Health and social care policy advisor jobs in Braintree, essex
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About Kinship
We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to.
Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.
About the role
The Senior Advice Worker – SEND will be the specialist and subject expert in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and kinship care. You’ll provide 1:1 advice directly to kinship carers on all issues that impact on their caring role.
You will often be supporting kinship carers in high crisis. It will be part of your job to calm a situation quickly and support people to communicate what they need so you can provide personalised in-depth advice.
You’ll provide advice by phone, video calls and email, but you’ll also need to be able to respond to text, WhatsApp and online chat and other channels as we develop the service.
You’ll specialise in providing advice and information to enable kinship carers to support children with SEND needs, including speech, language and communication difficulties, social, emotional and mental health challenges, specific learning difficulties, and autism.
This will include advice and casework to support kinship carers to navigate the education system, understand Education, Health and Care Plan processes and access support from schools, children’s services and CAMHS.
As subject expert, you’ll provide expert input to the development of written information and resources and the development and delivery of specialist training for kinship carers.
Key responsibilities include:
- Respond to enquiries through a range of incoming channels. This includes taking calls on our advice line, as well as responding to enquiries submitted through our website, via internal referral or other channels.
- Provide high quality advice and information to kinship carers on their rights, entitlements and responsibilities in relation to welfare benefits, local authority allowances, support from children’s services, relevant legal orders, sources of educational, parenting and legal support and other issues that may be required.
- Assess vulnerability and risk to prioritise and respond to kinship carers’ issues in a timely manner.
- Research individual cases and identify possible courses of action.
- Address all safeguarding concerns in line with policy.
- Facilitate access to our advice service for people with diverse needs, e.g. by using appropriate translation services or assistive technology.
- Adapt communication style to respond appropriately to differing needs.
- Provide advice in a format that is manageable and understandable for the individual kinship carer.
- Apply agreed Kinship models of practice as appropriate, e.g. taking a trauma-informed approach.
- Provide specialist advice and casework on SEND-related issues. This may involve:
- providing additional advice or support to enable a client to take action
- undertaking follow-up action on behalf of the client to move the case on, e.g. negotiating with third parties
- taking on complex casework to pursue significant outcomes for the client or strategic impact for all kinship carers
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Proactively update colleagues across Kinship on relevant updates in the SEND landscape, providing guidance to teams.
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Work closely with training colleagues to develop, create and occasionally lead training sessions to support kinship carers to navigate the SEND system.
Essential requirements include:
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Minimum of 2 years’ recent experience of delivering in-depth advice work on complex social welfare legal issues (e.g. benefits, housing, education or social care) to members of the public.
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Experience of giving both telephone and written advice.
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Either significant knowledge of and expertise in the SEND system and SEND-related issues, with the ability to develop expertise in kinship care advice; or, Significant knowledge of and expertise in kinship care advice, with substantial knowledge of SEND-related advice issues and the ability to become an expert in SEND advice for kinship carers.
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A demonstrable knowledge of relevant sources of advice and information.
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Knowledge and evidence of good understanding of safeguarding issues and good practice.
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Proven understanding of the importance of confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach.
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Experience and confidence in development of resources
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Experience of effective management and supervision of staff, projects and/or services.
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Experience using Case Management Systems and/or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.
What we offer you:
- Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
- 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
- Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
- Charity Worker Discounts.
Key dates:
- Application deadline: Monday 20 April 2026, 12pm
- First interview: w/c 4 May 2026 (online)
- Second interview: w/c 11 May 2026 (if required)
How to apply:
Please apply for the role of Senior Advice Worker - SEND by sending a CV and answering the questions below. The deadline is 12pm on Monday 20 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines.
Please provide a cover letter answering the following 4 questions (up to 250 words per answer):
- Give an overview of how your experience, qualifications and training equip you for the role of Senior Advice Worker - SEND.
- Explain why you want to work for Kinship.
- What are the key skills and personal attributes that you would bring to the role?
- What do you see as the most significant advice issues confronting kinship families navigating the SEND system?
Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams. We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us.
Some tips for your application:
• Make sure you’ve read the job description and the essential requirements – make sure your application reflects those points in the requirements very clearly.
• Tell us why you want to work for Kinship. We’re interested in working with people who share our values. You can read about our values in the job pack.
• Keep your response clear – use bullets points and short paragraphs if that helps. It will help the recruitment team to focus on your knowledge, skills and experience.
• Don’t go over 2 pages on your covering letter and ensure you answer all the questions
• Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT to produce your answers. We use software to check, and your application will be rejected if you do.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We support kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Full-time role (see operation of 28-hour week below). We are open to considering applications for a part-time role that would require job share.
Home Based Working in the UK (some access to a London office or co-working spaces across the UK available, flexible working policy).
Action for Global Health is a membership network of over 50 organisations working to improve global health. Its vision is a world where everyone can access quality healthcare without financial hardship, achieving true health equity.
AfGH’s strategy, extended to 2029, aims to ensure that stronger commitments from the UK Government help more people worldwide access affordable, high-quality healthcare suited to their needs. The network works by bringing together member organisations, civil society groups, and people with lived experience of health inequality - especially from low- and middle-income countries - to influence UK policy. It acts as a key link between global health civil society and government departments such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, guided by its 10 health-equity principles.
AfGH is an independent network hosted by STOPAIDS, which provides legal, financial, HR, and administrative support.
The Advocacy Manager role helps lead AfGH’s advocacy strategy, working with the Director to coordinate campaigns and policy engagement to advance global health equity. Please download the full job description for more details.
Benefits of working at Action for Global Health (hosted by STOPAIDS)
We offer a number of benefits, including:
- We operate a 28-hour (rather than 35-hour) working week policy with no salary reductions. Staff are able to work reduced hours over 5 days or a 4-day week. We offer flexible working, with non-standard working hours
- We operate a home-based working policy with some access to a London office or co-working spaces across the UK. We also provide a small home working grant and monthly working from home allowance
- A group stakeholder pension scheme with 6% employer contributions
- An individual learning and development budget allocated to staff members each year
- 20 days of annual leave per year (excluding bank holidays), plus 1 day for every year of service (up to 4 years)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay for employees with 1 year's service or more
Closing date: 6th April 2026
Please note that should sufficient applications be received we reserve the right to close this advert early.
STOPAIDS is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive positive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, HIV status, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.
Thank you!
Department: COO’s Office
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £115,000 per annum
Location: Home Based (UK wide travel as required)
Reports To: Chief Executive and Council Chair
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to help lead the organisation through the next phase of its development. Reporting to the Chief Executive and Council Chair, Phil Garrigan, and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the COO will play a critical role in driving organisational transformation and delivery. This will ensure NFCC is well positioned to achieve its ambitious new three-year strategy and delivery plan, including preparations for the proposed College of Fire and Rescue in 2029.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a professional, responsive and agile organisation that is focused on making a real difference to public safety.
NFCC is a charity and membership organisation dedicated to making communities safer by providing national leadership, coordination and professional expertise across UK fire and rescue services. Working at NFCC offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to public safety, national resilience and the continuous improvement of an essential public service.
Operating at the intersection of operational practice, policy, assurance and system leadership, NFCC supports fire and rescue services to collaborate effectively, respond to complex and emerging risks, and maintain the highest professional standards. We work closely with government, regulators, emergency service partners and sector stakeholders to ensure that the collective voice of fire and rescue leaders is influential, credible and evidence-led.
As a values-driven organisation and registered charity, NFCC is committed to ethical leadership, transparency and public benefit. We foster a culture that is inclusive, collaborative and rooted in service to communities. Our people are trusted professionals, empowered to lead, innovate and deliver meaningful impact, supported by robust governance, assurance and accountability frameworks.
NFCC is a modern, agile organisation with a fully remote workforce. This enables us to attract and retain talented individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, while supporting flexible, inclusive and high-performing ways of working. We place strong emphasis on wellbeing, professional development and continuous learning, recognising that our effectiveness depends on the capability, integrity and commitment of our people.
Joining NFCC means working on issues of national significance, influencing the future of fire and rescue services, and helping to strengthen the resilience and safety of the communities we serve. If you are motivated by public service and professional excellence, have a strong focus on delivery and impact, and bring experience in leading business transformation and organisational change, this role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to operate at the highest level of leadership.
The Selection Process
How to apply:
If you are interested in this role and think you have the skills and experience we need, please do look at the Job description on the NFCC website.
Candidates are invited to submit their CV and a covering letter setting out how they can meet the requirements set out in the job description. Please email this to the Recruitment mailbox (details found on the NFCC Website) by 23rd April 2026.
Tests for shortlisted candidates are likely to be Week commencing 4th May 2026
Interviews taking place on the 18th & 19th May 2026
NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post.
NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive.
NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
NFCC is an independent membership association and the professional voice of UK fire and rescue services.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.