Lead independent mental capacity advocate jobs

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?  

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge? 

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility. 

Due to the success of our delivery we are looking for Advocates to join our team in the North Ayrshire area. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

About us 

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

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

About the role 

This is an exciting opportunity for Advocates to join and shape this service covering North Ayrshire area. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About you 

Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing support. 

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.

How will you make a difference? 

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support. 

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.  

Benefits  

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

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution  

Salary sacrifices pension scheme  

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

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

24/7 Employee Assistance programme  

Access to remote counselling service  

Paid Disability Leave  

Paid compassionate Leave  

Home Working Allowance   

Flexible working 

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

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

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

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

Equality and Diversity 

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

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

How to apply 

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

Important Dates: 

Closing date for applications; Midnight on 14 May 2026, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. 

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

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

About the Role

As an Advocate with us, you’ll support individuals in diverse circumstances to have their voices heard by health and social care professionals and other key stakeholders. Your work will help ensure people are empowered to make informed decisions about their lives and care.

The role involves travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes, and community settings. While some work can be completed from home, particularly administrative tasks, access to your own transport and a reliable home internet connection is essential.

As this is a newly funded project, the postholder will play a key role in shaping how SHOUT is delivered locally. This includes developing strong working relationships with schools, SEND teams, Transitions services and community partners, identifying unmet need, promoting the service, and contributing to the growth and sustainability of the project.

About You

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds. Ideally, you’ll have some experience in advocacy or in providing support, or welfare services to adults or young people - particularly those with learning disabilities and/or autism, communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or difficulties accessing support.

You may have worked or volunteered in health or social care, education, youth services, support services, or in advice and guidance roles. Above all, we’re looking for people who are passionate about making a difference and supporting others to be heard.

How will you make a difference?

You’ll actively promote SHOUT within local communities and professional networks, helping to build awareness and increase access to early advocacy support.

· You’ll help young people to understand their rights, entitlements, and choices; providing clear, accessible information tailored to their needs.

· You’ll support young people to express what matters to them - or speak on their behalf when needed - ensuring their views, wishes, values, and beliefs are represented.

· You’ll promote self-advocacy and confidence-building at every opportunity, encouraging young people to speak up for themselves.

· You’ll work creatively and collaboratively to empower young people to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

· You’ll act in line with relevant legislation (including the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguarding Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and Equality Act 2010), and you’ll constructively challenge professionals and services to uphold their duties.

· You’ll escalate concerns appropriately to safeguard individuals and contribute to improved service delivery.

To learn more about Advocacy and the services we provide, please visit our website.

Professional Development

We’re committed to helping our team grow. Whether you’re starting your career in Advocacy or looking to expand your expertise, we offer a range of development opportunities. We’re proud of our track record in supporting staff to build knowledge, skills, and experience across various advocacy roles.

Equality and Diversity

At Your Voice Counts, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. We value diversity, promote equality, and work to ensure everyone can reach their full potential.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Applicants who identify as disabled and meet all essential criteria will be offered an interview. If you require an alternative way to apply, please contact our HR team to discuss your needs.

Person Specification

We’re looking for passionate and committed individuals who can support people to be heard and make informed choices. Below are the qualities, experience, and skills we’re looking for in an ideal candidate.

Essential Criteria

Experience and Knowledge

· Understanding of SEND processes, including EHCP reviews and transition planning.

· Experience of working or volunteering in health, social care, education, youth services, support services, or advice and guidance.

· Understanding of the challenges faced by people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

· Awareness of the importance of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.

· Knowledge of health and social care systems, and how to support people to access services.

Skills and Abilities

· Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and adapt communication to meet individual needs.

· Ability to build trust and positive relationships with clients, professionals and partner agencies.

· A person-centred and empathetic approach to supporting others.

· Confidence in working independently, managing your own time and workload.

· Ability to write clear and accurate case notes and reports.

· Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and experience of using contact or case management systems such as Charity Log.

Commitment and Practicalities

· Commitment to upholding the rights of individuals and promoting equality and inclusion.

· Willingness to travel across Newcastle, South Tyneside, and Gateshead to meet clients and professionals in various settings.

· Access to your own transport and a suitable home internet connection for remote working and admin tasks.

Desirable Criteria

· Experience of working with young people aged 14–18.

· Knowledge of safeguarding children procedures.

· Previous experience working as an Advocate or in a similar role supporting people to understand their rights and make decisions.

· Experience of supporting individuals with complex needs, including those who may lack capacity or have significant communication barriers.

· Familiarity with relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act).

· Experiencing facilitating or co-facilitating peer groups or community-based sessions.

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (Youth Crisis) at Solace Women's Aid.  

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

Major Trauma Centre (MTC) project is funded by Violence Reduction Unit and is delivered under Solace CYP portfolio of diverse service provisions.

The MTC project supports young people of all genders and aged 11-25 who present at St Marys Hospital, Kings College Hospital, Royal London, and St Georges Hospital who have experienced, or are at risk of, domestic abuse, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, honour-based violence, and any other form of gender-based violence.

This role provides intensive crisis support and advocacy to young people impacted by gender-based violence who present at emergency or any other MTC departments. The MTC project is run in close partnership with MTC safeguarding teams, where individual Youth IDVA sits, and together we deliver excellent holistic support for survivors, as well as delivering training and advice to hospital stakeholders.

About the Role

The Youth Crisis IDVA delivers high‑quality, person‑centred, strength‑based and trauma‑informed advocacy and casework to survivors of abuse. Through careful identification of risk and need, the role involves developing robust safety plans and working in close partnership with statutory and local agencies to minimise the risk of further harm.

You will actively promote the service within the co‑located hospital by building strong, collaborative relationships with hospital staff, particularly safeguarding teams, nurses and clinicians, to ensure a consistent flow of appropriate referrals. You will regularly design and deliver training to hospital staff to raise awareness of domestic abuse and other forms of gender‑based violence. You will also respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and represent cases at MARAC where required.

About You

We are looking for a passionate, values‑driven individual who is committed to Solace’s mission and to delivering inclusive, anti‑discriminatory practice. You will be flexible, open to new challenges, and motivated to support innovation and continuous improvement.

You will have strong experience supporting young people who are survivors of domestic abuse, sexual abuse or other forms of gender‑based violence, with the ability to quickly build trust, assess risk and need, and develop effective safety plans. You will bring excellent communication skills, a solid understanding of safeguarding for young people and vulnerable adults, and good knowledge of VAWG legislation and interventions to help survivors make informed choices and create meaningful change.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

Senior Specialist Advocate

Supporting parents with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent needs
London (with travel across London and surrounding boroughs)
15–35 hours per week (flexible, subject to service need)
£31,044 pro rata | Permanent

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with The Elfrida Society to recruit a Senior Specialist Advocate to join their dedicated advocacy team. This is a rare opportunity to play a senior, practice-focused role within a respected, user-led charity with over 100 years of history supporting adults, parents and families with learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs.

About The Elfrida Society
The Elfrida Society is a values-driven organisation committed to rights, inclusion and social justice. Their independent advocacy services ensure that people who face systemic barriers are heard, respected and supported to influence decisions that affect their lives - particularly within social care, health, education and legal systems.

About the role
This is a senior advocacy role focused on supporting parents with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent needs. You will lead complex and sensitive cases, work confidently across multi-agency environments, and help shape high-quality advocacy practice within the service.
You'll balance direct advocacy with contributing to service development, reflective practice and informal support for colleagues, helping to strengthen an already well-respected service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading complex advocacy cases, including safeguarding, care planning, housing, health and legal processes
• Providing independent, person-centred advocacy using accessible communication and supported decision-making
• Preparing for and attending multi-agency meetings, case conferences and reviews
• Maintaining high-quality, accurate case records and working within safeguarding frameworks
• Contributing to quality improvement and best practice across the advocacy service

About you
You'll be an experienced advocate who is confident working autonomously, values reflective practice, and is deeply committed to empowerment and anti-oppressive approaches.

You will bring:

• A Level 4 Qualification in Advocacy (or equivalent)
• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs
• Good knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act and safeguarding frameworks
• Strong communication skills, including making information accessible
• The ability to manage complex caseloads independently

Experience working with parents, safeguarding cases or mentoring colleagues is welcomed but not essential.

What's on offer
The Elfrida Society places real value on staff wellbeing and professional support. Benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Occupational sick pay
• Regular clinical supervision and reflective practice
• Ongoing training and development
• Flexible working where possible
• Travel expenses reimbursed (outside of to and from work)
• A supportive, collaborative and values-led culture

How to apply
Applications from people with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity and social disadvantage are warmly encouraged. Please contact Abi with a copy of your CV.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

We are seeking a self-organised, motivated individual with a keen interest in mental health to join us as a Sector Development Officer (Mental Health Alliances).

The role focuses on facilitating, coordinating and encouraging collaboration across the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, with a particular emphasis on youth and adult mental health provision. This includes sharing information and opportunities, gathering sector insight, and providing tailored guidance and signposting to support effective partnership working.

Our preferred candidate will be committed to developing a strong understanding of the VCFSE and Health sectors in Cheshire East. They will be confident in networking and presenting to groups of varying sizes, and have a commitment to fostering collaboration. They will be able to present information in a variety of formats, and be able to manage and prioritise their own workload.

Further details

•     Recruitment pack: Available below

•     Closing Date: Wednesday, 27th May 2026

•     Interviews: 8th June 2026  (Crewe)

Help lead a high-quality supported housing service and make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Join SPEAR as our Hostel Manager and play a key role in supporting residents to achieve stability and move towards independent living.

SPEAR is a charity working to end homelessness across South West London. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring, and our teams work every day to support people into safe, stable accommodation.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated manager to lead a 14-bed, 24-hour supported hostel service in Richmond. You will oversee the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring it operates safely, effectively, and in line with SPEAR’s values, while delivering high-quality, trauma-informed support to residents with complex needs. 

About the role

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will:

• Lead and manage a team including a Team Leader and Support Workers
• Ensure safe staffing levels and effective rota management
• Oversee safeguarding, risk management, and incident response
• Drive high standards of service delivery and resident support
• Build strong relationships with local authorities and partner agencies
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, including fire safety and building standards
• Support residents to progress towards independence and move-on opportunities

You will combine operational leadership, staff management, and service development to create a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with people experiencing homelessness or complex needs
• Has managed or supervised staff in a supported housing, hostel, or similar setting
• Has strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and trauma-informed practice
• Can lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment
• Is confident managing complex and high-risk situations
• Has excellent communication and organisational skills

Why join us

At SPEAR, you’ll be part of a passionate, skilled team dedicated to ending homelessness. We offer a supportive environment where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.

Your benefits

• Generous holiday – 26 days plus public holidays, rising to 31 days with length of service
• Wellbeing & EAP – 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with free counselling, money and legal advice
• Health support – Occupational health service and free annual eye test (with contribution towards glasses if required)
• Cycle to Work – Save on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice
• Season ticket loan – Interest-free loan for annual travel passes
• Moving house day – Extra day’s leave when you move home
• Financial security – Life assurance (4x salary) and interest-free emergency staff loan
• Family-friendly policies – Enhanced maternity and adoption pay, plus flexible working options
• Career development – Ongoing training, learning and progression opportunities
• Blue Light Card – Discounts across a wide range of shops, restaurants and services

A great opportunity to join our Sussex focussed charity as we embark upon a new 4 year strategy.

This is a senior, high-impact post. You will lead on business development and income generation — writing bids, building partnerships and developing strategy — working closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

A key part of the role is dedicated to securing funding for our Lost Woods Project, a multi-agency community development initiative running until November 2027.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and driving an organisational Business Development Strategy
• Writing and submitting high-quality grant applications and competitive tender bids (including £150k+ bids)
• Maintaining a strong pipeline of funding and contract opportunities
• Building and sustaining strategic partnerships across the public, voluntary and private sectors
• Leading on AirS communications, marketing and profile-raising
• Supporting smooth handover of awarded contracts into delivery

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Proven track record of securing grant funding and winning contracts, including large bids of £150,000+
• Experience of collaborative bidding and partnership development
• Management experience in a similar organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of CRM systems
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Knowledge of the national and local funding landscape and public sector commissioning
• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the voluntary and community sector in Sussex
• Experience of Social Value and Theory of Change impact evaluation
• Formal fundraising or project management qualification
• Knowledge of community asset development, rural housing or nature-based solutions

Personal attributes: You are self-motivated, highly organised, calm under pressure, and a genuine completer-finisher. You can write compelling bids, build trusted relationships, and present confidently to a range of audiences.

Accountable to: Head of Finance and Operations Staff responsibilities: None initially (line management potential)

Salary: £45,000 (pro rata) Hours: 35 hours per week (part-time considered at 28 hours) Contract: Permanent Location: Lewes, Sussex — hybrid working.

AirS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Recruitment: Care Navigator/Social Prescriber at Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering are recruiting for:

Care Navigator/Social Prescriber
Salary:  £27,197 per annum pro rata
Hours: up to 35 hours per week (part time options available)

Closing date: Monday 1st June 2026 at 12:00pm
Proposed interview date: Monday 8th June 2026

We are looking for a Care Navigator/Social Prescriber to work as part of the Ageing Well Service across Havering. You will be working as part of a Care Navigation team providing support to Havering residents with multiple long-term conditions, end of life diagnosis and vulnerable isolated older people to achieve the best possible quality of life and independence by enabling them to have maximum support at home, encourage taking up activities, volunteering or increasing social interaction, enabling choices and access to services in the community.

As Care Navigator/Social Prescriber you will work with professionals from health, social care and voluntary sector to increase the reach of the service and achieve best outcomes in reducing social isolation, improving wellbeing and resilience for older people.

You will also be responsible for maintaining client records and support monitoring and service evaluation in a timely and professional manner.

Successful applicants will have experience of working with older people or people with multiple long term conditions in health, social care, voluntary or independent sector, in a paid or voluntary capacity. You will need to be excellent communicator, able to work effectively both one to one and as part of a team. Good computer skills and accurate record keeping are also required. An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this post.

To apply: Please check our website for further details and a full application pack

Completed application forms and Equal Opportunities Forms should be returned using the email: admin or alternatively post to Gabby O’Neill, Recruitment, Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, 4th Floor, 103 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4PU.