Independent person for complaints jobs in hereford, herefordshire
Job Title: Experienced Associate Independent Investigating Officers (IOs) for Stage 2 Complaints (This role sits within our Independent Person for Complaints (IPC) service)
Contract: Associate
Hours: Variable, according to demand for services/caseload and role in investigation
Salary: £25.25 per hour
Location: Associate Independent Investigating Officers for Complaints primarily work from home. Some travel may be required as part of an investigation – location will vary according to the referral received from the Local Authority. Cases will be allocated to Associate IOs living locally to the referring authority, wherever possible.
About Coram
Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.
We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.
Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity, founded by Thomas Coram in London, helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
About the role
We are seeking additional experienced Associate Independent Investigating Officers (IO) for Complaints, to increase our capacity to respond to referrals from Local Authorities to provide an independent element to the formal Stage 2 investigations under the Children Act 1989.
The IO will lead investigations, and will give the complainant (who may be a child, young person or adult) the opportunity to express their view, ensure the child or young person’s rights and best interests are at the centre of the investigation and that the investigation/review process is open and transparent. They write a report on the investigation/review, which is submitted to the referring agency.
The Job Description document sets out the expectations for an Associate Independent Person for Complaints (IPC) who is approved by Coram Voice. IPCs are independent, freelance and responsible for their own work. Nevertheless, IPCs are accountable to the organisation for their professional standards and are expected to comply with Coram Voice Code of Ethics and Practice Guidelines.
Please note: the nature of associate work means that we cannot guarantee a regular amount of work, and complaints will be allocated dependent on the associate’s availability, location and the needs and demands of the individual case. Investigation work takes place Monday to Friday within working hours. This position is not suitable for applicants who already work or have commitments more than two days within the working week.
To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.
Closing date: Please note this is a rolling recruitment campaign
Interview date: TBC
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.
If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Registered Charity No. 312278.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We are a leading children’s rights organisation. We champion the rights of children and get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them.
Thank you!
The vacancy
We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.
About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct. For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.
About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services. The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians). At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary.
The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders.
Remuneration and time commitment
Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses). The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.
The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
How to apply:
Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org
· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;
· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.
If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.
We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.
We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The successful candidate will be expected to endorse and promote the objectives set out as part of AvMA’s five year strategic plan.
Lawyers Service
- Providing high quality services to our lawyers including identifying and recommending appropriate medical experts to clinical negligence solicitors; maintaining and developing the medical expert database. Routinely considering the Experts’ Protocol and ensuring that it remains relevant and fit for purpose.
Inquest Service
- Assessing cases for eligibility for AvMA’s pro bono Inquest Service according to AvMA’s criteria.
- Preparing cases for the coroner’s court to include sorting medical records; liaising with bereaved families by phone and in writing; researching medical literature; taking and preparing initial statements; liaising with the Coroner’s officer; securing appropriate disclosure documents; instructing counsel; assisting with preparation of bundles of documents for the hearing. Identifying general and specific patient safety issues; considering need for Prevention of Future Death Reports and or Action Plans.
- Attendance at pre-inquest hearings and inquest hearings with counsel and the family. This may involve travel and overnight stays. Out-of-pocket expenses are paid. Although overtime is not payable, time out of the office is recoverable in accordance with AvMA Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) policy. Attendance may also be required to attend partial remote hearings via Teams/Zoom
- Capturing and recording key data from inquests, securing feedback from clients.
- Working with Medico Legal Team Leader to ensure appropriate publicity on case outcomes where appropriate to include obtaining relevant client consents and that the case is written up for potential publication in AvMA’s Lawyer Service Newsletter
Advice & Information Service
- Providing advice, support and information to the public through written casework. This involves helping people affected by medical accidents to obtain an understanding of what has happened to them, their rights and the most appropriate option(s) for resolving their concerns and meeting their needs including referrals to panel solicitors.
Helpline
- Providing advice and assistance to the public on AvMA’s specialist helpline. Training will be given and in due course assisting the Helpline Development Officer to train helpline volunteers.
Other Duties
- To endorse and promote the objectives set out as part of AvMA’s five year strategic plan: AvMA's 5 Year Strategic Plan
- Junior Certification: Promoting the Certificate Competence Scheme (junior lawyer scheme) to include assessing applications received
- Feedback from clients: Working on the direction of ML Director and ML Team Leader to secure maximum feedback from clients on inquest and advice and information services
- Website: Helping to keep AvMA self-help leaflets up to date on the website
- Occasional representation of AvMA at meetings and events
- Conference: To help develop AvMA’s annual conference programme and other conferences as appropriate.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We have an exciting opportunity for experienced and skilled advocates to join the staff of a unique social enterprise. The core function of this role is to provide specialist advocacy to individuals who are navigating the NHS continuing healthcare assessment and complaints processes. With a long history in delivering skilled advocacy and training in NHS continuing healthcare, we want you to be part of a strong team committed to delivering excellence and achieving success in line with our commercial and social objectives.
You will be an excellent communicator and skilled advocate with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working within the field of NHS continuing healthcare or a similar role with a transferrable knowledgebase. A health, social care, advocacy or legal qualification is desirable but not essential. A proven ability to analyse complex matters, provide a clear and coherent rationale and deliver robust advocacy by presenting a persuasive, fact-based argument is essential.
The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders in challenging circumstances. You will be able to establish a good rapport with clients in a professional and caring manner, upholding brand values.
In return, you can look forward to working with a highly-skilled and dynamic team and having influence over the future strategic direction of the company. We also offer a competitive salary with performance-related bonus and an excellent benefits package.
This role is primarily home-based with opportunities nationally. Ability to travel long distances to attend client meetings across England is essential.
MAIN DUTIES:
-
To provide advocacy and active case support in person or remotely to clients in England and Wales, throughout the NHS continuing healthcare assessment process.
Please note: some assessments will be completed virtually via videoconference whereas others are completed in-person. Applicants will need to be comfortable with both working from home and also regular long-distance travel to assessment meetings across England and Wales (including overnight stays where necessary), often with only two or three days’ notice.
- To analytically examine all relevant care records and assessments in preparation for continuing healthcare assessments and reviews, to prepare clients for their assessment and provide robust advocacy at assessment meetings based upon a sound understanding of the facts, and referencing evidence compiled from such records.
- To provide advocacy and casework to clients who wish to make a formal complaint through the NHS complaints procedure about a continuing healthcare-related matter from a sound understanding of the facts, having prepared key arguments by researching relevant records.
- To support the casework team from time to time in the preparation of submissions which will be presented to relevant Integrated Care Boards and NHS England panels.
- To provide specialist information and advice to our clients tailored to their specific situation and needs regarding the interpretation of a primary health need from a thorough understanding of relevant criteria, assessment frameworks and legal tests which are based upon case-law.
- To keep informed of issues, policies, guidance and legislation affecting clients ensuring that the information provided is relevant, current, complete and accurate.
- To respond to new referrals by making prompt initial contact with the client within the timescales specified by company policies.
- Work closely and efficiently with health professionals from relevant Continuing Healthcare (CHC) teams with the aim of resolving client issues at the earliest possible opportunity so as to provide an efficient and cost-effective service, and to minimise stress for the client.
- To develop and maintain working relationships with health and social care colleagues within the field of Continuing Healthcare in order to influence best practice.
- To work with partner organisations and stakeholders to share knowledge, make appropriate referrals, maintain consistency and draw upon each other’s expertise, always striving to improve the quality of both services and provide a better customer experience.
- To keep relevant and sufficiently detailed case records at each stage and as the case progresses; ensuring that all client information is kept up to date in line with Beacon’s systems and procedures, including data protection (GDPR) policies. This applies to case files, database entries, authority forms, client correspondence, use of the project management system, filing and archiving.
- To minimise business costs and maximise income for the company by meeting chargeable time targets, working efficiently, charging clients appropriately and in a timely manner.
-
To uphold the principles of paralegal casework as specified by the Institute of Paralegals, providing a good standard of client care by working with skill and competence thereby ensuring clients are able to place their trust in you.
-
To uphold organisational values, promoting Beacon’s social goals through each area of your work.
-
To manage your own caseload and work independently within the boundaries of Beacon policies and procedures.
-
To undergo a minimum of 12 hours of professional development each year. To foster an atmosphere of continuous learning and development.
-
Attend line management, supervision and team meetings as appropriate, and to play a full part in the development and success of Beacon.
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your developing role and the overall objectives of the companies.
This post may be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service check or equivalent.
STAFF BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Generous Annual Leave Entitlement, Death in Service Benefit 4x salary, Flexible Working, Health & Dental Care Plan, Professional Development Plan, Employee Rewards Scheme (Perkbox) and Performance-Related Bonus.
What is NHS Continuing Healthcare?
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the name given to a package of care that some people need to receive due to disability, accident or illness. People who are eligible for CHC have the full cost of their care and residential accommodation funded by the NHS. This relieves families of sometimes astronomical care bills.
The criteria for determining who is eligible for CHC are highly complex and can be very difficult for the public to understand, and for professionals to apply consistently. The assessment process is lengthy and detailed. Likewise, the appeal process can be very daunting and perplexing.
About our organisation
Beacon was established in May 2014 for the purpose of providing independent and high-quality support to individuals and their families in England who need help navigating the NHS Continuing Healthcare process.
Beacon is a registered social enterprise and a proud member of Social Enterprise UK. We operate with a core set of ethical social objectives and values through which all of our work is delivered.
Social enterprises are businesses. Like any other business, they seek to make a profit and succeed commercially. But how they operate, who they employ, how they use their profits and where they work transforms lives and communities across the UK. At Beacon, we donate any surpluses to supporting charitable objectives that are in line with our aims.
Through expert advocacy, advice and training, Beacon enables people to be heard and to enact real and positive change in their lives. We help people to understand their rights and the realistic options available to them, equipping some of those most vulnerable in society with the knowledge and practical support to make meaningful and transformative decisions.
Our Values
At Beacon, we employ people who want to do things differently to other organisations working in this field. Five values sum up our culture and how we treat our clients and our staff:
- Ethical
Commitment to our clients
We operate with honesty and integrity. We are transparent about our funding set-up and our fees, which we keep as low as we sensibly can. We never ‘hard sell’ our services, we keep you informed at every step, and we always give our honest opinion of your chances of success. As a social enterprise, we donate any profits to charity.
Commitment to our team
We operate with honesty and integrity, and always work hard to get the best results for our clients and the business. We work to high standards, and trust our people to respectfully speak out if we fall short.
- Expert
Commitment to our clients
We pride ourselves on being recognised as leading independent experts in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). We apply our knowledge and experience to help every case and caller. We also strive to improve CHC for everyone, by training health and social care professionals.
Commitment to our team
We are the leading experts in our field. We encourage and value innovation and evolution in what we do, and how we do it. We are united in developing the business and its services.
- Personal
Commitment to our clients
By listening carefully to you and the people who really know about your care needs, we can provide excellent advice and powerful advocacy tailored to your unique situation.
Commitment to our team
We get results by getting to know our clients. We do the same with our people, offering flexible working options to suit your circumstances, and taking time out to have fun as a team.
- Compassionate
Commitment to our clients
We are mindful of the immense stress that our callers and clients can be under, at what is often a really tough time. We do our best to lift some of that burden by providing a quality service that you can trust, and by being compassionate and courteous at all times.
Commitment to our team
The nature of the work can be stressful and emotionally draining. We take care and time to look out for each other, and encourage healthy work habits.
- Rewarding
Commitment to our team
We take the time to celebrate success and are inspired by one another’s achievements. We provide a generous and varied suite of benefits that can be enjoyed by our people and their families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We have an exciting opportunity for experienced and skilled caseworkers to join the staff of a unique social enterprise. The core function of this role is to provide comprehensive casework, advice and advocacy which assists and supports clients throughout the NHS continuing healthcare assessment, appeal and care planning process. With a long history in delivering skilled casework and training in NHS continuing healthcare, we want you to be part of a strong team committed to delivering excellence and achieving success in line with our commercial and social objectives.
You will be an excellent communicator and skilled caseworker with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working within the field of NHS continuing healthcare or a similar role with a transferrable skills. A health, social care, advocacy or legal qualification is desirable but not essential. Proven experience of the ability to understand, digest and disseminate complex information, and to prepare well-reasoned reports is essential.
The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders in challenging circumstances. You will be able to establish a good rapport with clients in a professional and caring manner, upholding brand values.
In return, you can look forward to working with a highly-skilled and dynamic team and having influence over the future strategic direction of the company. We also offer a competitive salary with performance-related bonus and an excellent benefits package.
This role is primarily home-based with opportunities nationally. Ability to periodially travel long distances to attend client meetings across England from time to time is essential.
MAIN DUTIES:
- To provide an independent and comprehensive casework, advisory and advocacy service to private and NHS-referred clients (typically health and social care service users or their representatives) in England and Wales throughout the entire NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment, appeal and care planning process from initial assessment stage through to complaints to the Ombudsman.
- To provide specialist information and advice to our clients tailored to their specific situation and needs regarding the interpretation of a primary health need from a thorough understanding of relevant criteria, assessment frameworks and legal tests which are based upon case-law.
- Provide advocacy and active case support remotely and in person to clients in England and Wales, and their representatives throughout the appeal and complaint processes, and occassionally assessments. This will include periodic travel to assessments and appeal meetings across England and Wales (including overnight stays where necessary), as well as attending virtual meetings via videoconference.Please note: most meetings are now completed virtually via videoconference, however a small number of in-person meetings are still taking place. Applicants will need to be comfortable working from home for long periods as well as with periodic long-distance travel.
- To keep informed of issues, policies, guidance and legislation affecting clients ensuring that the information provided is relevant, current, complete and accurate.
- To analytically examine all relevant health and social care records and assessments, and to prepare detailed advisory letters and appeal statements based upon a sound understanding of the facts, and referencing evidence compiled from such records.
- To assist clients in the preparation of submissions which will be presented on their behalf to relevant Integrated Care Boards and NHS England review and/or appeal panels.
- To respond to new referrals by making prompt initial contact with the client within the timescales specified by company policies. To keep clients informed of progress at regular intervals.
- Work closely and efficiently with health professionals from relevant Continuing Healthcare (CHC) teams with the aim of resolving client issues at the earliest possible opportunity so as to provide an efficient and cost-effective service, and to minimise stress for the client.
- To develop and maintain working relationships with health and social care colleagues within the field of Continuing Healthcare in order to influence best practice.
- To work with partner organisations and stakeholders to share knowledge, make appropriate referrals, maintain consistency and draw upon each other’s expertise, always striving to improve the quality of both services and provide a better customer experience.
- To keep relevant and sufficiently detailed case records at each stage and as the case progresses; ensuring that all client information is kept up to date in line with Beacon’s systems and procedures, including data protection (GDPR) policies. This applies to case files, database entries, authority forms, client correspondence, use of the project management system, filing and archiving.
- To minimise business costs and maximise income for the company by meeting chargeable time targets, working efficiently, charging clients appropriately and in a timely manner.
- To uphold the principles of paralegal casework as specified by the Institute of Paralegals, providing a good standard of client care by working with skill and competence thereby ensuring clients are able to place their trust in you.
- To uphold organisational values, promoting Beacon’s social goals through each area of your work.
- To manage your own caseload and work independently within the boundaries of Beacon policies and procedures.
- To undergo a minimum of 12 hours of professional development each year. To foster an atmosphere of continuous learning and development.
- Attend line management, supervision and team meetings as appropriate, and to play a full part in the development and success of Beacon.
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your developing role and the overall objectives of the companies.
This post may be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service check or equivalent.
STAFF BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Generous Annual Leave Entitlement, Death in Service Benefit 4x salary, Flexible Working, Health & Dental Care Plan, Professional Development Plan, Employee Rewards Scheme (Perkbox) and Performance-Related Bonus.
What is NHS Continuing Healthcare?
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the name given to a package of care that some people need to receive due to disability, accident or illness. People who are eligible for CHC have the full cost of their care and residential accommodation funded by the NHS. This relieves families of sometimes astronomical care bills.
The criteria for determining who is eligible for CHC are highly complex and can be very difficult for the public to understand, and for professionals to apply consistently. The assessment process is lengthy and detailed. Likewise, the appeal process can be very daunting and perplexing.
About our organisation
Beacon was established in May 2014 for the purpose of providing independent and high-quality support to individuals and their families in England who need help navigating the NHS Continuing Healthcare process.
Beacon is a registered social enterprise and a proud member of Social Enterprise UK. We operate with a core set of ethical social objectives and values through which all of our work is delivered.
Social enterprises are businesses. Like any other business, they seek to make a profit and succeed commercially. But how they operate, who they employ, how they use their profits and where they work transforms lives and communities across the UK. At Beacon, we donate any surpluses to supporting charitable objectives that are in line with our aims.
Through expert advocacy, advice and training, Beacon enables people to be heard and to enact real and positive change in their lives. We help people to understand their rights and the realistic options available to them, equipping some of those most vulnerable in society with the knowledge and practical support to make meaningful and transformative decisions.
Our Values
At Beacon, we employ people who want to do things differently to other organisations working in this field. Five values sum up our culture and how we treat our clients and our staff:
- Ethical
Commitment to our clients
We operate with honesty and integrity. We are transparent about our funding set-up and our fees, which we keep as low as we sensibly can. We never ‘hard sell’ our services, we keep you informed at every step, and we always give our honest opinion of your chances of success. As a social enterprise, we donate any profits to charity.
Commitment to our team
We operate with honesty and integrity, and always work hard to get the best results for our clients and the business. We work to high standards, and trust our people to respectfully speak out if we fall short.
- Expert
Commitment to our clients
We pride ourselves on being recognised as leading independent experts in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). We apply our knowledge and experience to help every case and caller. We also strive to improve CHC for everyone, by training health and social care professionals.
Commitment to our team
We are the leading experts in our field. We encourage and value innovation and evolution in what we do, and how we do it. We are united in developing the business and its services.
- Personal
Commitment to our clients
By listening carefully to you and the people who really know about your care needs, we can provide excellent advice and powerful advocacy tailored to your unique situation.
Commitment to our team
We get results by getting to know our clients. We do the same with our people, offering flexible working options to suit your circumstances, and taking time out to have fun as a team.
- Compassionate
Commitment to our clients
We are mindful of the immense stress that our callers and clients can be under, at what is often a really tough time. We do our best to lift some of that burden by providing a quality service that you can trust, and by being compassionate and courteous at all times.
Commitment to our team
The nature of the work can be stressful and emotionally draining. We take care and time to look out for each other, and encourage healthy work habits.
- Rewarding
Commitment to our team
We take the time to celebrate success and are inspired by one another’s achievements. We provide a generous and varied suite of benefits that can be enjoyed by our people and their families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.