Independent mental health advocate jobs in Leeds

The Organisation

LawCare is the mental health charity for the legal sector, providing free, confidential emotional support and information to people working in law across the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. While our primary focus is on direct support services, we also play a leading role in advocating for improved mental health practices within legal workplaces and driving cultural transformation through education, training, and research.

Established in 1997, we have spent almost 30 years supporting legal professionals by offering a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk, whether individuals are experiencing day-to-day pressures or more complex, enduring challenges. Our team of Champions, over 100 volunteers, and staff bring lived experience of the legal sector, enabling us to provide informed, empathetic support grounded in a deep understanding of the profession’s unique demands.

We serve all branches of the legal community, including barristers, solicitors, in-house teams, chartered legal executives, and business and support staff. From early-career professionals facing bullying or imposter syndrome to senior leaders managing risk, regulatory pressures, or professional  isolation, we are a trusted and independent source of support.

In addition to our direct support services - including helpline, live online chat, and email support - we provide peer support and maintain a substantial, regularly updated online library of resources, including articles, personal stories, research, and multimedia content designed to promote mental health awareness and resilience across the sector. We also deliver training on mental wellbeing, management and supervision, vicarious trauma, and the new SRA workplace behaviour standards, and offer online sessions for legal workplaces and organisations to explain the support we provide.

By combining frontline service delivery with sector-wide advocacy, LawCare is uniquely positioned at the intersection of individual wellbeing and organisational cultural change. We are supported by a strong, capable team and a committed Board of Trustees, enabling us to continue making a meaningful impact across the legal profession.

The Role

LawCare is seeking an inspiring and values-led Chief Executive to lead the charity into its next phase of development at a pivotal moment for the legal profession. As the public face and strategic leader of the organisation, the Chief Executive will champion LawCare’s mission - ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential support services while strengthening its voice and influence across a rapidly evolving and increasingly commercial mental health landscape.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on strong foundations, guiding a respected and independent charity through a period of significant sector change. Working closely with staff, volunteers, funders and partners, the Chief Executive will drive sustainable growth, deepen impact, and help shape a more compassionate and mentally healthy legal culture for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Lead delivery of LawCare’s forthcoming strategy (2026 onwards), translating vision into measurable impact.
• Ensure LawCare sharpens its positioning and messaging in a crowded mental health marketplace.
• Balance direct support services, research, education and influencing work to maximise impact.
• Identify what the charity should prioritise and where it should collaborate rather than deliver directly.

External Relations & Sector Influence

• Act as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for LawCare across the legal sector in the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with:
  • Professional bodies
  • Regulators
  • Law firms and chambers
  • Legal educators
  • Funders and charitable trusts
• Speak regularly at conferences, sector events, roundtables and award ceremonies. These are primarily London based, however, there will be occasions where representation is required across England, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Build alliances to influence policy, regulation and workplace practice around mental health and wellbeing.
• Position LawCare as the authoritative, evidence-informed voice on mental health in law.

Service Oversight & Quality

• Ensure the continued delivery of high-quality, confidential helpline and peer support services.
• Maintain robust safeguarding, confidentiality and data governance practices.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, training and engagement.
• Ensure services evolve in response to emerging issues (e.g., stress, anxiety, workplace conflict, regulatory pressure, AI-related disruption).

Financial Sustainability & Governance

• Lead financial planning and sustainability, working closely with the Treasurer and Board.
• Manage relationships with core professional body funders and diversify income streams.
• Develop compelling funding cases and annual pitches to key stakeholders.
• Strengthen reserves and long-term financial resilience.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and risk management.
• Support and work closely with the incoming Chair and a refreshed Board.

Research, Education & Prevention

• Build on the impact of the Life in the Law research programme.
• Promote preventative approaches for firms and educators.
• Strengthen LawCare’s role in vocational education and regulatory conversations.
• Ensure research informs policy influence and funding opportunities.

Organisational Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a small, experienced and fully remote team.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, wellbeing and accountability.
• Provide clarity and reassurance during a period of leadership transition and financial strengthening.
• Ensure operational efficiency and effective use of technology in a remote environment.

The Person

LawCare is seeking a credible, strategic and values-driven leader with a deep understanding of the legal profession and the pressures shaping it today. You will bring senior leadership experience, strong commercial and financial acumen, and the ability to balance operational excellence with sector-wide influence.

An authentic and compelling ambassador for mental health and wellbeing, you will be an exceptional communicator who builds trust with ease. Emotionally intelligent, resilient and grounded, you will combine empathy with clarity and conviction, guiding the organisation confidently while remaining steadfast in your commitment to improving mental health across the legal community.

Essential

Professional Background

• Prior professional experience in the legal sector is required. Experience working in a qualified or regulated professional role is desirable.
• Deep, intrinsic understanding of the culture, pressures and structural dynamics of the profession.
• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for strategy, people and budgets.

Leadership & Influence

• Credible, visible and compelling leader with presence.
• Exceptional communicator - confident public speaker and strong writer.
• Knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Able to influence senior stakeholders and bring sceptical audiences “on the journey.”
• A credible ambassador for mental health and wellbeing - knowledge of mental health systems, workplace wellbeing or addiction support.
• Comfortable operating at Board level.

Organisational Capacity

• Experience managing and motivating high-performing teams (ideally remote).
• Financial acumen, including budget oversight and income generation.
• Fundraising experience, particularly with trusts, foundations or membership bodies.
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic influence.
• Skilled at prioritisation in resource-constrained environments.

Personal Qualities

• Authentic commitment to mental health and wellbeing.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and values-driven.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to navigate sensitive conversations with discretion and diplomacy.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience working with regulators or professional bodies.
• Understanding of research commissioning or evidence-led advocacy.

Further information

For further information about LawCare, the scope of the role and the person specification, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up to date CV, with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission).
• A supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification, along with your motivation for applying for the role.

Closing date for applications: Monday 30th March 2026
Preliminary interviews with Russam: Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th April 2026
Interviews with LawCare: Week commencing 20th April 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

The Vacancy

Community Builder (Community Development) – Leeds 

Salary: Up to £33,995 per annum   

Location: Remote in Leeds with travel within the UK. See the “Please Note” section below for further details.

The vacancy   

We have an exciting opportunity for a COMMUNITY BUILDER to join our Community Development team working to support local veterans to take an active role in their communities. If you believe in the power of strong, connected communities, this role is for you.  

Please see below for more information on what just might be your future role.  

About The Role  

As a Community Builder, you will be at the heart of our charity’s ambition to reach seldom-heard members of the Armed-forces Community (AFC) and engage them in creating positive action that strengthens wider connections. 

You will identify the strengths, passions and interests within the AFC, foster meaningful connections with the wider community, and utilise these to create meaningful and sustainable outcomes.  

About You  

You will be a highly motivated and dynamic individual who is passionate about collaboration and community-led change.  You will have experience of engaging and supporting people in a community, charity, education, social care, housing, youth work, or other people-focused role using a range of facilitation tools, techniques and Community Development skills. You will need experience of working in a community setting with a diverse range of people and interests. You will have good organisational skills, energy and the ability to listen, build relationships, and inspire collaboration, which will be essential in creating positive, lasting change.

We are looking for someone with:  

• A Community Development qualification and/or transferable Community Development skills and experience.

• A basic understanding of the Asset-Based Community Development approach (ABCD) is required however full support and development of this practice and our internal ways of working will be provided.    

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships that drive action.  

• A track record of successful collaboration with internal and external partners and stakeholders.  

• Effective and efficient organisational and IT skills. 

PLEASE NOTE:  

• The successful candidate will need to be based within a 30-minute commute of their allocated locality and there is a requirement to travel regularly across the wider area (travel expenses covered).  The successful candidate must possess a valid full UK driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle with business insurance for work purposes.  

• There will also be a requirement for occasional travel to other UK locations for meetings and events depending on the charity’s needs such as our annual all colleagues in person event.   

• The successful candidate will work 35 hours per week over 5 days, Monday - Sunday. Core working days will be Monday to Friday; however, flexibility is essential, as regular evening and weekend work will also be required to meet the needs of the role. Working hours will vary to ensure a total of 70 hours is covered over a two-week period, so please take this into consideration before applying.  

• The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check   

About the Team  

You’ll be joining a dynamic team of community development professionals who are passionate about supporting people to make a difference where they live. We amplify the strengths already present in communities, forge lasting partnerships and initiatives that empower members of the AFC to thrive. Together, the Community Development Managers and the Community Builders strengthen local communities using the resources and networks that are readily available.

Please see the job description for more details.  

In return we can offer you: 

• Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion. 

• 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service -plus your birthday off to celebrate! 

• Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year. 

• Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade. 

• 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.

• A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member. 

Closing date: 22nd March 2026

Please note: We may close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of strong applications.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Domestic Abuse Practitioner- Accommodation

JOB TITLE: Domestic Abuse Parenting Support and Group Facilitator

SALARY: £ 28-30K  

RESPONSIBLE TO: Accommodation Manager

HOURS: 37.5 flexible working between hours of 8am – 6pm 

Monday to Friday

Annual Leave: 30  days pro-rata + Bank Holidays

Pension: 6% employer’s contribution 

Health Benefits: Health Care Cash Plan  

Employment Mental Wellbeing Scheme 

Flexible working hours according to the needs of the project.  Evening and weekend work as required.  Annual leave and time off in lieu to be taken at times to meet the requirements of the organisation and with the prior agreement of the CEO. 

The post is based within Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership (Pdap)

N.B. The organisation refers to the Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership.

Overall Objectives

To support women who have been subjected to domestic abuse, ‘so called’ honor-based abuse and or forced marriage to navigate the barriers faced in their journey to recovery.

To provide holistic and trauma-informed support to women residing across Pdap’s refuge services who have experienced domestic abuse. The post will have a strong emphasis on supporting empowerment through one to one and group-based activities. This role will deliver targeted interventions, facilitate group activities that promote confidence and self-efficacy, and provide flexible, ad hoc support to a small caseload of women.

The successful applicant will embody the Pdap values and keep the client at the heart of everything they do.

Particular Tasks of the Postholder

The postholder will provide client-centred support and advocate for victims of domestic abuse by;

1. Providing bespoke 1 to 1 support sessions:

• Provide one-to-one support tailored to the needs of women affected by domestic abuse.

• Help women rebuild post-abuse.

• Complete support plans with women to ascertain their needs and work with them to achieve their goals

• To support women to access housing and other key services

• To ensure women have the means to live independently including support to access finance and education

2. Facilitating Group Activities

• Alongside the wider DAP team to design and facilitate a regular programme of group activities aimed at building confidence, skills, and emotional wellbeing.

• Promote peer support, personal development, and recovery through workshops on topics such as self-esteem, healthy relationships, assertiveness, and life skills.

• Encourage participation and co-production by involving women in planning and leading group sessions where appropriate.

3. Individual Support

• Hold a small, manageable caseload and provide responsive, ad hoc support as needed.

• Conduct holistic, trauma-informed assessments, support plans and safety planning.

• Empower women to make informed choices and access relevant services (e.g. legal, housing, benefits, health).

• Advocate on behalf of residents where necessary to ensure their rights and needs are met.

4. Partnership and Safeguarding

• Work closely with external agencies (e.g. social services, schools, health professionals) to ensure coordinated support.

• Proactively contribute to multi-agency safeguarding and risk management procedures.

• Maintain accurate records and case notes in line with organisational policies and confidentiality standards

• To adhere to defined service standards and accreditation frameworks and remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice

Organisational Development

· To ensure the views of clients and stakeholders are embedded into the work of PDAP and to take full account of these in the development of services

· To participate in, and support organisational policy development and implementation

· To embrace Pdap’s approach to continuous improvement

Internal and External Liaison and Engagement

· To promote Pdap ethos and values across the organisation

· To liaise with other agencies on behalf of clients, the organisation and volunteers

and represent the wider complexities of those experiencing domestic abuse

· To represent Pdap operationally where required.

· To develop and maintain good positive working relationships with relevant agencies and professionals

· To attend and participate positively in relevant meetings, training, supervision and annual appraisals.

Other

· To work as part of a team to ensure the health and safety elements of the accommodation are undertaken

· To undertake other related duties required by your manager, the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees

· To keep up-to-date with national and local government decisions, policy and agendas pertinent to domestic abuse and Pdap, implement this learning to develop services and enhance the work Pdap carry out, also disseminate learning, knowledge and awareness to colleagues

· To undertake all other reasonable tasks requested by the senior leadership team

· To take part in Pdap out of hours on-call rota

 It is essential to the development of Pdap service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of this post. This job description is therefore a guide and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities the post holder may have over time

Person Specification Knowledge

You will be required to:  

Essential:

• Minimum 2 years experience  of working with vulnerable adults or children.

• To have demonstrable safeguarding experience and be willing to undertake an enhanced DBS.

• Knowledge of the impact of domestic abuse women

• Minimum Level 3 qualification or substantial relevant experience in a related field with additional proof of continuing professional development

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and rapport quickly.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.

• Strong organisational, report writing and communication skills, both written and in person

• Knowledge and experience of working with women and children from different backgrounds and a commitment to equitable practice.

• Experience working in partnership with key organisations relating to safeguarding and multi-agency working

Desirable:

• Relevant qualification (e.g. social work, psychology, health and social care, IDVA training).

• Experience delivering group work or educational sessions.

• Can speak one or more of the community languages within Kirklees

• Experience working with children or families in a domestic abuse setting or within the community

• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and strength-based models.

• Knowledge of case management systems

Additional Information:

• An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.

• A full clean driving license is required for this role

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

• Ongoing training and professional development will be provided.