Referral centre advocate jobs in City of london, greater london

AreThe London Irish Centre’s mission is to empower and enrich lives through Irish community and culture. Since 1955, we have served the Irish community in London, providing crucial support, connection and a ‘home from home’ to those living in the capital.
Our services include accredited advice and support, community wellbeing activities, and an extensive programme of Irish arts, culture and education. Our venue also comprises of a licensed bar and shop, as well as private hire spaces to support the work of our charity.

The London Irish Centre is seeking an experienced, compassionate and knowledgeable Advice Worker to join our committed team. The successful candidate will bring expertise in welfare rights and housing, and a strong commitment to supporting those facing financial hardship or insecure living conditions. In this role, you will work directly with clients to deliver accredited advice and practical guidance, helping them navigate complex systems and secure the support they need. You will also collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to ensure a holistic and integrated service that puts community needs first.

The Advice Service is dedicated to enhancing income, alleviating poverty, and ensuring secure housing for community members throughout London. Our goal is to empower individuals by facilitating access to appropriate support through a strength-based and person-centered approach. We offer accredited information and advice on welfare benefits and housing, as well as assistance in obtaining grants.

As an integral part of the London Irish Centre's Community services, the Advice Service collaborates with our Support Service, Citizenship and Identity, Health Navigation, Community Programmes (responsible for events and activities), and our specialized Survivor Integrated Service. Together, we strive to deliver community-led and best-practice support.

 About You

• You have solid experience advising on welfare benefits and housing law, including issues like homelessness, poverty, and disability benefits.
• You use a strength-based, person-centred approach to empower clients and achieve positive outcomes.
• You’re confident advocating for clients with agencies such as the DWP and local authorities, both in writing and verbally.
• You’re highly organised, able to manage competing demands, and proficient in using case management and information systems.
• You demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and are comfortable working with diverse client groups and professionals.
• You’re collaborative, flexible, and committed to safeguarding, equality, and continuous professional development.

Key areas of responsibility

• Work in line with the purpose, vision, mission, and values of the LIC.
• Deliver high-quality information and advice on housing and welfare benefits according to client needs.
• Manage your own caseload and undertake casework with minimal supervision.
• Provide services in accordance with all relevant quality standards.
• Create and maintain comprehensive client and service provision records, using information technology and other systems.
• Support service delivery via telephone, drop-in, and pre-booked appointments, including staffing the response line as needed.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with third parties, including the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities, by letter, telephone, email, and in-person.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary service provision, build excellent working relationships, and establish referral pathways to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
• Maintain excellent knowledge of benefits, housing law, grants, as well as changes in law, practice, and supporting services.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and services

This job description outlines the key responsibilities and duties associated with the role. It is not exhaustive or restrictive and may be reviewed and amended in line with service needs and organisational priorities. The postholder may also be required to work from other locations or undertake other duties as reasonably requested by management.

 Employee Benefits

· Enhanced annual leave - 26 days plus bank holidays (increase to 27 days after 5 years of service pro rata).

· Enhanced sick pay - 4 weeks (pro-rata) of contractual hours on full pay after completion of probationary period

· Enhanced maternity and adoption leave pay*

· Cycle to Work Scheme*

· Tech Scheme*

· Eyesight tests and contribution to corrective glasses*

· Jury Duty leave pay*

· Employee Assistance Programme.

· Complimentary tickets to select events.

· 50% discount on LIC education courses (subject to availability).

· 20% discount at the LIC shop and 10% discount at the LIC bar.

· Mindfulness app membership*

*Only available to staff on contracts of a minimum of 12 months

At the London Irish Centre we strive to be:

 

The London Irish Centre is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce. Please note our offices have some barriers to access, which is one of the core missions that our redevelopment will overcome.

 

Location: Remote with regular travel to multiple locations (including Head Office in London)
Contract Type: Full-Time, Standard Contract
Reports to: Executive Headteacher
Responsible for: Curriculum Leads and Teaching Staff
Start Date: 4th January 2027 

Please note: Applicants who successfully pass the initial CV screening will be required to submit a full Equal Education Academy application form in line with KCSIE statutory guidance prior to formal shortlisting and interview.

Interview schedule: 

• Online interview (45mins) - Friday 28th August 2026.

• In-Person Assessment Day (London) - Friday 11th September 2026.

About Equal Education Academy (EEA)

Equal Education is excited to launch a new online academy for Key Stage 4 students, accredited under the DfE’s Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS). We deliver high-quality alternative education tailored for learners facing barriers to education or with complex needs. This includes young people with SEND, SEMH needs, interrupted schooling, Children Looked After, and those requiring specialist or alternative provision.

Guided by our values of Belong, Empower and Aspire, we provide a safe, inclusive, and aspirational environment. We align with DfE guidance and aim to meet OEAS standards, ensuring that safeguarding, particularly online, is the foundation of our culture.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Centre will provide strategic and operational leadership for Equal Education Academy, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, inclusive, and trauma-informed online provision. Serving as the Academy’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the postholder will embed safeguarding, inclusion, and wellbeing into all organisational decision-making.

Key responsibilities include leading SEND and safeguarding strategy (including overseeing the Single Central Record)  delivering high-impact staff training, and driving rigorous quality assurance by monitoring and reviewing teaching and learning practices. 

Working collaboratively across the Academy and the wider Equal Education Limited group, the Head of Centre will serve as a vital operational bridge, facilitating seamless collaboration and synergy between Equal Education Academy and Equal Education Limited. Operating at the intersection of both entities, the post-holder is uniquely positioned to identify and leverage cross-group resources, optimising them to drive the growth and development of the Academy. By championing alignment across the ecosystem, this pivotal role ensures that the Academy’s functions, team, and strategic objectives are seamlessly integrated within the wider organisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Quality of Education

• Support the Executive Headteacher in setting the Academy’s strategic direction and ensuring compliance with OEAS/DfE standards.

• Monitor and review teaching and learning across the Academy, using lesson observations, work scrutiny, and data analysis to drive pedagogical improvement.

• Contribute to the Academy Improvement Plan and lead on inspection readiness and quality assurance activities.

• Lead on developing and implementing a program of CPD and training for new staff. Ensuring the team is aligned under the vision and values of the EE Academy.

• Facilitate operational synergy between Equal Education Academy and Equal Education Limited, leveraging group resources to optimise performance.

2. SEND Leadership (SENCO)

• Coordinate all SEND provision, ensuring the identification, assessment, and effective support of learners with complex needs.

• Oversee EHCP management, annual reviews, and the development of targeted Individual Learning Plans (ILPs).

• Oversee PEP management for Looked After Children

• Champion inclusive pedagogy, ensuring all staff adopt trauma-informed and adaptive teaching strategies.

• Manage multi-agency collaboration with families, local authorities, and external professionals to secure positive learner outcomes.

3. Safeguarding and Wellbeing (DSL)

• Serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), maintaining oversight of all safeguarding systems, referrals, and online safety protocols.

• Ensure policies remain compliant with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and best practice.

• Promote a culture of vigilance, ensuring learner wellbeing, attendance, and emotional safety are central to all Academy functions.

• Lead on multi-agency safeguarding processes and provide expert advice to the leadership team.

4. Leadership & Staff Development

• Design and deliver high-impact staff training programs, specifically focusing on safeguarding, online pedagogy, SEND frameworks, and inclusive, trauma-informed practice.

• Lead staff appraisal, coaching, and professional development to ensure high standards of accountability and growth.

• Foster a collaborative, reflective culture, supporting recruitment, induction, and retention.

• Support learner engagement, attendance and successful transition pathways

• Contribute to self-evaluation and school improvement activities

5. Partnership Working, Influence and Professional Representation

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders to drive seamless integration between Equal Education Academy and the wider Equal Education Limited group.Work closely with the Executive Headteacher, Group CEO and relevant members of operational teams to ensure effective collaboration across the group. 

• Develop and sustain effective partnerships with families, schools, local authorities, virtual schools, and external agencies.

• Support policy development, implementation, and review.

• Represent Equal Education at professional meetings, conferences, and external forums.

• Undertake any other duties reasonably directed by the Headteacher or Executive Headteacher.

• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development, effectively pitching ideas and challenging the status quo.

• Ability to constructively and professionally challenge colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, including leadership as necessary, in the interest of managing risk and developing a quality service offering.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

• National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO). 

• Significant (3 years minimum) senior leadership experience in a school, AP, SEND, or online setting within the last year. 

• Proven experience in designing and delivering whole-school staff training.

• Extensive (1 year minimum) experience as a DSL (safeguarding) and SENCO (SEND provision).

• Deep understanding of KCSIE, the SEND Code of Practice, and OEAS/DfE requirements.

• Experience in reviewing teaching and learning to drive quality improvement.

• Significant experience supporting children and young people with barriers to learning and/or emerging or complex needs, including those with SEND, SEMH needs, interrupted education, Children Looked After, and learners requiring specialist or alternative provision.

• Significant experience supporting learners with EHCPs and complex needs, while coordinating multi-agency support and collaborating effectively with local authorities, schools, and external agencies.

• Experience contributing to quality assurance, school improvement or inspection readiness activities. 

Skills and Attributes

• Strong strategic, operational and project management skills

  • Ability to manage complex projects in an organised manner, develop project plans with effective tracking (e.g. Project Initiation documents, gantt charts,   reporting on key metrics, meeting key milestones and working to budgets). 

  • Ability to lead projects and processes in a collaborative way, identifying and engaging key stakeholders to ensure efficiency and avoid duplication of work across a group business structure. 

  • Demonstrates a commercial mindset, with the ability to articulate business cases, work effectively with budgets and interpret information effectively. 

• Excellent communication: capable of building high-trust relationships with staff, families, and local authorities.

• Resilient, reflective and adaptable. A champion of inclusion: deep commitment to supporting vulnerable learners and EEA’s values.

• Strong organisational skills, data-literate and improvement-focused with the abilities to support and develop colleagues. 

• Analytical mindset, able to challenge own assumptions and adapt based on learnings.

• Up to date educational landscape knowledge and a desire to remain informed of sector shifts and updates.

General

The post-holder will be provided with the technology required to complete their role. Equal Education works exclusively on Apple devices using Google software.

Equal Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All colleagues are expected to share this commitment. The post is subject to Enhanced DBS clearance, right to work in the UK, and two satisfactory professional references (one from the last employer). 

Every young person we support is unique and our team isn’t any different. Our differences are our strength when it comes to providing a tailored, human approach to education. We are proud of our people and provide an environment where everyone can bring their most authentic self to work. 

Our recruitment practices are carried out in line with equal opportunities and all candidates will be reviewed fairly regardless of age, gender reassignment, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

Help children and young people recover from sexual abuse. 

Respond is looking for a compassionate and skilled Specialist Child and Young Person Advocate to join an innovative partnership delivering a new Child Sexual Abuse Support Hub. 

Working alongside SurvivorsUK and other specialist organisations, you will provide trauma-informed advocacy and emotional support to boys, girls and non-binary children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative service that places children and young people at the centre of support, helping them understand their options, improve their safety and access the specialist services they need. 

About the role 

You will: 

• Hold a caseload of children and young people requiring specialist advocacy and support. 

• Provide practical and emotional support tailored to individual needs. 

• Support children and young people to access health, education, social care, therapeutic and criminal justice services where appropriate. 

• Work collaboratively with families, carers and professionals while ensuring the wishes and rights of the young person remain central. 

• Contribute to safeguarding, risk management and multidisciplinary working across the partnership. 

• Help improve access to services for children and young people who experience additional barriers, including disabled children and young people and those from under-represented communities. 

Please note this is not a court advocacy or Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) role. Where ongoing ISVA or court support is required, you will work closely with partner organisations to ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time. 

About you 

We're looking for someone who has: 

• Experience supporting children and young people affected by trauma, abuse or exploitation. 

• A strong understanding of safeguarding and trauma-informed practice. 

• Experience working collaboratively across agencies. 

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills. 

• A commitment to equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice. 

• Experience supporting autistic children and young people, those with learning disabilities, or additional needs would be highly valued. 

Why Respond? 

For over 30 years, Respond has been a national leader in supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse, violence and trauma. We are committed to delivering accessible, inclusive and person-centred services that enable people to recover, heal and thrive. 

Joining Respond means becoming part of a supportive team that values collaboration, reflective practice and continuous learning while making a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people. 

We welcome applications from everyone 

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience and those from communities that are under-represented in our workforce. 

Respond is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. 

Terms and Conditions

Job title: Advocate (Prison)

Reports to: Service Manager (Prison)

Direct reports: N/A
 

Start date: To be confirmed once vetting has been cleared

Salary: 31,173 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 Southeast weighting) 

Working hours: Full time – 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: HMP Bronzefield

Job Purpose

Women in Prison’s South London Women’s Hubs provide support and advocacy to women at different points of the criminal justice system – whether they are at risk of offending, serving a community sentence, or in custody and leaving prison. The primary purpose of this role is to work with women in custody, including on remand, offering support to prepare for release and connect them with vital community support services prior to and on release from prison.   

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy one to one and group support in prison, to women on remand in HMP Bronzefield, HMP Downview and HMP Send 
2. Development and maintenance of professional relations in prison and the community 
3. Ensure clear, timely and effective communication and record keeping 
4. Proactively seek to develop your personal and professional practice, and contribute to wider organisational development 
5. Contribute to building a feminist leadership culture and positive working environment for Women in Prison 

Please download recruitment pack for the full job description

The Work Rights Centre is looking for an experienced and values-driven Immigration Adviser or Solicitor to join our frontline team. In this role, you will deliver life-changing legal advice to vulnerable migrants, while using your frontline insights to contribute directly to strategic campaigns, research, and policy work that challenge the systemic causes of injustice.

This is an ideal opportunity for an empathetic immigration expert who thrives in an agile and collaborative environment, and wants to plug the vital gap in support available through legal aid.

• Pay: £36,000 - £42,000 (depending on qualifications and experience)

• Contract length: Permanent (6-month probation)

• Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate)

• Location: London hybrid (with possibility of remote-only for an exceptional candidate)

We offer a high-trust, learning-focused culture, flexible/remote options for exceptional candidates, generous SQE study/funding policies, and enhanced leave, pension, and sick pay benefits

The role

You will provide high-quality legal advice and representation at IAA Level 2/3 or Solicitor standard. Your diverse casework will range from assisting sponsored workers on high-risk visas, to managing complex human rights cases and supporting victims of modern slavery and trafficking. Crucially, your work will not happen in isolation. You will work closely with our employment advice team on overlapping cases, collaborate with policy and comms colleagues to evidence systemic issues, and help deliver public legal information and training.

About you

We seek an enthusiastic professional with at least 3 years of experience delivering high-quality immigration advice, who demonstrates a deep empathy for the experiences of vulnerable migrants.

You will also have:

• Level 2 or 3 IAA accreditation OR status as a qualified Solicitor eligible to practice in England and Wales.

• A 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in law or a related subject.

• At least 3 years’ experience providing immigration legal advice in compliance with IAA/SRA standards.

• Excellent legal research, analytical, and case management skills, with the ability to manage complex caseloads and tight deadlines.

• Outstanding client management and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to lay persons clearly and compassionately.

• A collaborative, team-first mindset and a commitment to the mission and values of the Work Rights Centre.

• Desirable: Knowledge of Modern Slavery and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), familiarity with social welfare law, or proficiency in a language other than English.

How to apply

Send your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience, skills, and how you meet the person specification to by Sunday, 30th August.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a short technical task. 

Even if you aren't sure you check every single box, if you hold the required qualifications, share our commitment to high-quality legal advice, and have a passion for social justice, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Please download the full job description below for detailed responsibilities and organisation FAQs.

In addition to the around 40 young people we see every day out our centre, New Horizon provides the only youth-specific street outreach service to young people facing homelessness in London. We use our extensive housing expertise to place young people who are currently or at risk of rough sleeping into accommodation that is appropriate and safe, whilst encouraging them to access the day centre to benefit from the wide range of services we offer. This role will involve regular street outreach shifts (early mornings and late evenings) across London, aswell as supporting young people at the day centre. The role works as part of our wider Rough Sleeping team, developing a best practice approach to supporting young rough sleepers and those who are hidden homeless.

Key details

• Contract type and hours: full-time 35 hours a week, fixed-term contract for 12 months.

• Starting salary: £32,136.00 (scale £32,136 - £35,778)

• Location: New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JR

• Application deadline:9am, Monday 24 August

• How to apply: complete our application form below, submit your CV and write a 2 page cover letter/supporting statement. Please don't include your name or address in your CV or cover letter.

Key objectives:

• To contribute to the delivery of the NHYC street outreach service, delivering a holistic service to young people who are street homeless, enabling them to move on to independence.

• To build and maintain a network of external partnerships with services supporting those impacted by rough sleeping.

• To enable delivery of a trauma-informed service to young people.

• To support delivery of NHYC’s rough sleeping prevention strategy and best practice youth-specific outreach services.

Reporting to: Head of Services - Rough Sleeping and Services Manager (Outreach)

Main tasks and responsibilities

Young people services

Providing comprehensive support through 1-1 and small group work with young people sleeping rough. This will include:

1. Working within the Rough Sleeping team to ensure young people receive a high-quality service from the point of registration to move-on.

2. Carrying out at least two street-based outreach shifts each week (early morning and late evening required).

3. Carrying out housing assessments with young people and referring them into appropriate accommodation.

4. Managing a transitional case load of young people and helping them move forward and access appropriate services.

5. Working in partnership with the Outreach Team and other external teams, such as commissioned street outreach services, mental health, and substance misuse services.

6. Providing expert coaching and guidance to young people and monitoring and evaluating their progress.

7. Continued use of feedback and showing a commitment to a service that is sensitive and responsive to young people’s needs, including:

   · Completing registrations, outcomes assessments, risk assessments and action plans with young people.

   · Ensuring that all relevant work is recorded on the New Horizon database system and Chain database.

   · Ensuring risk management and assessment procedures are followed.

   Delivering advocacy and referrals to appropriate services, including making internal referrals

8. Contributing to the management and development of the team and day centre, including attending daily handovers, ensuring that Health and Safety issues are addressed at all times, attending Reflective Practice and team meetings.

9. Taking a hands-on approach to working with young people

10. Participating in the training and supervision of new staff, volunteers, students and locum workers and actively promoting a learning and development environment.

Networking and Liasion

To proactively liaise, communicate and negotiate with internal specialists and external agencies. This will include:

1. Seeking out and responding to opportunities with external partners who might offer resources, funding, or individual services relevant to young people’s needs e.g, Local Authorities, Social Services, Community Psychiatric Services, DWP, drugs and alcohol support, and other voluntary agencies.

2. Promoting and representing New Horizon Youth Centre at relevant forums and meetings.

Information management

To produce and maintain accurate and useful information in a range of formats in order to promote effective service delivery and evaluation. This will include:

1. Producing written reports in a variety of formats to meet the requirements of New Horizon, external service providers and funders, e.g., project reviews and assessment reports.

2. Inputting and extracting information from client monitoring systems other accounting and database systems. Utilising other relevant software for the production of correspondence and reports.

3. Being self-servicing in day-to-day administration and following team and NHYC’s administrative procedures.

Reviewing personal and professional development needs

To be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement. This will include:

1. Continuously reviewing own working practices in line with feedback and current best practice.

2. Taking a proactive approach to supervision and attending clinical supervision, weekly team meetings as well as line management supervision every 4-6 weeks.

3. Reviewing and evaluating own performance to identify strengths and areas for development.

4. Undertaking development and training opportunities and being responsible for obtaining maximum benefit through review, reflection, and practice.

Other

To contribute positively and constructively to the development of the teams, service and NHYC. This will include:

1. Covering for other members of the team where necessary.

2. Following NHYC’s policies, procedures and performance expectations in all functions of the post.

3. Undertaking as required any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by the Service Managers, Head of Services or Leadership Team.

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 Minerva Women's Centre Coordinator

Salary: £28,000 - £32,000

(Please note that we advertise the full salary band for our roles in order to provide full transparency about what salary can be achieved in this role. Any offer that we make will be within this band, and based on the level of skill and experience that you bring.)

Location: Hammersmith. Please note that this role will be based in an office 5 days a week.

Hours: Full-time - 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term until 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.

The Project

The Minerva London service provides holistic, trauma-informed support for women in touch with the Criminal Justice System, through dedicated one to one support, safer women’s centre spaces and specialist interventions and partnerships.

The Role

Working as a Women Centre Coordinator you will be responsible for supporting the operational delivery of the Minerva London service in your designated region of London, including leading on activities and supporting the Women’s Centre and partnerships. As the Minerva Women Centre Coordinator you will be responsible for enhancing the offer to women referred into the Minerva service by supporting them to engage with their local women’s centre provision. You will be based at your regional women’s centre five days a week, as the first point of contact for women entering the centre space or contacting the service via the centre helpline. As the Women Centre Coordinator you will create and deliver a relevant and lively activities programme for women to attend, in partnership with Minerva’s specialist delivery partners.

An integral part of the Women Centre Coordinator role will include, delivering planned monthly calendar of events and sessions, working in collaboration with the North and East Women Centre Coordinators.

This role with involve safeguarding and risk management for all activities taking place within your centre.

About You

In order to be successful in this role you will have previous experience of office management and administration roles, great interpersonal and communication skills, and a strong interest in supporting women in the criminal justice system. Ideally you will bring knowledge of issues that face offenders and those at risk of offending, and experience of working with women experiencing issues related to offending such as homelessness, substance misuse, domestic violence or mental health.

How to apply:

Please apply with an up to date copy of your CV and a cover letter.

• Closing date: 23rd August 2026

• Interviews will take place on a rolling basis so we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able to do so

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

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• A 35-hour working week

• 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 additional needs, please email the Talent team and we 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.

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 two Nest Advocates to join a specialist service for young women and girls in London (aged 14 to 25) at risk of domestic abuse, school exclusion, exploitation, gang involvement and contact with the criminal justice system.

Salary: £28,000- £32,000 pro rata

Location: Hammersmith, Finsbury Park and Stratford

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term until 30th September 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:

In recognition of the distinct challenges facing young women and girls, Advance has joined Together Women to develop a specialist provision for young women and girls in the Nest programme.

The Nest Service is designed to enable young women and girls to escape harm and to thrive in their lives and aspirations, by supporting them to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience, manage their health and wellbeing and access and engage with other support services. In addition to dedicated advocacy support, they will be able to access a programme of prevention and awareness-raising groups and workshops run out of Advance Women’s Centres.

As an Advocate you will work one-to-one with each participant over an extended period. You will build trusted relationships and coordinate practical support across the areas that most affect young women’s stability and future prospects - including education, housing, health, employment and interaction with justice services.

About You:

To be successful as the Nest Advocate you will need the below experience and skills:

• A strong understanding of the challenges facing young women and girls, including the impacts of gang involvement, exploitation, mental health, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system, and of the practical and emotional support needs specific to this group, including education, confidence and relationship-building.
• Knowledge of trauma informed, gendered approaches in supporting young women facing multiple forms of disadvantage.
• Current knowledge of legislation, guidance and regulations relating to safeguarding, child protection and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSE).
• Experience of using motivational interviewing and coaching techniques with young women and girls, using a woman-centred approach to build trust and rapport.
• Experience of risk management, needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with young women and girls with complex/multiple needs.

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: Sunday 23rd August 2026
• Interviews are taking place on: w/c 24th August 2026

*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

RCJ Advice is an exceptional Citizens Advice and Law Centre delivering national legal advice services, both frontline and second tier, to people who are unable to afford legal representation and advice. We are based within the Royal Courts of Justice, the Central London Family Court and community sites across London, where we deliver local Citizens Advice services.

This post is a new role within RCJ Advice and forms part of the Improving Access to Justice for Domestic Abuse Survivors project. The three-year project aims to improve access to legal advice and support for domestic abuse survivors living in areas where legal aid services are limited.

The project will strengthen referral pathways, increase awareness of legal remedies and build sustainable links between domestic abuse organisations, frontline professionals and legal providers to ensure survivors can access appropriate legal support.

During the first year, the postholder will likely focus on developing the project in Suffolk. This will include mapping existing services, building relationships with domestic abuse organisations and frontline professionals, developing referral pathways and strengthening links with local legal providers.

In years two and three, the postholder will move the focus of the project to new legal aid deserts in England (we have a similar role in Wales) identified during the course of the project, developing new local networks, referral pathways and partnerships to improve access to legal advice and support for domestic abuse survivors in those areas.

Alongside this project development work, the postholder will provide specialist family law advice and support to domestic abuse survivors, including advice on protective remedies such as Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and other family law matters including Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs). This will include providing advice through appointments, telephone and email advice, and supporting survivors with CourtNav applications.

The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with experience of family law and domestic abuse work. They will have strong legal skills, experience of developing partnerships or services, and the ability to build trusted relationships with survivors, professionals and community organisations.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across RCJ Advice, including the FLOWS team and Family team, sharing learning and contributing to wider organisational work supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

The role will require flexibility to travel across England, including occasional overnight stays, to support delivery of the service, partnership development and engagement activities.

This post is subject to a DBS check.

Part of a team of Outreach and Project Workers pivotal to the delivery of an exciting new project focused on reaching women identified as at risk of homelessness and exploitation. The Luna Project supports women at risk of rough sleeping, homelessness and exploitation. Working across key areas of Enfield and Haringey you will, through a combination of nighttime outreach and daytime service provision, be critical to supporting a coordinated response across multiple agencies already engaged in this work.

You will undertake at least twice weekly nighttime outreach, support additional services and existing outreach provision and develop a daytime offer that meets the needs of women engaged through outreach and identified as at high risk of harm and homelessness.   

You will have responsibility for a caseload of women identified through outreach, referral and presentation at ours and other services. You will provide advocacy, casework support and connection and referral into other agencies which can help them address their needs.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a passionate, high performing team and support the development of a new service which is meeting identified gaps in local provision.

Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate

Location:Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week based across Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Galop’s London office.
Salary:You will start on scale point F3, £33,771.85 per year (including London Weighting of £4,296.25).
Hours: 35/week
Contract: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027

About Galop

Galop is the UK's LGBT+ anti-abuse charity (est. 1982). We support thousands experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and conversion therapies. Person-centred, empowerment-based, trauma-informed. We drive policy change and legislative reform for LGBT+ victims.

The Role

Provide specialist domestic abuse advocacy to LGBT+ survivors at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as part of Safe Horizons London Partnership. Work independently within the hospital, supervised by Galop, delivering advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning, and improving access to specialist support.

You Will

• Manage a caseload of LGBT+ survivors experiencing domestic abuse
• Deliver trauma-informed, survivor-led advocacy and safety planning
• Complete DASH assessments and support MARAC referrals
• Work with NHS safeguarding teams whilst maintaining independence
• Support access to housing, criminal justice, health and specialist services
• Respond promptly to referrals and prioritise high-risk cases
• Build relationships with clinicians to improve referral pathways
• Deliver training on LGBT+ domestic abuse
• Maintain accurate case records

About You

Passionate about improving LGBT+ survivors' lives. Work autonomously in healthcare, building strong relationships with clinicians and safeguarding practitioners. Combine excellent professional judgement with trauma-informed, survivor-led advocacy. Organised, resilient, committed. Good self-care essential. Training and support provided — you don't need to be an expert.

LGBTQ+ applicants only (Equality Act 2010, Genuine Occupational Requirement).

Essential

• Experience supporting domestic abuse/gender-based violence survivors
• Understanding of LGBT+ survivors' barriers to mainstream services
• Advocacy or case management experience
• Safeguarding knowledge and DASH risk assessment experience
• Case record management and GDPR knowledge
• MARAC and IDVA processes understanding

Essential Skills

• Trauma-informed, survivor-led advocacy
• Strong advocacy and negotiation with statutory agencies
• Risk assessment and decision-making under pressure
• Professional relationships across multidisciplinary teams
• Professional boundaries and resilience
• Independent working and workload management
• IT systems proficiency

Desirable

• NHS/healthcare setting experience
• SafeLives IDVA accreditation
• Training delivery experience
• Criminal/civil justice knowledge

Working at Galop

We encourage applications from underrepresented groups: trans/non-binary, Global Majority, people of faith, those with disability, and those with lived experience of abuse.

Reports To: Senior IDVA/Advocacy & Support Manager

Closing: 14 August 2026 | Interviews: Week of 24 August 2026

REF-229 997

Help make healthcare work better for people experiencing homelessness  

Thank you for your interest in joining Groundswell. 

We're looking for someone who believes everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

As our Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Development Manager, you'll help make that happen by building the partnerships that enable people experiencing homelessness to access the healthcare they need. 

At Groundswell, we know that good services alone aren't enough. Lasting change happens when health, housing and homelessness organisations work together around the person, sharing responsibility, building trust and removing barriers to care. This role exists to make that collaboration happen in practice. 

Working across London, you'll strengthen partnerships, improve referral pathways and help embed HHPA within local systems so that more people can access timely, coordinated and person-centred healthcare. You'll also lead our Health Promotion programme, support the development of staff and volunteers, and help shape the future growth of the service. 

This is an opportunity to improve individual lives by helping organisations work better together. Through your leadership, you'll help create a more connected health and homelessness system—one where people experiencing homelessness can access healthcare with confidence, dignity and choice. 

If you're passionate about collaboration, committed to tackling health inequalities and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy, we'd love to hear from you. 

About Groundswell 

For 30 years we've worked alongside people with lived experience to develop practical solutions that improve health, reduce inequalities and create opportunities for lasting change. We believe that people who have experienced homelessness are experts in the barriers they face and should play a central role in designing services and shaping the systems that affect them.  

Today, Groundswell delivers peer-led services, helping thousands of people each year access healthcare, improve their wellbeing and influence the systems that affect their lives. As HHPA Development Manager, you'll join a supportive organisation that believes lasting change happens through relationships, partnership and involving people with lived experience at all levels.  

Our Vision 

Our vision is for a society which is fair, inclusive and equal. 

We need equitable access to a healthier life and a better future for anyone with experience of homelessness. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to bring people together to: 

• Amplify voices of people with lived experience to create solutions to homelessness and health inequalities. 

• Stand in solidarity and champion their rights, to create positive change. 

Our Strategy 

We co-produced our strategy with staff and volunteers with experience of homelessness. We’re proud to have remained true to our values of participation and co-production. 

Stronger Voices, Healthier Lives, Better Futures, Greater Together 

People with experience of homelessness must inform the solutions – because they understand the problems people face. 

At every stage, we will hear, unite and amplify more voices of people with lived experience to speak out. Through participation we will build a stronger, more inclusive community to create change – through our organisation, in services, our sectors and wider society, locally and nationally. 

Homelessness is a health emergency. 

We will work to end health inequalities for people who have or are experiencing homelessness through advocacy, practical support, information and by influencing people, policy and services. 

Everyone deserves a better, more hopeful life and future. 

Lived experience of homelessness can lead to barriers that impact people’s life chances. 

Recognising the potential in everyone, we will provide more opportunities and support for people with experience of homelessness to progress if, and when, they are ready. 

We can’t achieve our goals alone – we are more impactful when we pull together. 

We will become more effective and sustainable, building on our culture of relationships, compassion and transparency, and working closely with partners to learn, share and create change. 

How Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Works 

HHPA helps people experiencing homelessness overcome the barriers that prevent them accessing healthcare. 

Many people face significant challenges navigating health services. Appointments can be difficult to attend, treatment can be confusing, and previous experiences of stigma, trauma or exclusion can make healthcare feel inaccessible. Without the right support, people often delay seeking help until their health has deteriorated. 

"I need someone with me that I know that I can trust. I wouldn't do things like that on my own." 

HHPA Client 

HHPA provides practical, person-centred support that helps people access the care they need while building the confidence to manage their own health. Rather than providing one-off interventions, HHPA works alongside people over time, developing trusted relationships, responding flexibly to changing needs and supporting people to become more confident and independent. 

The service combines the expertise of skilled Caseworkers with the unique insight of trained volunteer Peer Advocates who have lived experience of homelessness. Together they provide one-to-one advocacy, practical support and health promotion to help people: 

• register with healthcare services 

• prepare for and attend appointments 

• understand treatment and care plans 

• navigate hospital admission and discharge 

• access wider health and wellbeing services 

• make informed decisions about their health 

• become increasingly confident in managing their own health. 

Alongside one-to-one support, HHPA delivers peer-led health promotion in hostels, day centres, outreach settings and other community spaces. Through informal conversations and group activities, Peer Advocates share accessible information about physical health, mental health and wellbeing, encourage preventative healthcare, identify unmet health needs and help people access support earlier. These conversations often provide the first step towards engaging with healthcare, creating trusted pathways into ongoing advocacy and reducing the need for crisis intervention. 

Rather than doing things for people, HHPA works alongside them—building trust, reducing barriers and enabling people to become active participants in their own healthcare. This relational, peer-led approach improves individual health outcomes while strengthening partnerships across health, housing and homelessness services, helping more people access coordinated, person-centred care.  

The Role 

The HHPA Development Manager is a key leadership role within Groundswell's HHPA service. 

You'll help shape how people experiencing homelessness access healthcare by strengthening partnerships across London's health, housing and homelessness system while leading the continued development of our Health Promotion programme. 

People experiencing homelessness often interact with multiple services but still experience fragmented care, missed opportunities for prevention and barriers to accessing the support they need. HHPA bridges these gaps through trusted relationships, peer-led advocacy and health promotion. This role helps create the partnerships, systems and programmes that make that possible. 

This isn't a traditional partnership management role focused on maintaining stakeholder relationships. It's a practical, hands-on leadership role that brings organisations together, supports colleagues to deliver excellent services and identifies opportunities to improve how healthcare is delivered and experienced. 

Working closely with the Services Director, Systems Manager and Health and Social Care Lead, you'll help ensure HHPA remains well connected, continually improving and responsive to changing need. 

The role combines five key areas of responsibility: 

Leading the Service  
Providing day-to-day operational leadership, supporting colleagues and helping ensure HHPA is delivered safely, consistently and effectively. 

Building Partnerships  
Developing strong relationships with NHS organisations, local authorities, homelessness services and voluntary organisations to embed HHPA and strengthen collaborative working. 

Leading Health Promotion  
Developing and overseeing Groundswell's Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, working with partners to deliver accessible, peer-led health promotion that encourages earlier engagement with healthcare. 

Growing HHPA  
Using learning from frontline delivery and partnership working to improve services, develop new approaches and support the expansion of HHPA into new boroughs and communities. 

Developing People  
Supporting, developing and inspiring staff and volunteers through reflective supervision, shared learning and a culture that values lived experience, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Together, these responsibilities make this a varied and influential role where you'll help shape both the future of HHPA and the wider health and homelessness system. 

Role Description 

As HHPA Development Manager, you'll provide operational leadership for key areas of Groundswell's Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service. 

You'll lead the development of strategic partnerships, oversee the delivery and growth of our Health Promotion programme, support and develop staff and volunteers, and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand HHPA. 

Working closely with the Services Director, Systems Manager and Health and Social Care Lead, you'll help ensure the service is well connected, evidence-informed and continually improving, so that more people experiencing homelessness can access timely, coordinated and person-centred healthcare. 

Building Partnerships: 

Develop trusted relationships across health, housing and homelessness services so organisations work together more effectively and people experiencing homelessness can access timely, coordinated healthcare. 

• Build and sustain relationships with NHS organisations, local authorities, homelessness services and community partners. 

• Support the Services Director to develop relationships with commissioners and strategic partners. 

• Represent Groundswell at operational meetings, networks and multidisciplinary teams. 

• Champion peer-led health advocacy and the involvement of people with lived experience. 

• Work with partners to identify shared challenges and develop practical solutions. 

Embedding HHPA in Local Systems: 

Help ensure HHPA becomes an established and valued part of local health and homelessness systems by strengthening collaboration and improving access to the service. 

• Embed HHPA within partner organisations' day-to-day practice.  

• Strengthen collaboration between HHPA staff and local services.  

• Develop and improve referral pathways.  

• Support timely, appropriate referrals and monitor referral activity. 

• Identify and resolve barriers to effective partnership working. 

• Work with the Systems Manager to strengthen systems that support collaboration. 

Leading Health Promotion: 

Lead the development of Groundswell's peer-led Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, helping people engage with healthcare earlier through accessible, trauma-informed support in hostels, day centres and community settings. 

• Develop partnerships that expand Health Promotion opportunities.  

• Oversee delivery across boroughs.  

• Develop accessible health information with communications colleagues.  

• Monitor quality, impact and learning and produce reports for funders  

• Ensure activities are delivered safely, including venue risk assessments where required.  

Leading and Developing People: 

Create a supportive, high-performing culture where staff and volunteers can thrive. 

• Line manage a team of Caseworkers and support volunteers.   

• Provide reflective supervision that encourages learning, wellbeing and high-quality practice.   

• Promote continuous learning and reflective practice.   

• Working alongside the Volunteer Management team, support volunteer recruitment, induction and ongoing development.   

• Foster collaboration, accountability and shared learning across teams.   

• Use coaching and asset-based approaches to help staff and volunteers recognise their strengths, build their skills and reach their potential.  

Improving Services: 

Use learning from partnerships, health promotion and complex casework to strengthen HHPA and improve system responses. 

• Work with the Health and Social Care Lead to improve multi-agency responses.  

• Identify opportunities to develop and expand HHPA.  

• Support the introduction of services in new boroughs.  

• Share innovation and best practice across the organisation.  

• Contribute to continuous improvement.  

Supporting Service Delivery: 

Alongside your strategic responsibilities, you'll help ensure HHPA delivers a responsive, safe and reliable service every day. 

• Participate in the HHPA duty system, including occasional early and late shifts.  

• Maintain effective communication with partners around referrals and triage.  

• Work with colleagues to resolve operational challenges.  

General Responsibilities: 

As a member of the HHPA leadership team, you'll contribute to the wider development of Groundswell. 

• Contribute to organisational planning and Team Leads meetings.  

• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.  

• Promote trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.  

• Ensure all work reflects Groundswell's values and commitment to lived experience.  

• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role.  

What Success Looks Like 

Success in this role is measured not simply by the partnerships you build, but by the difference those partnerships—and Groundswell's Health Promotion programme—make to people's lives and to the way health and homelessness services work together. 

In your first year, you will have: 

• Built trusted partnerships across London's health, housing and homelessness system, establishing Groundswell as a valued and reliable partner.  

• Embedded HHPA within local services, strengthening referral pathways and making it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access timely, coordinated healthcare.  

• Led and developed Groundswell's Health Promotion and In-Reach programme, expanding peer-led health promotion across London and creating more opportunities for people to engage with healthcare earlier, in trusted community settings.  

• Supported and developed Caseworkers, volunteers and colleagues, creating a positive culture of reflection, collaboration and continuous learning.  

• Worked alongside colleagues and partner organisations to improve responses for people with complex needs, removing barriers to healthcare and strengthening multidisciplinary working.  

• Used learning from partnerships and frontline delivery to improve existing services, support innovation and contribute to the growth of HHPA into new boroughs.  

• Helped strengthen the wider health and homelessness system by promoting earlier intervention, improving collaboration and ensuring more people experiencing homelessness can access healthcare with dignity, confidence and choice.  

Above all, you'll have created the conditions that enable both excellent health advocacy and impactful Health Promotion to thrive. By bringing organisations together, supporting colleagues and volunteers, and embedding peer-led approaches within local systems, you'll help more people experiencing homelessness access healthcare earlier, experience better outcomes and receive more connected, compassionate and person-centred support. 

Working as Part of the HHPA Leadership Structure 

These roles work closely together, combining strategic leadership, operational delivery, partnership development and specialist expertise to ensure HHPA is safe, effective and continually improving. 

The HHPA service is delivered through a collaborative leadership model: 

• Services Director  
  Provides strategic direction, secures funding, and holds overall accountability for delivery, performance and growth.  

• Systems Manager  
  Designs and maintains the systems, processes and infrastructure that enable safe, efficient and compliant delivery.  

• Health and Social Care Lead   
  Leads on supporting individuals facing the greatest barriers, providing specialist knowledge and navigating complex health and social care systems.  

• Development Manager (this role)  
  Ensures HHPA is embedded within local systems and relationships, so that partnerships translate into effective access to healthcare in practice.  

Together, these roles ensure the service is: 

• Well designed (systems)  

• Well connected (development)  

• Effective for those with greatest need (health and social care)  

• Strategically led and sustainable (director)  

Our work is: 

• Person-centred — responding to individual needs  

• Peer-led — shaped by lived experience  

• Collaborative — built through partnership  

• Rights-based — focused on access and equity  

• System-focused — working to create lasting change  

We understand that care is demonstrated through consistent, reliable and thoughtful practice — in how we communicate, follow up, and deliver support. 

Person Specification 

At Groundswell, we know there is no single route to becoming a great manager. You may have gained your experience through paid work, volunteering, community organising, supporting people experiencing homelessness or other forms of social exclusion, or through your own lived experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who share our values and commitment to improving people's lives. 

We're looking for someone who shares our values, enjoys building relationships and wants to help create a health and homelessness system that works better for everyone. 

What We're Looking For 

A) Core Requirements: 

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate: 

1. Experience of building and developing partnerships across health, housing, homelessness or voluntary sector organisations dealing with similar issues.  
2. Experience of leading, supporting or managing staff and helping others to develop.  
3. Experience of working collaboratively across organisations to improve services or outcomes.  
4. The ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of people, including frontline staff, senior managers, commissioners and people with lived experience.  
5. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and work effectively in a complex environment.  
6. Sound judgement when responding to risk, safeguarding concerns and sensitive situations.  
7. A commitment to Groundswell's values of lived experience leadership, participation, equity, compassion and collaboration.  

B) Knowledge and Experience: 

The successful candidate is likely to have knowledge or experience of: 

Essential: 

1. The barriers people experiencing homelessness face when accessing healthcare.   
2. Health, housing and adult social care systems, and how they work together.   
3. Trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred approaches.   
4. Building partnerships that improve services and outcomes.   
5. Safeguarding, professional boundaries and information sharing.   
6. Contributing to service development, quality improvement or organisational learning.   
7. Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook  

Desirable: 

1. London's health and homelessness landscape.   
2. Health Promotion, outreach or community engagement.   
3. Co-production, peer-led services or lived experience leadership.   
4. Developing services across multiple sites or boroughs.   
5. Working within a duty-based or high-volume service.   
6. Salesforce or another case management or CRM system.   
7. Using coaching and asset-based approaches to support people to develop their skills, confidence and independence.  

C) Personal Qualities: 

We're looking for someone who is: 

1. An excellent relationship builder who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose.   
2. Compassionate, approachable and respectful in the way they work with colleagues, partners and people using our services.   
3. Curious and reflective, always looking for opportunities to learn and improve.   
4. Confident working across organisational boundaries and able to influence through collaboration rather than authority.   
5. Adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment where no two days are the same.   
6. Passionate about reducing health inequalities and improving access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness.   
7. Reflective and solution-focused, with a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.  

We'd Particularly Welcome Applications from People Who Have: 

• Lived experience of homelessness or another form of social exclusion. 

• Experience of working in partnership with local communities.  

• Experience of co-production or supporting people with lived experience to shape services.  

• A commitment to using lived experience to influence systems and improve outcomes.  

Our Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment: 

Groundswell is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, migration, the criminal justice system, mental ill health, substance use or other forms of social exclusion. 

We recognise that no one candidate will meet every requirement. If you believe you have the skills, values and potential to succeed in this role, we'd encourage you to apply. 

Why Join Groundswell 

Meaningful Work 

This is an opportunity to improve not just individual lives, but the way services work together. 

As HHPA Development Manager, you'll help shape partnerships that make healthcare more accessible for people experiencing homelessness. Your work will influence how organisations collaborate, how services are designed and how people experience care. Every partnership you strengthen and every barrier you help remove has the potential to improve health outcomes for people who are too often excluded from healthcare. 

A Supportive Team 

We're a values-led organisation where collaboration, compassion and lived experience shape everything we do. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues who are committed to learning from one another and supporting each other to do challenging work well. 

We believe good leadership is rooted in reflection, openness and trust. Through regular supervision, reflective practice and close collaboration across the HHPA leadership team, you'll have the support and autonomy to develop your ideas, build strong partnerships and make a lasting contribution. 

Learn and Grow 

HHPA is continuing to grow, creating exciting opportunities to influence the future of the service. 

You'll have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of health inequalities, partnership working and systems change, while developing your leadership skills and contributing to the expansion of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy across London. Whether you're looking to broaden your expertise, lead new initiatives or help shape the future direction of the service, we'll support your professional development every step of the way. 

Benefits 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including: 

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.  

• 5% employer pension contribution.  

• Flexible and hybrid working, where service delivery allows.  

• A compressed hours working pattern is available.  

• Regular reflective practice and high-quality supervision.  

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.  

• A supportive, inclusive and values-led working environment.  

Be Part of Something Bigger 

At Groundswell, we believe everyone should be able to access healthcare with dignity, whatever their circumstances. 

By joining us, you'll help create stronger partnerships, more connected services and a fairer health system for people experiencing homelessness. You'll work alongside colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations who share a commitment to collaboration, lived experience and lasting systems change. 

Better partnerships create better healthcare. 

By bringing organisations together, supporting colleagues and strengthening the systems around people experiencing homelessness, you'll help ensure more people receive the care they need, when they need it. 

If you're looking for a role where you can influence services, build lasting partnerships and help create fairer access to healthcare, we'd love to hear from you. 

Application and Interview Process

Please let us know if you would like to request any accommodations or adjustments throughout the application and interview process. We will be very happy to support these wherever possible to give all applicants the best opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

We encourage our candidates to draw from their personal and professional experiences, skills, knowledge and passion for our work in their applications, as we believe this will be the best representation of why you are the right fit for the role. While we acknowledge that Generative AI can be a useful tool when used selectively, we do not believe it can replace the authenticity each individual can bring to their application. Therefore, we ask you to consider carefully any use of Generative AI throughout the application process.  

1. Application 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter. The cover letter should explain:

• How you meet each of the areas outlined in the person specification above  

• Why you are interested in doing this job at Groundswell.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 17th August.

1. Interviews 

Interviews will be held online on the week beginning August 24th. 

If you do not have a computer or a suitable space to do an online interview, we can arrange for you to come into our office.

We are a small charity with limited resources and are unable to give individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications before the interview stage.

1. Pre-employment checks 

The job offer for the successful candidate will be subject to a reference and DBS check.

Many thanks for taking the time to look into this role – it is an exciting opportunity, and we hope you will consider applying. 

We care about your privacy; read here how we manage your personal data.

ABOUT GROWTH

GrowTH is a Christian charity in Tower Hamlets, working with local churches to house and empower people experiencing homelessness to start a new life. Through shelter, advocacy, and supported housing, we create environments where people are welcomed, listened to, and supported as part of a community. Our aim is not only to meet immediate needs, but to help each person rediscover their self-worth, unlock their potential, and encounter the transforming love of Jesus.

SUMMARY OF SUPPORT & HOUSING MANAGER

The Support & Housing Manager is a management role responsible for leading frontline staff, overseeing the quality of frontline support, and ensuring GrowTH’s Housing Project and wider support work operate safely, effectively, and in alignment with GrowTH’s purpose: enabling people experiencing homelessness to receive an excellent quality of holistic support in the practical, emotional, and social areas of their lives – as well as to encounter Jesus and experience genuine life transformation.

The role ensures that services not only function well operationally, but consistently deliver on GrowTH’s mission, promise to people, and values – supporting individuals to move from crisis towards stability, community, and restored identity.

ABOUT FRONTLINE SERVICES

GrowTH’s Frontline Services are:

1. Night Shelter (church based, rotating model)

2. Housing Project

GrowTH’s Frontline Staff currently are:

1. Night Shelter Advocate Workers (x2)

2. Housing Worker (x1)

 

As GrowTH develops its new Hub model, the Support & Housing Manager will play a key role in ensuring that the Night Shelter, Housing Project, and wider support functions operate as part of one joined-up pathway. Through effective management of frontline staff, the role will help create a culture in which staff are developed in their roles, work closely together, share insight appropriately, collaborate around complex cases, and ensure that guests and residents experience consistent support as they move between different parts of GrowTH’s work.

 RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Operational Oversight of Frontline Services

The S&HM will oversee the quality and consistency of support delivered across GrowTH’s frontline services, including support provided to Night Shelter guests through the Advocate Workers, while holding direct management responsibility for the effective running of the Housing Project.

1. The S&HM ensures frontline services consistently embody GrowTH’s promise by creating an environment where individuals are welcomed with dignity, experience belonging, are supported to move forward, and have opportunities to explore the Christian faith.

2. Managing the effective running of Frontline Services through monitoring the quality and consistency of support delivered by staff using the following: Line Management reports (monthly); statistics; casework files; support plans; move on plans; resettlement processes and regular calls to referral agencies and churches to gather feedback on GrowTH staff.

3. Manage and support frontline staff in resolving operational issues and practical service delivery challenges.

4. Holding a small, focused frontline caseload, alongside their wider management responsibilities. This will include direct casework with a limited number of guests and residents, particularly within the Housing Project, where additional management input, continuity of support, or more complex casework is required. The S&HM will also work alongside frontline staff on complex cases, support plans, move-on planning, key meetings, and periods of increased frontline need, modelling high-quality, relational, well-recorded and appropriately boundaried support. This casework involvement should also be used to model good practice, strengthen casework quality, and support the development of frontline staff in their roles.

5. Manage and support frontline staff to improve the quality and effectiveness of guest and resident move-on by:

o Monitoring referral levels into services

o Monitoring move-on pathways and move-on discussions

o Assist frontline staff in identifying system blockages (e.g. move-on, referrals) and facilitating solutions to unblock them.

6. Ensuring consistency and clarity in how frontline services operate

7. Ensure GrowTH accommodation is safe, well maintained, and compliant with all relevant requirements.

8. Ensuring appropriate boundaries and expectations are maintained

2. Overall Management and Oversight of the Housing Project

The Support & Housing Manager will hold overall responsibility for the safe, effective, and mission-aligned running of GrowTH’s Housing Project, which currently provides accommodation for 16 residents. Working closely with the Housing Worker, the S&HM will ensure that the project provides stable, affordable, well-managed accommodation alongside clear, tailored support that helps residents move towards independence, community, and long-term housing stability. Responsibilities include:

1. Providing overall day-to-day leadership and management of the Housing Project, ensuring it operates safely, consistently, and in line with GrowTH’s values, policies, and purpose.

2. Supporting and overseeing the Housing Worker in their work with residents, ensuring support plans, risk assessments, case records, move-on plans, and resident engagement are of a high standard.

3. Ensuring residents are welcomed, treated with dignity, and supported to make progress in practical, emotional, social, and spiritual areas of life.

4. Overseeing referrals into the Housing Project, including suitability discussions with the shelter/support team, referral partners, and prospective residents.

5. Ensuring that residents are appropriately inducted into the project, understand the expectations of their licence agreement, and are supported to sustain their placement well.

6. Monitoring rent, licence fee, service charge, arrears, and housing-related financial processes in liaison with the relevant administrative/finance staff, ensuring that residents are supported to keep payments up to date and that financial issues are addressed promptly.

7. Ensuring Housing Project properties are safe, well maintained, appropriately furnished, and compliant with relevant health and safety, fire safety, gas, electrical, and housing requirements.

8. Managing day-to-day operational relationships with key housing stakeholders, including landlords, housing associations, contractors, maintenance providers, and other relevant agencies, particularly in relation to repairs, lettings, inspections, safety checks, rent/service charge issues, property standards, and resident sustainment.

9. Ensuring that Housing Project policies, procedures, house expectations, and resident agreements are clear, up to date, implemented consistently, and reflect actual practice.

10. Overseeing resident support, including budgeting, benefits, employment, training, life skills, wellbeing, relationships, community engagement, and preparation for independent living.

11. Ensuring appropriate boundaries, accountability, and standards of behaviour are maintained within the Housing Project, responding to concerns, complaints, safeguarding issues, and breaches of expectations in line with GrowTH procedures.

12. Managing move-on planning for Housing Project residents, ensuring residents are supported to prepare for suitable accommodation and that links are developed with appropriate move-on providers and pathways.

13. Working with the Director to review and develop the Housing Project, identifying strengths, gaps, risks, opportunities for improvement, and future development needs.

 

3. Staff Leadership, Performance, and Development

Ensure frontline staff are supported, effective, and accountable. Responsibilities include:

1. Line management of frontline staff

2. Performance management and addressing challenges in service delivery

3. The S&HM will model and cultivate GrowTH’s values within the team, ensuring that staff:

a. Demonstrate compassion and consistency in their work

b. Follow through on commitments to guests and partners

c. Take responsibility for delivering high-quality support

d. Work collaboratively as part of a unified team

4. Supporting staff in decision-making, particularly with complex or challenging cases.

5. Ensuring staff receive appropriate training and development

6. Building a healthy, collaborative, and mission-focused team culture

 

4. Faith 

As part of a Christian organisation, the Support & Housing Manager will:

1. Contribute to maintaining a Christ-centred culture across frontline services

2. Support staff to create environments of Christian community, care, and hospitality

3. Ensure accessible opportunities for guests to explore the Christian faith

4. Encourage staff to integrate GrowTH’s Christian ethos into their work in a way that is authentic and non-coercive

 

5. Other responsibilities

These include:

1. Being an active member of GrowTH’s Senior Management Team

2. Ensuring that safeguarding is embedded across all frontline services.

3. Participating in complaint resolution where appropriate

4. Escalating issues where necessary in line with organisational procedures

5. Ensuring frontline service procedures reflect actual practice on the ground

6. Supporting development of operational processes (e.g. referral pathways, service flow)

7. Occasionally representing GrowTH in external conversations where appropriate

AFRIL is recruiting for our next Casework Manager, following the advancement of the current post holder into another role within the organisation. We are looking for a hard working and dynamic person who can balance the operational demands of casework and managing frontline services, with excellent HR skills and a keen interest in policy and developing partnerships. This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team at AFRIL, which would be ideal for a highly experienced caseworker or solicitor seeking to gain leadership experience in a community led organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a team of 3 Caseworkers (as well as a team of volunteers) in the delivery of AQS casework in the areas of housing, asylum support, welfare benefits and community care, and the provision of Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 advice. The post holder will also hold key funder and partner relationships, oversee compliance, safeguarding and support the Executive Director with AFRIL's external policy work.