Independent mental health advocate jobs in twickenham, greater london

We're looking for a kind, compassionate, and resilient Deputy Manager to join our Young People Service in Ealing.

£34,000.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

al health rehabilitation units for young people aged 18-25 who may have experienced a mental health-related hospital admission. The aim is to support young people to gain and develop the necessary skills for independent living and to manage transitions from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult Mental Health Services.

Together, these services support up to 12 young people at any one time, offering a welcoming, supportive environment on a spot-purchase basis.

The successful candidate will deputise for the Service Manager when required. This includes direct line management, leadership, coaching, and supporting Specialist Support Workers, Support Workers, and Waking Night Support Workers. Responsibilities also involve ensuring compliance with current legislation, contractual requirements, financial regulations, and Look Ahead's Policies and Procedures.

The role of Deputy Manager will involve five 8-hour shifts, Monday to Friday.

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.

What you'll do:

Support the Service Manager in driving operational activities within your service area, ensuring clear, relevant, and challenging objectives and ongoing performance tracking.
Successfully lead and motivate your team, championing and maintaining a positive local culture within the service.
Build supportive, trusting relationships with young people and create a welcoming and positive atmosphere.
Prioritise the prompt filling of voids and the reduction of arrears and bad debts.
Continuously work to improve staff competence, ensuring proactive ownership of staffing matters, swift resolution of conflicts, and effective management of issues.
Facilitate transparent and effective communication flows between management and frontline teams.
Lead on casework management, ensuring that risk assessments and support plans are regularly updated and dynamic.
Promote partnership working to maximise opportunities and positive outcomes for customers.
Monitor and maintain creative and ambitious plans for customer involvement.
Support the Service Manager to prepare for quality visits, using Look Ahead's local indicators to monitor performance, set targets, and implement action plans to maintain high-quality services aligned with local and national standards, and funder requirements.
Assist the Service Manager in producing and submitting monthly management reports to the Performance team, ensuring data on local KPIs is accurate and current.
Develop and maintain strong internal management relationships with other departments and functions within Look Ahead, ensuring best practice sharing and supporting initiatives for organisational improvement.

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

About you:

Enjoys social interaction and engaging with others; actively participates in local activities to promote customer involvement and inclusion.
Able to lead and motivate staff transparently and consistently.
Exhibits warmth, friendliness, and an open approach.
Prefers working collaboratively within a team.
Calm and resilient under pressure; does not allow emotions to negatively impact judgement.
Practical, logical, and naturally well-organised.
Thrives in environments characterised by change, diversity, and dynamic challenges.
Confident with high levels of self-esteem.
Respectful, articulate, and sensitive in communication style.
Motivated towards excellence, continuous improvement, and demonstrates a proactive, 'can-do' attitude.
Capable of positively managing challenging and diverse behaviours.
Able to advocate effectively for young people across professional and community settings.
Confident using IT systems such as SharePoint and the Microsoft Office suite.

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.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Waking Night Support Worker

£21,606.00 per annum, working 30 hours per week.

Want to feel in control of your career? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

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 & St Kilda's is made up of two newly refurbished six-bedroom homes, located close to each other in Ealing, West London. We work with up to 12 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.

Our team delivers 24-hour trauma-informed and psychologically informed support. You'll play a key role in helping each young person shape their own support and service experience. Everyone receives a bespoke welcome pack and is encouraged to personalise their living space, helping them feel at home from day one.

We place a strong emphasis on participation and co-production. Young people are encouraged to make decisions about their care, engage in partnership meetings, and take part in activities that build skills and confidence - whether that's cooking, budgeting, managing medication, or accessing education and work opportunities.

Support workers will manage a number of young people to help them to identify, plan and achieve their goals, develop relationships meaningful to them and achieve greater independence by providing a flexible and individually tailored support package.

This is a Waking Night role working to support young people throughout the night at the service.

What you'll do:

- Building supportive, trusting relationships with young people and creating a positive atmosphere
- Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
- Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
- Co-producing ongoing assessment and management of risks in collaboration with young people with an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
- Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support young people to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
- Supporting young people to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
- Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
- Managing referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
- Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
- Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues

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

About you:

Ability to advocate for young people in different professional and community spaces
- Values working collaboratively with young people to ensure the service best meets their needs.
- An understanding of peoples' contexts and how this might be impacting them their lives and mental health
- Cultural awareness and respect for the many different ways a person might make sense of their experiences and distress.
- We welcome applications from people with lived experience of some of the challenges that this service aims to support with for example, mental health difficulties.
- Plans and encourages involvement in local activities.
- Approachable and open behaviour
- Recognises the value of both 1:1 working with young people and the importance of working working as part of a group or team
- Confident in the completion of regular paperwork and is well organised
- Flexible
- Open to feedback and self development
- Recognises the likelihood that the service will be a dynamic diverse environment and considers the impact of changes
- Confident in the use of IT systems such as SharePoint and Microsoft Office suite.
- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

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.

Please see our website for a full job description.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) are recruiting for an Expert by Experience Coordinator to join our supportive and growing team. The Expert by Experience Coordinator is a new role in our small dynamic charity. The postholder will work to ensure the voices and perspectives of individuals with lived experience of asylum and forced migration are integrated into the design and delivery of AFRIL services and policy work. This role involves facilitating communication, promoting co-production, and empowering individuals to share their expertise to improve services and guide policy priorities. 

The post involves coordinating our monthly Members Forum, and working with the core team to feed this into policy and service development, alongside thematic and sometimes practical support to our Allotment Steering Group, Rainbow Club Youth Council and Asylum Hotel Residents Forum. The postholder will develop the AFRIL ambassadors scheme, creating opportunities for former clients to continue to be involved in shaping AFRIL, and work with the Director to develop a governance level co-production structure as agreed with the Board of Trustees. 

We are looking for a good people person, able to engage and inspire others, who demonstrates a collaborative approach to working with a range of stakeholders and in particular AFRIL clients who come from a variety of backgrounds. The postholder will be highly organised, have good project planning and execution skills, and a good working knowledge of the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Community language skills are an asset.

About AFRIL

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a registered charity that supports asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants in South East London. We support people to lift themselves out of poverty, assert their rights and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis, supporting people to integrate, contribute and thrive. Our work is grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and solidarity. Our clients are at the heart of what we do and our approach is one of co-production and empowerment.

AFRIL delivers the following core services in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley:

• Rainbow Club Supplementary School - providing weekly supplementary education in English and Maths, arts, music and sports activities to children from refugee, migrant  and asylum seeking backgrounds from 4-11 years old, plus youth volunteering programme and Youth Council (NRCSE and Sanctuary Status). 

• Casework and Advocacy Service: providing AQS accredited advice, casework and legal interventions in asylum support, community care, housing, welfare benefits and related matters. Pre-Action Protocol letters to challenge unlawful public law decisions. The service currently provides Level 1 immigration advice under the Immigration Advice Agency.

• Destitution Support - a fortnightly Food Bank in partnership with St Peter’s Church providing food, food vouchers, toiletries, and other essentials, alongside a warm hub with free cafe, information and support. Small grants for essential items and cash payments for food in emergencies. Securing and distributing gifts in kind, e.g. winter coats, laptops and data. 

• Allotment of Refuge - a welcoming community of food growers that supports improved health, wellbeing and integration of members, whilst protecting the local environment. 

• Immigration Project in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, providing free legal advice and representation to support people to regularise their immigration status. 

We also use our frontline experience, together with our clients, to engage in Policy and influencing work to improve the services and policies that impact our client group. This includes advising the GLA on 3 asylum related working groups, and as a member of the London Housing Panel.

AFRIL is an equal opportunities employer. We are a diverse staff team and particularly encourage applications from BAME candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and those with lived experience of asylum/irregular migration. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support our staff to flourish.

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector. Please feel free to use their information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please read full Job Description and Person Specification. Applications will only be accepted through CharityJob - please submit a CV and cover letter (no more than one side of A4) detailing how you meet the person specification. 

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) are recruiting for a Community Activities Coordinator to join our growing, dynamic organisation. This exciting new role will sit within AFRIL's busy Casework and Advocacy Service, working collaboratively with our asylum seeking and recently granted refugee clients to plan and deliver a range of activities, improving wellbeing and community solidarity. 

We are looking for a good people person, able to engage and inspire others, who demonstrates a collaborative approach to working with a range of stakeholders and in particular AFRIL clients who come from a variety of backgrounds. The postholder will be highly organised, have good project planning and execution skills, and a good working knowledge of the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Community language skills are an asset. 

About AFRIL

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a registered charity that supports asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants in South East London. We support people to lift themselves out of poverty, assert their rights and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis, supporting people to integrate, contribute and thrive. Our work is grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and solidarity. Our clients are at the heart of what we do and our approach is one of co-production and empowerment.

AFRIL delivers the following core services in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley:

• Rainbow Club Supplementary School - providing weekly supplementary education in English and Maths, arts, music and sports activities to children from refugee, migrant  and asylum seeking backgrounds from 4-11 years old, plus youth volunteering programme and Youth Council (NRCSE and Sanctuary Status). 

• Casework and Advocacy Service: providing AQS accredited advice, casework and legal interventions in asylum support, community care, housing, welfare benefits and related matters. Pre-Action Protocol letters to challenge unlawful public law decisions. The service currently provides Level 1 immigration advice under the Immigration Advice Agency.

• Destitution Support - a fortnightly Food Bank in partnership with St Peter’s Church providing food, food vouchers, toiletries, and other essentials, alongside a warm hub with free cafe, information and support. Small grants for essential items and cash payments for food in emergencies. Securing and distributing gifts in kind, e.g. winter coats, laptops and data. 

• Allotment of Refuge - a welcoming community of food growers that supports improved health, wellbeing and integration of members, whilst protecting the local environment. 

• Immigration Project in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, providing free legal advice and representation to support people to regularise their immigration status. 

We also use our frontline experience, together with our clients, to engage in Policy and influencing work to improve the services and policies that impact our client group. This includes advising the GLA on 3 asylum related working groups, and as a member of the London Housing Panel.

AFRIL is an equal opportunities employer. We are a diverse staff team and particularly encourage applications from BAME candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and those with lived experience of asylum/irregular migration. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support our staff to flourish.

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector. Please feel free to use their information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please read full Job Description and Person Specification. Applications will only be accepted through CharityJob - please submit a CV and cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) detailing how you meet the person specification. 

Job Title: Policy and Influencing Manager
Organisation: Kids
Location: Remote (with travel to London up to once a week for meetings)
Salary: £33,000–£35,000
Contract: Full-time or 4 days/week (Flexible working available)

Make change happen – for every child.

At Kids, we believe every child should have the opportunity to thrive – regardless of disability or circumstance. As our Policy and Influencing Manager, you’ll play a vital role in making this a reality. You’ll help shape policies that amplify the voices and experiences of disabled children and young people, turning insight into influence and ideas into action.

This is a unique opportunity to lead bold, evidence-based policy work that reflects the lived experiences of the families we support. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation and sector, you’ll inform decision-makers, respond to developments in the SEND landscape, and ensure that young people’s voices are at the heart of the change we seek.

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive policy professional who’s ready to help build something powerful – and lasting – at a critical time for SEND reform in the UK.

What you'll do

Policy & Influencing

• Develop accessible and compelling policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, speeches, and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, and sector partners.
• Translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive communications that support positive change.
• Collaborate with our Youth Voice Manager to ensure our policy positions reflect the real experiences of the young people and families we support.
• Help deliver and monitor our policy and influencing strategy in collaboration with the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing.

Research & Evidence

• Carry out high-quality research and analysis from both internal and external sources.
•  Centre the experiences and insights of disabled children, young people, and their families in policy solutions
• Monitor policy developments across the SEND landscape and lead on timely, evidence-led responses.
• Track progress against our influencing goals and ensure our actions remain targeted and impactful.

Engagement & Relationship Building

• Build strong relationships with decision-makers across government and the public sector.
• Support the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing to plan and deliver our strategic external engagement plan in order to focus and drive our wider influencing work
• Represent Kids at meetings and events, including engaging MPs, civil servants, and other key influencers.
• Work closely with internal teams and front-line colleagues to ensure our influencing work is grounded in practice and informed by those delivering services.

Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships

• Work alongside the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing and Youth Voice Manager to deliver our external engagement strategy including deputising at meetings when required.
• Support collaboration across teams to bring in parent, carer, and young person voices.
• Contribute to external coalitions and alliances – attending meetings, aligning with others’ work, and championing Kids' policy priorities.

What you'll bring

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a policy role and demonstrable experience of using policy and evidence to influence outcomes– ideally within the disability sector.
• Strong understanding of the SEND system and related policies and legislation (through lived or professional experience).
• Excellent writing skills – able to craft persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses, and reports with clarity and purpose.
• Confident communicator, able to engage a range of audiences in person and in writing.
• Strong research and analytical skills – able to sift through evidence and develop insight-driven policy recommendations.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Passionate about inclusion, equity, and social justice – with a strong motivation to elevate the voices of disabled children and young people.

Why work at Kids?

We’re a mission-driven organisation, building a fairer world where all children have the opportunity to flourish. You’ll join a growing team in a pivotal role, helping to shape the future of policy and advocacy at Kids.

We’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We’re especially keen to hear from people with lived experience of disability or SEND, either personally or within your family or community.

Ready to create change that counts?
Apply now and help us influence a better, more inclusive future for disabled children and young people.

Note: We may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply promptly