Independent mental health advocate jobs

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? Are you ready to take on a role that impacts your community? We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Independent Advocate to join our vibrant team in the bustling heart of Birmingham.

As an Independent Advocate, you will provide crucial support to vulnerable adults facing significant health and social care challenges. You will deliver a range of statutory advocacy services including Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) and Care Act Advocacy. Your role involves delivering persuasive verbal and written representations on behalf of clients, collaborating with public and voluntary organisations, and taking directed actions to address client issues. This role demands flexibility, excellent communication, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidently.

Hours of Work: Full-Time: 37 hours, working between Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Location: Home based with travel around the Birmingham area.
(Applicants must live within the area; have a full driver’s licence and access to their own transport)

Salary: Starting Salary of £24,242.40 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Independent Advocate Requirements:

Strong communication and time management skills to successfully work remotely.
Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to learn software packages such as client management databases.
Attention to detail to ensure accurate recording of records and reporting to meet tight deadlines.

Desirable:

Previous experience in advocacy, information and advice, or a similar role within health, social care, or the voluntary sector.
Demonstrable experience working with vulnerable adults.
Working knowledge of public and voluntary organisations.

Benefits:

25 days annual leave + Bank holiday (Rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service) with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days leave + your birthday off as an additional holiday day after 1 years’ service!
Discretionary shutdown days at Christmas with up to 4 additional days leave.
1 Community Leave Day per annum.
Cash Wellbeing Healthcare Plan which covers Optical/dental/alternative therapy and more!
Auto enrolment Pension plan
Death in service cover.
Bike to work scheme.

Meet the Organisation: Who We Are and What We Do

At POhWER, we are committed to empowering individuals and enabling their voices to be heard. We provide advocacy and information services to support people in making effective decisions about their health and social care. Our team is dedicated to listening, exploring options, and taking action to meet our clients' best interests.

Think you are the perfect fit for this Independent Advocate role? Don't wait, click apply now!

Closing Date: 9AM, Friday 6th February 2026 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early)

Interview Date: TBC

An Enhanced DBS check and National Offender Management Service vetting will be conducted for this position.

We're proud to support our colleagues from the armed forces signing the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2024.

Successful applicants will need to obtain business insurance for their own vehicle.

POhWER is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, and particularly welcome candidates from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. This includes, but is not limited to, people with disabilities, women, men, Black, Asian and other racially minoritised people, LGBTQ+ who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support people from different backgrounds.

POhWER is an equal opportunities employer, holder of the Investors in People Silver award, and a member of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER scheme. We are a level 2 Disability confidence scheme employer, and disabled applicants who meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Job Title: Independent Visitor Co-ordinator

Service: Manchester

Reporting to: Children’s Rights Manager

Salary: £19,434.82 (£24,293.53 FTE) per annum

Location: Home based (with travel across the region)

Hours: 28 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Our work

Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.

Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.

We provide:

• Advocacy services direct to children and young people in care, in need, in custody and to care leavers and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives.This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to advocate for young people as qualifying patients under the Mental Health Act, in order to fully support them to get their views heard in matters relating to their mental health.
• Independent Visitor services offers a child or young person in care an adult volunteer who provides independent, one-to-one visiting, advice and befriending support. Our independent visitors can become the only long-term, consistent source of support throughout a young person's time in care.
• Independent services provide independent person services for complaints by children and for reviewing whether children should be locked up in secure units on welfare grounds.
• Policy and campaigning to create a better system for all children and young people looked after by the state, for their care to be more child-centred and to give young people a greater say in decisions about their lives.
• Participation services to ensure children and young people have a voice in the development and delivery of services and campaigns, and through the process, provide the opportunity to develop relevant skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.
• Training, development and information for young people, advocates and child care workers, offering courses in advocacy, children’s rights and child-centred practice across a range of areas including the National Advocacy Qualification.

Job Introduction

• Are you passionate about supporting and developing volunteers?

• Are you looking for an opportunity to help make positive differences to the lives of children and young people who are looked after or care leavers of the local authority?

• Do you want to work with a leading national independent children’s charity?

Then come join us here at Coram Voice. We have an exciting opportunity for you to become a co-ordinator of our independent visiting service in Manchester.

We are seeking candidates who are committed to our objectives for children and young people and equally committed to the organisation and the development of our services. We recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.

About the Role

You will co-ordinate and deliver a statutory independent visitor service to children and young people in care or care leavers of Manchester.

You will recruit, assess and train volunteers to become independent visitors, who are volunteer befrienders to children and young people looked after or care leavers. You will manage a cash flow to fund suitable activities for independent visitors to enjoy with the young person. You will manage data and reporting for this statutory service so that service leads and other stakeholders can understand the activity in the service.

We are a child led service, you will not act outside of the young person’s instructions (except in matters of child protection and safety.)You will build strong relationships with the child or young person, independent visitors and other significant adults, you will support Independent Visitors to develop long term, meaningful friendships with the young person.

You will work in partnership with other parts of the service, organisation and external agencies and professionals. This is to ensure there are pathways to attract and retain Independent Visitors in the area and sometimes out of area.

What you will receive

We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of up to 25 days’ annual leave plus an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.

You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.

Recruitment process

Shortlisting will be undertaken by Emma Keen, Children’s Rights Manager and Sarah Gabriel, Children’s Rights Manager. Successful candidates will then be invited for interview.The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview.Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.

Returning your application:

• We cannot accept general CVs. When completing your application form, you need to address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
• Applications must be fully completed.
• If you are a current Coram Voice employee you may submit a supporting statement only addressing the person specification requirements for the post.

Closing date: Monday 2nd February 2026 at 9am

Interview date: Thursday 5th February 2026

Please return your application to: Human Resources via Blue Octopus.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

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 44 employees.

About the role

The post holder will provide support to clients who lack capacity and to implement the safeguards of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 or the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They will provide non-instructed advocacy (NIA) support to people who lack capacity to make specific decisions and who have no-one else to support them. The successful candidate will travel efficiently and effectively within the Advocacy Support Cymru area of operation.

This role will operate within the Hywel Dda University Health Board Area.

About you

You will have 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. Knowledge of the role of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate as defined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is essential.

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

Essential Information

The salary band for the role is £24,725 to £29,202, based on a 37 hour week.

This post is for 37 & 30 hours a week.

All successful candidates will require an enhanced DBS check.

Closing Date: 5pm 27 January 2026.

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

Job Title: Independent Visitor Co-ordinator

Service: Children’s Rights Services, London and the South East

Reporting to: London Lead IV Coordinator  

Salary: £16,200-£16,605 per annum (£27,000-£27,675 FTE)

Location: Hybrid, Coram Campus with homeworking and work in the community

Hours: 21 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Job Introduction

· Are you passionate about supporting and developing volunteers?

· Are you looking for an opportunity to help make positive differences to the lives of children and young people who are looked after or care leavers of the local authority?

· Do you want to work with a leading national independent children’s charity?

Then come join us here at Coram Voice. We have an exciting opportunity for you to become a co-ordinator of our independent visiting service in London.

We are seeking candidates who are committed to our objectives for children and young people and equally committed to the organisation and the development of our services. We recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.

Our work

Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.

Coram Voice is a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.

We provide:

· Advocacy services direct to children and young people in care, in need, in custody and to care leavers and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives.  This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.

· A National Helpline to provide access for children and young people to advocacy and advice, with access to legal advice and links with other national services.

· Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to advocate for young people as qualifying patients under the Mental Health Act, in order to fully support them to get their views heard in matters relating to their mental health.

· Independent Visitor services offers a child or young person in care an adult volunteer who provides independent, one-to-one visiting, advice and befriending support. Our independent visitors can become the only long-term, consistent source of support throughout a young person's time in care.

· Independent services provide independent person services for complaints by children and for reviewing whether children should be locked up in secure units on welfare grounds.

· Policy and campaigning to create a better system for all children and young people looked after by the state, for their care to be more child-centred and to give young people a greater say in decisions about their lives. 

· Participation services to ensure children and young people have a voice in the development and delivery of services and campaigns, and through the process, provide the opportunity to develop relevant skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.

· Training, development and information for young people, advocates and child care workers, offering courses in advocacy, children’s rights and child-centred practice across a range of areas including the National Advocacy Qualification.

About the Role

You will co-ordinate and deliver a statutory independent visitor service to children and young people in care or care leavers of London.

You will recruit, assess and train volunteers to become independent visitors, who are volunteer befrienders to children and young people looked after or care leavers. You will manage a cash flow to fund suitable activities for independent visitors to enjoy with the young person. You will manage data and reporting for this statutory service so that service leads and other stakeholders can understand the activity in the service.

We are a child led service, you will not act outside of the young person’s instructions (except in matters of child protection and safety.)  You will build strong relationships with the child or young person, independent visitors and other significant adults, you will support Independent Visitors to develop long term, meaningful friendships with the young person.

You will work in partnership with other parts of the service, organisation and external agencies and professionals. This is to ensure there are pathways to attract and retain Independent Visitors in the area and sometimes out of area.

What you will receive

We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of 28 days’ annual leave per year, with increases linked to years worked at Coram Voice. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.

You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.

Recruitment process

Shortlisting will be undertaken by Grace Maher, Children’s Rights Services Manager and Jade Joseph, London Lead IV Coordinator. Successful candidates will then be invited for interview. The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview. Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.

Returning your application:

· We cannot accept general CVs. When completing your application form, address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.

· Applications must be fully completed.

The deadline for applications to be returned is 11.59pm on Sunday 1st February 2026.

Interviews will be arranged for Thursday 12th and Friday 13th February 2026.

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to support male victims and survivors of domestic abuse. This role is full-time and is based at the Victim Support office in Old Street with some opportunity for home working.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will provide pro-active, high quality, frontline service to male victims of domestic abuse through on-going risk assessment, providing individual safety planning, trauma-informed support, guidance, information, and advocacy and enabling victim/survivors to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse and trauma they have experienced.

You may make initial contact with victims of crime, explaining our services and assessing the impact of crime, or receive referrals from colleagues, in order to provide on-going support and case management. You will work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and multi agency partners when required. This role requires a specialist understanding of the barriers faced by male victims of domestic abuse and harmful practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess risks and needs using evidence-based checklists.
• Focus on high-risk cases with short to medium-term crisis intervention.
• Assist high-risk victims in accessing safety services.
• Deliver tailored support and information.
• Understand legal frameworks for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
• Provide advocacy on legal, housing, health, and financial options.
• Empower clients to recognize domestic abuse dynamics.
• Participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).
• Work with a team to deliver respectful, dignified, and sensitive services.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records.
• Comply with data protection laws and organizational policies.
• Stay updated with procedures, policies, and professional codes.

About You:

Ideally, you will have knowledge about legal remedies for domestic abuse victims and have experience working with drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. An understanding of benefits, housing, and homelessness would also be beneficial.

You will need:

• Strong understanding of domestic abuse and its impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in statutory, voluntary, or multi-agency settings.
• Competency in risk and needs assessment frameworks.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Direct service delivery experience to victims or vulnerable people.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and prioritize work.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and advisory skills.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

Please note that we are committed to provide support where victims can choose to be supported by someone of their own gender and so this post is open to male applicants only as being male is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Purpose of the role

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure BDC Mind delivers high-quality mental health services, achieves organisational sustainability, and fosters a culture aligned to the charity’s values.

The CEO works closely with the Board to set strategic direction, leads the Executive Leadership Team, ensures effective governance and financial stewardship, and represents BDC Mind across local, regional, and national forums.

​

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Courageous Leadership

1. Lead the development and implementation of the organisational strategy.

2. Build trust and confidence with the Board, ELT, staff, and external partners.

3. Provide transparent and values-driven leadership aligned to BDC Mind’s mission.

4. Build strong, productive relationships with commissioners, funders, strategic and corporate partners.

5. Engage in media engagement, advocacy, and public speaking responsibilities.

​

Innovation, Growth & Sector Influence

6. Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.

7. Develop new or enhanced service models, including pilots and strategic partnerships within Bradford and Craven and across West Yorkshire.

8. Position BDC Mind as a leading service provider for current and emerging mental health needs through identifying service gaps and opportunities.

​

Delivering High-Impact Services

9. Ensure services deliver measurable, high-quality outcomes for people and communities.

10. Embed Service Member voices at the heart of Service developments.

11. Oversee service performance, quality assurance, and impact reporting.

​

Building an Inclusive and Diverse Culture in line with our Antiracism Commitments

12. Drive the delivery of our commitments to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Anti-Racism and the Patient Care Race Equality Framework (PCREF)

13. Promote a culture of inclusion, psychological safety, and respect across the organisation.

14. Strengthen workforce diversity and embed anti-discriminatory practice.

15. Ensure services are accessible, inclusive and culturally competent.

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Inspiring, Supportive and Accountable Leadership

16. Provide clear, motivating leadership to the ELT and wider workforce.

17. Promote staff wellbeing, professional development, and collaborative working.

18. Ensure effective line management, appraisals, and succession planning across ELT.

19. Communicate consistently, openly, and effectively with all members of the workforce, Maintaining visibility and accessibility across teams and services.

​

Governance, Finance, Safeguarding & Risk

20. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.

21. Maintain robust safeguarding practices for children and adults at risk.

22. Oversee robust health and safety procedures and risk assessments.

23. Ensure strong governance, effective decision-making, and accountability across the organisation.

24. Maintain robust organisational risk management processes.

25. Support the Board’s effectiveness through high-quality reporting and engagement.

26. Ensure strong financial controls, financial planning, management, and statutory compliance.

27. Drive income generation and diversification of funding streams for long-term financial sustainability.

​

General Duties

28. Foster and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, facilitating effective communication channels.

29. Lead the team ensuring all key people processes are engaged with meaningfully to enable strong performance and transparent communication, addressing issues proactively and sensitively should they arise and in alignment with our aims, policies, core values and Employee Handbook.

30. Fully participating in all relevant training to develop and maintain your performance in the role.

31. Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to our values: Caring Always, Working Together, Supporting Everyone, Enabling All and Continually Improving.

32. Performing other duties as reasonably required within the role.

It is BDC Mind’s policy to make reasonable adjustments to enable those with disabilities to undertake the above. We are committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion, and the importance of lived experience as a source of knowledge and expertise. Our values are:

 ​​

Person specification

Bradford District and Craven Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers. 

​

Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

· Senior leadership experience within one or more of health, social care, charity, or related sectors.

· Strong understanding of mental health services and challenges faced by service users.

· Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, quality standards and regulation.

· Good financial literacy and experience overseeing budgets and financial strategy.

· Strong understanding of EDI principles and inclusive leadership.

· Engaging with a Board of Trustees.

​

Desirable

· Relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g., management, social care, health).

· Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, and tendering processes.

​

Leadership Skills & Behaviours

Essential

· Courageous, transparent, values-driven leadership approach.

· Ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams.

· Strategic thinker capable of turning vision into deliverable plans.

· Skilled communicator and relationship-builder internally and externally.

· Effective decision-maker, particularly in complex and challenging situations.

· Commitment to equity inclusion, diversity, and psychologically safe working environments.

· Collaborative and partnership-oriented working style.

· Person-centred leadership, able to exercise discretion.

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Experience

Essential

· Senior paid role with a charity of turnover of more than £3.5 million.

· Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, organisational development, and change management.

· Delivering organisational strategies and measurable outcomes.

· Managing growth, innovation or service transformation.

· Strong financial acumen including overseeing financial sustainability, compliance, budget management and income generation.

· Excellent communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills including Representing organisations publicly and influencing stakeholders.

· Experience of working within a wider system of charities and infrastructure.

​

Desirable

· Experience of working within a federated or charity network.

· Leadership experience within mental health or wellbeing services.

· Demonstrable commitment to Anti-Racism.

· Evidence of public policy influence.

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Personal Attributes

· A strong passion for the mission of BDC Mind and alignment with our values, including inclusion for all

· Resilience and the confidence to challenge constructively.

· Ability to foster trust, credibility and positive relationships.

· Passion for improving mental health outcomes across communities.

· Commitment to learning, improvement and reflective practice.

​

Additional Information

· The CEO may be required to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends.

· Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

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The CYP Link Counsellor role makes a real difference by providing children and young people who have experienced Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) or other forms of sexual violence and abuse with timely, appropriate, trauma-informed, and compassionate specialist support as part of our wider CYP Services.

• Deliver specialist, boundaried, relational, and trauma-informed counselling for children and young people aged 5–17 who have been subjected to or are at risk of CSE.
• Actively engage children and young people to rebuild trust and encourage participation in Counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA) services.
• Provide counselling in safe, secure environments where young people feel supported.
• Tailor counselling and therapy to individual needs and abilities, including conducting assessments and creating therapeutic plans.
• Maintain awareness of contextual safeguarding issues and respond promptly and professionally to any concerns.

Job Purpose:

Terms & Conditions:

To Apply:

• Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
• Requires the right to work in the UK
• Is subject to an Enhanced + Adult Barred List DBS check
• Is subject to successful HMPPS enhanced vetting

Main purpose of job: To provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police. 

Location: Hybrid: working from home, with regular attendance at CARA premises in Colchester and regular travel across mid and north Essex.

Preferred start date: ASAP (subject to enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references)

Salary: £32,151 - £34,020 (pro rata).

Contract: This is a permanent contract.

Hours: 28 - 35 hours per week.  

Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional gift days at Christmas.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.

Application deadline: 9am, Monday 2nd February 2026.

Interviews:  Wednesday 11th February 2026.  

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Job Description

Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police. 

The role of an ISVA is to support victims and survivors by:

·Ensuring their voice is heard.

·Helping them make the choices that feel right for them.

·Accompanying them to important appointments and to court.

·Supporting them with their next steps after the legal process is over, regardless of the outcome of the case.

If victims and survivors are considering reporting to the police, ISVAs can also help them by:

·Providing impartial information to enable them to make an informed decision.

·Offering an overview of police processes and what to expect if they do decide to report.

·Supporting them in their next steps.

CARA provides an ISVA service to adults, young people and children who have been victims of sexual violence from across mid and North Essex, and Uttlesford.

Most ISVA clients are referred to CARA through the Police or the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).  Clients can also refer themselves.

Duties and Responsibilities

For all clients

· To liaise with CARA’s Information and Referrals Coordinator and First Contact Navigators in supporting new referrals to the ISVA service.

· To undertake risk assessment and support needs analysis with clients.

· To develop individual service plans to address risks/support needs of clients. 

· To help clients access services to which they are entitled, e.g. through setting up fast-track referral systems to sexual health follow-up services, making referrals to mental health services, assisting with return to work/absence from work arrangements.

· To provide face-to-face and telephone support (non-therapeutic) to clients and their supporters where appropriate. 

· To help clients to develop their own support network.

· To explain criminal, legal and if relevant, civil remedies to clients.

· To provide information in relation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

· Where relevant and with client’s consent, to keep other agencies informed about important changes in client’s situation.

· To consider safeguarding issues and follow CARA’s safeguarding policy and procedures.

If a client reports to the Police

· To support the client throughout their time in the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within it.

· Subject to local arrangements and their wishes, to support the client at every step; from the provision of their witness statement through to a trial.

· To liaise with the police and CPS on behalf of the client.  To keep them informed about the progress of their case on behalf of the police in line with the requirements of the Victims Code of Practice.

· To participate in case conferences with the police and CPS. 

· To understand and support the need for some clients to access special measures.

General

· To manage a caseload of around 50 clients (pro rata), including adults, young people and children.

· To travel to client meetings in a variety of settings, including outreach premises and clients’ homes.

· To maintain and monitor records, using a purpose-built online database.

· To follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the client is kept central to any process.

· To note and feedback to other agencies any difficulties clients are having accessing their service.

· To contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within areas of practice as necessary. 

· To develop and maintain effective communication systems with key partners including the police, CPS, HMCTS, social services, education, primary care trust (mental and sexual health), Victim Support, Witness Service, CAFCASS and voluntary sector organisations.

·To participate in team meetings, supervision, training and development. 

·To participate in co-location working within Colchester and Chelmsford police stations.

· To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in the delivery of training sessions.

· To have a clear understanding of the myths surrounding sexual violence, and the trauma and long-term mental health effects it creates, including self-harm, suicidal feelings and suicide attempts.

· To be aware of resources available regarding interpreters, signers etc.

· To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.

· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding.

· To report to the ISVA Manager, Head of Operations, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of written reports.

· To be administratively self-servicing.

· To undertake any other related activities as required by the ISVA Manager, Head of Operations, CEO or Board of Trustees.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich.  We also provide remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website.  We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy East

CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate Independent Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocate (IDSVA) to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse within a hospital setting in conjunction with Sexual Health London. This role is full-time to on a temporary contract. The role is based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital along with some working from the Victim Support office in Old Street and some home working.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As an Independent Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocate you will provide pro-active, high quality, frontline service to victims of domestic and sexual abuse through on-going risk assessment, providing individual safety planning, trauma-informed support, guidance, information, and advocacy and enabling victim/survivors to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse and trauma they have experienced.

You will work within a hospital setting to support both patients and staff. You will make initial contact with victims of domestic and sexual abuse, explaining our services and assessing the impact of crime, or receive referrals from colleagues, in order to provide on-going support and case management. Support could include empowering the client to report to the police, accessing Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services, and specialist support such as pretrial therapy and sexual violence counselling.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess risks and needs using evidence-based checklists.
• Focus on high-risk cases with short to medium-term crisis intervention.
• Assist high-risk victims in accessing safety services.
• Deliver tailored support and information.
• Understand legal frameworks for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
• Provide advocacy on legal, housing, health, and financial options.
• Empower clients to recognize domestic abuse dynamics.
• Participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).
• Work with a team to deliver respectful, dignified, and sensitive services.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records.
• Comply with data protection laws and organizational policies.
• Stay updated with procedures, policies, and professional codes.

About You:

Ideally, you will have knowledge about legal remedies for domestic abuse victims and have experience working with drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. An understanding of benefits, housing, and homelessness would also be beneficial.

You will need:

• Strong understanding of domestic and sexual abuse and its impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in statutory, voluntary, or multi-agency settings.
• Competency in risk and needs assessment frameworks.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Direct service delivery experience to victims or vulnerable people.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and prioritize work.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and advisory skills.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

The successful candidate will work within an innovative tenant-led partnership called Ageing Well in Place in Hulme (AWiPiH) which includes tenants and community groups; local and national charities; GPs; housing providers; and support from a local university. 

You will enable older and vulnerable people experiencing multiple disadvantage in high rise accommodation to 'age well in place' through one-to-one casework within a managed caseload and with supervisory support from a GP Fellow. You will work in collaboration with tenant committees; an Ageing Well Development Worker; the GP Fellow; and housing provider neighbourhood teams across two high-rise blocks. AWiPiH takes a preventative and proactive approach to wellbeing including health promotion, improved access to social care, housing adaptations, signposting on welfare rights, income maximisation and social participation. This role requires a person-centred and solution-focused approach to supporting people experiencing multiple and complex issues.

You will have a hybrid working arrangement including some working from home; some working based at a local GP practice; and on-site working across two neighbouring accommodation blocks in Hulme, central Manchester.

About You:

• You have a passion for enabling older/vulnerable people to live with dignity and independence in their own home.
• You are good at building trusting relationships with people while also maintaining boundaries and being mindful of your own levels of resilience.
• You are confident carrying out solution-oriented casework with people experiencing multiple-disadvantage amidst the current crisis in health and social care services.
• You are experienced in person-centred support planning and risk assessment.
• You are excited by the opportunity to work in collaboration with tenants, community groups, and charities, as well as with statutory service providers.

Please view our application pack and visit our website for more information.

About Women in Prison

Women in Prison is a national, women-led, feminist organisation.  We deliver front line support to women harmed by the criminal justice system, through our work in prisons, in the community and ‘through the prison gate’ as they resettle back into their communities. We also campaign for systems change that addresses the root causes of offending, reduces the harmful impact of prison, and creates workable, community-based alternatives to imprisonment. 
 

Terms & Conditions:

Start date: To be confirmed

Salary: £30,640 (inclusive of £3,990 South East weighting)

Location:Across South London

Working hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term - 6 month contract to cover secondment

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 in the community, co-located in hubs across South London. This programme is funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) co-commissioning grant, along with investment from the six Local Authorities, the Community Rehabilitation Company and NHS England. The funding will be used to develop and expand support for female offenders and women at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system across Bromley, Bexley Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and Wandsworth. 

The primary purpose of this role is to provide in-depth, ongoing support to a caseload of women across the South London boroughs. 

The Advocate will: 

• Provide advocacy, support and advice services to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with, the criminal justice system.  
• Be co-located across London Boroughs to support clients in Women’s Only Hubs.  
• Attend designated office for monthly team meetings, training and team development time.  
• Provide Through the Gate support to women leaving custody returning to one of the WIP’s boroughs. 

The job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.
 

To Apply:

Applications close: 23 March at 9am. We reserve the right to close the advert early.

Interviews: TBC 

To apply: Submit a completed application form. Please note, Curriculum Vitae’s (CVs) will not be accepted.

If you require reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please contact the HR team on hr@wipuk .org

We are happy to invest in developing the right person, so you are welcome to apply even if your professional experience does not fully meet the job description or person specification.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, and women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system. 

In line with legal requirements and the nature of our work, this role:

• Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
• Requires the right to work in the UK
• Is subject to an Enhanced + Adult Barred List DBS check
• Is subject to successful HMPPS enhanced vetting

Back on Track is involved in a partnership of charities working in local communities across Greater Manchester to deliver the GMIRS Wellbeing Service. The service aims to reduce reoffending by working with people who are on probation to improve their physical, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing, foster healthy relationships and move forward in their lives.

As a project worker you will build strong relationships with people who join the programme and provide 1:1 wellbeing support and guidance, as well as support with practical challenges including debt, low level housing needs, finance and benefits. You will demonstrate a commitment to people on the programme, putting their wellbeing at the centre of your work. 

You will be working with people who have a range of needs. This will include people who have experienced trauma, who have been homeless or lived in poverty, and people who face difficulties with mental health and problematic drug and alcohol use.

We deeply value diversity and lived experience and what it can bring to a team/role, and we welcome applications from people who may have faced disadvantage. 

This role is fixed-term until 31st March 2027. Further extension likely, subject to funding.

Are you passionate about helping people with long-term health conditions build confidence and independence?

We’re looking for a motivated Health & Wellbeing Coordinator to lead our Bromley-based team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a direct impact by supporting adults to take control of their health and wellbeing. You’ll manage a small team, design and deliver innovative self-management workshops, and ensure our services remain person-centred and evidence-led.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the Long-Term Health Conditions team, including line management and reporting.

• Develop and deliver lifestyle self-management workshops for over 200 adults each year.

• Support behaviour change by helping individuals build knowledge, skills, and confidence.

• Work closely with partners to ensure seamless signposting and cross-referrals.

• Manage outreach to hard-to-reach groups, including global majority communities.

• Track progress, maintain accurate records, and shape future delivery through client feedback.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

At Age UK Bromley & Greenwich, you’ll be part of a dedicated and forward-thinking team committed to improving the lives of older adults. You’ll have the chance to be creative, develop your leadership skills, and see the real difference your work makes in reducing isolation and improving quality of life.