, including:

• Experience with vulnerable young people or families in a social care, advocacy or support setting
• Knowledge of legislation and policy relating to advocacy, safeguarding and children’s social care
• Excellent communication, organisational and report-writing skills, with sound professional judgement

Employee Benefits

We offer the following employee benefits:

• 26 days, increasing to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Occupational sick pay (subject to completion of qualifying period)
• Enhanced pay for family friendly leave
• Free parking at some of our offices
• Employee assistance programme
• Group stakeholder pension scheme
• Access to BHSF health cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Support and supervision from your line manager
• Learning and Development opportunities

Safeguarding and Compliance

NYAS operates robust safeguarding procedures, and internal candidates will be subject to references in line with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. In accordance with UK immigration law, proof of eligibility to work in the United Kingdom will be required as part of the recruitment process. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About NYAS

NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is an established rights-based charity ensuring that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are respected, represented and supported in expressing their views. We work with care-experienced people who are often reliant on statutory services, and our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.