Lived experience jobs

Job Title: Service Manager

Location: Luton face to face in the office with occasional work from home days as agreed

Salary: £36,400

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday between 08:00 - 18:00 as required. You may also need to work outside these hours and will take part in the out of hours on call duty for managers.

About the role

We're hiring a Service Manager to lead our team which provides person centred support to participants in a non-residential setting. The team supports participants who have mental health challenges to live independently. The team provide various aspects of support from providing support plans, social skills development, and housing support. You will lead the team to support them to achieve service KPI's, ensuring the team are empowered and well equipped to perform within their roles. You will be able to motivate the team, support with complex matters, and provide ongoing advice and guidance. 

• Leading and motivating a team to deliver high-quality care and support
• Managing complex situations and driving service improvements
• Support a team who directly support individuals with mental health challenges
• Working closely with other teams and organisations to ensure the right support is provided
• Risk Management, Information Management, and Case Recording
• Property and Housing Management
• Financial Management

About you

We are looking for a proactive and dynamic leader, someone who lives by our values and can empower and motivate a team to deliver excellence in delivery. You will be able to resolve challenges as they arise, and implement risk mitigation. We need someone who has a real passion for what we do at Social Interest Group (SIG) and the service in which you will oversee.

• Experience in supporting people who have multiple and complex needs including mental health, homelessness, substance use, offending backgrounds
• Experience in frontline, and now able to empower a team to deliver a seamless service
• Confident leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate a team. While you’ll have support from management, this role requires someone who can take ownership and lead with confidence
• Confidence in using IT; we use various systems and software's so need someone who is confident in learning new IT skills and can navigate around computer systems
• Ability to drive the service forward and implement improvements
• Confidence in managing complex situations and making decisions
• Ability to work at pace, using initiative, making decisions, and proactiveness in your approach
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Transparency, and Inclusivity

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of all of our employees. We have a team of staff ambassadors who volunteer to actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. They embrace this unique opportunity to deliver awareness, events, and developments to our organisation to support us in ensuring our value of Inclusivity is embedded throughout the organisation. 

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Job Title: Intensive Needs Support Coach

Location: Rochester, Medway (11 min walk from Rochester Station or buses 191, 133, 140, 700 to Star Hill Stop F)

Salary: £24,500

Shift Pattern: 12 month fixed term contract which is rolling dependent on contract extension. 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service requirements and these hours may be flexible as can be discussed.

About the role

We are seeking a dynamic and self motivated Intensive Needs Support Coach to join us on a fixed term rolling contract as part of the Rough Sleeper Initiative Project. You will provide effective practical and personal support and guidance to our residents during their stay in our accommodation to enable them to become more resilient and to live independently. The service supports residents who have a history of non-engagement and have a history of rough sleeping and complex needs. You will proactively support them to be more engaged in activities and support plans to overcome their personal barriers. You will run activities and complete safety plans, support plans, and other appropriate interventions to support our residents to achieve their goals.

About you

We are looking for someone who is dedicated and passionate to supporting those who face multiple disadvantages within society, and have a history of homelessness. You will be driven to help end the cycle, by providing personalised support to individuals for them to gain greater independence and have long term access to accommodation. You will have an understanding of the challenges they face and understand how different complex needs can vary. We're looking for someone who is resilient, a problem solver, and able to work in fast paced ever-changing environments. 

• Experience in working directly with people who have experienced homelessness
• Experience with supporting people with multiple complex needs which can further include substance use and mental health
• Ability to build rapport and develop positive working relationships with our resident groups including those who have challenging behaviour and substance use challenges
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Proven ability to demonstrate compassionate and creative work practices with residents to address support needs and/or risks
• IT Proficiency, ability to learn new software programs, basic Microsoft experience
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of all of our employees. We have a team of staff ambassadors who volunteer to actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. They embrace this unique opportunity to deliver awareness, events, and developments to our organisation to support us in ensuring our value of Inclusivity is embedded throughout the organisation. 

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Young People’s Advocate. Suitable candidates must be experienced in advocating in a multi-agency setting to secure positive life outcomes for your clients and to making the service a success.  A Safe Lives qualification is desirable.

You will be self-sufficient, assertive and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with empathy and sensitivity to build and develop supportive relationships with young people. You will maintain professional boundaries and adhere fully to Refuge’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 2 July 2025

Interview Date: 10 and 11 July 2025

Prison Facilitator - HMP Aylesbury

Location: HMP Aylesbury
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £16,964 per annum
Hours: 21 hours
Job Type: Part time
Contract Type: Permanent

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Aylesbury. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 

This role will be prison based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

‍We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

‍Interviews are planned for: 19th June 2025 (TBC)

Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.

REF-221736

Make a Difference Through the Power of Communication
Are you a creative storyteller with a passion for social impact? Do you thrive on crafting compelling messages that inspire change? If so, we invite you to join Turning Tides as our new Communications Manager.

About Us

Turning Tides is a leading charity committed to ending homelessness and transforming lives. We challenge stigma, promote diversity, and amplify the voices of those with lived experience. Our work is rooted in compassion, community engagement, and driving meaningful social change.

The Role

As Communications Manager, you will be at the heart of our mission—shaping how we connect with the public, supporters, and stakeholders. Working closely with the Senior Management Team, you’ll lead the development and delivery of impactful communications across digital and traditional platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communication plans to support our campaigns and initiatives.
• Create engaging content that reflects the diversity of our work and inspires public support.
• Manage digital marketing efforts, including social media and email campaigns.
• Oversee and update our WordPress website to ensure content is current and compelling.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent and aligned messaging.
• Lead multiple projects with strong planning and time management skills.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in communications and marketing, ideally within the charity or nonprofit sector.
• Strong digital marketing skills, including social media and email communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities with a keen eye for detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and publishing tools.
• Familiarity with the housing or homelessness sector is a plus.
• A full, clean driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• This role requires a DBS check.

RSVP is looking for a digital fundraising expert who can grow our online income streams and increase engagement across digital channels. This role is responsible for ensuring that digital fundraising efforts are effective, scalable, and generate significant income for RSVP. 

RSVP is an award winning, long established and well respected specialist charity supporting children and adults of all genders following rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. We are a vibrant, growing organisation. We believe survivors. We are bold and will go the extra mile to support survivors. We are big hearted, showing the empathy that survivors deserve and need. If you fit these values then we would love to hear from you!

We are committed to ensuring that individuals subjected to sexual violence and abuse are involved at every level of our organisation. Therefore, we welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of sexual trauma who also meet the person specification, so we can work together, engage and amplify survivors’ voices throughout all our work.

Prison Facilitator - HMP Portland

Location: HMP Portland
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £16,964 per annum
Hours: 21 hours (3 days a week)
Job Type: Part time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Portland. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 

This role will be prison based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

‍We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Please note this role is subject to contract award.

‍Interviews are planned for 13th June 2025.

Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.

REF-221631

About the role

Working in close collaboration with the Senior Mass Fundraising Lead, the role will manage and deliver a variety of community-led fundraising initiatives and dynamic challenge events that engage supporters and generate vital unrestricted funds for children affected by neuroblastoma.

The role focuses on building strong relationships with fundraisers, volunteers and ambassadors, providing guidance, support and motivation to help them surpass their fundraising goals. The Community and Challenge Events Fundraising Manager will both steward existing and reactive contacts, as well as be confident in securing new networks, including representing the charity in presentations and other public speaking opportunities.

This role comes at an exciting time of growth in the fundraising team, with new colleagues joining the charity and a team focused on growth of income over the coming years. This role is crucial in this plan and will take the existing community and events programme to new heights.

Who we are looking for

Person specification:

• Demonstrable experience working in challenge events and/or community fundraising
• A proven track record of being results-driven and working to and achieving fundraising targets
• Significant experience of developing and delivering fundraising plans
• Experience of supporter/donor stewardship activities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to network and build new and existing relationships

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for more information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK.

Benefits of working with SKC include:

• Home-based and informal flexible working.
• 5% employer pension scheme contribution.
• 32 days holiday, including bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy additional leave.
• Access to 24/7 confidential helplines for counselling and legal and tax advice.
• Well-being check-ins with manager and optional Well-being Action Plan.
• Regular opportunities to meet in person as departments and the full team.
• Training opportunities – we care about our staff and volunteers, and encourage opportunities for professional development.
• A child-centred charity with a passionate and dedicated team.
• Regular staff survey for the opportunity to provide feedback experiences and make suggestions.

Location: Home-based within England with regular travel to London and elsewhere in the UK as required

Interviews: Friday 4 July 2025

As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.

• Location: Birmingham or London 

• Permanent contract  

• Term Time- 35 hours per week over 48 weeks (Sep-July with August as leave)   

• £22,916 - £26,583 paid over 12 months (+£1,833 London Weighting) depending on experience 
  This is equivalent to £25,000-£27,000 per annum full-time.

• Start Date: 1st September 

A fantastic opportunity for individuals with experience in youth facilitation and stakeholder management to join our team as a Programme Coordinator. We have a three-year strategy to increase the number of young people we serve while ensuring we can grow with impact and sustainability. You will join a team that is determined and energetic; reflective and collaborative; and values the experiences and backgrounds of each person we work with.    

As a Programme Coordinator (PC) you will be at the frontline of our work, working directly with schools and colleges, young people and local businesses to make an impact! You will be responsible for all aspects of programme management and delivery of the Envision programme in a cluster of schools/colleges in your region.   

Key Responsibilities:  

• Programme delivery and facilitating work with young people  

• Programme management and logistics  

• Stakeholder management   

• Impact management   

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Competencies:  

• Experience of facilitating activities with young people – including preparing engaging sessions in advance by utilising resources available to them  

• Experience of project management – highly organised, with the ability to manage your own time to meet deadlines  

• Experience of working on projects which have multiple stakeholders – communicating effectively through written and verbal communication  

• Commitment to Envision’s vision, mission and values and ability to work well in, and contribute to, our organisational culture  

Desirable Experience, Knowledge and Competencies:  

• Experience of data handling – collecting and recording data in a timely manner using an online CRM system  

• Understanding of, and/ or lived experience of, the barriers that young people face, that contribute to the education and employment gap  

Envision seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We encourage applications with lived experience to apply as they are currently under- represented in our organisation. Envision graduates will be guaranteed a first round interview.   

To apply you must please read the application pack and apply online.  

Deadline - Midnight 8th June 

Please note:  

-Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.  

- We will only be contacting candidates who have been shortlisted for interview. Therefore, if we do not contact you, please assume you have been unsuccessful.  

- We also regret to inform you that, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide you with feedback regarding your application.

About us

Room to Heal is an established therapeutic community in London. We support refugees and people seeking asylum, many of whom are torture survivors, through an integrated programme of therapeutic and casework assistance, in the context of a community of survivors. Our approach recognises the political context of our community members’ multiple and ongoing experiences of trauma and marginalisation including in their home country, on their journey to, and within, the UK. We offer long term and holistic support.

We are looking for a Co-Director who:

• Understands the experiences of our members in order to sustain Room to Heal’s therapeutic community and ensure the safety and appropriateness of all of our services
• Has awareness and interest in psychotherapy and group work
• Makes strategic decisions that centre the experience of refugees and people seeking asylum alongside maintaining the sustainability of the organisation
• Has the drive, care and vision to create new opportunities to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to learn and share experiences through external networks and partnerships in the UK and internationally
• Is able to speak with authenticity and challenge injustices knowing directly what the impact is due to own lived experience
• Can lead by consensus and collaboration and has a strong belief in the therapeutic benefits of community.

We strongly encourage applications from those with some lived experience of the issues that our community members are experiencing.

Reading Specialist - HMP New Hall

Location: HMP New Hall
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £16,964 per annum
Hours: 21 hours (3 days a week)
Job Type: Part time
Contract Type: Permanent

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing illiteracy amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and G4S to provide peer-led literacy and numeracy programmes across a number of prisons.  We now have the opportunity to provide a service at HMP New Hall. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust Team Members, this is an exciting role leading on the delivery and development of creative and exciting literacy initiatives and an ambitious Reading Strategy at HMP New Hall, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.

This role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday (when full time) plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.  The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

‍We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews are to be held on a rolling schedule.

Please note the vacancy may close early if we find a suitable applicant.

Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.

REF-221630

Hillside is looking for a part time Caseworker to join the Mental Health Recovery Team which supports Islington residents with:

• Person-centred, coproduced and trauma informed recovery-focused interventions.
• Promotes independence and self-management for members
• Delivers a wraparound service in partnership with local authority, statutory agencies and community partners.
• Ensures members ‘involvement in active volunteering and coproduced activities, service planning and reviews

Main responsibilities:

• Motivate, lead and encourage member participation at all levels of responsibility, working alongside members to complete tasks.

• To work as a member of Hillside Team to deliver outcomes for the Recovery Programme
• To keep systems and database up to date with members ‘information
• To provide information and support at a time of crisis to service users.
• To manage a caseload of complex adult client cases, providing client centred, practical and emotional support.
• To conduct risk assessments and deal with safeguarding concerns promptly and in line with Safeguarding protocols and procedures.
• To offer information and support to members regarding their mental health, and signposting to appropriate organisation for issues concerning housing, benefits and any legal matters

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Experience in direct support work with adults with mental health diagnosis or other vulnerable people including providing emotional and practical support (one year minimum)
• Excellent caseworker with good assessment, motivational and empowerment skills
• Experience of working cooperatively and effectively in a team
• PC literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in diverse settings and with people with diverse needs.
• Knowledge and skills to operate within a trauma-informed approach.
• Ability to provide non-judgemental, non-directive, person-centred and confidential support to members in crisis
• A clear understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures
• Ability to break down objectives/tasks to manageable components and maximise the potential for member participation
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of social inclusion
• Understand and be able to implement the Equality Act and GDPR
• Deal with difficult and/or challenging situations as they arise to ensure members’ safety.

Desirable

• Knowledge/experience of employment and benefit issues facing people

with mental health problems

Other tasks

1. Act as designated key worker with responsibility for goal planning to a group of members

2. Participating with colleagues organise social programme activities for members

3. Monitor project progress against agreed outcomes and provide necessary reports to the Senior Management

4. Motivate, lead and encourage member participation and enable members to maximise potential for involvement in the Workday Programme

5. To work occasional out of hours work, on a rota basis if needed, in accordance with the needs of the programme. 

BACKGROUND

For over thirty years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum in the UK. Our welfare advice team provide generalist advice on welfare benefits, housing, asylum support and related issues to Westminster residents with refugee and migrant backgrounds who do not have English as a first language and who would otherwise be unable to access vital advice which enables them to avoid destitution, homelessness and food poverty. We deliver this advice as part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership through a drop in and outreach at local community venues, and supported by local volunteers many of whom speak community languages.

The post of Appeals Support Advisor is a new post established with the benefit of a grant from Westminster City Council. The post holder will support clients with appeals and reconsideration requests in relation to welfare benefits and housing. This will allow us to provide a more comprehensive service for our clients, many of whom struggle to lodge appeals and reconsideration requests, and to gather evidence in support of their appeals without advice, due to language barriers.  The post holder will deliver advice in community languages, including with the assistance of interpreters, to local residents as part of our partnership work. Most of our clients are refugees, people seeking asylum and others with a refugee or migrant background. The Appeals Support Advisor will work with clients referred from Asylum Aid’s Information and Advice Service (including our weekly drop in) and from other partners in the local community. They will also provide training and supervision to the Generalist Advisor and our volunteers. External supervision will be arranged for the post holder.

The ideal candidate will be resident in or near to the City of Westminster and fluent in one or more community languages. In particular, fluency in one or more of the following is highly desirable: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani/ other Kurdish dialects, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya.

As this is a new post delivering a specialist appeals and casework service from within our generalist advice team, it offers an exciting opportunity to set up and establish systems for the delivery of this service during the six month fixed term contract, including ensuring that case management processes are established which meet the requirements of our Lexcel quality mark and that clear referral procedures are established with the drop in service and our partners.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post-holder will:

· Be part of a generalist advice service, with special emphasis on language support, as part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership (WASP), a collaboration of advice agencies Asylum Aid, Westminster Citizens Advice, Age UK Westminster, and Deaf PLUS Westminster Advice Service.

· Provide specialist appeals casework and support to clients who do not speak English as a first language and need to challenge decisions, request  mandatory reconsiderations, internal housing reviews, lodge appeals in relation to welfare benefits and housing.

· Provide ongoing casework support up to the Tribunal stage, including helping clients to gather evidence in support of their mandatory reconsiderations and appeals and preparing for hearings (but not including representation at hearings)

· Where capacity allows, help to deliver generalist face to face and telephone advice and information, in a community language and English, to migrants and asylum seekers on issues related to welfare benefits, housing and asylum support in accordance with Asylum Aid’s contract within the WASP partnership, and taking responsibility for the quality of advice given.

· Provide training and supervision to the Generalist Advisor and to volunteers, supporting the development of their advice skills and ensuring the quality of advice delivered throughout the advice service.

· Maintain a high standard of electronic case records (using AdvicePro) for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, monitoring and evaluation of the service, and to help identify issues to be raised through policy advocacy.

· Ensure that all casework is conducted in accordance with the Lexcel quality standard, including by establishing case management procedures for the delivery of specialist advice which meet the Lexcel standard, and participate as required in annual Lexcel quality mark audits

· Attend external and in-house training organised by Asylum Aid and regular supervision sessions to develop and maintain the skills and knowledge required to help deliver a quality advice service, and to keep up to date with changes in welfare benefits, housing and asylum support law

· Cascade information, changes,  and developments in social welfare law, including learning from external training, to other staff and volunteers who assist with the delivery of the welfare advice service

· Work effectively with partners to provide a seamless service for clients, making and receiving referrals and maintain up to date information about other service providers for the purposes of referrals and signposting. 

· Be responsible for achieving relevant targets for quality and quantity set by the WASP coordinator

· Provide case studies and other information from the work of the advice service to support policy advocacy and strategic legal work in support of Asylum Aid’s vision of fair and dignified treatment of people seeking asylum, refugees and other vulnerable migrants 

· Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

The post holder will need to be able to travel to and within Westminster to deliver advice at outreach locations as well as at a drop-in in or around the Church Street Estate. Travel expenses will be paid to attend locations away from Asylum Aid’s office(s) and the main location of our drop-in service (currently the Church Street library).

Other duties:

• Respect for client confidentiality at all times in line with Asylum Aid’s confidentiality agreements and consent forms. 

• To attend staff meetings as required.

• To undertake other duties which are generally compatible with the functions of the post.

• To comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures, particularly those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, diversity, equity & inclusion, confidentiality and security, as set out in the Office Manual as well the policies of other relevant partner organisations.

Person Specification

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

· At least 12 months’ experience of supporting benefits appeals through to Tribunal stage and Housing Reviews

· At least 5 years’ experience of working face to face with clients to deliver generalist advice in different areas of law including welfare benefits and housing

· Knowledge on a range of issues on which advice may be sought including health and social care, housing and welfare benefits, including a thorough and up to date understanding of social security and welfare benefits legislation and policy  

· Experience of managing a case load

· Knowledge or ability to understand and use relevant legislation

· Have completed Advice UK’s Learning to Advise training or hold the Citizens Advice Generalist Adviser certificate or an equivalent qualification

· Be fluent in written and spoken English as well as a second language spoken by a substantial proportion of the Westminster population, ideally Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani/ other Kurdish dialects, Somali, Amharic, Tigrinya (to a standard that enables accurate advice to be given in the language)

· Experience of working with interpreters in the delivery of advice

· Able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, meet performance targets and take responsibility for their work, while working flexibly within a team environment

· Able to relate to a wide cross section of clients in a non-judgmental way.

· Able to use a range of IT systems and packages confidently and competently to be able to support and encourage others in using online systems and resources to enable them to self-help.

· Able and willing to learn and assimilate new knowledge in a working environment.

· Able to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.

· Able and willing to work both on own initiative and as part of a team.

· Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of Asylum Aid service and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

· Good understanding of the needs of migrants and asylum seekers and the issues and barriers that affect them in UK.

Desirable:

· Experience of specialist advice work, including appeals and mandatory reconsiderations

· Friendly, polite, and patient

· Experience of working under a relevant quality mark such as the Advice Quality Standard or Lexcel

· Understanding of the housing and other support available to people seeking asylum who do not have the right to work in the UK

· Experience of working with volunteers

· Experience of supervising other advisers, including volunteers  

· Demonstrable understanding of issues facing vulnerable clients whose English is not the first language and many with mental health problems.

· Lived or learned experience of the difficulties that migrants and refugee communities face when they have to deal with the UK welfare system

· Personal experience and/or Knowledge of the advice process and experience in the areas of either benefits, housing or debt.

· Experience of using interpersonal skills, including sensitive listening, and questioning skills to understand the needs of others,

· Ability to communicate with other organisations, housing, and welfare departments.

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 9 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1. Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your

relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2. Upload your current CV

3. Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial 15-minute online screening meeting week commencing 16 June 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interview week commencing 23 June 2025. We will also ask you to complete a short written task on the day.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

Eligibility

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.