Advocate jobs in Manchester

Lead Advocate- Cheshire West and Chester

Permanent with Funding until 31st March 2028

28 hours per week

£30,600 per annum FTE (£24,480 per annum pro rata for 28 hours per week).

Location: Office base: Wythenshawe, Manchester, with regular travel across Cheshire West and Chester and to out-of-area placements as required.

Benefits include but not limited to:

-36 days' annual leave [full time roles only], inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service

-Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

-We match up to 8% pension

-Free counselling service

-Opportunities to develop and widen your skills

-2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us:The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.

Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better — and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.

About the role:

You'll play a key part in our Cheshire West and Chester Advocacy Service, delivering independent advocacy support to children and young people who are cared for by the local authority, subject to Child in Need and Child Protection Plans, children and young people with disabilities, and those requiring non-instructed advocacy.

We're looking for a dedicated and experienced Lead Advocate with the ability to manage a complex caseload whilst providing leadership, supervision and practice support to Advocates, making a real impact in the lives of children and young people.

Key skills and experience:

The required skills and competencies for this role are:

-Experience of advocating for children and young people and ensuring their voices, wishes and feelings are heard in decisions affecting their lives.

-Ability to supervise, coach and support colleagues whilst promoting high standards of safeguarding and advocacy practice.

-Experience of risk assessment, referral triage and partnership working with social care, education, health and other agencies.

It would also be an advantage if you have any of the following skills and competencies:

-Experience of working with children and young people who are cared for, subject to CIN or CP Plans, or have disabilities and additional needs.

-Experience of undertaking case audits, quality assurance activities or service improvement work.

-Knowledge of instructed and non-instructed advocacy approaches and children's rights legislation.

Closing date: Midnight on 23rd AugustInterviews: To be confirmed

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.

AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

IN1

Hope for Justice is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic professional to join our team as an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® (IMSA®) (Trainee) to join our Advocacy team and work within the IMSA® model pilot. This is an in-role trainee position which requires successful completion of the IMSA® PG Certification in order to progress to the full IMSA® role.

Since September 2025, the IMSA® Model Development Project has been pioneering a national pilot. Hope for Justice is working in partnership with 14 other organisations, together employing 28 IMSAs® and Senior IMSAs® who are working alongside adult survivors of human trafficking. Hope for Justice leads the central IMSA® Model Hub within the pilot, supporting IMSAs® and their employing organisations throughout the UK. 

To achieve our collection aim of a standardised national model of accredited independent advocacy for adult survivors of modern slavery, all IMSAs® are required to successfully complete the IMSA® PG Certification with St Mary's University. This opportunity will fully fund and support you to complete the IMSA® PG Certification, whilst working as a Trainee IMSA®. Upon successful completion, you will progress into the full IMSA® role. Throughout your training we will support you in the following ways:

·Released in-work time for PG Certification attendance and study

·Reduction in caseload and/or complex cases

·Additional supervision and support for casework

IMSAs® work alongside survivors to help them understand their rights and to navigate the complex systems and support services available in the UK. By working with an independent advocate, survivors can overcome barriers and make informed decisions about their recovery.

This is a UK-based role within our UK Advocacy Team and a fixed term contract until December 2027 (in line with IMSA® Model Pilot timeframes).

This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery and the development of a national pilot working towards a shared goal of every survivor of modern slavery and human trafficking having access to an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate®.

Requirements

1.Provide independent advocacy for survivors of modern slavery/human trafficking in the UK

• Empowering adult survivors by providing a clear overview of their rights and entitlements, in their own language, explaining and providing an overview of options and choices 
• Once a survivor understands their rights, producing a detailed initial assessment (legal and socio needs), an individual risk assessment and a safety plan 
• Anticipating and understanding the barriers that survivors face and how independent advocacy can help to overcome those barriers 
• Ensuring smooth transfer into safe accommodation and into the community, advocating for clear pathways to services and systems, in accordance with the non-statutory government endorsed, Slavery and Trafficking Care Standards 2025, produced by the Human Trafficking Foundation 
• Act as a single point of contact for the survivor, and relevant agencies through all processes. Providing a point of trust for the survivor and high-quality communication with all relevant agencies and professionals 
• Ensuring referrals to legal and support agencies are effectively managed and supported, including housing; witness support; health services; finance and debt organisations; education, training and employment services; immigration; civil compensation, public law and criminal law solicitors 
• Where necessary, and dependent on local support available, accompany a survivor (online or in-person) to advocacy related appointments, empowering and advocating for the survivor’s needs and wishes to be heard in all processes, supporting the survivor to negotiate these processes and overcome barriers 
• Working with the survivor, where appropriate, to develop confidence to do things for themselves, to foster independence and to advocate for themselves
• Ensuring the survivor’s voice is heard and if a survivor wishes to engage that they are well supported as a witness throughout criminal and civil proceedings 
• Work collaboratively with key agencies and services that the survivor routinely interacts with, e.g. support worker; social services, health care personnel, and other statutory and non-statutory agencies, to ensure they receive coordinated help and support
• Provide understanding and education for adult survivors at risk of re-trafficking including safety planning, understanding signs of exploitation, worker’s rights and financial inclusion to reduce the risk of re-exploitation
• Managing a caseload using a trauma-informed approach, that is person-led and ensuring all survivors are able to achieve their agreed outcomes 
• Working with IMSA Model Hub team to administer and process survivor referrals
• Ensuring that all case management is delivered to agreed standards, in line with the values of the IMSA Model and in line with organisational policies, procedures and best practice. 

2.Provide advice to professionals and individuals, building effective and collaborative relationships with other organisations and deliver training and information on modern slavery and human trafficking 

• To provide expert information and capacity strengthening to a wide range of professionals, stakeholders and organisations encountered when working as an independent advocate
• To promote and demonstratea trauma informed and person-centered response, ensuring conduct, language and behaviour is anti-oppressive, anti-racist and culturally intelligent
• To deliver training, awareness raising and capacity strengthening sessions on a range of topics relevant to modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK

3.Risk Management and escalation:  

• Following procedures, policies and guidance to ensure a safe, effective, and efficient working environment 
• Identifying and escalating safeguarding concerns appropriately and in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and practice 
• Rapidly identifying, managing and when appropriate, escalating risks and health and safety matters 

4.Data Management: 

• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case management notes and data in accordance with organisational and IMSA Model policies, procedures and good practice 
• Ensuring that data protection and information sharing policies are upheld 

5.Team Member: 

• To actively participate in all team meetings, upholding and promoting a supportive environment throughout the IMSA Model Hub and the wider network of IMSAs 
• To work collaboratively across the IMSA Model Hub and wider network of IMSAs to support best practice
• To raise awareness of issues of modern slavery, human trafficking, and the experiences of survivors across a range of organisations and individuals, building capacity, knowledge and improving responses to modern slavery and human trafficking 
• Support the aims of the IMSA Model and the IMSA Model Development Project, promoting the benefits of independent advocacy and the opportunity to reform responses to survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking across the UK 

6.Learning and Development:  

• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the changes in legislation and policy in relation to modern slavery 
• Adopt reflective practice approaches, identifying areas for improvement and seeking continued professional development opportunities 
• Monitoring policy changes, sharing and reporting on the impact of these changes on survivor outcomes 
• Successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate for IMSAs 

7.For all roles: 

• Understand and uphold the standards outlined Hope for Justice safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that comes into contact with our work and reporting concerns if they do arise 
• Work at all times in line with Hope for Justice and the IMSA Model policies and procedures and the wider strategy, culture, and ethos of Hope for Justice
• Uphold the IMSA Model values and governance structure
• Respond to ad hoc assignments requested from time to time

Key Result Areas

• Survivors receive expert independent advocacy to realise their rights and entitlements, overcome barriers, and move towards their self-definition of recovery
• Effective partnerships are maintained enabling positive advocacy outcomes for survivors
• Data collection and clients’ case notes are accurate, reaching organisational standards and enable analysis, supporting the on-going development and improvement of the IMSA® Model Development Project 

We expect all our employees to understand and uphold the standards outlined in the Hope for Justice Safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that encounters our work and reporting concerns if they do arise.

As part of Hope for Justice/Slave Free Alliance, you will benefit from an excellent package including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• 1 day Marriage Leave
• Birthday Day
• Enhanced employer pension contributions
• Company sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Access to our Employee Rewards Platform, providing discounts and offers for well-known retailers
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their family
• Professional development opportunities
• Professional memberships paid
• Flexible and hybrid working

Role Details

Job type: Full time

Salary: £28,500 pa, salary will increase to £30,000 upon successful completion of the IMSA® PG Certification

Closing date: 26th August 2026

Location: Hybrid – within UK, with travel to Manchester when required

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include criminal records checks, in line with our Global background checks policy – to view this please click here. Hope for Justice participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme, as part of the referencing process we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Personal data of the selected candidate(s) may be transmitted to INTERPOL for a security check for the purpose of identifying threats the candidate could pose to children and vulnerable persons in regard to a sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment offences.

We would like to inform you that due to the high number of applicants we receive, we regret that we are not able to respond individually to all applicants. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process, thank you for your understanding.

This strategically important role will provide global leadership for advocacy across the Open Doors ministry, helping local and regional teams to shape advocacy priorities, strengthen alignment across international teams, and ensure the experiences and voices of the most persecuted Christians continue to inform decisions at every level of our organisation.

The role also oversees Global Integrated Campaigns and plays a key role in strengthening Open Doors’ voice and influence amongst external partners, institutions, governments and decision-makers. As the global context continues to evolve, advocacy remains an essential part of our mission. We believe God is calling us to speak courageously, act wisely and work collaboratively on behalf of those whose voices are often unheard.

This is a role for a courageous and servant-hearted leader who can bring together diverse stakeholders, develop and execute strategic priorities, and strengthen advocacy’s contribution to the mission of Open Doors worldwide.

Purpose of the Position

The Global Advocacy Director is a strategic leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO and responsible for providing direction, alignment and influence for advocacy across the Open Doors organisation. Working closely with field regions, fundraising bases and international leaders, the Director ensures that advocacy priorities remain connected to the needs of persecuted Christians and contribute to the wider mission and strategy of Open Doors.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be:

• A servant leader with humility, wisdom and integrity.

• A strategic thinker who can see both the wider picture and the practical steps needed to achieve it.

• A relationship builder who can unite people around a shared purpose.

• A courageous and resilient leader, comfortable operating in complex and sometimes challenging environments.

• An excellent communicator, able to inspire, influence and engage a wide range of audiences. 

Working for Open Doors

Open Doors International offers a unique opportunity to combine professional expertise with meaningful ministry impact. As a global Christian organisation serving persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries, we are committed to attracting and developing exceptional leaders who are passionate about our mission and values.

The Director of Global Advocacy will join a diverse international organisation working across cultures, regions and functions to strengthen the persecuted Church and advance the mission of Open Doors worldwide.

Location: The successful candidate must live in an African, European or Asian time zone. Applicants must be able to work effectively across international teams and time zones.

International Travel: The successful candidate should expect a significant amount of international travel to engage with colleagues, partners, advocacy networks and ministry stakeholders.

Salary and Benefits: A competitive salary package will be offered, commensurate with the seniority and international scope of the role.

Additional benefits and employment arrangements will be discussed with shortlisted candidates and will be tailored to the successful candidate’s location and circumstances.

Faith Requirement: As a Christian ministry, Open Doors requires the Global Advocacy Director to demonstrate a mature Christian faith and full alignment with the organisation’s Christian beliefs, values and statement of faith.

The role

As Youth Advocacy Lead, you will develop and deliver GMYN’s new We Rise project, working alongside care-experienced and separated young people to transform housing and accommodation across Greater Manchester. 

This role is about more than delivering a project. It is an opportunity to help change not just young people's lives but how an organisation listens to them. We are looking for an advocate who believes young people already have the answers; they simply need adults and organisations willing to listen, share power and act. 

The role will combine direct work with young people, advocacy practice, organisational development and systems change. You will introduce and embed a self-advocacy approach across GMYN, supporting young people to understand their rights, build confidence and influence the decisions affecting their lives. 

Alongside this, you will support GMYN colleagues to develop the skills and confidence to make advocacy part of everyday practice; not something that only happens when things go wrong. Working across the organisation, you will help us move from supporting young people for them to achieving change with them. 

You will support young people to lead social action projects, distribute over grants through the We Rise Challenge Fund, influence regional housing reform, develop the creative projects and become the next generation of youth leaders across Greater Manchester. 

This is a real opportunity to build something from the beginning and help create an organisation where advocacy is not an activity – it is simply how we work. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the development and delivery of We Rise, ensuring young people are meaningfully involved learning is captured throughout the project.

• Develop a self-advocacy approach across GMYN, supporting young people to understand their rights and influencing decisions affecting their lives.

• Support young people to develop leadership, advocacy and social action skills so they can shape the services, systems and decisions that affect their lives.

• Design participation opportunities using rights-based approaches, ensuring young people are equal partners in shaping services and decisions.

• Develop strong relationships across Greater Manchester to strengthen youth voice and advocacy for young people to influence change.

• Model strong safeguarding practice to ensure young people are safe and supported. 

• Promote strengths-based and trauma-informed that ensure young people feel valued and heard.

• Capture insight, outcomes and learning to evidence impact and improve future practice.

• Manage project plans, budgets, reporting, and partnerships to ensure successful project delivery. 

• Support GMYN to embed advocacy approaches and continuously improve how we work alongside young people. 

• Promote youth-led advocacy and represent GMYN with stakeholders across Greater Manchester. 

• Carrying out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities that contribute to the organisation's overall aims andobjectives. 

Person specification 

• Experience delivering advocacy or rights-based support with young people, such as care-experienced and separated young people. 

• Understanding of advocacy approaches and how they differ from advice, counselling and key work. 

• Experience supporting young people to develop and lead social action projects. 

• Experience designing and delivering participation opportunities.

• Co-producing services or projects with young people and people with lived experience. 

• Experience facilitating groups, workshops and activities that create safe, inclusive and empowering spaces for young people. 

• Experience developing practice through training and coaching professionals and/or embedding new approaches across organisations. 

• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches, strengths-based practice, and rights-based participation, including the Lundy Model. 

• Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships with young people, professionals, organisations and stakeholders. 

• Experience planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating projects, including capturing impact and learning. 

Please see attached pack for further information about GMYN and the role.