Independent mental health advocate jobs in east of england

Overview

Barts Health NHS Trust provides maternity and neonatal care for women and birthing people and their babies each year, providing all aspects of obstetrics and midwifery care in our labour ward, midwife-led birth centre and home birthing service.

NEL Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) listens to the experiences of women, birthing people and families, and brings together service users, staff and other stakeholders to plan, review and improve maternity and neonatal care. MNVPs ensure that service users’ voices are at the heart of decision-making in maternity and neonatal services by being embedded within the leadership of provider trusts and feeding into the Local Maternity and Neonatal System and Integrated Care Board. This influences improvements in the safety, quality, and experience of maternity and neonatal care. We work to ensure that every woman and birthing person on the maternity and neonatal pathway has a chance to have their voice heard. We do not speak for them.

We are recruiting a Maternity Lead who brings the expertise of women/birthing people with lived experience of maternity services at Barts Health NHS Trust into the heart of the development of every aspect of maternity and neonatal services at the trust.

The role of MNVP Lead is key to providing inclusive and collaborative leadership and ways of working, ensuring that all women and birthing people and their families’ views are heard and acted on. This is an exciting opportunity to review, shape and improve services and make a real difference to women, birthing people and their families.

This is a paid, self-employed job requiring 1.5 days per week (worked flexibly where possible). Working with the MNVP is an opportunity to become part of a vibrant team, improving care for our service users and enabling voices and engagement with our community.

The membership of the MNVP includes:

● Women, birthing people and families from a diverse range of backgrounds.

● Members of the wider community such as birth workers and charities specialising in mental health, supporting refugees, etc.

● Nurses, midwives, health visitors, doctors and managers.

This is a self-employed position on a fixed-term contract until March 2026. The successful candidate will not be entitled to employee benefits such as pension, sick pay, or holiday pay.

As a self-employed contractor, you are responsible for managing your own tax and National Insurance contributions. You will be required to invoice the organisation for your work, and payment will be made within 21 days of receipt of a monthly invoice.

1. Job Purpose

The Senior Mental Health Support Worker will provide time-limited, one-to-one emotional and practical support to individuals experiencing low to moderate mental health challenges, including those with complex needs. This role involves conducting initial referral needs and risk assessments, developing personalised support plans, and delivering face-to-face, remote, and, in rare cases, home-based support.

The postholder will also take a lead role in supporting and supervising 1-1 Support Buddy volunteers, ensuring they are well-trained, supported, and delivering high-quality interventions. Additionally, the role requires managing complex cases, offering tailored interventions, and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure appropriate care pathways are in place.

The successful candidate will be a compassionate and skilled professional with a strong commitment to empowering service users, improving mental health and well-being, and ensuring individuals receive the right support at the right time.

2. Main Duties and Responsibilities

Client Assessment and Support Planning:

• Conduct initial referral needs and risk assessments to determine service user requirements and level of need.
• Develop and implement personalised support plans, setting clear and achievable objectives.
• Monitor progress and carry out regular reviews to assess changes in need and update plans accordingly.

One-to-One Support (Including Complex Cases):

• Deliver time-limited one-to-one support (up to 12 weeks per service user).
• Provide emotional support, listening skills, and practical advice on coping strategies, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Work with individuals experiencing complex needs, offering tailored interventions and adapting support accordingly.
• Provide crisis intervention and risk management where necessary.
• Support service users to access appropriate community-based interventions and ongoing mental health support.

Volunteer Supervision and Coordination:

• Support, supervise, and coordinate 1-1 Support Buddy volunteers to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provide training, guidance, and structured supervision to volunteers, ensuring they feel confident and well-equipped in their roles.
• Conduct regular check-ins with volunteers, addressing challenges and providing necessary support.
• Ensure volunteers are appropriately matched to service users based on needs and skills.

Referral and Collaboration:

• Refer service users to specialist services, community resources, and crisis intervention where needed.
• Work collaboratively with the Health and Wellbeing Manager and Service Navigation Lead to ensure seamless service provision and clear referral pathways.
• Establish strong working relationships with external agencies, statutory services, and voluntary organisations to enhance support options for service users, particularly those with complex needs

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Administration:

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of service user interactions, support plans, and progress.
• Collect and report outcome data to measure service effectiveness, including impact on complex cases.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of service delivery, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Contribute to quarterly reports and service performance reviews.

3. Person Specification

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Experience in related support role (e.g. mental health, social care, or related)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships.
• Experience conducting needs and risk assessments and developing support plans.
• Ability to provide effective emotional support, using active listening and trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience providing supervision /support, ensuring high-quality service provision.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries. Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in mental health or social care.
• Discretion.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience in volunteer management.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Experience of
• Experience in crisis intervention and risk management, particularly in complex cases.
• Knowledge of local mental health services and support networks.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating service outcomes. Knowledge of local mental health services and support networks.
• Qualification in mental health or social work.

Qualifications:

• NVQ L3 qualification (or Equivalent) mental Health or relevant support related field

Specialist Skills/ Ability/ Knowledge

• Ability to solve problems and make sound decisions to support others in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a passion for advancing social justice and mental health equality.
• IT is proficient particularly within Microsoft 365 environment

Communication

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (written, oral, digital)
• Ability to communicate appropriately with a wide range of people and build relationships and engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.

Personal Qualities

• Able to build strong working relationships
• Passionate about mental health and committed to supporting individuals to achieve their goals.
• Empathetic and compassionate, with a non-judgmental approach.
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage challenges effectively.
• Proactive and solution-focused, with a strong sense of initiative.
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery

4. Application Guidance for Candidates

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role at Mind in Kingston. Before applying, please ensure you carefully read the application pack, particularly the job description and person specification, to understand the requirements of the role. To be considered, please submit the following documents:

• Your CV – This should outline your relevant experience, qualifications, and key achievements. Please ensure your full name & contact details are included.
• Confirmation of Right to Work in the UK – All applicants must provide evidence of their legal right to work in the UK. This may include a passport, visa, or other official documentation. This will be requested at Interview.
• References – Please provide details of two referees, including their name, job title, and contact information. References will only be contacted if you are successful following the interview stage.
• Please respond to the four application questions listed below - (A cover letter is not required, and no supporting statement is needed)

1. What specifically attracts you to this role with Mind in Kingston? (max 200 words)
2. This role will involve working in situations where safeguarding concerns may arise. Can you describe a specific instance where you identified a potential safeguarding issue involving a vulnerable individual? What actions did you take? (max 200 words)
3. Please tell us about a time that you have supported an individual whose needs were changing. How did you adapt how you worked with that person? (max 200 words)
4. Tell us about a time you supported or guided another person in their role or responsibilities. This could include formally supervising someone, mentoring, coaching, or helping a peer or colleague. What did you do, and what was the outcome? (max 200 words)

As we work with vulnerable adults, all successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check before starting their role. You will be asked to provide identification such as a passport, driving license, and/or utility bill as part of this process.

Applications and interviews timeline:

Applications closing date Tuesday, 29th of July 11:59pm

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 5th of July & Thursday 7th of July

Please ensure all documents are submitted by the stated deadline. We look forward to receiving your application.

Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are unsuccessful at the application stage.

Job Title: Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)

Location: The GAIA Centre (Lambeth)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as an IGVA supporting women and children who are impacted by different strands of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The independent gender violence advocate will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children.

The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence). The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options

The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, and practical options that might increase their safety. 

Closing Date: 09:00am 5 August 2025

Interview Date: 14 and 15 August 2025

Male Independent Domestic Victim Advocate

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate Male Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the Ashraya Project supporting Male Victims & Survivors. 

This role is hybrid, working from home and the office in London and also involves regular travel throughout the area.

Please note that the charity is 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.

Position: 6208 Male Independent Domestic Victim Advocate

Location: Greater London

Hours: Monday to Friday - Flexible dependent on service delivery and client need

Contract: Fixed Term, until 31.03.26

Salary: Qualified: FTE, Total £31,411.00 per annum - This includes £28,611.00 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance. Unqualified: FTE, Total £29,630.20 per annum - This includes £26,830.20 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance

Closing Date: 24th July 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if enough suitable applications are received.

The Role

As a Male Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will ensure that male survivors’ safety & housing needs are met.  You will provide specialist support at the moment of crisis, providing advocacy & support to access safe accommodation ensuring the safety, security & dignity of service users & their children.

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 benefits, housing, and homelessness would also be beneficial.

You will need:

• Knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on victims and children.
• Awareness and understanding of the barriers men face when accessing support services.
• To demonstrate proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in statutory, voluntary, or multi-agency settings.
• Competency in risk and needs assessments.
• An understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Direct service delivery experience to victims or vulnerable people.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and prioritise work.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and advisory skills.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

If you are passionate about supporting victims of crime and have the necessary skills and experience, we encourage you to apply.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details once you apply.

In Return…

Benefits include:

• 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 Organisation

This independent charity provides a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. Working towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System, everyone at the charity is driven by the Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events.

As part of the commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. The charity is also a Disability Confident Employer and provides a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition, which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of the selection process, the team will be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

You may have experience in areas such as Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health, Care, Outreach, Crisis, Family, Children, Housing Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Mental Health Support Worker, Care Support Worker, Outreach Support Worker, Crisis Support Worker s, Family Support Worker, Children’s Support Worker, IDVA, IDVSA, Abuse, Advocate, Advocacy. #INDNFP

Please note this role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of our client.  

Job Title: VAWG/IDVA Complex Needs and Multiple Disadvantage Advocate

ABOUT US

Hopscotch works hard to support women and families facing racial and gender inequity in London. We are proudly anti-racist and anti-misogynist. We take our trauma informed practice seriously, both with service users and within the organisation. We also run a successful Homecare service, with Care Workers supporting vulnerable people in south Camden who draw on care.

WHY HOPSCOTCH?

o Great, supportive culture and values, with low turnover and high levels of contentment

o You will want to work in an environment which is inclusive and non-judgemental. It’s a chance to challenge the status quo and not settle for what isn’t working

o You’ll love being a part of a diverse and vibrant team which has positivity, creativity and problem-solving values and where all voices are heard

o Your dedication will have a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need

o Be with an employer who is a signatory of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) – a pledge by businesses to support employees who are survivors of violence

o 25 days annual leave for full time employees, increasing after 5 years employment, with additional paid office closure between Christmas and New Year. Hopscotch believes we all deserve quality time to focus on our friends and family and most importantly, ourselves at this time

o Occupational sick leave

o Regular internal and clinical supervision with qualified therapists

The Role 

· Assertive outreach casework with very vulnerable women

· Responsible for supporting three women in the Borough of Camden

· Intensive support for complex needs with service users with a history of non-engagement with services

Accountabilities:

Casework

· Solution-focused casework interventions with women who have experienced VAWG and severe and multiple disadvantage

· Provide emotional support using a trauma informed approach

· Build and maintain supportive relationships with ethnically Minoritised women

· Ensure ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with service users within an attitude of ‘positive risk taking’

· Provide support with life skills, including practical assistance where skills are not yet developed

· Maintain accurate case notes and up to date records

· Contribute to the completion of outcomes reports and funding returns

· Complete all documents when support work commences and keep up to date with any changing risks to or from the woman.

· Risk assess situations in the moment, act calmly, professionally and be ready to remove self from/ call 999 in situations that appear too high risk to remain in

Advocacy and support service

· Empower women to access benefits and services they need

· Involve service users in the design, development and delivery of the service

Multi-agency

· Engage with a wide range of professionals (some of whom may have very different approaches to problem solving) through a multi-agency approach, and advocate to agencies on behalf of the Project and its service users

· Promote coordinated, joined-up service delivery for service users between violence against women services and drug and alcohol agencies, mental health, housing, health and legal agencies.

· Contribute to a service-wide communications plan and ensure that information about the service is widely available locally to other agencies and is also readily accessible to potential service users

· Educate a wide range of agencies and stakeholders about the challenges faced by women experiencing multiple disadvantage

· Proactively develop links with local statutory and voluntary organisations to provide a range of engagement opportunities for service users in the community

· Attend and contribute to the Domestic Violence MARAC as appropriate

· Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the Project

· Be self-motivated to research processes and services in order to fully support and advocate for the women. 

· Fully engage with the partner teams and all support and team spaces offered, supporting colleagues with the difficulties they face and celebrating positive outcomes.

Corporate Responsibilities

· Ensure that all Hopscotch and Solace’s policies and procedures are adhered to

· Ensure effective implementation of Hopscotch and Solace’s Equality and Diversity policies and ensure awareness and integration of an equalities and human rights agenda in all your work

· Ensure that the service user is at the heart of all service delivery and development

· Attend all meetings and training relevant to your role

· Act as an ambassador for Hopscotch and Solace

Values, Behaviours & Competencies

· Committed to the purpose of Hopscotch and Solace Women’s Aid, ensuring that the service user is at the heart of service delivery and development

· Feminist in understanding ‘Violence against Women and Girls’

· Committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in working practice

· Flexible and open to new challenges, ideas and experiences, and able to be self-reflective

· Committed to understanding diversity and ensuring anti-discriminatory practice is applied in all forms of our work

· Non-judgemental with a commitment to self-care within the team

· Collaborative, building relationships with internal and external partners.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

· Experience of working within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sector, including experience of risk & needs assessment, casework and safety planning with victim-survivors

· Experience of working with people affected by severe and multiple disadvantage: homelessness, substance use, mental health issues, insecure immigration status, prostitution and offending behaviour

· Experience working with minoritized Global Majority women and a diverse staff team applying anti-discriminatory practice

· Experience of building and maintaining partnerships with other agencies

· An excellent understanding of the issues faced by survivors of VAWG, including a knowledge of options for and rights of women experiencing all forms of VAWG

· Awareness of the intersection between severe and multiple disadvantage and VAWG, and a strong understanding of how the intersection of these issues can make it difficult for people to engage with support

· Knowledge of the particular needs of women from diverse communities and the barriers to accessing support faced by women from Global Majority communities

· An understanding of the impact of trauma on women

· A resilient and assertive approach to reaching out to and building trust and positive relationships with women who are experiencing multiple disadvantage and who may present as reluctant to engage and/or may be presenting in crisis

· Ability to provide solution focused advocacy and support

· Ability to advocate successfully within a multi-agency framework

· Ability to critically reflect on own practice and performance and make use of clinical supervision

· Excellent organisational and IT skills including the ability to be self-servicing, use relevant IT packages and maintain an efficient case recording and data reporting system

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Qualifications

· Degree level education and/or IDVA or DAPA qualification (or equivalent experience)

We would love to hear from you

Please send your CV and cover letter – or any questions to to us

Thanks and good luck!

Job Title: Duty IDVA

Hours: Part time, 28 hours per week

Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 pro-rata

Location: Hammersmith with some home working

Contract Type: Part-time-4 days per week on a fixed term contract until the end of March 2026

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Advance is committed to equality and diversity and strongly encourages applications from women with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, BAME and LBT communities.

Job Summary

The IDVA will work within a dynamic, fast paced, crisis intervention, advocacy and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process.

They will advise women on criminal justice and civil remedies and related matters, support women to attend court where necessary, and coordinate the provision of multi-agency support.

The post holder will hold a reduced caseload of survivors and will also be required to work as part of Advance’s duty team based in Hammersmith which will involve completing intake assessments and providing crisis intervention support.

The post holder will have an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, and of best practice within the domestic abuse sector. As an experienced domestic abuse advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, the post holder will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis.

Experience of direct work with female survivors of domestic abuse and of working within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is the need to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure effective access to the service for women and girls and encourage their engagement with services through multi-agency working and service flexibility.
• To work within the team to conduct comprehensive assessments of needs and risk for women experiencing domestic abuse referred to our services.
• To carry out short- and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support; and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs, including attendance at specialist/dedicated courts and MARAC as required.
• Develop and deliver safety and support plans that include delivery of high-quality face-to-face or telephone crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and support, in respect to criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, children’s legislation and other appropriate interventions.
• Advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals and co-ordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocate ensuring barriers to accessing support and protection are minimised.
• Proactively assess the needs and safety of any children that women using the service may have, ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed directly with the woman, and take appropriate action to safeguard them.
• If a client is involved in the criminal justice system as a witness, provide them with information, advocacy, and support as cases progress through the criminal justice system, supporting them to apply for special measures and to give impact statements, to maximise their safety to help them give best evidence and accompanying women to court where necessary.
• Work with the management team and Data Insights Analyst to ensure all monitoring and evaluation for the project is accurate and fully maintained, keeping managers informed of any issues and successes.
• Ensure that agreed case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure, and write internal and external reports where required, including for safeguarding conferences, team meetings, managers and others as required.
• Use appropriate institutional advocacy to maximise positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise.
• Be responsible for your own personal learning development and keep up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
• Participate in supervision, training and meetings as required and assist in the development of services in line with agreed development plans.

How to apply

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career development pathways

**************************************************************

Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing

Advocacy Project Manager

Join Mind in Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Redbridge as our Advocacy Project Manager to lead our Tower Hamlets Advocacy Service. You’ll oversee a skilled team, build strong partnerships, ensure contract targets are met, and embed co-production and inclusivity in everything you do.

Location: Tower Hamlets
Salary: £40,000
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: 12 month FTC - potential to become permanent 

Key Responsibilities:
• Manage day-to-day operations and performance of our Tower Hamlets advocacy service.
• Ensure contract targets and KPIs are met, including monitoring and reporting.
• Supervise, support and develop advocacy staff and volunteers.
• Champion co-production and culturally sensitive service design.
• Build strong partnerships with commissioners, health, and community organisations.
• Contribute to service development and funding opportunities.

About You:
• Qualified advocate (National Advocacy Qualification).
• Experience managing advocacy or support services, preferably in mental health.
• Skilled in staff supervision, service performance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Committed to anti-racist and inclusive practices.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Why join us?
We are a dynamic, inclusive charity affiliated with national Mind, committed to empowering diverse communities and transforming mental health support.

Apply now to lead with purpose and make lasting impact.
 

Closing date: Monday 28th July at 9am

Interview date: Wednesday 30th July
 

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience.

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.
 

Job Description:
Job Purpose:

Women in Prison’s South London Women’s Hubs provide support and advocacy to women at different points of the criminal justice system – whether they are at risk of offending, serving a community sentence, or in custody and leaving prison. The primary purpose of this role is to work with women in custody, including on remand, offering support to prepare for release and connect them with vital community support services prior to and on release from prison.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy one to one and group support in prison, to women on remand in HMP Bronzefield, HMP Downview and HMP Send
2. Development and maintenance of professional relations in prison and the community
3. Ensure clear, timely and effective communication and record keeping
4. Proactively seek to develop your personal and professional practice, and contribute to wider organisational development
5. Contribute to building a feminist leadership culture and positive working environment for Women in Prison

The Vacancy

The Independent Monitoring Service is seeking to recruit professionals with experience of working with children and vulnerable adults to the role of Independent Visitor.

The role of Independent Visitors is to provide visiting services on behalf of NYAS which are consistent with the National Quality Standards for Children’s Homes, Residential Special School Standards, Welsh National Minimum Standards, Health and Social Care Standards Scotland and CQC regulations. The main duties are:

• To undertake monthly visits to identified homes in accordance with the requirements of the relevant NYAS manager.

These visits will be:

Regulation 44 visits to residential children’s homes, short breaks and secure units.

Regulation 25 visits to residential family centres.

Care Quality Commission visits to residential adult homes.

Care Inspectorate Wales regulation 8 visits to residential children’s homes.

RSS20 visits to residential special schools.

Health and social care standards Scotland residential children’s homes.

Monitoring visits to unregulated provision.

• To undertake all tasks as identified by the relevant NYAS manager, during the visits and thereafter, in order to fulfil all aspects of the role.
• To provide factual reports within set timescales as required by the relevant NYAS manager.

Candidates should have demonstrable knowledge and understanding of regulated services and their inspection frameworks and also knowledge of current legislation and statutory guidance relating to children, young people and adults at risk particularly those in residential care.

Candidates must have experience of working within a social or health care organisation, safeguarding and experience of managing complex relationships across a diverse field, e.g. OFSTED inspectors, social workers, residential care workers and registered managers, health care professionals.

Candidates should also possess a professional qualification in a related field, i.e. social work, residential care, health care professional, advocacy or youth work.

This is a self-employed position and you will be paid a sessional rate.

You will also be required to complete annual safeguarding and compliance including, Personal Safety, Data Protection, Information Security, Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity. You will be able to subscribe to an e-learning platform provided by NYAS. The platform will provide you with the opportunity to undertake a number of other professional courses that you can complete in your own time to maintain your own CPD. You can do this on the e-learning platform at a significantly reduced cost compared to undertaking each course individually with different providers.

Note for candidates - when completing the application form, it is important that you refer to the person specification within the contract delivery specification and detail how you can evidence the criteria.

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

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

About NYAS

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

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

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

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

Work with us to help change young lives.

Location: Head Office/ Pan-London (Hybrid)

Salary: £31,531 - £33,696 per annum 

(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term Contract (Until 31st January 2027)

Closing Date: Monday 4th August 2025

Closing Time: 00:00am

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as a Housing First Multiple Disadvantage Outreach and Advocacy Worker at Solace Women's Aid.

We exist to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse, as well as providing services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives, free from abuse.

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

About the Service

Housing First supports the most entrenched, excluded and hard to reach service users. It focuses on finding permanent housing as quickly as possible and then addressing the issues that have contributed to an individual’s homelessness. The Ruby Project, is a specialist Housing First programme supporting women who have experienced VAWG and other difficulties such as, substance misuse, experience of the criminal jusice system, having children removed from their care, mental and physical health issues etc.

‘I want someone who I can do nice things with, too, not someone who just talks about what has gone wrong, or drugs and other things……I think about those negatives all the time anyway and I want a worker who I can feel positive with, happy’ (service user supported by another Housing First Project).

About the Role

Accountabilities

• Provide a high-quality case work support and information service to victims/survivors who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with external agencies where appropriate, including at the MARAC
• Provide Solution-focused casework interventions with women who have experienced VAWG and Multiple Disadvantage
• Provide emotional support using a trauma informed approach.
• Build and maintain supportive relationships with women.
• Contribute to the completion of outcomes reports and funding returns when required.
• Complete all documents when support work commences and keep up to date with any changing risks to or from the woman.
• Empower women to access benefits and services they need.
• Involve service users in the design, development, and delivery of the service.
• Engage with a wide range of professionals (some of whom may have very different approaches to problem solving) through a multi-agency approach, and advocate to agencies on behalf of the Project and its service users.
• Promote coordinated, joined-up service delivery for service users between violence against women services and drug and alcohol agencies, mental health, housing, health and legal agencies.
• Contribute to a service-wide communications plan and ensure that information about the service is widely available locally to other agencies and is also readily accessible to potential service users.
• Educate a wide range of agencies and stakeholders about the challenges faced by women experiencing multiple disadvantage.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the Project
• Be self-motivated to research processes and services in order to fully support and advocate for the women.
• Fully engage with the team and all support and team spaces offered, supporting colleagues with the difficulties they face and celebrating positive outcomes.
• Attend regular supervision sessions with your Line Manager
• Attend case review meetings and contribute to effective team communication.
• Ensure that creative and effective relationships are established with other teams and external organisations, particularly those that offer a service to our service users
• Ensure compliance with all legal and contractual reporting requirements in relation to service delivery
• Keep and maintain accurate and confidential records of all work undertaken.
• Contribute to service user feedback and voice in service delivery and service development.
• To ensure that individuals coming into contact with Solace are safeguarded and that appropriate safeguarding action is taken in respect of any concerns.

About You

Values, Behaviours and Competencies

• Committed to the purpose of Solace Women’s Aid, ensuring that the service user is at the heart of service delivery and development
• An intersectional feminist understanding of ‘Violence against Women and Girls’
• Committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in working practice
• Flexible and open to new challenges, ideas and experiences, and able to be self-reflective
• Committed to understanding diversity and ensuring anti-discriminatory practice is applied in all forms of our work
• Non-judgemental with a commitment to self-care within the team
• Collaborative, building relationships with internal and external partners.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Some experience in providing emotional and/or practical support to women who have experienced VAWG, homelessness or multiple disadvantages.
• Knowledge of the particular needs of women from diverse communities and the barriers to accessing support faced by women from a global majority background.
• Experience of working in partnerships with other agencies e.g. signposting, making referrals, supporting with appointments
• An understanding of the impact of trauma on women experiencing abuse
• Awareness of the intersection between severe and multiple disadvantages and VAWG, and an understanding of how the intersection of these issues can make it difficult for people to engage with support.
• A good knowledge of safeguarding practice and procedures
• Ability to provide strengths-based support.
• A resilient and assertive approach to reaching out to and building trust and positive relationships with women who have complex/multiple needs and who may present as reluctant to engage and/or may be presenting in crisis.
• Excellent organisational, ICT, written and verbal communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation, frameworks and procedures and practical application.

We understand that you may not have all the knowledge, experience, and skills mentioned in the Job Profile Document. However, your interpersonal skills, passion to have a positive impact, commitment to our purpose, and ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively will be equally important.

What we can offer you

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

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

How to apply

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

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

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

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

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

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

No agencies.

Job Summary

Learning Support Assistants support PiP’s Development Workers to deliver a flexible programme of learning and development opportunities; ensuring that students can actively participate and engage in sessions, giving student’s maximum opportunity to learn and develop. 

PiP’s programmes focus on four learning pathways:

- Independent Living Skills

- Creative and Performing Arts

- Health, Wellbeing and Happiness

- Employment and Vocational Skills

The role incorporates session delivery, recording and monitoring student progress, key working responsibilities such as liaising with student’s support networks and involvement in PiP’s wider work. 

Who We Are

PIP is a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities or autism to achieve their potential, and to lead lives that are as independent as possible.  

Our mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our students.

What You’ll Need

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, or a similar vulnerable service user group in care or educational settings
• A strong commitment to person-centred support and advocacy
• A passion for enabling positive change in the lives of our students
• The character and communication skills to be an effective and supportive team member
• Energy, initiative and a proactive attitude
• A calm and creative approach to challenges and problem solving

What We Offer:

· You'll get 25 days holiday + bank holidays ever year. We're closed for Christmas but the rest of the year you may take leave whenever you wish. 

· An extra day of annual leave for each year you've worked with us up to another 5 (30 in total)

· We offer a travel subsidy to help with the cost of commuting.

· We provide a 4% pension contribution

· Incremental pay progression

· When we can, we try to have an early finish on Fridays for staff at 4 pm

· Free Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 including access to counselling

· We offer regular team meals and social-generally during work hours and they are optional.

· We offer a cycle-to-work scheme and other staff discounts

Our Mission

PiP's mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our service users.

Our commitments

PiP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with the Inclusive Employers Standard 2020. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly applicants who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as people with lived experience of disabilities and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities. 

PiP keeps all personal information confidential and in line with current data protection legislation and GDPR. 

Closing Date: July 31st 2025

We encourage you to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the advert sooner subject to finding suitable candidates.  

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Crisis Café Support Worker
Reference: 293
Responsible to: Crisis Cafe Coordinator
Working Base(s): Watford (expectation to travel whenever necessary: Stevenage, Ware and Hatfield – mileage paid when not working at home base)
Salary: From £24,336 Per Annum FTE (pro rata for part time hours)
Hours: Part-Time (22.5 or 30 hours per week)
Work pattern: Working 3 or 4 out of 7-day rota, 17:30 - 01:30.

About the Service

Our Nightlight Service is proud to provide urgent support, crisis intervention and emotional support to people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire as an alternative to statutory pathways.

We provide support to adults across Hertfordshire 7 days a week, 365 days a year through our helpline, crisis centres, crisis cafes and a weekend Crisis House. We aim to provide a safe space for people in crisis to talk and feel supported, be listened to without judgement, access relevant support with problem solving and facilitate access to external services when necessary. As a member of our team you will work closely with service users in crisis by using a person-centred approach as to ensure that each individual is supported with dignity and respect.

The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Services are:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire.
• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.
• To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• To provide an alternative pathway to people in distress and crisis to support better outcomes and reduce the demand on statutory crisis services and emergency services.

At the Crisis Cafes we promote and enable people to access support in a way that suits them, whether that’s through talking to someone or simply by providing a safe space to have time alone or engage with trained staff.

About the Role

Mental Healthcare Support Workers are key members of staff delivering the Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Service, taking part in a rota covering 7 days per week, ensuring the delivery of quality crisis support services and instilling Hertfordshire Mind Network’s values throughout the crisis cafe and helpline provision. Working closely with other staff (bank staff, volunteers), coordinators, team leaders and Crisis manager to ensure services are of the highest quality and support the continued growth and development of the service.

By honouring the individual experience of each service user, we are able to respect their autonomy as well as encourage and facilitate positive steps towards management of crisis and recovery.

Whilst experience is advantageous, the most important thing to us and the people we support is having the right values, skills and commitment to delivering high quality, person centred mental health crisis support.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Closing date for applications is 31st July 2025
Interviews to be held week of 11th August 2025
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if sufficient applications are received so would encourage early applications.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. We recognise and value the unique combination of skills, knowledge and perspective that employing people with a lived experience, at all levels across the organisation, brings. We create an environment where the sharing of experiences and vulnerabilities to support others and create positive change is welcomed and work towards breaking down the ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture. The organisation is committed to nurturing peer relationships that allow all staff to thrive.

No agencies please.

Our Recovery Worker will be an integral part of the 121 floating support service which is an integrated, coordinated and holistic service aiming to support individuals with mental health needs within the community.

You will have a case load of clients to manage their health and wellbeing, maintain independence and identify strengths, goals and aspirations.

Your focus will be reducing social isolation and building social networks of support and signposting clients to local community resources. You will help the team in promoting an environment where service users are experts by their experience.

About the role:

As a Project Worker Complex Needs in our ELMS Service, you will have the rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals living with paranoid schizophrenia and other complex needs. Your role will be diverse and impactful, working directly with residents to provide essential support through key working, daily shift delivery, and client recording. You’ll also liaise with mental health professionals, helping coordinate appointments and advocating for residents when needed, ensuring they receive the care and attention they deserve.

You will support clients through structured key working and carry out comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments and goal setting, all while promoting Single Homeless Project’s values and practices. By implementing holistic support strategies, you will empower residents to manage their diagnosis and address their emotional, practical, and housing management needs. The role also includes supporting clients through engaging social activities such as a lunch club, bowling, and an allotment group, creating opportunities for connection and growth. As you guide residents on their journey toward independent living, your work will be pivotal in helping them build the skills and confidence needed to lead fulfilling, healthy lives.

The rota runs over Mon-Sun and some weekends are required. You will also be required to do light household chores and travel between the houses on the project.

About you:

• A working knowledge of severe and enduring mental ill-health, and the interventions and effective approaches to supporting individuals experiencing such conditions.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively, prioritising different areas of work according to need.
• The ability to coach someone to undertake a range of practical tasks relating to living independently.
• A Person-Centred support approach and the ability to create collaborative support plans, build rapport, and foster collaboration with residents.

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 12,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing Date: Sunday 20th July at Midnight

Interviews: Tuesday 29th July at our ELMS service in Leyton 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions.