Mental health link workers jobs in East of england

Homeless Health Link worker

Full-time, 37.5hrs per week on average, Monday to Friday

(Minimum 3 days per week in Twickenham (TW1) office. Regular travel to Richmond, Wandsworth and Kingston boroughs. - Occasional travel to Croydon, Sutton and Merton boroughs)

ABOUT US

We are SPEAR, a charity working tirelessly to end homelessness across South West London and beyond. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we work every day to make that a reality. Our services include street outreach, assessment hubs, supported accommodation, and tenancy support, helping people move off the streets and into safe, secure housing. We take a person-centred, trauma-informed approach, building trust and supporting people to achieve long-term stability and independence. You will be part of a passionate, skilled team dedicated to ending homelessness. We offer a supportive environment where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.

ABOUT YOU

You are someone who leads with empathy, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and never gives up on the people you support. You bring experience of working with vulnerable people and show a genuine commitment to person-centred care. You are confident in building relationships with external agencies and hold strong communication skills.

THE ROLE

You will be the first point of contact for people referred into the service, carrying out high-quality assessments and connecting clients with the primary care, mental health, and substance misuse support they need. You will manage a varied caseload, working creatively and compassionately with individuals who have complex mental and physical health needs.

This role is based at our Twickenham office for a minimum of three days per week, with regular travel across the Richmond, Wandsworth, and Kingston boroughs. Occasional travel to Croydon, Sutton, and Merton may also be required.

YOUR BENEFITS

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

Want to know more about the role? Read the full Job Description now!

About the role

The Community Link Worker will play a key role in supporting individuals who are economically inactive due to musculoskeletal issues and/or mental health needs, and with a desire to return to or get into work. The postholder will build strong relationships with local services, employment teams, health professionals and community organisations to enable clients to reintegrate into the workforce and improve their overall wellbeing.

This role requires flexibility to work across multiple community settings, including GP practices and outreach locations as part of a multidisciplinary team. As well as having a base at the Merton Connected office in Vestry Hall and potential opportunity to work from home.

This project will be delivered by Merton Connected in collaboration with South London Partnership

 What We Offer

• The opportunity to be part of an innovative, growing service that will be celebrating its 10th year of transforming lives in the Merton area.
• The chance to work with an inspiring, supportive team and a variety of partners across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors.
• Ongoing professional development and training
• A collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, where your contributions will directly influence the health and well-being of the local community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Client Support & Case Management

• Engage with individuals who are unemployed and living with musculoskeletal and/or mental health conditions, working within the community to connect them with services that support their holistic needs.
• Provide one-to-one guidance and motivational support to build confidence and readiness for training, volunteering or work.
• Support clients to identify personal goals and ability to manage their health and wellbeing.
• Support clients in accessing opportunities including volunteering, work experience, skills training and ultimately sustainable employment.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of patient interactions and service activity, contributing to ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting, in line with data protection and safeguarding guidelines.

 Community & Partnership Engagement

• Promote awareness among health professionals of employment as a health outcome and encourage employment-related conversations as part of routine patient care.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, community groups and local partner organisations to develop strong referral pathways and a co-ordinated and seamless patient journey
• Promote the value of social prescribing to both clinical staff and patients, engaging within the community to encourage a personalised and preventative approach to care.
• Raise awareness of the wider determinants of health, including housing, employment, and social isolation, and support individuals to address these challenges.

Awareness & Advocacy

• Raise awareness of the health and wellbeing impacts of unemployment within local communities and primary care networks.
• Advocate for individuals facing complex barriers to employment, supporting their voice and choice in navigating systems and opportunities.

 PERSON SPECIFICATION

 Essential

• Experience in health and social care settings, with an understanding of musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental health conditions and their impact on daily life.
• Knowledge of the wider determinants of health and how they influence individual wellbeing.
• Experience working within community-based settings and services.
• A solid understanding of personalised care and person-centred approaches, with the ability to support individuals in self-managing their health.
• Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams across health, social care, and community environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and engage effectively with a diverse range of people.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of the local employment support landscape, including training providers and voluntary sector services.
• Ability to engage hard-to-reach populations with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise effectively across different sectors.
• Organisational and record-keeping skills
• Familiarity with MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Teams and Sharepoint
• Commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, equality and diversity.

Desirable

• Understanding of the social prescribing model.
• Knowledge of relevant welfare benefits related to sickness and unemployment.
• Experience of working with people who are unemployed or with complex health needs or disabilities.
• Experience of case management systems and monitoring outcomes.

Our Purpose

Unlocking Potential is the charity that supports schools and communities to ensure no child or family struggles alone with their social, emotional and mental health needs. We provide flexible, over-time, multi-disciplinary therapeutic support that meets children and families where they are, and enables them to feel safe, understood and the best version of themselves.

Our Vision

Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide tailored therapeutic support to more children, while training the practitioners of the future to build holistic, resilient social systems that equip children and their families with the confidence, tools, and skills to thrive at school and within their communities.

Values

• Individual: Everything we do is about the individual and what is right for them – no two children, families or schools are the same.
• Innovative: We look for new solutions, evolving our thinking and approach – ensuring the use of bold, co-designed practice.
• Collaborative: We choose to work with others to find the best solutions – we are stronger together.

Our Family Support Programme

We launched our Family Support Programme in September 2025, initially as a three year pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue the service beyond this. This service offers flexible, relationship-based support to families facing a range of challenges, helping them navigate systems, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for children. Operating across extended hours, the service is accessible and responsive, with a strong focus on early intervention, collaboration, and building trust with families.

About the role

We are looking for a skilled and compassionate Family Support Worker to join our new Family Support Service, supporting families initially across our partner schools in Wandsworth (with the aim of expanding the service beyond this over time).

This is a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative early help service from the outset, working within a small, dynamic team to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and their families. As a Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible, hands-on, and therapeutically minded support to families facing multiple and complex challenges.

You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and practical support - empowering parents and carers to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your role will be guided by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family.

Working closely with schools, health and social care professionals, and other local partners, you will contribute to effective, joined-up support for families. Using a restorative approach, you will help build resilience and give families the tools they need to make informed decisions and sustain positive change.

This role is ideally suited to someone with experience working in early help, family support, or community-based roles. You will be confident working independently in family homes, committed to safeguarding, and motivated by making a real difference in children’s lives. You'll also benefit from high-quality supervision, therapeutic reflective practice, and a supportive team culture that values learning, collaboration and compassion.

Other Information:

• How to apply: In line with safer recruitment practices, to apply for this role please complete an application form by following the link on our online recruitment portal. As part of the application, you will be asked to upload your CV and a personal statement which should clearly demonstrate (giving relevant examples) how you meet the requirements of the person specification.
• Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all those who work with us to share this commitment. It's a criminal offence for a person to apply to work with a group from which they have been barred from working. We follow safer recruitment practices in line with KCSIE including (but not limited to): online checks at interview stage, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references, a medical check, proof of qualifications and right to work in the UK.
• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: Our children and families and staff come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we value the unique contribution that each individual can bring to UP. We have a diverse and inclusive team, and we strongly believe that this is vital to our work. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, and we do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics. We ensure that candidates and employees are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential.
• We want you to have everything you need to make an informed application, if something is unclear, you would like more information, or if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application process, then please get in touch.

Example Benefits:

• Enhanced sick leave
• Enhanced family leave 
• Income Protection Policy 
• Life Assurance Policy 
• Medical Cash Plan
• EAP service 

Exercise and Socialise is a programme of weekly exercise sessions specially designed for different needs, abilities and interests, but all aimed at the frail and unconfident.

For the financial year 2026/27 we have funding to provide 30 classes across the 5 neighbourhoods in Lambeth, maximising coverage and giving space to local needs.

The primary focus is on improving physical health and confidence and getting people active again and increasing their resilience. But it also has secondary aims of decreasing isolation and improving people's mental health.

Specific Duties

1. To assess referrals that come in and assess their eligibility. Help them choose a suitable class based on their ability.
2. Responsible for sourcing accessible venues.
3. Setting up the groups and engaging paid instructors.
4. To provide regular monitoring and impact reports for our funders, using both qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate how the support has benefited participants.
5. To regularly monitor the KPIs and outcomes set by funders, ensuring the project remains on track to achieve targets and identifying any areas requiring additional support or improvement.
6. To deliver a diverse mix of exercise groups, including chair yoga, seated aerobics, Tai Chi, and seated jive. Offer low-impact sports like table tennis and weight training, and introduce targeted activities specifically designed to overcome the challenge of engaging older men.
7. To promote the groups at meetings and support our comms team to promote the service.
8. To create referral pathways for health professionals, Social Prescribers Link Workers, Neighbourhood Wellbeing Workers, etc.

General Duties

1. Work closely with the Head of Commercial Services and Volunteering.
2. Develop and maintain links with Public Health and the Community Rehab and Falls team.
3. To recruit tutors/instructors who have adequate qualifications and insurance.
4. To make sure relevant information/registers are collected and put on our Podio system.
5. To have relevant information about clubs, groups and MYSocial so that when the course ends, people have the confidence and fitness to join other exercise/activities.
6. Carry out a wellbeing assessment (via the Outcome Star) and monitor at the beginning and at the end of the course to monitor impact on mobility and wellbeing at the end of the course and record and report findings on Podio.
7. Manage budgets and resources.

List some of the key achievements/developments that you would expect a new jobholder to have
completed in the first six months in the role

● To have completed all key training courses relevant to the role and to working at Age UK Lambeth
● Analyse the current service versus the new funding requirements and make adjustments to the system and reporting
● Meet with all the trainers
● Connect with all venues and their contacts
● Set up the shelter scheme exercise classes
● Set up the Awards for All exercise classes

Please note the contract length and salary:

Fixed-term contract of:
● 31.5 hours until March 31st 2027.
● Due to funding, the hours will be reduced to 14 hours (2 days a week) from April 1st 2027 to March 31st 2028.

Salary of:

£27,595 per annum for 35 hours
● Pro-rata: 31.5 hours until 31/03/2027 at £24,835, reducing to 14 hours at £11,038 from 01/06/27 to 31/03/28.

Independent Living Advisor (Direct Payments)
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Action on Disability, Mo Mowlam House, Clem Attlee Court, London, SW6 7BF

The Organisation

Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of London’s leading Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations. As we believe in the social model of disability, our values and principles embrace inclusive and accessible ways of working both internally and in all our activities, seek the participation and contribution of our members, and encourage and respect diversity.

The organisation is a medium sized charity with a Board of Trustees (at least 75% is disabled trustees), 20 staff and a strong ad hoc staff and volunteer base including many with direct experience of disability – all of whom are passionate about removing the barriers that disabled people face.

AoD provides five key services. These are: Youth, Employment, Welfare Benefits, Independent Living and Our Place.

AoD’s Independent Living Service

The Independent Living Service (Direct Payments) is a new service that will provide support to Direct Payment users within the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The service will enable disabled people to have genuine choice and control over the way in which they lead their lives.The post-holder will be working alongside disabled people to enable them to have more choice and control over their care and support needs.

Purpose of Post

To work with individuals, their family and friends (where appropriate) to provide them with information, advice and assistance to enable them to access and manage a Direct Payment

(DP) and recruit and manage a Personal Assistant (PA).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Support to individuals employing their own Personal (care) Assistant (PA) or engage an agency to deliver care and support.

1. Provide information and advice on becoming an employer and the role of the Personal Assistant.

2. Ensure that the client understands their legal obligations and responsibilities of being an employer.

3. Work with clients to: set up a profile on the Find-a-pa website, advertise and recruit a Personal Assistant, create a personalised job description and specification identify the level of experience and training requirements needed for the role.

4. Advise and help to calculate the PA’s salary and on costs (full training provided).

5. Support the client through the interview process and where necessary sit in during interviews.

6. Support individuals to reference, check legal status and where necessary DBS their support worker.

7. Support individuals to set up an induction plan for their PA and enable them to identify training needs.

8. Support the client to complete payroll and insurance documentation.

9. Work with the client to draw up a Statement of Particular (contract) for the employed PA (templates provided).

10.  Encourage DP employers to take a lead in all employment issues. Information on where to seek advice e.g. ACAS, Fish and Premier Care helpline will be given and clients will be encouraged to use them.

11.  Ensure that the individual has a back-up plan for emergencies.

12.  Encourage DP employers to be assertive and proactive with their Personal Assistants.

13.  Work with agencies to set up support for clients who may not wish to employ a PA directly.

Ongoing support to individuals in receipt of Direct Payments

1.Providing advice on employment issues.

2. Support individuals to solve practical problems e.g. lateness of staff, change of needs.

3. Support individuals to recruit again if necessary.

4. Assist individuals to re-look at budgets, training and job descriptions as they change over time.

5. Assist individuals to ensure that they continue to manage their Direct Payment or budget.

6. Support individuals to make informed choices.

7. Meet with the DP Support Group on a regular basis.

8. Assist in the development of training and other resources to support employers to manage their DP and their PA relationships.

9. Develop links and professional relationships with Social Work teams to support a healthy level of referrals.

For all work:

• Work in a person-centred way.
• Comply with AoD’s agreed policies and procedures.
• Participate in the wider development of the service and contribute to service improvement as required.
• Be computer literate and administratively self-supporting.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as identified by the Direct Payments Lead or line manager.

Special requirements

• Ability to travel within the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
• Some attendance at meetings and events outside of normal office hours will be required.

Person Specification

To be considered for this role, candidates must have:

• Good standard of education.
• Experience of recruiting volunteers or staff.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Understanding of social care and Direct Payments legislation.
• Experience/knowledge of supporting individuals to recruit and manage employees.
• Experience of working with clients with support needs.
• Experience of using a person-centred approach.
• Ability to think creatively and to come up with solutions.
• Ability to gather and assess information efficiently.
• Numeracy skills and knowledge of budgeting.
• Ability to use Word and Excel packages to a high standard.
• Ability to work under pressure, and to tight deadlines.
• A flexible approach and able to work on own initiative
• Good communication skills including interpersonal, written, presentational and spoken.
• Ability to guide in a sensitive way
• Ability to assess and match skills and personalities to individual needs and preferences.
• Commitment to the Social Model of Disability and to promote choice, independence, rights and inclusion.
• Understanding of and commitment to the aims of the organisation.
• Excellent practical understanding of the need for confidentiality.
• An understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice

Desirable qualities

• Experience of working with disabled people
• Lived experience of disability

Closing Date: Friday 10th July 2026
N.B. we reserve the right to close this vacancy early and/or begin interviewing before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.
Early applications are therefore encouraged.

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. 

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from Disabled people and people with long term health and mental conditions. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme in that we will guarantee an interview to all Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this guaranteed interview scheme.

AoD is a Living Wage Foundation registered employer and all of our employees, casual workers and contractors are paid above the London Living Wage.

No agencies please.

Project Manager (Cascade Wellbeing Project)

Part Time – 21 hours (3 days) per week

Salary £24,000 (£40,000 FTE)

We are seeking a Project Manager to deliver the Cascade Project – a partnership between the St Benedict’s Centre and the Diocese of Rochester. The project aims to develop a programme of initiatives and interventions to support frontline church leaders (lay and ordained, including Headteachers of church schools) with their wellbeing.

The project has been under development for the past year. The Project Manager will lead the project from development to implementation. Funding has been committed by the Church Commissioners for the first 4 years of the implementation period.

The Project Manager will provide overall leadership for the Cascade project, taking responsibility for setting culture and strategy and vision, developing strong and successful relationships with key external partners, delivering an imaginative programme (in person and online) to support the wellbeing of lay and ordained church leaders (including Headteachers of Church Schools) in the Diocese of Rochester and beyond, and ensuring that there are sufficient resources available for Cascade to flourish.

Candidates should have experience of leadership in a church setting with project management experience.  You should have an understanding of wellbeing issues for frontline workers and knowledge of a variety of therapeutic processes and other interventions.  You will have excellent organisational and communications skills.

Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of responsibilities, which include:

· Developing a clear vision and strategy for the project, ensuring that all necessary resources are in place for the project to flourish

· Developing, delivering and sustaining an imaginative and adaptive programme of interventions to support the wellbeing of lay and ordained church leaders, including workshops, peer support, therapy, counselling, one-to-one support, coaching, conferences, retreats, speakers on specific topics, etc

· Responsibility for building strong and effective relationships/partnerships with external stakeholders

Please note that we are advertising this role in parallel with the role of St Benedict’s Centre Warden. While the two roles are distinct, they are inter-related. We are open to flexing both appointments where one person is interested in holding both part-time roles together.

What we can offer:

· Flexible working, Hybrid working and TOIL

· Generous holiday entitlement

· Contributory pension scheme

· Access to an Employee Assistance programme

This is an employed post, if you are an ordained candidate wishing to remain a member of the clergy pension scheme, please contact us for a discussion about salary and pension.

The St Benedict’s Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. 

The wider a group’s diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes. We are committed to the Diocese of Rochester’s aim to achieve diversity by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide-range of backgrounds, to help create a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Closing date for applications: Friday 12 June

Interviews will be held: Wednesday 1 July

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by supporting residents with social, practical and wellbeing needs at the point they need it most.

This role involves shift work, including weekends, so we’re looking for someone flexible, proactive, compassionate and confident working in a busy setting.

Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) has been supporting the local Voluntary and  Community Sector (VCS) in Bexley for over 60 years. Throughout this time, BVSC has continually evolved in response to local need, sector challenges and wider changes in public policy. Today, BVSC plays a central role in strengthening the local voluntary sector, connecting organisations, amplifying community voice and enabling organisations across Bexley to be resilient, connected, and able to provide high-quality, impactful services to residents.

 

Why Work for Us

• Additional Birthday Day off

• Flexitime and TOIL

• Pension employer contribution 6%

• Two volunteering days (pro rata)

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

• Access to the Blue Light Card

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

• A positive, inclusive team culture where your ideas are valued

• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

• Employee Assistance Programme