Mental health employment specialist jobs in finsbury park, greater london

In this role you will provide mental health statutory and non-statutory advocacy support, including non-instructed advocacy to eligible people living in Tower Hamlets. You will also  provide generic Mental Health Advocacy to people living in the Tower Hamlets and within a hospital setting and the community. 

As the role will be working in male Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and acute ward, to best support those people we are actively encouraging applications from men.

Job Title: Families Employment Specialist – Maternity Cover

Location: Home-based with significant travel

Salary: £32,208

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week (part time or flexible working options considered)

Contract: 12 months fixed term with possibility of extension

Would you like to be inspired every day in a highly rewarding role? Whether it’s the family members we support, your colleagues or the other services that we collaborate with, you will be working with an exceptional group of people. The successful candidate will be helping the families and carers of veterans with health conditions gain and retain employment and develop their careers.

Launched two years ago with pilot funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund this service has expanded with additional funding secured until 2027.

We are looking for people who place importance in values such as empathy, collaboration and adaptability and are especially interested in applicants who have lived-experience within the armed forces community as a spouse or family member.

We believe in second chances and the transformative power of compassionate care. We are committed to providing comprehensive support to all individuals, regardless of their criminal record or background.

This role will be home-based with all necessary IT equipment provided therefore applicants will need an appropriate space to work at home. The families services is delivered mainly online with flexibility required for occasional evening / weekend working to meet the needs of the families we support.

Regular travel will be required to attend events and visit partners to spread the word about the service and build referral pathways nationwide.  There will be occasional travel required for national team meetings in Richmond. These currently take place 3 times a year and require an overnight stay. There will also be periodic in-person meetings with colleagues which can take place at a convenient location locally.

What do we need from you?

• Lived experience of being a family member of serving military or veterans.
• Empathetic and effective communicator. You will be comfortable building rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• A collaborative mindset: You will enjoy working as part of a team with colleagues based across the UK who support each other in what can sometimes be a challenging role. You will also work closely with many other organisations for the benefit of the veterans you will be supporting.
• Motivation and commitment: It takes hard work, tenacity and time to help people reach their employment goals. You will sometimes be helping people in challenging circumstances who need intensive support to move forwards.
• Adaptability: This is hugely varied role and no two days are the same. You will often need to balance competing priorities or quickly shift focus depending on the needs of the people you will be supporting.
• Experience of and confidence in supporting people with complex challenges such as, health issues, substance use, insecure housing, criminal records, or other barriers to employment.
• You will be an emotionally resilient individual who can effectively navigate challenging circumstances by applying sound judgement and making reasoned decisions based on available information.
• Strong sense of shared purpose with The Poppy Factory’s mission and values.

Why should you apply?

• A chance to give back to our armed forces community and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
• A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
• Variety in the role, a mix of travelling in your area, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
• The opportunity to develop the families service and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
• Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history

For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.

How to apply

To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Kirsty Gronow, Services Manager.

For an informal conversation to find out more about this role, please contact Kirsty Gronow.

The closing date for this vacancy will be 1 June 2025. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.

Interviews will take place week commencing: 9 June 2025

No agencies please.

Are you happy to meet & talk to employers and help match people into employment?

If so, we would like to hear from you!

South East London Mind’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Service helps people with mental health needs back into work. We aim to increase the number of people moving into paid employment from Community Mental Health Teams.

We are currently seeking an IPS Employment Specialist to join our team in Bromley as maternity cover on a fixed-term basis. You will deliver the IPS approach (for which training will be given).

We welcome applications from all experience levels and backgrounds. What you will need is the ability to motivate and build relationships with participants, strong organisational skills, the confidence to communicate and engage with a range of employers, and a fundamental belief that anyone with a health condition can work.

What we’re looking for:

Relationship building with employers: Ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via telephone, online platforms or face-to-face in the community.

Record keeping: Strong attention to detail, ensuring accurate and timely recording of case notes and data, essential for monitoring progress and achieving targets.

Collaboration: The ability to work seamlessly within a multidisciplinary team, forging connections and enhancing the overall care experience for participants.

Perseverance: The determination to overcome setbacks, find solutions, and continue advocating for participants’, even in the face of challenges.

Innovation: Bringing fresh ideas to the table, exploring creative ways to break down employment barriers, and promoting inclusive practices within the workplace.

The successful candidates will work in line with the 25-points fidelity scale.

More information about IPS Employment support is available on our website.

Successful applicants will be expected to undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Closing date: Monday 26th May (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Week beginning 9th June

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About Us

SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.

SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.

Read more about staff benefits and why staff love working here on our website.

Are you passionate about leading high-impact services that support individuals facing multiple disadvantage? Do you thrive in complex environments and have the leadership skills to shape a psychologically informed, client-centred team? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

About the role:

We’re looking for a dedicated Service Manager to lead our specialist 18-bed 24/7 Complex Needs hostel in Camden. Leading a team of Project Worker Complex Needs, Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Workers, Trainee Project Workers, an Apprentice, ETE Worker, Night Concierges, and locums - the service supports individuals who have experienced significant disadvantage. This includes long-term rough sleeping, substance use, severe and enduring mental health issues, involvement with the criminal justice system, and self-care challenges.

This is not a typical hostel service - it is a dynamic, intensive, and highly specialist environment requiring compassionate leadership, robust risk management, and strong inter-agency collaboration. You will be at the forefront of driving a psychologically informed and trauma-responsive service that not only provides accommodation, but creates a platform for meaningful recovery, connection, and progress.

As Service Manager, you will lead a skilled team in delivering high quality, person-centred support and accommodation. You’ll be responsible for staff development, operational oversight, risk management, partnership engagement, and ensuring compliance with service specifications and safeguarding standards.

In return, we offer a strong culture of learning, access to a sector-leading leadership development programme, and the opportunity to shape practice in one of the most critical and challenging areas of homelessness work. Join us in creating a place of safety, growth and transformation in the heart of Camden.

About you:

• You’ll bring a deep understanding of complex trauma and how to translate this into Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE).
• You’ll have a proven ability to lead and motivate staff teams, respond to crisis, and ensure that frontline practice is effective, compassionate, and empowering.
• Demonstrable experience working with people facing multiple disadvantage in a supported accommodation or complex needs setting.
• A strong track record of managing or leading teams to deliver measurable, client-centred outcomes.
• Confidence in working in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to build integrated and effective support pathways.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• A reflective, emotionally intelligent leadership style grounded in values of inclusion, equity, and respect.

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 12,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 1st June at midnight

Interview date: Thursday 12th and Friday 13th at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

Organisation Overview:  

Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes in our communities, supporting relatives, friends, and neighbours, often with limited or no support, to live the best lives they can.

Carers Centre Tower Hamlets (CCTH) is a small, committed organisation dedicated to supporting unpaid carers through a variety of specialist services, from social and therapeutic activities to emotional, mentoring, advocacy, and signposting support. We aim to enrich and empower unpaid carers’ lives, providing them with the support they so selflessly give to others. We are now recruiting to our team someone who will lead on our work to support Carers as part of the Barnsley Street Mental Health Project. 

Project Overview:  

The Barnsley Street Project is a Community Mental Health Pilot aimed at delivering continuous, person-centred mental health care to underserved populations in PCN1 (Bethnal Green). This initiative is a collaborative effort between East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Tower Hamlets Mental Health Alliance (THMHA), and the Look Ahead Housing Association. Driven by the voice of lived experience, the project is designed to address the systemic gaps in mental health services, particularly for marginalised communities.  

Purpose of the role:  

To identify and coordinate an effective support service for unpaid carers who support residents who access the Barnsley Street Project, with the aim of supporting carers to have their needs met as well as develop a healthy and sustainable caring role.    

To facilitate access for unpaid carers in the Barnsley Street Project to appropriate support services, both statutory and voluntary. To provide comprehensive support and information to families and carers. To raise awareness of carers’ needs with professionals in the project environment and contribute to carer friendly policies.   

The post will involve the direct provision of services, referral to and between services, collaborative work with other local agencies and outreach work. The post-holder will provide advocacy, referral, and ongoing practical and emotional support to unpaid carers through individual and group work.    

Responsibilities: 

• Identification and Support: Proactively identify carers of residents who utilise the Barnsley Street Project, and provide them with tailored support, ensuring their well-being is prioritised. 

• Information and Guidance: Offer information about available resources, support services, and community networks to assist carers effectively. 

• Communication Liaison: Facilitate communication between clinical staff and carers, ensuring they are kept informed about the patient's condition, treatment plan, and any discharge process. 

• Emotional Support: Provide compassionate emotional support to carers, listening to their concerns and offering a caring presence during difficult times. 

• Training and Education: Organise workshops and peer support groups to equip carers with essential skills for their caregiving role. 

• Advocacy: Advocate for carers' needs and rights within the setting, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. 

Requirements: 

• Previous experience in an advice or support role within a mental health or healthcare environment is preferred. 

• Empathetic and compassionate nature, with a genuine commitment to supporting carers during challenging times. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with carers, hospital staff, and external partners. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, managing priorities efficiently. 

• Proficient in using technology, including email and Microsoft Office suite. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary based on experience. 

• 25 days (pro rata) of annual leave, plus public holidays. 

• Pension scheme. 

• Continuous professional development opportunities. 

• Rewarding work environment making a real difference in carers' lives. 

If you are passionate about supporting carers in a hospital setting and possess the skills and empathy required for this role, we would love to hear from you

Note: We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability. 

Job Title: Employment Coach

Reporting To: Employment and Skills Programme Manager

Salary: £30,900 per annum

Location: Hybrid with one day in the office in Kings Cross N1 9LG

DBS: This post is subject to an enhanced criminal record check under the arrangements established by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Context of Job

 AFK is a national charity helping young disabled people develop their independence and find employment. Our vision is a world where all people living with a disability get to lead the life they choose. As part of this we provide bespoke employment skills training and organise work placements across North London. At a national level, we provide mobility equipment not available on the NHS for disabled children and young people up to the age of 25.

Job Purpose

To support young people with disabilities aged 18 to 25 to progress towards and into employment.

The role will involve liaising with education professionals and employers and brokering new opportunities for supported employment, volunteering, and work placements. You will work with young people to provide specialist one to one coaching, assess, and develop their employability skills and support them towards their own goals and objectives. 

Working Conditions

This post is 35 hours per week. The post holder will occasionally be expected to work some evenings and weekends as required by the job.

28 days annual leave will be given in addition to normal public holidays. There is a TOIL Policy.

Principle Responsibilities

· Work with a caseload of individual young people to identify and support their aspirations for future employment and formulate plans to enable them to achieve their goals.

· Contribute to progress reports, reviews, open evenings and other events with education professionals, families, and young people

· Provide intensive 1:1 support in all aspects of employment support.

· Inform and work closely with the Employment Broker on the type of jobs that trainees want sourced, or job carved so that placements can be sought.

· Refer people for specialist advice and support 

· Secure voluntary work, work tasters and work experience placements for individuals to support their journey towards employment.

· Work with our experienced Service Delivery Team to deliver or co-ordinate coaching, and training as required.

· Support people in the workplace as required.

· Develop and maintain knowledge of the local labour market and opportunities relating to employment, work experience and volunteering.

· Develop and maintain effective working relationships with local employer groups, statutory, voluntary, and private organizations to support the development of suitable opportunities.

· Engage with businesses that can create employment, volunteering, and work placements, including providing training / advice to employers as required.

· Identify any financial implications for individuals related to part time employment and disability benefits.

· Monitor the progress of individuals and keep appropriate records.

· Undertake necessary administrative duties relating to the role.

· Undertake learning and development as identified through regular appraisals and reviews.

· Carry out other duties as deemed appropriate to the post by the Executive Director of Services.

Please see the application pack for full details and the person specification.

We will be actively interviewing so applicants are advised to apply early.

The Service

Newham Together Café is a high paced, out-of-hours mental health service provided by MindTHNR, in collaboration with NHS East London Foundation Trust (NEFLT). It provides a safe space for people who may be experiencing or moving towards a mental health crisis. The service will offer a range of psychotherapeutic interventions including 1-1 support and safety plans, wellness & recovery action plans and therapeutic groups. 

Newham Together Cafe has an asset-based approach, focusing on the strengths and coping skills of people using the service, helping them to understand how they could use these strengths to decrease their own distress and promote their wellbeing.

The service at the Café will be co-produced with those who use it as well as with local voluntary, statutory and community-based organisations. The Café strives to be a warm, welcoming and non-stigmatising environment, offering a range of therapeutic activities and a quiet, low sensory space to cater for individual needs and aspirations.

Purpose of the role

The main purpose of this role is to draw upon personal experiences of mental health issues and use these experiences in a positive and enlightening way to support others who are at a crisis point in their recovery journey. You will provide quality support and interventions to those at crisis point or likely to experience a mental health crisis, as an alternative to using statutory crisis services.

This service is open every day, so we have variable schedules Monday to Sunday including weekends and Bank Holidays [2:00PM-9:30PM]. You must be able to work these shift patterns to be considered for this role.

About Us

We're the UK's leading charity for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

A diagnosis of Crohn’s or Colitis is life-changing. Over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease many people have never heard of, and for which there is no known cure.

Crohn’s & Colitis UK funds research, provides award winning information and support and raises vital awareness by increasing the public’s understanding of the conditions, and what it means to live with debilitating symptoms. But we need to do more. We need to be a louder voice in the marketplace. Our ambitious plans for 2025, will help to make a real difference to every supporter’s journey with us. If this excites you - join us!

Role Overview

As a member of the Joint Leadership Team, the post-holder will contribute to the leadership, planning and delivery of cross-team projects, helping to influence and meet the charity’s strategic objectives. Specifically, they will lead projects and programmes to deliver improvements in quality and standards of health services for people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis. In doing so, they will work closely with not only the  Director of Services & Evidence and Heald of Health Services, but also external stakeholders including health and social care organisations, academics, researchers and other charities.  The post-holder will also be actively involved in leading, supporting and developing the Health Services team.

About You

Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent, you will have experience of delivering health service projects and programmes and have come from a health services or medical charity background. You will be adept at developing operational performance metrics, strategies and objectives and have a proven track record in developing strong working relationships with external stakeholders. Whilst not essential, experience of managing and leading a team would be beneficial, as would be an awareness and knowledge of the needs of people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis.

Please see our Recruitment Pack for details of our full Job Description and Person Specification.

Our Location

We are based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, so we are easily accessible by road and rail. In this role, there is plenty of scope for working from home,  although there will be times when you will need to travel to events/conferences. You will be required to attend two Directorate days each year and occasional face-to-face meetings with your team or our partner agencies. In addition, the charity meets four times annually at its office in Hatfield (or a location in London) for its’ ‘All Staff Together’ days, at which attendance is mandatory.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing one day per year up to 30 days
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme
• Flexible working options
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity pay
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing programme
• Interest free loan for season tickets
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking and secure bike locks
• Training and development financial support and/or study leave
• Performance review and development scheme

 We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities to all regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to the applicant residing in the UK and a valid right to work in the UK being provided.

We will not be accepting any contact from Recruitment Agencies or Media Sales

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Ealing.

£28,500.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS (take this out if BSW advert)
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post. Specialist Support Workers provide information, social inclusion and vocational opportunities to support people to recover and stay well; exercise choice and control in their care and lives; and participate on an equal footing in the community. Support is also provided to develop a model of self-advocacy, self-management and empowerment, incorporating the principles and practice of recovery, co-production and peer support.

Oaklands & St Kilda is a pair of 6 unit supported accommodation mental health rehab services working with young people between the ages of 18-25 who may have experienced a mental health related hospital admission to gain and develop skills for future independent living. The service will support individuals transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult services.

This role is set for 9-month, ending on 12 January 2026, with the possibility of extension.

The Specialist Support Worker role involves early shifts (8:00-16:00) and late shifts (14:00-22:00) throughout the week, including some weekends each month.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience supporting young people or people experiencing mental health challenges.

Specialist knowledge relevant to supporting young people with a Mental Health diagnosis.

Desirable:

Experience of working in a complex mental health environment

Demonstrable experience of trauma-informed practice

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

 Arabic speaking Counsellor/Psychotherapist/Psychologist

Salary: £32,076 

Hours of work: 35 hours, 5 days a week

IKWRO –Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) is an award-winning charity founded (as the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation) in 2002. As testament to its’ success and in response to huge need, IKWRO has expanded and now provides unique and vital support for women and girls from all Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan (MENA) communities who are at risk of “honour” based violence, child marriage, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual violence and other forms of gender violence.  

IKWRO provides direct services including advocacy and professional counselling. IKWRO opened the UK’s first specialist Middle Eastern women’s refuge. IKWRO is regularly called upon to share expertise with government, academics, and media and to train professionals from bodies such as the police, social services and schools.  

IKWRO has led the recognition of “honour” based abuse and “honour” killing as forms of violence against women and girls. Campaign successes include; the first extradition from Kurdistan-Iraq to the UK of perpetrators of “honour” killing of Banaz Mahmod, the UK’s criminalisation of forced marriage, child marriage, virginity testing and hymenoplasty, as well as the first ever national inspection of policing of “honour” based violence. 

The post-holder will help Arabic speaking women who have experienced Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and “Honour” Based Violence. Working in a confidential setting, counsellors listen attentively to their clients and offer them the time, empathy and respect they need to express their own feelings, to help them overcome their problems and to make appropriate changes to their life.

The post holder must be BACP or UKCP accredited (or equivalent e.g. HCPC) or training to achieve these accreditation

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Establishing a relationship of trust and respect with clients;
• To undertake high quality direct (assessment and therapeutic) and indirect (consultative, advisory and evaluative) specialist psychological interventions; making autonomous clinical decisions about own professional practice.
• Develops treatment and guidance methods and give guidance using a variety of therapy and counselling techniques;

· To formulate and implement plans of specialist psychological treatment or management of clients’ mental health problems based on an appropriate multi-factorial understanding of the client’s problems and current evidence-based best practice, taking into account the current NICE guidelines.

• Studies psychological factors in the treatment and prevention of mental illness or emotional and personality disorders;
• Maintains required contacts with education or other health professionals, as appropriate, and recommends possible solutions to problems presented;
• Encouraging clients to talk about issues they feel they cannot normally share with others;
• Accepting without bias the issues raised by clients;
• Helping clients towards a deeper understanding of their concerns;
• Attending supervision and training courses;
• Liaising with IKWRO’s staff, counselors and advisors;
• Working to agreed targets in relation to client contact;
• Undertaking group as well as individual therapy on occasions;
• Keeping records and writing reports.

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.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate, and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Newham.

£29,940.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the post. Specialist Support Workers provide information, social inclusion and vocational opportunities to support people to recover and stay well; exercise choice and control in their care and lives; and participate on an equal footing in the community. Support is also provided to develop a model of re-enablement towards self-advocacy, self-management and empowerment, incorporating the principles and practice of recovery, co-production and peer support. Working with individuals with complex needs, who may display challenging, chaotic behaviours, regularly test boundaries and have experienced multiple traumas as a result of abuse, neglect and substance misuse and addictions it is integral that the post holder is motivated to support individuals to progress. They should continually hold aspirations for individuals despite multiple setbacks, and display emotional resilience, able to process challenging incidents and remain motivated to deliver excellent support.

The shift pattern for this role includes: Early 8am-4pm and late 2pm-10pm, Monday to Sunday which also includes bank holidays.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

What you'll bring:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience
Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications and languages

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Project Background

Come and join our award-winning place-based volunteering programme that works with residents living across Hackney and the City of London.

You will be based out in the community - the programme is based at GP practices - to engage, support and enable local residents and patients to deliver local services for themselves, to meet local needs. We support residents to come together, to share their skills and experience for the benefit of each other, to deliver local groups and activities such as a book group, film club, exercise classes or cooking group. Residents from diverse backgrounds and demographics attend these activities together and make new connections, building strong local communities, all working together to make their area a better place to live. People, many of whom are isolated across all ages, and who have difficult life circumstances, are brought together, providing each other with mutual support and encouragement to develop new skills and pursue life goals, and to feel better able to voice their concerns to services.

You will be joining a nationally recognised project - having won an award from the Royal Society of Public Health in November 2024 - to support residents to fulfil their personal goals, make connections with others, and design activities and services that meet local needs. You will also be supporting people to improve their mental and physical health through signposting them to appropriate services and encouraging them to talk to their GP if they have concerns; and will be working in partnership with GP practice staff to co-create volunteer roles to make the practice more efficient and a better place to visit.

Who are we?

Volunteer Centre Hackney is a medium sized charity (currently 30 staff) based in the London borough of Hackney, working to support local residents to realise their skills and passions through volunteering and social action, and to share these for the benefit of others.

Our mission is to build and strengthen communities across Hackney through supporting residents of all ages and backgrounds to volunteer and build projects together.

In 2021, we were awarded the Freedom of the Borough Award by Hackney Council for our efforts to support residents during COVID, which included mobilising over 2000 volunteers to deliver food, prescriptions and essential items, provide emotional support to isolated residents and support the vaccine rollout. 

We work with hundreds of diverse community organisations and deliver various programmes to help residents share their skills and deliver their own social action projects to improve people’s lives. These include a befriending programme, volunteering brokerage matching local people to volunteer roles based on their skills, interests and goals, a specialist mental health programme, peer research and multiple resident engagement programmes at GP surgeries and estates across Hackney.

Post holders need to be enthusiastic and engaging, bringing energy to the role, be self-motivating and confident to work primarily alone, albeit with some support from the team members based at other sites.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate, and resilient Specialist Behavioural Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities service in Newham.

£29,110.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

This is a female only role.

The shift pattern for this role is 07:00-15:00 or 14:00-22:00 on rotating patterns. Weekend and bank holiday work required.

Specialist Behaviour Support Workers are responsible for the customer's emotional, psychological wellbeing as well as providing support to help them develop the life skills they require to meet the assessed needs. At Stratford Road, this will include providing physical, domestic, emotional, and social care. They will work with customers to promote social inclusion and independent living, encouraging customers to maximise their skills and choices.

As co-production is at the heart of our work, we believe it is important to involve our customers when recruiting for their support staff. Our customer says:

"Hi, I'm S. and I am a 43-year-old woman who lives in a supported living accommodation in Newham since 2022.

I am generally a happy and sociable person who enjoys being with those around me and makes friends quickly. I have a good relationship with my family and enjoy spending time with them at their house when I can.

I enjoy activities like arts and crafts, spending time on YouTube, dancing and going to the café. I also enjoy looking after myself and getting my nails and hair done and shopping for nice clothes (but I might need prompting to put outfits together to look nice and I enjoy staff telling me I am looking well and giving me positive feedback).

I like to be surrounded by people who are very proactive and can be creative and patient when engaging me in tasks and activities - and are confident supporting me in building safe relationships. I enjoy and respond well to positive affirmations and recognition of my progress.

I might experience difficulties managing my emotions and behaviours at times, particularly when I am feeling low or can't do something I want to do. People working with me must be able to support me in such challenging situations through Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies as detailed in my support plan.

I am looking for a proactive, caring and bubbly individual to support me with my daily living skills, building and maintaining safe relationships, keeping myself and my home safe but also to help me develop my skills to live more independently, to share my hobbies and interests and to explore new activities.

I am looking for someone who is a good and clear communicator, is assertive, has good IT skills and shares my enthusiasm for what interests me.

Look Ahead ensures I am treated with dignity and respect, and only staff who can live up to the organisational values become part of my support team."

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values: We focus on Excellence and innovation. We are Caring and Compassionate. We are Inclusive and Trusted. We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.