Independent mental health advocate jobs in East of england

Headway UK developed the Approved Provider Scheme in 2011, which is a voluntary standards-based accreditation, for rehabilitation and residential units for people with a brain injury and we are looking for a new part time team member.

• Location: Preference for Midlands based, either home based or in Headway UK’s office in Nottingham.
• Salary: £35,000 FTE (pro rata for 21 hours per week) (days are flexible)

Brief overview

Are you a professional with experience supporting brain injury survivors?

Are you passionate about improving standards or care, for brain injury survivors?

Would you be good at conducting assessments and supporting residentials care units to improve the care that they provide?

Headway UK developed the Approved Provider Scheme in 2011, which is a voluntary standards-based accreditation, for rehabilitation and residential units for people with a brain injury and we are looking for a new part time team member.

By participating in the scheme Approved Provider units affirm their dedication to excellent care, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. The accreditation of units is then published for families, individuals and professionals to help inform their choices when identifying suitable provision for brain injury survivors. Our accreditation process is designed to be collaborative and supportive, guiding units through every step towards achieving and maintaining exemplary service standards.

The role will involve, conducting and writing assessments and working with the Approved Provider and Training Manager to manage Lead Assessors, who are based around the UK and the Service User Perspective Assessors, who are either brain injury survivors, or family members/ carers.

Embrace Headway’s mission of Improving Life After Brain Injury. Join us to ensure the highest quality care for ABI survivors throughout their journey to recovery.

What you will do:

• Conduct Approved Provider assessments, which includes going into brain injury residential units and assessing the services they provide and making recommendations, to improve practice against the framework.
• Writing and reviewing reports for Approved Provider units, following assessments, that clearly highlight strengths and areas for development.
• Contributing to the development and growth of Headway UK’s Approved Provider scheme, by continuing to drive forward standards and onboarding new units.
• Working with freelance Lead Assessors and Service User Perspective Assessors (who are brain injury survivors or family members) who are based around the UK, to organise assessments and ensure the schemes standards are upheld.

About you

We’re open-minded and welcome all applicants who believe they can succeed. Though ideally, you will have:

• Prior experience of working in the field of acquired brain injury.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, social work).
• Ability to write and moderate written reports of high quality and clarity, to provide accurate and accessible feedback.
• Very good IT skills, including be proficient in the Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams).
• Ability to gain the trust, confidence, and respect at all levels within external organisations and staff groups.
• Be an excellent communicator, with new and existing Approved Provider units.

Benefits

As a staff member at Headway UK you’ll have access the following range of benefits;

Financial Security 

• Competitive Salaries
• Pension - You’ll be automatically be enrolled into the Pensions People with Headway contributing between 5 – 8%
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme – Increasing with length of service.
• Death in Service Benefit - You’ll have the security of knowing if anything happens to you your loved ones will be provided for

Flexible Working

• Remote working – For the majority of our roles we can facilitate fully remote or hybrid working.
• We understand that a healthy work-life balance is essential for our team to thrive. Headway UK offers flexible working arrangements, promoting well-being and ensuring you can take care of yourself while you care for others.

Wellbeing

• You’ll benefit from a fully comprehensive 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme including access to counselling services.
• Eye Test Vouchers
• Mental Health First Aiders

Holidays and leave

• You’ll get 25 days leave incrementally increasing to 30 days based on service plus Bank Holidays.
• Birthday leave

Benefits

• You’ll have access to a range of shopping and lifestyle benefits and discounts through our IMHR Plus Privilege membership.

About us

Headway UK plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals and families affected by brain injuries. Our comprehensive services encompass rehabilitation, counselling, and practical assistance to help survivors regain independence and improve their quality of life. Headway UK is at the forefront of raising awareness about the challenges faced by those with brain injuries and advocates for their rights, ensuring they receive the care and understanding they deserve. Through a combination of educational initiatives, community outreach, and personalised support, Headway UK strives to rebuild lives, offering a lifeline to those navigating the complexities of brain injury recovery.

Embark on a fulfilling career with Headway UK and join our compassionate team and contribute to our mission of rebuilding lives after brain injury. Make a meaningful impact with Headway UK, where every role plays a crucial part in empowering those on the path to recovery.

Safeguarding

At Headway UK we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of vulnerable adults. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow best practice as set out within the Care Act 2014. All successful applicants will be subject to safer recruiting procedures and will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks including a criminal background check and two satisfactory references.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

We recognise, value and champion diversity and inclusion. We want to ensure are staff population reflect the diverse service users that we support. For us diversity and inclusion is about building happy teams, full of people that want to learn and be inspired by each other, by our different experiences and backgrounds. Inclusion means providing the people we recruit with opportunities and valuing everyone’s contributions and perspectives.

We are also committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need support with the application or you would like a chat about what it’s like to work with us.

Thank you for your interest in Headway UK and we look forward to getting to know you!

10–12 hours per week | £10,582–£12,698 per annum pro rata (£37,037 FTE) | Fixed term for 5 years to July 2031 | 3% pension

CHOICE IN HACKNEY is looking for an experienced and motivated Disability Employment Coach to support disabled people to move towards employment, volunteering, education and training, while developing the confidence, skills and practical strategies needed for sustainable employment.

You will provide one-to-one employment coaching, helping participants identify their strengths, aspirations and goals and develop personalised action plans. You will support people to overcome barriers to employment through practical coaching, encouragement, problem-solving and appropriate signposting.

You will also help plan and deliver CHOICE IN HACKNEY’s Job Club, creating accessible and engaging sessions that encourage confidence, peer learning and mutual support. Alongside this, you will develop relationships with employers, recruitment agencies, training providers and partner organisations to create opportunities for disabled people.

The role recognises that employment can take different forms. You will support participants to explore volunteering, work experience, apprenticeships, self-employment, social enterprise and entrepreneurship where appropriate. You will also provide suitable in-work support to promote job retention, workplace integration and career progression.

An important part of the post will be maintaining contact with programme alumni, monitoring longer-term employment, training and wellbeing outcomes and contributing to an active alumni network offering Job Club activities, peer support, mentoring and employer engagement.

We are looking for someone with experience supporting disabled people into employment, education or training, together with experience of employment coaching, careers guidance, employability support or vocational rehabilitation. You will need excellent coaching and motivational skills, an understanding of disability and barriers to employment, and knowledge of reasonable adjustments and inclusive recruitment.

CHOICE IN HACKNEY is a Disabled People’s Organisation committed to the Social Model of Disability, equality, inclusion and independent living, and welcomes applications from disabled people and people with lived experience.

Role overview 

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 10,000 adults (25+).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their carers, supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on adults (25+), you will be primarily working within the Adult Services Team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based and ideally you will live within an hour commute of London, within Essex, Kent or Sussex as you will be attending clinics in London and the Southeast as required. There would be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

The role is full time 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday with working core hours 9am-5pm with some flexibility to cover events evenings/weekends.

Key Responsibilities 

• Deliver innovative support across your region to improve health, social, and emotional outcomes for members. 

• Attend specialist clinics to engage with members and professionals. 

• Provide information, advice, and guidance to our adult members and carers, including hard-to-reach communities. 

• Support members to access benefits, services, and resources that promote financial stability, health, and independence. 

• Refer members to Shine’s Health team, internal specialists, or external agencies as appropriate. 

• Develop age-specific groups and peer support networks to reduce isolation and encourage social interaction. 

• Recruit and support Shine volunteers. 

• Contribute to regional and national events (face-to-face and virtual) based on member needs and interests. 

• Represent Shine at conferences, provide information, raise awareness among professionals, external organisations, and the public through presentations and training. 

• Promote Shine membership to individuals with relevant conditions. 

• Maintain accurate records using Shine’s CRM (Salesforce database). 

• Collaborate with colleagues across services, fundraising, marketing to identify opportunities for sustainability. 

• Maintain an up-to-date directory of contacts and share relevant information internally. 

• Undertake administrative tasks and other duties as required.

Other Core Requirements of Working for Shine 

• Ability to travel across designated areas. 

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to work outside core hours when required. 

• Ability to work from home and manage lone working effectively. 

• Self-motivated, with strong initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a dispersed team. 

• Full Enhanced DBS check, UK Right to Work and satisfactory references required. 

Benefits to working at Shine:

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings) 

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment 

• Access to our Employee Support Programmeand Mental Health First Aiders 

• Support to learn and develop 

This is an exciting opportunity for a Disabled person with strong HR and service management experience to support our high quality Information and Advice and Speaking Up (casework) Services rooted in the Social Model of Disability, Disability Justice, Equity and Human Rights. This role sits within our Senior Leadership Team and is central to the smooth running and growth of our organisation.

• Role: Service Manager
• Reporting To: CEO
• Direct Reports: 3-4 members of our Information and Advice and Speaking Up Teams (including 2 Supervisors)
• Hours: 21 hours per week (flexibility around working pattern but must be available to work on a Monday)
• Salary: £38,934 - £51,912
• Location: Hybrid
• Start Date: 28 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
• Contract Type: Fixed term until 30 September 2028, with potential of extension dependent upon funding
• This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

We are looking for an individual with a deep commitment to Disabled people’s rights and passion for leading change. The successful candidate will lead, motivate and support a diverse team of passionate caseworkers, manage impactful services, lead on HR, deputise around safeguarding and develop and maintain key relationships with partners and funders, and more.

What do we mean when we say ‘Disabled’? - We use the term ‘Disabled people’ to mean all people living with an impairment or health condition. This includes:

• People with physical impairments
• People who experience mental distress/mental health issues
• Deaf People
• Hearing Impaired People
• Blind, partially sighted or Vision Impaired People
• People with learning disabilities
• People with long-term health conditions
• Neurodivergent People
• People with invisible impairments

We recognise and respect that some of the people mentioned above do not think of themselves as Disabled but we believe the groups above can face disabling barriers in society.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Floating Support Worker to play a pivotal role in our Complex Needs Service in Kingston.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

This role provides high-quality, person-centred support to up to 15 Service Users across Kingston, promoting independent living and wellbeing. It involves assessing individual needs, developing personalised SMART support plans, and helping Service Users manage mental health, physical health, finances, and relationships.

The role includes liaising with families, carers, and partner agencies, encouraging engagement in meaningful activities, and supporting access to treatment and employment opportunities. It adopts a holistic ‘Think Family' approach and flexible working 
hours. The postholder ensures service delivery aligns with organisational values and contributes to service improvement through co-production and active Service User involvement.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

You bring substantial experience supporting individuals with diverse and often complex needs, helping them work towards their personal goals while managing associated risks. You have delivered high-quality floating, outreach, and accommodation-based support, tailoring your approach to each service user's circumstances and promoting their independence and well-being.

With a strong understanding of welfare benefits, housing options, and statutory legislation, you are able to provide accurate guidance and advocacy to ensure clients access appropriate entitlements and services. You are also well-versed in health and safety procedures, particularly when working within service users' homes, maintaining a safe and professional environment at all times.

You are confident in key working, support planning, and risk assessment, ensuring that all interventions are person-centred and outcome-focused. Your knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, and related support needs enables you to respond effectively to complex situations. You collaborate productively with external professionals and partner agencies, ensuring cohesive, holistic support plans.

Organised and IT-literate, you maintain accurate digital records using computer-based case management systems. You also demonstrate a thorough understanding of safeguarding principles and the ability to act appropriately to protect vulnerable individuals. Flexible and proactive, you are willing to travel throughout the borough to deliver responsive, community-based support.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Working within Baobab's welcoming and dynamic admin team in our Therapeutic Community, the Engagement and Administrative Assistant is a dual role. In your Admin assistant role you will provide comprehensive administrative support to operational, research and advocacy teams. In your Engagement Assistant role, you will lead on developing a successful programme of youth activities at the Baobab Centre (as Baobab Youth Activities Coordinator) and will focus on prioritising young people’s engagement in advocacy and research.

About the role:

Join us at Single Homeless Project (SHP) as part of our Lewisham Vulnerable Adults Accommodation Service (LVAAS), delivering accommodation-based support across our properties in Brockley and New Cross. This is hands-on, day-to-day work alongside people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, where no two days are the same. You’ll build real relationships with clients, supporting them to stabilise, develop life skills and move towards greater independence, while navigating the challenges that can come with housing, health and wider support needs.

As a Project Worker, you’ll be at the centre of the service; working closely with colleagues and partner agencies to coordinate support that genuinely moves people forward. Alongside your client work, you’ll play a key role in keeping the service running safely and smoothly, from maintaining a secure, welcoming environment to staying on top of health and fire safety standards across the properties.

At SHP, this role is a starting point for growth. You’ll gain exposure to complex work, build confidence in your practice and be supported to develop your career in a way that works for you. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a tangible difference every day while growing your skills, you’ll find that here.

About you:

• You build trust quickly and genuinely, working alongside people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage with warmth, consistency and clear boundaries
• You stay calm and practical in busy or challenging moments, able to balance competing demands without losing sight of what matters for clients
• You’re confident working in a property-based service, taking responsibility for creating a safe, well-run environment for both clients and colleagues
• You work well with others, whether that’s your immediate team or external partners, and know how to keep things moving forward
• You’re open to learning, reflective in your approach and motivated to grow your skills in a role that will stretch you

About us:

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

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

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

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

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

Important info:

Applications are reviewed and suitable candidates invited to interview online via Microsoft Teams as they are received. Therefore, please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert once a suitable candidate has been identified. 

A second stage interview will be arranged for suitable candidates in service in Lewisham. 

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

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

The British Psychological Society is the membership and representative body for psychologists and the wider psychological professions in the UK.

We are seeking a Senior Policy & Public Affairs Adviser to join our friendly Policy & Public Affairs team. This is a great opportunity to support the BPS’ advocacy and policy objectives, helping ensure that the views and expertise of psychologists are heard by key decision makers.

The Senior Policy & Public Affairs Adviser works across member networks, political and government stakeholders, analysing policy developments and seeking opportunities to influence national policy on behalf of our members. Our members work across a range of sectors, including health, education, justice, sports and exercise, so the post-holder will be required to collaborate with a wide range of members, teams and external partners to deliver impactful outcomes and shared goals.

Why join us?

• Influence policy on nationally significant issues across the UK
• Work directly with politicians, government officials and senior stakeholders
• Collaborate with leading psychologists and subject matter experts
• Represent a respected professional body with a trusted voice
• Play a visible role in delivering policy change.

What you'll be doing

• Drive policy development and produce briefing materials
• Monitor Westminster, Whitehall and other administrations
• Manage consultations and consultation responses
• Represent BPS at policy forums and stakeholder groups
• Build strong relationships with members and policymakers.

Who will thrive in this role?

We are looking for someone with significant experience of working in a policy, public affairs or political capacity with a strong understanding of Westminster and political decision-making.

Oral and written communication must be your strength, with the ability to influence, engage and build relationships with different audiences and stakeholders. The post-holder will be required to collaborate across teams and with external partners to deliver impactful policy outcomes.

We offer a friendly, values led working culture with an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Agile & flexible working·     
• Generous leave entitlement
• Occupational pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme / free eye care vouchers / Winter flu vaccinations
• Tailored learning & development
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Discounts scheme with national organisations

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria in the job profile by 6th September at 23:30. Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be progressed. Interviews will be on-line 23rd-25th September.

The British Psychological Society is committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of your background or circumstances. We are only able to accept applications that can demonstrate a right to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it is not possible to update you on the progress of the application until after the closing date.  If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

About the role:

• Support individuals through the transition into adult integrated services

• Support individuals through the transition in to paid employment and/or relevant training, education or occupation/diversionary activities that can best support there ongoing needs

• Deliver a range of treatment interventions to the clients utilising a child and young person centric approach guided by the 10 key policy principles of working with children and young people.  This may include both individual and group based client work.

• Carry out triage/screening assessments where appropriate

• Work flexibly and in a holistic way to promote harm reduction.

• Devise, implement and review individual care plans with young people.

• Appropriately include parents/carers in the planning and delivery of support.

• Support a caseload of young people, delivering psychosocial interventions alongside basic counselling skills and motivational interviewing approaches.

• Actively develop relations with partner agencies ensuring robust referral protocols and care pathways are put into place for young people to receive substance misuse interventions and other appropriate support.

• Offer a flexible service across the local area in partnership with Health, Social Care, Criminal Justice and generic youth services.

About you:

• Considerable knowledge and experience of working in the substance misuse field.

• Considerable knowledge and experience of working with children and young people.

• Knowledge of issues facing young people today.

• Basic counselling and / or group work experience.

• Experience of undertaking comprehensive assessments and in implementing and reviewing individual care plans.

• An ability to maintain accurate and timely records.

• Understanding of professional accountability in relation to The Children Act 2004 and Every Child Matters 2004

What we will give to you:

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”.
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team culture
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a Friend Scheme

Overview

Do you want to work for a caring organisation that believes in people?

Do you want to make a difference?

As a Young Persons Transitional Worker with Change Grow Live, you’ll work with people who use our services, helping them get to where they want to be.

We’re looking for a dedicated Young Person’s & Adults Recovery Transitions Worker to join our Newham Service. This role sits within our Young Persons team and focuses on supporting individuals aged up to 25 as they transition into adult services.

You will provide assessment, advice, care-planned treatment, and ongoing support to young people experiencing serious or complex substance-related issues. A key element of the role is coordinating transitions, both into adult treatment pathways and into meaningful education, employment, or training opportunities.

Importantly, this role will also support individuals who require help around ketamine use, offering tailored harm reduction advice, early intervention, and recovery-focused support as part of their care plan.

Location: Newham

Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week

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

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

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Oaklands is made up of a newly refurbished six-bedroom home, located close to each other in Ealing, West London. We work with up to 6 young people at a time, providing a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. Many of the young people joining us are moving on from hospital, stepping down from more intensive placements, or transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult services.

What you'll do:

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

• Build supportive, trusting relationships with young people and help create a positive, welcoming atmosphere.
• Work proactively with other members of the team to manage the service caseload and carry out necessary administrative tasks.
• Conduct keywork sessions as required, using creative and engaging approaches to help young people achieve their Support Plan goals.
• Work collaboratively with young people to assess and manage risks, supporting positive risk-taking and shared decision-making.

About you:

• Ability to advocate for young people in a variety of professional and community settings.
• Values working collaboratively with young people to ensure the service truly meets their needs.
• Understands the impact of individual context, including experiences of trauma and adversity, on young people's lives and mental health.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent, or experience supporting young people or individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Desirable

• Experience working in complex mental health environments, supported accommodation, or similar settings.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and psychologically informed approaches.
• Experience supporting people to develop independent living skills.

About us:

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

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

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Role: Caseworker (Information and Advice)

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

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

Location: Hybrid

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

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

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

About the Role

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

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Information

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

Please also email us if you:

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

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

We do not use AI within our hiring processes. 

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

What you'll be doing

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

About You

We are looking for someone who:

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

What you will do as part of our team

• Providing a specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include partner day centres and night shelters through the winter season.
• Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals.
• Attending appointments with guests occasionally when needed
• Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary
• Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services.
• Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required
• Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework service for both internal and external use
• Maintaining a wel-organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (e.g. GDPR)
• Managing a small casework budget
• Undertaking any other duties, as required by the charity

Person specification

Essential

• At least one year experience of working one-on-one and assessing the needs of homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups
• Empathetic attitude to homeless and vulnerably housed people
• Up-to-date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people
• Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London
• Confident approach to, and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour
• Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers
• Highly organised with strong time-management skills
• Ability to keep clear and up-to-date case records
• Experience and competent in MS Office packages
• Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions
• Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills
• Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies
• Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities
• For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week
• This post will require an enhanced DBS check prior and during employment

Desirable

• Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages
• Experience of working alongside volunteers

Renters Rights -Caseworker

Salary: £31,101 per annum

Closing date – 04 September 2026

Cambridge House is looking for motivated people who are willing to go the extra mile to create a more just society. We provide a range of services that are designed to improve people’s lives.

At Safer Renting we tackle the abuse of renters and criminality in the private rented sector by leveraging our partnerships with local authorities to hold landlords accountable for providing safe, decent, and secure homes. We also seek to transform the sector through our award-winning research and campaigns.

Our team is very diverse in terms of cultural diversity and lived experience, we offer staff a range of competitive benefits.

The successful candidates will have experience of:

• Empowering individuals with the knowledge, guidance and confidence to exercise and enforce their rights.
• Supporting legal action and securing positive outcomes for individuals through evidence-based case preparation.
• Championing tenant’s interests.

How to apply 

Applicants will be required to submit their CV along with a supporting statement outlining their relevant experience and suitability for the role.

You will also be required to download and complete a Criminal Records Declaration Form and a Diversity Monitoring Form, both of which are available on the Work With Us/Job Opportunities page of our website.

We value diversity and warmly encourage applications from disabled and Queer/LGBTQIA+ people, candidates who share lived experiences with our service users, and people from Black, Asian and global majority communities.

Note Recruiters or Agencies will not be responded to .