Mental health support worker jobs in buckhurst hill, essex

Job Title: Housing Support Worker

Location: Non residential service which is based in Brent (Close to the Civic Centre), you will provide support based in the main office and in the wider community, including homes

Salary: £27,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday on a rota which can range between 08:00 - 16:00, 09:00 - 17:00 and 10:00 - 18:00. You may be required to work outside these hours dependant on service and participant requirements. 

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to support individuals with multiple, complex needs on their journey towards recovery, reablement, and independence, all within a compassionate, trauma-informed environment.

In this role, you'll be at the  heart of delivering high-quality, person-centered support to vulnerable adults who have been or are at risk of homelessness. They are identified as having low/medium support needs. You will create tailored support plans to provide practical interventions, to empower our participants to overcome personal challenges, develop life skills, and achieve their personal goals. You will also work closely in partnership with various organisations to support the different needs of our participants, which may include signposting. Join us on the journey to empowering people to be the best versions of themselves! Our participants include:

• Single homeless individuals between ages of 18 to 60
• Socially excluded individuals
• Ex-Offenders
• People with substance misuse
• People who suffer with their Mental Health (Low)
• People who have a Learning disability (Low/Medium)

About you

This role is ideal for someone who has a real passion towards helping others to achieve greater independence. You will thrive in a person centred environment with real compassion and a non-judgmental attitude, understanding that people face different life experiences and sometimes just need that extra support to get back on their feet. We're looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives! You will have:

• Understanding of the housing support needs that people with multiple, and complex needs face
• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds and/or a good understanding of the sector
• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs
• Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents
• Understanding and/or practical knowledge of the social and societal marginalisation that can be attached to people with complex needs
• 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.

We're looking for 5 kind, compassionate, and resilient Mental Health Support Workers to join our Mental Health service in Kensington and Chelsea.

£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? 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.

Support Workers enable people with particular needs to manage their tenancies and live independent lives of their choosing in the community and move towards greater independence by providing a flexible and individually tailored support package.

This shift pattern for this role involves 5 x 8 hour shifts per week on a rolling rota, including evenings, some weekends and BHs.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

About you:

Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Approachable and open behaviour
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
Flexible
Open to feedback and self development
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is essentially customer-focused
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector

Desirable:

Experience working in the mental health field

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.

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. 

Richmond Borough Mind is a vibrant local charity that has been supporting and providing services for adults affected by mental health problems and their carers for over 60 years. 

We are excited to be looking for a Young Adults Peer Support Worker. You will have your own lived experience of mental ill health and be able to use this experience as well as your professional skills and knowledge, to support others.

With the expansion of our work in this area we aim to reduce waiting times, reduce the number of people going into crisis, address inequalities and support transitions from youth to adult services. We will be offering holistic and personalised care and support to service users and carers.

This role will carry caseload and deliver a range of support and person-centred interventions to meet these needs, which could include group support, one-to-one interventions and signposting where specialist advice is needed. Referrals could be young adults, careleavers, people currently under adult mental health services, or carers supporting people in the community.

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about motivating and coaching individuals with mental health issues, and able to support people on their journey to recovery. As well as having an empathy with the core values of RB Mind, the successful applicants will have the skills to provide person-centred support, through one-to-one sessions and through facilitating groups. You will have an awareness of the boundaries we work within when supporting vulnerable adults. You should be enthusiastic and self-motivated, and must be able to work on your own initiative.

This is a partnership project with South West London St George’s Mental Health Trust (SWLStG), locally led by Richmond Borough Mind. There are further Peer Support Worker vacancies within Age UK, Richmond AID, and Crossroads Care requiring appropriate skills and experience. Partners will seek your permission to share your details if we have sufficient successful applications.

Richmond Borough Mind values diversity and difference.  We welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

Benefits of working for RB Mind: 

· 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays per year, increasing by 1 day per full

year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days) [pro rata]. 

· Bonus 1 day of annual leave per year over the festive period

· Contributory Pension Scheme 

· Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 

· Training and personal development opportunities 

· Staff away days and socials 

· Access to shared resources and training opportunities via Mind Federated Network.

The successful applicant will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.

Make a real difference in the lives of asylum seekers!
Join New Citizens’ Gateway as an Outreach Support Officer and help deliver vital frontline support to people living in London hotels. You’ll be part of a passionate team working to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and empower individuals on their journey toward integration and independence.

We offer a supportive working environment with excellent benefits including:

• 6% employer pension contribution

• 34 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

New Citizens’ Gateway (NCG) is an independent, registered charity working in partnership with individuals and agencies to improve the quality of life for refugees and asylum seekers. Our aim is to reduce health inequalities, combat social exclusion and poverty, and support integration and independence.

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced Outreach Support Officer to join our small, friendly, and dedicated team. This role will focus on delivering high-quality, person-centred support to asylum seekers, particularly those currently accommodated in hotels across London.

This is a key position within NCG and will play a vital role in supporting our advice team to deliver an efficient, effective, and holistic support service tailored to the complex needs of asylum seekers and refugees.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Direct experience of supporting asylum seekers and refugees

• Strong knowledge of the asylum support system and the challenges faced by individuals in the asylum process

• An understanding of available resources and services that support asylum seekers and how to access them

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment

• A flexible and proactive approach with the capacity to manage a varied workload

• Fluency in a community language is an advantage

This peer support project is delivered in partnership with South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust to support Carers of people with mental health conditions.  This project will work to support Carers through one-to-one support, outreach, training and peer support groups.

About The Role: 

Using your lived experience of caring for someone with a mental health condition, and a strengths-based approach, you will support mental health Carers in their caring role.  You will provide person centred one-to-one- support, information, signposting, and advocacy, develop, and facilitate peer support groups and deliver training and outreach sessions at different locations across the borough. 

Key Requirements Include: 

• Lived experience of Caring for someone with a mental health condition 

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health and the associated challenges and support needs. 

• The ability to work within the principles and values of peer support. 

• Confidence supporting people on a one-to-one basis. 

• Experience of / ability to facilitate peer support groups and training. 

• Clear communication and good interpersonal skills  

• Efficient organisation and time management skills 

• Developed IT skills, with experience using databases and communication platforms. 

Client Adviser – Services & Grants Team

Location: Hybrid working (currently two days per week in our London office). 

Contract type: 1 year Fixed Term-Contract, 35 hours a week 

Starting Salary £35,790 per annum

 

 

About Bank Workers Charity

We’re the charity for past and present bank employees and their families – here when life gets tough.

Every year, we help thousands of people navigate challenges like financial problems, mental health concerns, housing issues and more. We do that through free, confidential support – from expert advice and specialist referrals to financial grants.

We believe everyone deserves support when they need it most and we work hard to make sure that happens. If you care about making a real difference to people’s lives, you’ll be in good company here.

 About the role

Our Client Advisers are often the first people our clients speak to – and that first conversation really matters.

Whether someone is facing financial hardship, struggling with their mental health, or unsure where to turn for help, you’ll be there to listen, understand, and guide them through the support we offer.

It’s a varied and rewarding role. You’ll provide advice and guidance, coordinate casework, process grants, and refer clients to our trusted partners – helping them access the right support at the right time.

You’ll be part of a friendly, collaborative team who share ideas, support one another, and care deeply about doing good work. We’ll make sure you’re fully trained, supported, and encouraged to grow.

If you’re empathetic, organised, and want to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives, this could be the role for you.

 

 About you

You’re someone who genuinely cares about helping others – and knows how to listen without judgement.

You have experience supporting people with things like housing, benefits, mental wellbeing or budgeting – or you might come from another role where empathy, problem-solving and clear communication were key.

Some of the people you support may be facing difficult situations, so you’ll be calm under pressure and confident making decisions. And while not every call is as complex, you’ll always have the support of your team.

You’ll be organised, curious, and open to learning. Most of all, you’ll want your work to have a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives.

 

What we offer

We’ve put a lot of energy into being a great place to work. We’re proud of our supportive culture and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. There are plenty of learning opportunities, and as a wellbeing charity we aim to be a leader in wellbeing support for our people.

Our benefits include:

· 28 days holiday, plus statutory bank holidays

· 8% employer contribution to Bank Workers Charity’s pension scheme and up to 3% matched with employee contributions

· A wide range of employer funded wellbeing experiences through Heka

· Flexible benefit provision (including Bupa plan, cycle to work, payroll giving and electric car scheme)

· Group Life Cover (three times annual salary)

· Weekly wellbeing half hour

· Employee Assistance Programme

To apply, please review the attached applicant pack, which includes the job description and person specification, and send a CV and a supporting statement. 

In your supporting statement, please tell us (around 100 words per answer):

1. What makes you a good fit for this role? Tell us about the experience and transferable skills you’d bring – particularly anything that relates to the role description.

2. Can you share an example of how you’ve supported someone facing a difficult situation? We’d like to hear how you’ve helped them overcome challenges to do with housing, benefits, debt, mental health, domestic abuse or caregiving.
 

3. Describe a situation where you had to explain something clearly and sensitively to someone who was struggling. How did you approach it?

Closing Date: Tuesday 17th June 2025.

Interview date: Tuesday 24th June 2025
 

Bank Workers Charity is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. 

Contract: 4-year fixed term contract until 30th July 2029
Job type: Part time
Salary: £27,533 per annum (£11,013 pro rata)
Hours per week: 15 per week
Department: Adult Services – Psychological Support Services
Location: 1 day a week on rotation at each Local Citizens Advice premises (Brent, Wandsworth, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea) & 1 day a week remote.
 
Are you an experienced administrator who is passionate about supporting people experiencing mental health and financial challenges? Join us!
 
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a new and innovative suicide prevention service. The service has been designed to provide a more joined-up approach to supporting those experiencing mental health and financial difficulties by providing mental health support in local Citizen’s Advice premises. The Team Administrator will be a vital part of the multi-disciplinary team delivering administrative and secretarial support. They will also have the opportunity to develop their skills in supporting people facing mental
 
You will:

• Provide admin support to the team and service users
• Process referrals and book appointments
• Act as first point of contact via phone, email, and face-to-face
• Manage data entry and maintain accurate records
• Carry out secretarial tasks (e.g. word processing, scanning, Excel)
• Take and distribute meeting minutes
• Support HR functions such as recording leave and sickness
• Ensure confidentiality and professionalism at all times
• Attend team meetings, training, and supervision sessions
• Promote equality, diversity, and a respectful work environment

About us:
 
We’re a leading community-based organisation dedicated to providing outstanding mental health support and clinical interventions across London. Our experienced clinically led teams are focused on directly addressing a range of mental health needs in our communities. We combine innovative solutions with decades of local community knowledge to empower people to live the life they choose. We partner with the NHS and local authorities to deliver clinically driven frontline services with fantastic outcomes. We focus on early intervention and prevention, targeting mental health conditions at the most cost-effective stage, while also supporting people with moderate to severe mental health needs across our communities.
 
Benefits:

• Hybrid-working if nature of role permits
• Learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme (interest free lone paid back 12 months period)
• Employee Assistance Programme A 24-hour helpline from Health Assured to support you through any of life’s issues or problems
• Free eye test
• Flexible working
• Interest free loan, those in financial hardship

 
REF-221694

Richmond Borough Mind | Journey Recovery Hub
 

Are you passionate about mental health and making a real difference in people’s lives? Join our dedicated team as a Crisis Café Support Worker!

 •  Salary: £13.85 per hour (£27,007.50 FTE)

 •  Hours: Shifts are 5.5 hours and we are looking for additional staff members to cover 4 shifts per week, ensuring that we are accessible to visitors between 6 - 10pm every evening. 

 •  Location: Twickenham and Kingston

As a Crisis Café Support Worker, you’ll provide compassionate, person-centred support to individuals experiencing mental health crises. You’ll play a key role in de-escalating crises, fostering recovery, and empowering clients to develop self-management strategies.

You’ll also facilitate group activities, collaborate with colleagues and partner agencies, and help create a welcoming, supportive environment for service users.

What You’ll Bring:

 •  Experience working with individuals in mental health crises or with complex needs.

 •  Excellent listening, communication, and motivational skills.

 •  Resilience and a calm approach to challenging situations.
 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference in mental health provision and join a supportive team.

Apply Now to be part of a service that saves lives and transforms wellbeing.

Richmond Borough Mind is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are actively interviewing for this role.

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Hospital Mental Health Outreach Worker (Bounce Back)
Reference Number: 287
Reports to: Senior Community Outreach Worker
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 30 hours per week days and hours flexible between Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum, pro rata - depending on skills and experience, inclusive of Outer London Weighting (OLW)
Based: Kingfisher Court, Radlett WD7 / Albany Lodge, St Albans AL3 / Borehamwood Wellbeing Centre WD6 + Outreach

Bounce Back workers work with the Herts Mind Network Community Outreach Teams and hospital staff to ensure that patients are offered advice, information and holistic support for smooth, timely and supportive discharge from hospital back in to the community.

About the Project

Herts Mind Network (HMN) has formed a partnership with Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) to deliver a one-to-one outreach service for people who are in psychiatric hospitals across Hertfordshire.

About the Role:

The Bounce Back Worker will be based at Kingfisher Court or Albany Lodge and HMN Centres, promoting joint working between Kingfisher Court staff and HMN, creating a seamless pathway into community support for clients recovering from mental ill health.

The aims of the Bounce Back service are; to provide up to 10 sessions of emotional and practical support, advice and information to patients. We will visit patients on the ward and continue the sessions in the local community and in patient’s homes once discharged. We will facilitate a smooth and timely hospital discharge.

The recovery approach includes empathy, warmth, acceptance, authenticity, compassion and humanity.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive referrals from the ward teams at Kingfisher Court, Albany Lodge and other appropriate hospitals across Hertfordshire.
• Provide practical and emotional support to encourage patients to develop their independence within their local community.
• Facilitate a smooth discharge from hospital back to the community.
• Have a solid understanding on the dual effect of mental health and drugs and alcohol.
• Monitor outcomes and evaluate the service.
• Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of patients using the service is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• Embed a person centred and recovery orientated approach in all aspects of the roles and responsibilities.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 22nd June at 5pm.  
Interviews to be held on Wednesday 25th June at our Watford Wellbeing Centre.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. We recognise and value the unique combination of skills, knowledge and perspective that employing people with a lived experience, at all levels across the organisation, brings. We create an environment where the sharing of experiences and vulnerabilities to support others and create positive change is welcomed and work towards breaking down the ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture. The organisation is committed to nurturing peer relationships that allow all staff to thrive.

No agencies please.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Senior Mental Health Advocate – Neurodiversity Specialist

Salary: £29,000- £32,000

Location: Advance Head Office Hammersmith & Women’s Centres across London, with co- location at HMP Bronzefield

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term – 31st March 2027

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

About the role:

This is a great chance to be a part of a service working alongside the Healthcare & Education Department within HMP Bronzefield to identify and support women who are identified as being neurodiverse and will be returning to the community. Of that cohort, the Advocate will focus support on women with a mental health need and improve their transition into the community, with ongoing community support; including collaborating with other healthcare professionals to their develop support plans.

The Senior MH Advocate will work in a multi-disciplinary way, including attending the weekly complex case meeting and/or the Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM) as appropriate, they will act as a specialist member of the wider Minerva Criminal Justice Service - London team, to facilitate a pathway for women with complex needs including mental health and neurodiversity needs. The Senior Advocate will create a link between prison and the community, helping women to navigate support services and to positively re-integrate into their community upon release. They will co-design a person-centred support and action plan with women accessing support, enabling to support them to address their needs and any risks. The role will combine a casework- based approach, along with a signposting and advice service for the women.

The Senior Mental Health Advocate will be based in the community and will provide a drop-in service (1-2 day per week) in HMP Bronzefield to support women who are close to release. The role will also include line management of other advocates such as; Specialist Prison & Probation Advocates who will be based in the prison and the Loss & Bereavement Worker who will be providing support in the prison as well as in the community.

A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential

About You:

To be successful as the Senior Mental Health Advocate you will need the below experience and skills:

An excellent understanding of mental health, neurodiversity needs violence against women and girls and its links to women in the criminal justice system

Experience of managing/supervising a team of advocates/caseworkers – and leading a team to achieve targets & outcomes as well as appropriately managing and leading the team on any safeguarding concerns/incidents.

You will have the ability to complete trauma informed, support and action plans in collaboration with the woman; to support in addressing their multiple and individual needs and enable them to engage with services, which will result in timely and prescribed outcomes being achieved.

You will possess excellent organisational skills, excellent communication skills and be able to work in a prison environment whilst remaining calm.

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

Closing Date for Applications 08 June 2025

Interviews taking place w/c Monday 16 June 2025

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)

Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home

Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

Pension scheme

Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

Employee eye-care scheme

Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

Organisation wide away days

Thorough induction and training

Career development pathways

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

Role and Responsibilities

Housing and Service Delivery

• Provide strong and effective support to residents in Acorn House that focuses on their strengths and goals, and is delivered in a personalised way and within a framework of active engagement and co-production

• Developing and reviewing support plans that reflect the interests and aspirations of residents

• Induct new residents in line with the service’s policies and procedures and support them to continue in their journey towards recovery from addiction

• Carry out assessments of those referred to Acorn House, and induct new residents

• Ensure the fundamental needs of residents are met including good quality accommodation and facilities, healthy food, advice and guidance around benefits, and alcohol and drug testing (to help maintain an abstinent environment)

• Deal with the immediate support needs of residents as appropriate, providing crisis intervention where necessary

• Support residents in addressing physical and mental health issues, including liaison with primary and secondary health teams

• Ensure residents are supported through court or welfare rulings (if necessary)

• Ensure effective and compliant administration of resident data using a bespoke Salesforce- based platform (In-Form)

• Ensure Housing Benefit and Services Charges are collected and managed effectively 

• Be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the service, ensuring high quality support is provided

• Ensure each resident’s support plan is written, monitored and reviewed as appropriate to reflect their changing needs and development

• Ensure residents progress and engage with other SCT programmes (when required)

• Ensure conditions and requirements relating to any contracts or management agreements are applied throughout SCT’s services

• Work effectively as part of a team, attending team/ staff meetings and making a positive contribution to the development of the team and wider SCT services

• Effectively control and manage financial records appropriate to the duties of the post (petty cash/rent) 

• Participate in a feedback culture for continuous improvement

• Promote social inclusion, supporting residents to access all benefits available to them

• Support residents with physical and mental health issues, including liaison primary and secondary health care services as required

• Ensure all repairs and maintenance needs are raised

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Maintain accurate records of residents on In-Form

Operational Support

• Comply with Health and Safety, including but not limited to any fire maintenance, risk assessments and complete room checks and raise any risks to the Supported Housing Manager

• Ensure equipment of all applicable facilities is in good working order

• To provide an on-call/out-of-hours service when required

• Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required 

Special Conditions

• This post requires the holder to work varying shifts between 08.00 am and 8.00 pm and participation in the call rota system (for which an additional allowance is paid)

• The post-holder is required to work weekends as part of a rota and Bank Holidays when required

• On occasions you may be requested to change your rota to ensure the requirements of the service are covered

• In accordance with the guidelines on Health and Safety, to accept responsibility for working within these guidelines and reporting any concerns to the Supported Housing Manager

The Sanctuary (Crisis Café) is a service for all residents experiencing emotional distress. The café is weekdays during the evening and at weekends in the afternoon. We provide initial support meetings both face to face and via the telephone, workign with clients to resolve immediate distress, and explore coping mechanisms. We then coproduce support plans with clients and offer 121’s, counselling, peer support groups and workshops as well as a social place to be.  

The support worker will be experienced in working with people in distress or who have mental health issues, highly organised and have excellent people skills.  

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced strategic lead to drive the next phase of our Right to Health campaign. This new role will work with our experienced and well respected team and our extensive network, to make the political case for the better legal recognition and real-world protection for the right to health. 

An ideal candidate

You will be a passionate and experienced advocate for health, human, social or environmental rights, committed to driving meaningful change in the UK. You will bring proven expertise in leading policy, advocacy, or parliamentary engagement work - ideally within health, human rights, social or environmental justice sectors - and thrive in building strong, strategic relationships with government, civil society, and community stakeholders.

You have a good understanding of the structural causes of health inequality and the power of human rights frameworks to address them. You will know how the UK political and parliamentary systems work, and you are skilled at influencing these processes through clear, compelling narratives backed by evidence.

You are able to communicate with clarity and impact, tailoring your message to diverse audiences - from policymakers to grassroots activists. You are confident working independently and collaboratively within a small, flexible team, balancing strategic vision with practical delivery. Your approach is solutions-focused, inclusive, and grounded in the lived realities of people affected by health inequalities.

Most importantly, you are motivated by the opportunity to join a dynamic and well respected organisation and lead a strategic campaign that challenges the status quo and contributes to a fairer, more just UK.

You have the right to work in the UK and be able to work from home in London or within easy reach of London.  A minimum of weekly attendance in London will be required.

This opportunity is open to applicants wishing to deliver the work on a self-employed freelance or employed basis.