Jobs for the Mental Health sector in west sussex

Join Samaritans as a Legal and Compliance Officer and you’ll play a vital role in supporting Samaritans’ Legal Team. You’ll help ensure our contractual and procurement processes are followed, enabling strong and secure external relationships. You will also provide support for data protection and the wider compliance process.​

Contract​

• £35,000 – £40,000 per annum plus benefits​

• Full time (35hrs per week) ​

• 12-month fixed term contract ​

• Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office​

• In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month​

• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences ​

​What you’ll do ​

• ​​Advise on contract principles and procurement processes
• ​Maintain contract templates, guidance materials, and training resources
• ​Oversee the​ signing of contracts and maintain ​our contracts database
• ​Support the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts 
• ​Advise staff on common contractual issues including variations, renewals, disputes and terminations
• ​Respond to day-to-day data protection queries and managing the data protection mailbox
• ​Assist with Records of Processing Activity (RoPA) and Subject Access Requests
• ​Support ​broader legal and compliance processes​as required​

What you’ll bring​

• ​Strong attention to detail and analytical skills
• ​Ability to identify risks and gaps in legal and compliance documentation
• ​Sound understanding of charity compliance frameworks (or experience in a similar sector)
• ​Excellent communication with experience explaining complex concepts in simple terms 
• ​Strong organisational and time management skills 
• ​Qualification in a legal or compliance field (desirable)
• ​Experience of working within a legal setting (desirable)​

Why Samaritans?​

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.​

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.​

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.​

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.​

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.  ​

Apply now​

​If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to answer application questions and to upload your CV and a short cover letter.​

We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.​​

Applications close: 14th October @ 09:00am​

Interviews: w/c 20th October​

This is an interesting and stimulating opportunity to play a crucial role leading our client services team. The post holder will be responsible for overseeing all client facing activities, using their skills and experience to guide and support those delivering front line services. The creation and maintenance of an atmosphere of acceptance, empathy and empowerment are crucial. Thereby, improving the lives of all we work with.

The Client Services department encompasses our Employment Project, Counselling Service, a wide range of Wellbeing Activities, Bridge the Gap and a Safe Haven facility.

Oakleaf Enterprise has been operating within the local community for 28 years. We practice what we preach and have a generous holiday allowance and staff wellbeing package. 

Main duties & responsibilities

1. Oversee all client facing activities ensuring KPI’s are met, and staff, volunteers and clients are actively supported.

2. Recruit and line manage Client Services department inc. Paths to Success, Bridge the Gap and Safe Haven teams, and ensure staffing level meets funding requirements and client need.

3. Ensure all staff, volunteers and activity leaders have the appropriate DBS checks and training to safely support our clients.

4. Develop, motivate, and support client facing teams alongside researching appropriate training. Including being hands on and supporting with key components of the role such as client reviews and engagement when demand requires.

5. Work closely with statutory providers and VCSE organisations to ensure service delivery and cohesive management of staff.

6. Assist with negotiations at all levels from venue hire to major funders in the development and provision of client facing activities.

7. Provide ad-hoc, on call, operational and clinical support to staff working out of hours.

8. Ensure reporting is completed on time and accurately to the Chief Executive, key funders and Statutory partners.

9. Maintain an awareness and in-depth working knowledge of challenges faced by Oakleaf clients’. Maintaining good working relationships clients and volunteers, ensuring Oakleaf services are in response to their needs.

10. Work closely with fundraising team to develop new services and regularly review and report on existing projects.

11. Maintain an awareness of project end dates and work with the senior management team to create a realistic, achievable and sustainable plans.

12. Ensure the client database is kept up to date and is regularly reviewed and adapted in line with different projects.

13. Work within the senior management team and play a strategic part in ensuring organisation wide decisions are in Clients best interests.

14. Work with accounts to ensure budgets are recorded accurately, all invoices are accurate and assigned to the correct funding stream.

Other

1. Attend fundraising & charity events as required.

2. Ensure the organisations confidentiality procedures are adhered to.

3. Ensure maintenance of a safe & efficient working environment in accordance with current Health & Safety legislation including the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH Regulations, Environmental Health & other Directives

4. Perform any other reasonable duties as may be requested by the CEO.

This job description is an indicator of general areas of responsibility & will be amended in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation & in consultation with the post holder.

This role will play a key part in supporting MMHA’s successful campaigning, including supporting our maternal mental health councils project, and helping drive change so that women, birthing people, babies and families affected by maternal mental health problems can access the right care, at the right time, without discrimination.

Job purpose

Support planning, implementation, and evaluation of MMHA campaign and policy work to improve perinatal mental health care systems, policy and practice in the UK.

Main responsibilities

• Support policy activities relating to MMHA’s Maternal Mental Health Councils project.
• Assist with the production of campaign resources, including desk research, drafting copy, and proof reading.
• Read and summarise policy information, such as reports and carry out data analysis, to support MMHA’s evidence base.
• Lead political monitoring, keeping abreast of tracking relevant policy and political developments to identify opportunities and risks for MMHA’s campaigns and policy priorities.
• Support MMHA’s campaigning across the devolved nations, working with local stakeholders in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to inform, amplify and facilitate campaign activities.
• Hold knowledge of parliamentary procedure and systems to ensure strategic and targeted influencing work, supporting relationships with parliamentarians, including providing clear communications.
• Ensure MMHA’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion runs throughout MMHA’s campaigning and policy work.
• Maintain relationships with range of stakeholders to support MMHA’s campaigning and influencing, including MMHA members, parliamentarians, champions and academics.
• Support campaigning communications activities, including media and social media support, website editing and writing copy for articles or newsletters.
• Keep a library of policy resources and an up-to-date bank of statistics and evidence to support internal and external use.
• Assist the Head of Campaigns and Policy and wider team with administrative and other tasks, including the organisation and facilitation of meetings and events and responding to routine enquiries.
• Help support MMHA projects as required. 
• Work with the team on campaign evaluation.
• Maintain a diary of key campaign dates and events.
• Represent the MMHA at events as required.

Please see the attached job pack for further details. 

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit:

1. A CV (maximum 2 sides of A4)
2. A cover letter (maximum 2 sides of A4)

Please note: We are expecting a large number of applications for this role. Applications exceeding the page limits (2 sides of A4 per document) will not be considered. In addition, to help with anonymising applications, please only include your initials in your CV and cover letter – please do not include your full name or a photograph.

What to include in your cover letter

Please start your cover letter with:

• Please address how you meet the first six points of the essential skills and experience of the person specification.
• A brief summary of your experience working with civil servants, MPs and decision-makers.
• An example demonstrating your interpersonal skills and ability to engage with wide and diverse groups.

Feel free to then share your broader interest in the role and what additional qualities you would bring.

Where to send your application

• Please submit your CV and covering letter to the email address provided in the attached job pack.
• The deadline for applications is 10am on Thursday 16 October 2025.
• Applications submitted after this time or not following the outlined process will not be considered.

Interview details

First interviews are expected to take place online Thursday 6 November 2025.

Imagine This is the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families. Founded in 2014 by actors Sarah Parish MBE and Jim Murray MBE in memory of their first daughter Ella-Jayne, the charity has rebranded from The Murray Parish Trust to Imagine This in 2025. The charity is now leading a national movement to address a hidden mental health crisis in seriously ill children.

There are one million children in the UK facing life-limiting, life-threatening, and serious chronic conditions. These children are at much higher risk of long-term mental health difficulties that can become more complex and difficult to treat, on top of living with often complex medical needs. Imagine This provides imaginative, innovative and empowering projects to help them navigate their journey with connection, resilience and hope. Our vision is to reach every seriously ill child, and their families, across the UK by 2035, delivering diverse and impactful projects in hospitals, hospices and community settings.

This role will be responsible for an effective and compliant operations function (finance, HR, programmes/projects, governance). You will help the charity to scale its operations sustainably and ensure the charity complies with its legal and governance responsibilities. We are looking for a proactive individual who has an eye for detail in data and administration. You will be ambitious and entrepreneurial, with real vision and a passion for the cause. You will be resilient and collaborative, someone who is highly organised with the ability to juggle a diverse and high workload.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance and HR

• Liaise with outsourced bookkeepers (also payroll providers) to ensure timely/accurate information flow.
• Oversee income and expenditure budgets and performance, processing of donations and scheduled payments, and ensuring accurate and consistent coding.
• Work with accountants to support year-end accounts and coordinate annual report production.
• Produce and circulate monthly management accounts and other reports for the Board.
• Support Trustees with designated responsibilities e.g. finance, risk, governance.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding and HR record-keeping (including freelancers).
• Maintain accurate, compliant data in our CRM (Donorfy), including prompt input of donations.

Charitable projects

• Support the planning and coordination of secured charitable projects, liaising with project partners, monitoring delivery milestones, payment schedule and working with the wider team to maximise success.
• Compiling project monitoring/evaluation data from project partners to support excellent impact reporting.

Governance and operations

Together with the volunteer Charity Secretary:

• Coordination of Board meetings and AGMs, agendas, papers and minutes.
• Maintain central registers (trustee attendance/terms, governance documents, policies, risk, safeguarding training etc).
• Fulfil statutory and regulatory responsibilities, including filing of annual accounts.
• Advise trustees on governance best practice, in line with Charity Commission guidance.
• Management of policies, procedures and operational systems (including the CRM) that strengthen internal controls and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency.
• Prepare Quarterly reports for the Board, and upon request.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and the Fundraising Code of Practice, including delivering the responsibility of data protection lead.
• Maintain relationships with volunteer Independent Advisors and commissioned service providers e.g. finance, HR and legal to ensure compliance/best practice.

Imagine This is the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families. Founded in 2014 by actors Sarah Parish MBE and Jim Murray MBE in memory of their first daughter Ella-Jayne, the charity has rebranded from The Murray Parish Trust to Imagine This in 2025. The charity is now leading a national movement to address a hidden mental health crisis in seriously ill children.

There are one million children in the UK facing life-limiting, life-threatening, and serious chronic conditions. These children are at much higher risk of long-term mental health difficulties that can become more complex and difficult to treat, on top of living with often complex medical needs. Imagine This provides imaginative, innovative and empowering projects to help them navigate their journey with connection, resilience and hope. Our vision is to reach every seriously ill child, and their families, across the UK by 2035, delivering diverse and impactful projects in hospitals, hospices and community settings.

This role will be responsible for the development and delivery of public fundraising and engagement activities, building new and existing relationships with community, individual and business supporters. You will be the first point of contact for the charity, providing exceptional administration and an outstanding supporter experience. You will also proactively secure new support, and be involved in wider campaigns and events, to help the charity significantly grow income year on year.

We are looking for a proactive individual to join our small team. Someone with an eye for detail in data and administration. You will be ambitious and entrepreneurial, with real vision and a passion for the cause. You will be resilient and collaborative, someone who is highly organised with the ability to juggle a diverse and high workload. We are looking for someone who prides themselves on delivering exceptional stewardship to build new and long-lasting relationship with supporters, whilst also continuously seeking new opportunities to grow income.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Engagement

• Build rich relationships through exceptional and inspirational stewardship to increase retention, average gift and supporter experience.
• Organise acquisition/engagement events and campaigns (online and in-person), showcasing our projects and creating a deeper connection with the charity.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to the public, responding promptly to all enquiries, providing information, advice and support.
• Identify fundraising stories to enhance marketing/communications activity.

Fundraising

• Proactively secure new support from businesses, individuals and community groups using a planned process of cultivation, conversion and stewardship - including: 1. Businesses: charity of the year, staff fundraising, sponsorship. 2. Community: individual fundraising, schools, groups, official charity for third party events. 3. Individuals: one-off/appeals, regular giving, in-memoriam/celebration and legacies
• Create engaging fundraising campaigns that increase profile, secure new support and increase income.
• Proactively identify opportunities for retaining, growing or diversifying income from existing supporters.
• Actively network to raise the profile of the charity and identify opportunities for new support.
• Recruit, support and coordinate volunteers to support for fundraising and engagement activity.

Data/administration

• Ensure prompt and effective supporter communications, particularly when thanking donations.
• Maintain accurate, compliant data in our CRM (Donorfy), growing the database and improving data quality.
• Use data insight to prepare reports and analyse performance to identify trends and opportunities.
• Monitor/evaluate income and KPIs making recommendations for remedial action or growth opportunities.
• Prepare Quarterly reports for the Board, and upon request.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and the Fundraising Code of Practice.

Do you want to shape public thinking, influence national conversations, and help ensure people’s voices are heard at every level of decision-making?

Do you have experience in public affairs, policy engagement, or communications, and a passion for equity, voice, and inclusion?

Are you looking for a role where you can lead strategic engagement and influence change?

We’re recruiting for a new Public Affairs & External Engagement Lead, a role designed to shape our public profile, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers, and ensure our values are reflected in the systems that shape people’s lives.

You’ll be part of our growing External Influence team, working in close collaboration with the Media and PR Lead. The role is home-based with occasional travel to meet stakeholders or attend events.

About us 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website. 

About you

You’ll bring a strong track record in public affairs, stakeholder engagement and networking, or strategic communications, ideally within a public, policy, or values-led environment.

You’re confident navigating complex systems and building credibility with stakeholders such as local and national government, public sector leaders, charities, and think tanks.

You understand how influence works, and you’re excited by the opportunity to help shape conversations..

Experience in the health, social care, equalities, or advocacy sector would be valuable, but what matters most is your ability to listen, connect, and translate complexity into influence.

How will you make a difference?

You’ll lead VoiceAbility’s work to strengthen relationships and reputation with people who shape policy, services, and public discourse.

You’ll help position the organisation as a respected thought leader, using insight, data, and storytelling to drive awareness of the issues people face and how things can change.

Working closely with colleagues in Media, Marketing and Business Development, you’ll identify opportunities to contribute to debates, lead engagement with key public and sector stakeholders, and ensure VoiceAbility’s voice is present and consistent in the places that matter.

Benefits 

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

Access to remote counselling service 

Paid Disability Leave 

Paid compassionate Leave 

Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midnight on 10 October 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. 

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. 

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Public Affairs expert. 

We’re currently recruiting full time or part time Mental Health Practitioners to work directly with young people in our schools Mental Health Teams. For this post you need to have a mental health qualification and at least two years’ experience of working with young people. We are also looking for people with an open and flexible attitude; excellent engagement skills and a passion for working with children and young people around mental health.

Responsibilities include offering a flexible range of short-term and longer-term mental health interventions to primary and secondary aged children and young people including individual and group-based support; workshops; crisis support; mental health themed activities. The posts have scope and opportunity for developing new initiatives and ways of working to support young people’s mental health across South London.

All posts are based on-site (office/school) and may require flexibility to work across different service areas and interventions. Some evening and/or weekend work may be necessary to meet the needs of young people.