Part-Time Advocacy Jobs

Ruils is a user-led charity based in the Richmond borough that supports disabled children and adults and the elderly to live independently, be part of their community and to live life to the full. We provide information, advice, advocacy, befriending and activities to our clients and their families.

As part of this mission, we deliver accessible and inclusive community group activities and volunteer-based services for disabled residents. Our ambition is to enrich people’s lives, help with their mental health challenges and reduce their isolation and loneliness. We have broadened our community remit to also identify, advise and support residents living with health inequalities in the Borough of Richmond as an NHS Southwest London Integrated Care Board Core20Plus5 Partner.

The localities of focus will be Whitton/Heathfield, Hampton North, Barnes North, Mortlake and Ham & Petersham. These localities are also where Ruils has lower levels of volunteer engagement and consequently community service provision.

Purpose of Post

• Working with the Community and Volunteer Manager to deliver our Community Independent Living Services (CILS). The role entails supporting Ruils’ Group Activities, Befriending, Active from Home Walks, as well as the recruitment and management of Ruils Volunteers.
• Working with the Community and Volunteer Manager, to manage our Core20Plus5 initiative to target resident engagement with community organisations in areas where this is identified as being low.
• To establish the reasons for this and draw up a plan for improved  local engagement by driving volunteer recruitment  and delivering increased  befriending and Active from Home client matches, new group activities, and establishing a trusted reach-out path for the currently dis-engaged residents at our Health and Wellbeing events.
• To provide input to Health and Wellbeing events organised by the Health in your Hands team in areas of focus.

Key Duties

• Support with the recruitment, matching, on-boarding, training and management of Ruils Volunteers in particular areas of focus and across the charity when required.
• Support with the administration and management of the Ruils Befriending, Active from Home Walks, and Community Group Activities, particularly in key areas of focus.
• Support new clients being referred into CILs services to access activities and services.
• Work with clients (with guidance and support) to:
• Access CILS services.
• Match with appropriate befriending volunteers.
• Access social and leisure opportunities in the community.
• Support (where appropriate) with facilitating Ruils online group activities.
• Support with the monitoring of CILS activities.
• Manage our Core20Plus5 initiative to engage with community organisations (council, voluntary, health & wellbeing, resident associations), and local residents to:
• Increase Ruils understanding of local health and wellbeing support needs.
• Record findings of engagements as basis for new services deployment.
• Promote new volunteer requirement at micro-level in targeted localities.
• Evaluate what new group activities will meet local resident wellbeing needs and propose plan for delivery.
• Support the delivery of Ruils Health & Wellbeing Events in key areas of focus including contacting local residents to promote the events.
• Identify, reach out and establish ongoing relationships with like-minded organisations to attend their health and wellbeing events in the targeted localities. As a community connector, outreach should also identity individual influencers in these areas in order to utilise their knowledge, insight and influence with the challenges faced by local residents.
• The goal is to establish a trust and confidence to maximise our engagement with local residents.
• Other duties as deemed appropriate relating to the community services, or Ruils services generally.

Ruils Culture

At the heart of Ruils is good people. We believe in mutual respect where we value everyone’s strengths and celebrate our differences and imperfections. We all support a collaborative ‘us’ mentality where we share our knowledge for the benefit of our colleagues and clients.

Our culture is underpinned by clear, honest and transparent communication at all levels. We are all committed to creating an organisation that supports our personal and professional lives but can still be a fun and sociable place to work.

We all passionately believe in the same vision for Ruils and our clients, supporting people to become valued, effective and independent members of society. We will achieve this through open collaboration as a team and an empathetic approach to our clients.

For us all to grow and flourish we are committed to creating a supportive, caring and kind environment for every member of our team. We will do this by trusting our colleagues and acting with the utmost integrity and accountability with everyone we come in to contact with. We are all committed to the success and growth of Ruils and appreciate this will be achieved through being flexible and accessible in our approach to work and by supporting each other to reach our full potential.

Finally, we know that it is the people at Ruils that make the difference. We will encourage and welcome like-minded people to the team who share and are committed to our values.

It is necessary for all employees to be flexible, and all employees may be required from time to time to perform other duties that may be required by the employer to provide effective services to clients and to ensure the efficient running of the organisation.

General

The post-holder is expected to work in line with the Ruils’ policies and procedures including health and safety, confidentiality, safeguarding adults and children, and equal opportunities and diversity. In carrying out their duties the post-holder should endeavour to maximise the opportunity for disabled clients to be independent and to create opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential.

It is necessary for all employees to be flexible, and all employees may be required from time to time to perform other duties that may be required by the employer to provide effective services to clients and to ensure the efficient running of the organisation.

The post-holder will:

• Promote the work of Ruils.
• Be self-servicing and will maintain efficient files and records and records on the Ruils database.
• Attend monthly staff meetings.
• Attend personal and peer supervision and appraisal meetings.
• Attend and contribute to Planning Days and Events as and when required.
• Undertake any training necessary to improve performance.
• Comply with all relevant legislation.
• Ensure that confidentiality of client information is maintained in line with GDPR regulations.

Special Requirements:

• Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours on occasion. Ability to work remotely or online for a period of time, with strong IT skills. 
• We actively encourage applications from disabled people and people with long term health and mental conditions.
• We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme in that we will guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this guaranteed interview scheme.

Please apply in writing with a cover letter and stating your current salary to Viv Sage, our HR Consultant at Better Talent, via the Quick Apply button.

We are recruiting a part-time Senior Employment and Social Security Policy Officer

(hybrid working - 21 hours, £37,616 pro rata)

Maternity Action is the UK’s maternity rights charity dedicated to promoting, protecting and
enhancing the rights of all pregnant women, new mothers and their families to employment,
social security and health care.
We are seeking an experienced policy professional to lead our employment and social
security policy work.

About us
We are a small charity that has grown over the past four years. This is an exciting time to
join Maternity Action as we embark on the next stage of our development.
We have an active programme of policy and campaigning to protect and strengthen the
rights of low-income pregnant women and new parents. Our in-house legal team delivers
advice and casework support to over 3,500 pregnant women and new parents across the UK
each year and our 50+ online information sheets are viewed over 1.3 million times. 
We have a longstanding commitment to working from home, and we offer our staff genuine
flexibility, enabling them to balance work, family and home life. 23 of our 27 staff work part
time, and staff are located across the UK.

Our benefits:
·       25 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays and 3 days fixed leave between Christmas and New Year
·       8% employer pension contribution
·       Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
·       Paid sick leave

About our policy and campaigning work
Maternity Action’s vision is a society which fully respects the rights of all pregnant women
and new parents to employment, social security and health care.
To achieve this vision, we undertake thoughtful research and policy analysis which is
grounded in the lived experiences of pregnant women and new parents, and which draws on
the expert knowledge of our legal team and evidence from our advice services. Our work
influences law and policy with the aim of reducing poverty, improving health and advancing
equality and human rights for all pregnant women and new parents.
We prioritise issues affecting low income and marginalised women and have an active
programme of research, policy and campaigning work on employment, social security and
healthcare.

Key areas of campaigning on employment rights include ending pregnancy and maternity
discrimination in the workplace and promoting a more equitable framework for maternity and
parental leave. Our work on the cost-of-living crisis is highlighting the underinvestment in
maternity pay and maternity benefits, the limited support available for migrant mothers and
calling for improved financial support. We have an on-going campaign and programme of
work around NHS charging for maternity care, which affects some of the most socially and
economically vulnerable women in the UK.

Our policy and campaigns work has a strong focus on partnership working with voluntary
organisations, health professionals and unions to support women to exercise their rights. We
convene the Alliance for Maternity Rights and the Maternity Entitlement Group to promote
collaborative campaigning on employment rights and on charging for NHS maternity care.
We work closely with a range of voluntary organisations in our policy and campaign work,
including smaller frontline organisations working with marginalised women.

About you
We are looking for an experienced Senior Employment and Social Security Policy Officer to
undertake policy analysis, campaigning and research on employment rights affecting
pregnant women and new parents, including maternity discrimination, precarious work,
health and safety, maternity and parental leave and flexible working. You will be able to form
relationships with Government, Trade Unions, business groups, Equality and Human Rights
Commission and voluntary sector organisations. Working with staff across the organisation
you will be able to communicate about employment policy effectively to a wide range of
audiences.
You will have an understanding of the social security system as it relates to pregnant women
and new parents, and an ability to analyse policy developments relating to the Department
for Work and Pensions.
We particularly welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic candidates and from
people with lived experience of pregnancy or parenting, low income or migration.

The role
This is a hybrid role to be delivered from home and our office in Finsbury Park, London.
Total hours to be worked each week is 21; other than Thursday, which is a core day, we are
flexible about start/finish times and days worked, within normal business hours. Hours can
be spread across three, four or five days. All staff are required to travel within the UK
occasionally.
Please send us a covering letter outlining how you meet the selection criteria and your CV.
Applications close 9am Monday 23rd September 2024. Virtual interviews are expected to
take during the week beginning 30th September.
 

Job description: Senior Policy Officer – Employment and Social Security

Reporting to: Head of Policy
Salary: £37,616 pro rata
Hours: 21 hours per week
Job purpose: To undertake policy research and analysis relating to employment and social
security as they affect pregnant women and new parents.

Key tasks:

• Analyse Government policy and develop policy positions within the remit of this role
• Prepare reports, briefings, responses to Government consultations and policy submissions
• Undertake primary research with women, unions and voluntary sector workers on employment issues, including sensitive health issues, using interviews, online surveys and focus groups
• Represent the organisation in face to face and online meetings and networks
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Government agencies, unions, business organisations and voluntary organisations
• Build and maintain effective coalitions in support of policy and campaigning goals.
• Engage in advocacy with relevant Government agencies, unions and voluntary sector groups
• Communicate about policy and research work, including through presentations and social media
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation, and prepare reports for funders
• To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time.

Person description

Knowledge/Qualifications:

•  Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification or experience (E)
•  Knowledge of employment policy (E) Knowledge of one or more of the following policy areas: maternity discrimination; gender equality; precarious work (D)
•  An understanding of the social security system as it relates to pregnant women and new parents (D)
• Knowledge of organisations and networks engaged in debates on employment rights and gender equality (E)
• Commitment to women’s rights (E)

Experience:

• UK public policy experience in a relevant field (E)
• Experience in preparing reports, briefings, responses to Government consultations and policy submissions (E)
• Experience of making presentations and communicating using traditional and social media (E)
• Experience of carrying out research using interviews, online surveys and focus groups (D)
• Experience of working in a small team (D)

Skills:

•  Excellent skills in policy analysis (E)
•  Excellent spoken and written communication skills (E)
•  Good research skills, including literature reviews, interviews and focus group (D)
•  Good computer skills, MS Word and MS Excel (E)
•  Ability to work collaboratively in a small team (E)

About the Role

Universal Credit (UC) is the fastest growing advice issue for the Citizens Advice service and improving the support available to people making a claim is vital. Our Help to Claim service guides people through the claims process - this will include identifying suitability, helping clients to start their claim and providing support to their first payment.

Citizens Advice Liverpool is looking to recruit Help to Claim advisers with knowledge and experience of welfare benefits to join their team.

The successful candidates will provide end to end telephone and web chat support for new Universal Credit claimants. Your understanding of legacy benefits will enable you to check whether a client would be better off on Universal Credit. You will also be able to identify clients who due to transition to Universal Credit via Managed Migration and support them through the process and application. You will be confident in your ICT skills to support clients in making their claim.

You’ll have the ability to interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of the issues and empower clients, whilst maintaining structure and control of meetings, as well as a commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice Service.

About us

Citizens Advice Liverpool is a charity that provides free, confidential and impartial advice to people who live and work in the city. We depend on a workforce of paid staff and over 120 trained volunteers. We give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem. We are the leading provider of advice and advocacy services in Liverpool and have helped clients with over 106,000 issues in 2022/2023.

CAL have achieved accreditation with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, showing we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our workforce. We've also gained an award for outstanding contribution by an employer to workplace health and wellbeing 2022 by Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust.

We've gained awards from Citizens Advice National recognising our Advising Margainalised Communities Team for championing equity, diversity and inclusion in both 2021 and 2021. We were also named volunteer team of the year in 2022.

As well as a competitive salary CAL also provides access to:

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Hybrid Working Scheme

• Interest free travel loans

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Pension Scheme

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Lifestyles Gym Membership (20% corporate discount)

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay

Internally your job title will be Casual Recovery Worker

You’re caring, flexible and creative, thrive under pressure, know how to connect with people at all levels and really enjoy helping others to live as independently as possible. You’d also like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with. Welcome to Derwent Square as a Casual Recovery Worker covering holidays and sickness.

Derwent Square is a mental health project, that offers supported housing to 5 Residents. We are currently working to a recovery model and our aim is to provide stability and an environment to learn skills that will promote independence in the customer. We provide a range of support services for people with mental health to access their local community, including living skills, support with medication management and peer support through individually tailored support plans. Our ultimate goal is to empower our customers with the skills for them to flourish in an independent setting. 

We know that recovery can look and feel very different to each and every one of us. But we also know that if we provide the right support, at the right time, we can inspire recovery nationwide and that recovery is possible for everyone. That’s where you come in. Responsible for helping and inspiring the people who use our services to maintain their tenancy and independence in the community, we’ll rely on you to work with them to come up with a personal support plan that will see them achieve their goals and aspirations. Whether it’s developing their domestic and finance management skills or accessing work, leisure or educational opportunities, one thing’s for sure ‐ you will have every chance to shine.

In return for your skills and enthusiasm, this role comes with some really great benefits and excellent training and development opportunities.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and welcome applications from those with Lived Experience.

This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.

On 1st June 2024, Richmond Fellowship, part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence merged with Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. In October 2024, Humankind will be renamed to reflect the new organisation.

Fixed term role covering parental leave from 25 November 2024 until 31 December 2025

Full or part-time

Hybrid - Holloway Road, London and home based

Do you have substantial experience of working with men to support them to address their abusive behaviour and/or with women experiencing domestic abuse and expertise in assessment? Would you like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to reduce the harm domestic abuse causes to women, children and families? 

DVIP, a division of Richmond Fellowship, seeks an interim Service Manager for the family court’s team on a fixed term (parental leave) contract. DVIP has pioneered group work with men who use violence in their relationships for 30 years, and we are a RESPECT accredited provider.

The family court’s team comprises of a small in-house team and freelance expert witnesses who undertake assessments of parents in care proceedings. We have an excellent reputation for delivering high quality, robust reports to local authorities to inform safeguarding plans for children subject to the public law outline (PLO).

As Service Manager you’ll provide high quality supervision and proofing to our expert witnesses on their reports. You have experience of giving evidence in care proceedings and supporting others to do so. You will be expected to complete 2-6 expert reports per year, which can include being called to give evidence.

You will manage a budget and be responsible for ensuring payment of our invoices with the support of our administrator. You will also supervise our administrator and in house expert risk assessor and have access to monthly clinical supervision to explore the impact of what is challenging and emotive work.

To join us you must be educated to degree/post graduate level in Social Work, Criminology, and or Psychology. Membership of a professional body like HCPC and or Social Work England is desirable. You will need a minimum of 7 years’ experience working with survivors and perpetrators in treatment settings, a sound knowledge of relevant legislation, policy and research pertaining to safeguarding children with a lived experience of domestic abuse. To be eligible you must meet Practice Direction 25b.

Service is based in Holloway Road London, but there is flexibility to work from home provided service requirements are met. This post can be done either full time, 37.5 hours a week, or part-time.

To apply please visit our website. It is a mandatory requirement of the application process for this post that candidates submit a CV and Supporting Statement, thus only candidates that provide this, and who meet the essential criteria within the person specification, will be considered for an interview. 

Closing date: 23rd September 2024, however we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised date if sufficient applications are received prior.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience.

On 1st June 2024, Richmond Fellowship, part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence merged with Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. In October 2024, Humankind will be renamed to reflect the new organisation.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and experienced Communications and Events Manager to join our small but very impactful team.

This role is essential in enhancing the visibility and impact of our charity's vital work. You will do this through effective communication outputs, with a focus on digital, and well-organised virtual, regional and national events.

The Communications and Events Manager will lead on overall execution of TSA communications and events, working closely with the Joint Chief Executive. The role is one of the most front-facing and proactive offered at the TSA.

In return for your hard work, the candidate can expect a competitive salary, high level of autonomy and trust, a fluid team structure, and very flexible home working. All of this while making a massive difference every day to the lives of thousands of people in the UK.

Key responsibilities

Communications

• Lead in the development of communication outputs across all aspects of the TSA’s work in support and information, research, fundraising and campaigning. This will include a major focus on filmed media and editing of short clips as well as building a library of case studies
• Lead in the development of an effective internal and external communications strategy. The strategy should provide direction on how communications pieces are created internally, as well as how communications are presented to different audiences
• Lead in ongoing content development for the TSA’s daily activities. This includes managing content creation for the website, social media platforms and monthly e-newsletter
• Have a major role in development of Scan, our twice-yearly physical magazine
• Develop excellent relationships with key internal stakeholders at all levels by providing direction and support for all TSA teams in their communications needs, such as reviewing and editing fundraising and research materials
• Proactively identify and fulfil opportunities to raise awareness of TSC in the broader media, such as newspapers and other media

Events

• Manage and oversee all aspects of TSA face-to-face events. Our events include the annual community event ‘Big Day’, and our annual event for adults mildly affected by TSC (called ‘Outlook’)
• Manage and oversee our range of monthly virtual events. Including bookings, forward planning and ongoing calendar management of future events and speakers
• Maintain calendar(s) of internal and external events
• Ensure risk assessments and safeguarding policies are applied appropriately

Strategic support

• Provide support into the overall communications and events strategy of the charity, including annual implementation plans
• Proactively and regularly review the impact and success of communications and events, by providing a range of opportunities for attendees and other TSC audiences to provide feedback and input into these areas

Community engagement and management

• Help to develop, and then implement and support, comprehensive community engagement
• Proactively and regularly review the impact and success of communications and events, by providing a range of opportunities for attendees and other TSC audiences to provide feedback and input into these areas
• Be confident in updating and using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to update community information

Other requirements

The post holder must be prepared to work flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation.  This may entail occasional evening and weekend work. Occasional travel within the UK may be required for team meetings and events.

A DBS enhanced disclosure will be required prior to taking up post.

Person specification

Essential

• 2-3 years’ experience in similar or equitable roles
• Proven background in managing and leading on events of all sizes, from very small (several attendees) to large (150+ attendees)
• Demonstrable experience in social media management and digital communications
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a keen eye for detail
• Confident in working independently and on your own initiative, as well as being very open to helping and working with others
• Confident in graphic design and editing (we currently use Canva for all materials)
• Experience of working with CRM databases (please note that we use Beacon)
• Experience of managing budgets and sticking to them
• Able to set and manage ambitious personal targets
• Ability to work of own initiative and to work independently, as well as part of a small team
• Experience of building strong working relationships with external stakeholders
• Experience of a broad range of communications tactics across all platforms
• Able to work with people with a wide range of abilities, with a warm and empathetic style
• Able to assess and analyse complex problems, and develop appropriate solutions
• Experience of collecting and monitoring data to analyse service impact and drive service improvements
• Able to manage a diverse workload, prioritise needs and manage your own time
• Confident in website management and basic web development (Wordpress and WooCommerce)

Desirable

• Communications or events qualifications
• Experience of working with people living with learning disabilities or autism
• Experience of working with children or adults with disabilities or chronic health conditions
• Experience of working within the rare disease sector

Do you have your own experiences of living with mental health challenges?

Could you draw upon your experiences of managing your own mental health conditions and maintaining your wellbeing, to inspire someone else to overcome the obstacles in their life by providing them with emotional and practical support.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

Who are we?

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, Government, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations and our Camden Crisis Team Peer Support Service is one of our involvement services.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions, around health, care and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are supported when it matters most.

Our service was co-developed back in 2015 by VoiceAbility and people who use the services.  This is now part of Reach Out Camden which is passionate about working together with Camden residents to design and deliver services that improve their mental health and for people to live healthy and fulfilling lives in a place where they feel connected to their community and have the right opportunities to thrive.

Your role will require you to provide one-to-one support for service users as they are discharged from the Crisis team, setting personal goals with the service user for recovery, developing ways with the service user on how to keep well and identifying their own personal sources of support. This will involve work and travel within the Borough of Camden but will be based in one of the Camden Crisis Resolution Team offices.  The post is a permanent contract with a starting salary between £24,000 - £31,000 per annum pro rata.

Professional Development?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day.

Benefits:  

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues)
• 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Separate Life Assurance Cover
• Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
• Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme.
• Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance.
• Support with continuous professional development.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Peer Support Worker to join our team in the Camden Crisis Teams. We are looking for both full and part time staff, (working hours to be agreed, however, our service runs Monday to Friday, between the hours of 9am-5pm), on a permanent contract. Reporting directly to the Connections Team Leader.

Your role will require you to provide one-to-one support for service users, setting personal goals with the service user for recovery, developing ways with the service user on how to keep well and identifying their own personal sources of support. This will involve work and travel within the Borough of Camden but will be based at in one of the Crisis Team offices either at Daleham Gardens or St Pancras Hospital. The post is a permanent contract with a starting salary between £24,000 - £31,000 pro rata depending on experience.

How will you make a difference?

You will work with the Peer Support Team and draw upon lived experience to assist service users to move forward positively.  Acting as a specialist resource to provide a unique perspective to service users. 

You will hold a small caseload to allow regular sessions to be held with the service user, maintaining confidential records, utilising VoiceAbility and NHS electronic records system.  Planning, implementation of and review of care packages, including parts of the individual care plan. 

About you

We’d like to hear from you if you

· Have lived experience of mental health challenges

· Have experience of accessing mental health services

· Have experience of being in a supportive and enabling role

· Able to demonstrate a general understanding of Mental Health issues, with a general non-judgemental attitude, and the range of services available to support them

· Have an understanding of confidentiality and can work within organisational policies and procedures and local health and social care polices, guidelines and process

· Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience of working within a multi-disciplinary group

· Are Professional, enthusiastic and engaging, a good listener, empathetic and have a positive “can do” attitude

· Hold an Enhanced DBS with Children & Adults Barred lists (or willingness to obtain) 

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.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications: midnight on 27th September 2024, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

Interviews via Teams OR face to face: w/c 7th October 2024

How to apply

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

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.

We look forward to hearing from you.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us via our website

VoiceAbility reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of candidates apply.

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Job title: Lived Experience Facilitator - Service User Network (SUN)
Post no: 598
Working base: Mind BLMK - Luton Wellbeing Centre
Area covered: Bedfordshire and Luton (SUN offers a combination of online and face to face groups).
Hours: 21 hours per week. Monday – Friday (3 or 4 days to be negotiated)
Working pattern: Tuesdays 9.30am – 5.00pm (7 hours) Remaining 14 hours to be negotiated depending on service need (within the hours Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.00pm)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,147.00 per annum FTE (£14,272.62 per annum Actual)

About the Service User Network (SUN)

The SUN is an open access model of community-based facilitated group peer support for people experiencing complex emotional needs associated with complex trauma and/or a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’. The SUN aims to help people develop effective ways of coping, reduce emergencies and improve access to appropriate services.

Those accessing the SUN may or may not have a formal diagnosis of personality disorder. Group members will have experienced longstanding emotional difficulties, isolation and may demonstrate patterns of behaviour that may not be helpful in the longer term.

About the Role

Fundamental to creating empowerment and engagement in the SUN Project is the therapeutic community principle, that the effectiveness of the service depends upon engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members’ own resources and expertise is integral to the SUN model of peer support.

SUN Facilitators will have their own lived experience of complex emotional needs associated with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ and will be able to demonstrate their recovery journey. They will work closely with mental health practitioners from ELFT (East London NHS Foundation Trust) to deliver regular Service User Network (SUN) groups in different community-based locations in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire or Luton. Full training in the SUN model, and weekly supervision by a Psychotherapist / Psychologist, will be provided for all team members.

Facilitators will work to develop and support the therapeutic community principle of the SUN model and the effectiveness of the service through engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development, and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members’ own resources and expertise is integral to the model of peer support upon which the SUN groups are based.

SUN facilitators will have regular supervision and support in this role along with appropriate training.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5pm on Tuesday 17 September 2024
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Job title: Service Coordinator (Mental Health and Wellbeing)
Post no: 606
Working base: Bedford Wellbeing Centre, Woburn Rd, Bedford
Hours: 12 hrs per week
Working pattern: 2 days per week tbc (Monday – Friday), 6 hrs per day (10.00am – 4.00pm)
Contract: Fixed term until 31st August 2025
Salary: £24,720 per annum FTE (£8,017.30 per annum Actual)

About the Role

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join our Bedford Mental Health Prevention service for adults which aims to improve people’s mental wellbeing, raise aspirations and enhance confidence.

As Service Coordinator you will be responsible for implementing working recovery models and coordinating the operational plans for the service to ensure that people are able to manage their mental health, move through their recovery journeys and achieve positive outcomes.

Along with coordinating service delivery to meet its aims, objectives and Key Performance Indicators, you will also line manage the service Recovery Workers and lead on recruitment, onboarding and management of volunteers in the service.

Additionally you will conduct assessments of individual’s suitability for the service, leading on more complex cases and guiding people through the range of available interventions that can support them to achieve the outcomes that matter to them.

In addition to managing the day-to-day delivery of the service you will also contribute to the direct provision of the service by leading and facilitating group sessions where needed and by offering informal 1-2-1 mental health and wellbeing support that reduces the chance that people will fall through gaps, be isolated and ensuring the right support and the right time that manages a range of needs.

You will lead opportunities to support events in the community to raise awareness of our services and to build links with local organisations and agencies.

You will need to be empathetic and deliver a person-centred approach in a non-judgemental way, collaborating with people to empower and engage them. SUN facilitators will have regular supervision and support in this role along with appropriate training.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5pm on Tuesday 10 September 2024
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

Job Title: Advocate

(Multi-disciplinary- Non statutory advocacy in a secure mental health unit & NHS Complaints primarily Warrington but also covering Halton when required. Other roles within the statutory advocacy service maybe required at certain times including the Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) when individuals are subject to a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

Hours: Part time- 22.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £24,150- £26,250 Full Time Equivalent based on experience and qualifications

Location: Hospital and Community venues throughout Halton, Widnes, Warrington, and some home working

Job outline

Advocate needed for a busy statutory advocacy HUB based in Widnes.

Are you looking for a job where your qualities and expertise will make a real difference to people’s lives?

Hoping for a varied, interesting workload as part of a friendly, supportive team? 
If so, then read on!

A bit about us

Engaging Communities Solutions CIC (Community Interest Company) (or ECS for short) are an independent Community Interest Company that delivers Healthwatch and advocacy services throughout England. Our mission is to ensure people get their voices heard and that people are empowered.

Through our Advocacy HUB in Halton, which also covers NHS Complaints Advocacy provision for Warrington, we offer free, confidential, and independent advocacy support to residents who need help to get their voice heard in relation to health and social care needs.

We have a team of amazing and dedicated staff who provide high-quality, confidential, independent advocacy services, supporting people, often vulnerable and/or excluded from services and communities, in having a say about issues that are important to them and decisions that are being made about their lives.

For more information about advocacy and what we do, please go to our main ECS website and see the local website for Healthwatch Halton and the advocacy HUB, where this role will be based 

About the role

We are looking to recruit a permanent multi-skilled advocate to join our busy Halton Advocacy HUB multi-disciplinary team, working 22.5 hours per week.

Based in Halton, for this exciting multi-disciplinary role, we are looking for those with a particular interest in Non-Statutory Advocacy as the role will be based in a secure unit for up to two days a week. This role involves providing general advocacy support to patients in supporting form filling, sourcing general information, signposting and general low-level concerns and safeguarding issues around their care not covered by the IMHA role.  The role also covers the NHS Complaints Advocacy in our Warrington HUB (or Halton Hub when required), helping people who need support in making a complaint about their care and treatment under the NHS.

We also require a talented person to undertake the role of the RPR to support individuals detained under the Mental capacity Act on a DoLS when needed.

What we need from you

We are looking for someone who has the creativity and enthusiasm to support people in difficult circumstances, ideally has experience in a health or social care and may have their own life experiences relevant to the role. Although it would be useful to already hold a formal advocacy qualification, if you have not got advocacy qualifications it is not a problem, we will provide the required training.

You will be working from a secure mental health unit for up to two days a week and then the rest of the week will either be working from home so must have access to a stable home broadband service. There will also be an element of the role where you will be out in the community, but not exclusively, in Warrington, Halton, Widnes and Runcorn areas and therefore you must have access to your own transport.

There may be times when work is required outside normal working hours, so flexibility is required.

What happens next

If we sound like an organisation you would like to work for, please go to Job Vacancies on our Healthwatch Halton website: and select the role for further information, including the Job Description/Person specification.

Completed applications are to be sent via email 

All applicants invited to interview will need to bring evidence (photographic where possible) of their right to work in the UK. New employee start dates will only be confirmed once relevant checks, including enhanced DBS clearance, and 2 satisfactory references have been received.

Closing Date:      4 October 2024 @ 5pm

Interview Date:   9 October 2024

Interview venue: In person- Healthwatch Halton and Advocacy HUB offices, Tan House Lane, Widnes, WA8 0RR

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Elizabeth Learoyd, Managing Director 

Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) values equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, particularly from under-represented groups.

NB: ECS reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if it believes sufficient applications are received to make an appointment.

Location: Scunthorpe General Hospital, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire

Role Profile

This is an opportunity for you to join an established charity that has an excellent reputation locally as a trusted partner and as a great place to work. You’ll be part of a newly established and innovative service working across the Emergency and Same Day Emergency Care Departments at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

You’ll be working as part of a wider integrated team and will be a physical presence at all touch points and decision making opportunities. You’ll enable targeted, preventative community interventions that are focused on admissions avoidance and turning people around at the ‘front door’.

You’ll act as the first point of contact for all referrals into the voluntary and community sector ensuring people who can be supported through a community response are linked to appropriate interventions addressing the social, economic and environmental factors that affect people's health.

You’ll empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way, enabling them to self-manage. You’ll use a strength-based approach focusing on what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and will build resilience by supporting them to identify what assets they already have or can draw upon.

You’ll ensure service data and local intelligence is captured and communicated to inform the review, revision and development of interventions to meet needs, strengthen community and individual resilience and help to develop and grow accessible and sustainable activities and services that address the wider determinants of health and reduce health inequalities.

You’ll also record project outcomes and develop a feedback loop ensuring the impact of community response is reflected back to system partners, facilitating understanding of the impact of low level interventions on individuals and the system as a whole.

What we offer our staff

We provide an employee assistance scheme managed by LifeWorks. Benefits include:

• 24/7 - 365 telephone helpline
• LifeWorks online support website
• LifeWorks app
• 6 sessions of face to face counselling per issue – unlimited issues per annum
• Employee legal helpline
• Consulting services – financial, debt advice, housing, relocation, parenting, eldercare, work performance, health and wellness advice and much more
• Childcare and eldercare matching service
• Savings on everyday purchases and life events
• Access for family members and dependants – excluding counselling and legal advice

Annual leave: Annual leave is 28 days from 1st January to 31st December, plus 8 bank holidays

Hours: This role is offered at 22 hours per week. This may require working outside normal office hours occasionally to meet the demands of the service

Location: We work flexibly to meet the needs of the service. This includes working from GP surgeries, supporting people in the community, working from our main offices in Scunthorpe, Scunthorpe General Hospital and working from home

Role Profile

You’ll act as the first point of contact for client referrals from North Lincolnshire Councils Adult Services. Clients will have already received a full assessment by the Adult Services team to identify and meet their personal care needs. Your role will complement the outcome of this assessment, enabling clients to explore and identify low level interventions in relation to their domestic and social needs.

You’ll empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way, enabling them to self-manage. You’ll use a strength-based approach focusing on what the person can do for themselves to improve their quality of life and build resilience by supporting them to identify what assets they already have or can draw upon – family, friends, neighbours, religious organisations, community programmes, cultural and ethnic organisations, or other support groups throughout North Lincolnshire. Working as part of the wider integrated team, you’ll work to divert demand away from the ‘front door’ of health and adult social care, increasing the capacity of domiciliary care teams across North Lincolnshire and enabling a holistic approach to clients' health and wellbeing.

You’ll ensure service data and local intelligence is captured and communicated to inform the review, revision and development of interventions to meet needs, strengthen community and individual resilience and help to develop and grow accessible and sustainable activities and services that address the wider determinants of health and reduce health inequalities.

You’ll also record project outcomes and develop a feedback loop ensuring the impact of community response is reflected back to system partners, facilitating understanding of the impact of low level interventions on individuals and the system as a whole.

You’ll be a part of a small, but committed team with big ambitions that works cohesively and effectively together to get things done. You'll be an important and valued member of the team and, with the support of Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire, will be responsible for ensuring people focused outcomes are met in a pressurised environment. 

What we offer our staff

We provide an employee assistance scheme managed by LifeWorks. Benefits include:

• 24/7 - 365 telephone helpline
• LifeWorks online support website
• LifeWorks app
• 6 sessions of face to face counselling per issue – unlimited issues per annum
• Employee legal helpline
• Consulting services – financial, debt advice, housing, relocation, parenting, eldercare, work performance, health and wellness advice and much more
• Childcare and eldercare matching service
• Savings on everyday purchases and life events
• Access for family members and dependants – excluding counselling and legal advice

Annual leave: Annual leave is 28 days from 1st January to 31st December, plus 8 bank holidays

HMP Leeds, West Yorkshire
Ref: PAA-242

Are you a proactive, collaborative and compassionate individual with a proven track record of working with services/clients within the criminal justice sector, accommodation and advice/support services?  Looking for an exciting new career opportunity?

If so, join St Giles as an Accommodation Adviser, a key role where you will be required to provide tailored accommodation support to men in custody and under probation supervision in the community, with the aim of supporting them to overcome barriers to obtaining secure and stable accommodation so that they can successfully reintegrate into society.

About St Giles Trust 
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this exciting opportunity

Our successful candidate will complete an Initial Needs Assessment, using a strength-based approach within agreed contractual timeframes, before dynamically assessing need and risk, alerting to changes that could indicate change in risk or serious harm, including personal safety and safeguarding.  You will be expected to contribute to the design and delivery of an effective accommodation plan which is solution focused and practical, and to advise and support Service Users to achieve outcomes informed by your specialist housing knowledge and comprehensive understanding of accommodation and local service provision.

We will rely on you to engage with and motivate challenging service users from a diverse range of backgrounds, often with multiple and complex needs, while also maintaining and building new relationships with both social and private housing providers to improve sustainable housing outcomes for our service users, and promoting effective working relationships within the criminal justice sector. Monitoring progress and recording on digital systems, plus coordinating and facilitating interactive group work sessions, are also key duties.

What we are looking for

• Experience of working as part of a high-performing team
• Experience of using digital technology and providing evidence for external audit purposes
• Demonstrable knowledge of housing and an understanding of the main issues affecting homelessness and rehabilitation of offenders
• A detailed understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act
• An understanding of how staff with lived experience can provide additional value
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the issues faced by our client group
• Sound knowledge of the UK criminal justice system
• Full UK Driving Licence preferred with access to a vehicle for work
• Excellent prioritisation, interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• We actively encourage people with personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.

As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will require an Enhanced Child and Adult with Child Barred DBS Check.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

To apply please request an application form from our HR Team, via the apply button, stating the job title and ref number.

Closing date: 11p.m. 29 September 2024.

Interview date:  7 October 2024.

Previous applicants need not apply.

We are looking for a part time Information & Advocacy Community Support Worker in Scotland.  You will be home based living in the North of Scotland.

You will ensure that service users (children and adults) and their families, receive high quality support, from the point of diagnosis and throughout their journey, and will assist them to access funding, equipment and care and support that they are entitled to. You will join a team that makes a real difference to the lives of the people living with muscle-wasting conditions, and their families, in Scotland. The role will be primarily home based, but there will also be a requirement to attend outpatient clinics within the region, attend home visits where appropriate and to support responding to queries through the helpline and information inbox. Some travel will be required to attend meetings and events outside of Scotland. You will work with both statutory and voluntary organisations, clinicians, and health and social care professionals to ensure that people living with muscle wasting conditions get the care and support they need to live well and independently.

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities.

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) is the charity for the 110,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK.  We bring together people affected by more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions.  We provide vital information, advice, resources and support for people with these conditions, their families and the professionals who work with them. Our care, information and advocacy service coordinate our support for families, providing advice and practical support to enable individuals to access the services, benefits and equipment they are entitled to. As part of our support, we also connect individuals with others affected by these rare conditions through our peer support networks.

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a range of benefits including pension, life assurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, financial wellbeing and an employee assistance programme.

Location: Home based in the North of Scotland. 

Please note: you will need your own car and be able to drive for this roles.

*Unfortunately, due to resource capacity, we will only contact candidates that are shortlisted for interview. Therefore if you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of the closing date please note your application has been unsuccessful.

**Please note interviews may be held on a rolling basis (via Microsoft Teams) so early application is advisable