Social care development jobs

If you’re at your best when you’re with people: exercising excellent empathy, active listening, steadying, guiding, signposting and quietly making things feel safer, this could be the most meaningful role you’ve ever done.

York Against Cancer is growing the Leveson Centre: a warm, welcoming, non-clinical space for people affected by cancer. We’re looking for a hands-on Care & Support Manager to lead and develop our person-centred support services, and to nurture the volunteers and small team who make the Centre what it is; a welcoming and supportive environment for all those affected by cancer.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead the day-to-day delivery and development of high-quality, non-clinical cancer support at the Leveson Centre. That includes:

• Create a safe, calm, welcoming environment where people feel seen, understood and supported
• Lead safeguarding and welfare concerns with confidence and care
• Manage and developing volunteers (check-ins, boundaries, wellbeing, reflective practice)
• Line manage the Care & Support Coordinator to ensure brilliant front-of-house support
• Improving services by collating feedback, insight and real-world demand
• Build solid relationships with NHS and community partners to strengthen signposting and pathways
• Review impact and reporting service use/outcomes to support funding and growth
• Support at events and outreach as a visible ambassador for York Against Cancer

Who will thrive here

This role is for someone who is:

• Warm, grounded and emotionally intelligent - you can sit with difficult moments without being overwhelmed by them
• Practical and hands on - you don’t “manage from behind a desk”; you’re present, visible and involved
• Calm under pressure - you can make good decisions when things are sensitive, complex or time-critical
• Values-led - you care deeply about dignity, inclusion, compassion and doing what’s right
• A brilliant people-leader - you build confidence in others, set clear boundaries, and help volunteers feel safe and valued
• Comfortable with accountability - safeguarding, quality, and service experience matter to you

What this role will make you feel

Done well, this job will leave you with that rare sense of:

• “I made today easier for at least one person”
• “I helped create a place where people can breathe again.”

You’ll feel trusted, relied upon, and proud, because the work is real, human centred and impactful.

What we’re looking for

• Experience delivering or managing support services in health, social care, or a charity setting
• Experience supporting people affected by cancer or long-term conditions or related experience in similar sector
• Experience managing/supervising staff and/or volunteers
• Safeguarding experience (and the confidence to lead on it)
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to handle emotional situations with empathy and professionalism
• Strong person-centred approach, integrity, resilience and adaptability

Desirable: knowledge of cancer services/pathways; voluntary/community sector experience; relevant qualification (health, social care, counselling, wellbeing).

Permanent Role - Hours: 32 hours across a 4-day week + 3 flexible hours (occasional out-of-hours for events/charity needs)

Salary: c. £33,000–£35,000

Benefits: Contributory pension scheme, private health insurance, local gym discounts

Location: York (Leveson Centre) with occasional travel

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports: Care & Support Coordinator and volunteers

Ready to apply?

Send us:

• Your CV
• A covering letter
• A short 3–5-minute video explaining why this role, why now, and what you’d bring to the Leveson Centre culture. 

Closing date: 30th April 2026

If you want a role where compassion and leadership go together, and where your presence will genuinely change someone’s day, we’d love to hear from you.

Interviews

1st round – Thursday 7th May

Final Interview – Thursday 14th May

The Welfare Benefits Specialist role is part of SEL Mind's exciting new expansion of one-to-one support delivered through the Southwark Wellbeing Hub. This full-time role will provide in-person support to help clients understand their entitlements and challenge negative benefit decisions.

As Welfare Benefits Specialist, you will maintain a caseload of clients with mental health issues, supporting across the full range of welfare benefits. You will work closely alongside an Advice Specialist for non-benefits needs, and with colleagues across the Southwark Wellbeing Hub to ensure joined-up support where needed. 

The main working site is a community centre in SE17, with regularly-scheduled work in community centres in SE16 and SE5. As a key part of expanding equitable access to specialist advice, the role will work across the Borough of Southwark, meeting people across a variety of voluntary and statutory sites. Organisation and communication are vital to good case management, so you should have strong planning and prioritisation skills and be able to work independently and flexibly. 

The role will involve:

• Ensuring excellent case management across the full range of welfare benefits to a caseload of people with mental health problems, with regular case reviews
• Supporting clients including income-maximisation, calculating benefit entitlement, drafting or writing letters, negotiating with third parties, and preparing/presenting cases to tribunals and courts as appropriate
• Maintaining effective communication with SWH teams to support clear pathways into other services, delivering a joined up service 
• Ensure that all casework conforms to accepted high quality advice provision including well-organised written records, conflict of interest checks, and a key dates system

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

Closing date: Wednesday 6th May (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Friday 15th May

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

About Us

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

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

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

Mind in Croydon is seeking a motivated, empathetic and person-centred Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinator (MHPIC) to support adults experiencing mental health challenges to live independently and access the resources and services they need within their local communities. The MHPIC will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) within the Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) framework. You will provide one-to-one support to individuals, helping them develop Personal Recovery Plans and Action Plans using Open Dialogue approaches, navigate local services, and build confidence and autonomy. The role involves community-based support, home visits, and liaison with carers, families, and a range of health, council, and voluntary sector professionals. You will act as a named keyworker, supporting individuals over a defined period to achieve their recovery goals and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

If you are committed to recovery-focused, person-centred care and want to make a tangible difference in the lives of people in Croydon, we would welcome your application.

Salary: £30,117 per annum

Terms: Fixed term until 31st July 2027 (with potential to extend)

Hours Full time, 36 hours a week (including occasional evening and weekend work as required)

Reports to: Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinator Manager

Based at: Mind in Croydon Fairfield House  
10 Altyre Road, East Croydon, CR0 5LA
Flexible working with regular presence across our premises and community sites across the borough of Croydon.

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  

• Salary: £38,834
• 21 - 35 hours a week (Part time/full time hours available: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage)
• Up to 1 year fixed term contract (maternity cover)
• Hybrid working - home and hospital based – various possible locations available;
  • Bristol Childrens Hospital
  • Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
  • Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
  • Derriford Hospital Plymouth
  • Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
  • Royal Cornwall Hospital

• Closing date: Sunday 26 April 2026
• Interview dates:  W/C 4 May 2026

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.

About the role

We’re looking for a Social Worker to support children and young people diagnosed with cancer in our South West Team. 

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality support tailored to the needs of the children and young people and their families using a needs based assessment framework. The work we do is rewarding but also complex and demanding. You will be part of a close-knit Young Lives vs Cancer social work team, working with an established NHS multi-disciplinary team and services in the community.

This role is part home, part site-based. Your contractual base will be both Home and Hospital.

This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application, an enhanced criminal record check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

This role is also subject to a Social Work Registration, with Social Work England.

What do I need? 

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• A recognised Social Worker qualification and current registration with Social Work England/ Scottish Social Services Council/Social Care Wales/Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Experience working with children, young people and their families/carers in a social care setting.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, ideally in an NHS setting.
• Sound knowledge of child and young people development.
• An understanding of the impact of serious illness for children, young people and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

What will I gain?

 For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing days: four days a year to do what works for you – from catching up on training to going for a walk
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value AI adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Craig Pearce.

#ShowTheSalary

Together for Short Lives is looking for a driven and creative Business Development Manager to develop and secure high‑value corporate partnerships that will help transform the lives of children living with serious illness and their families. You’ll lead our business development strategy, build a strong pipeline of opportunities, and develop lasting relationships with prospective and existing supporters.

If you’re collaborative, tenacious and passionate about making a real impact in children’s palliative care, we’d love to hear from you.

Together for Short Lives is the leading UK-wide charity for children living with serious illness, their families and the services that provide them with palliative care.

Every child deserves many moments of happiness together with their loved ones. But it's hard for them to thrive when services don't fully meet their needs, leaving parents and siblings feeling isolated and alone.

That’s why we’re here. To make sure that every family can thrive as they navigate their child's life, death, bereavement and beyond.

Together we support families to live their lives, through the ups and downs, offering practical, emotional and financial help.

Together we unite our sector by prioritising and sharing crucial research, leading guidance and standards, connecting professionals and raising vital funds for children’s hospice and palliative care services.

Together we campaign to make sure that children with serious illness and their families get the care and support they need, when and where they need it.

Supporting, uniting, campaigning, together.
We are Together for Short Lives.

Purpose of role

The Business Development Manager will lead our efforts to secure high-profile, high-value partnerships with corporate organisations  that will generate vital income for children's palliative care. Securing new partnerships and growing our income requires exceptional collaboration skills; a driven, tenacious and resourceful nature; innovation and creativity; and a passionate determination to make a difference to the lives of children and families across the UK.

The main objectives are as follows:

1. Secure new corporate partnerships raising funds to support Together for Short Lives’ direct work, and our National Fundraising Scheme (raising funds on behalf of the UK’s children’s hospices).
2. Develop and deliver a business development strategy, including  prospect research, managing  a robust pipeline of opportunities, and developing a diverse range of business development products. 
3. Manage and develop relationships with a portfolio of individual contacts and organisations, including prospective and existing supporters.

Follow the link to our website to apply and find out more about the role. 

Primary Care Practitioner (Guided Self Help & Social Prescribing)

Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Hours: 28 hours per week across 4 days
Salary: £28,000 pro rata
Holiday: 25 days per year (pro rata), plus bank holidays

Make a real difference in your community

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated practitioner to join our team in the Vale of Glamorgan, delivering wellbeing support, Guided Self Help, and social prescribing across community and primary care settings.

This role focuses on supporting individuals experiencing mild to moderate, or severe but stable, mental health difficulties. You will help people better understand and manage their mental health, while connecting them to the right services and community support.

You will provide structured one-to-one support, deliver psychoeducational courses and workshops, and help people build resilience, confidence, and independence.

Working as part of an established team, you will receive referrals from GPs, other health professionals, and self-referrals, ensuring people can access timely and effective support.

About you

You will have experience working in a mental health or wellbeing setting and feel confident supporting individuals with a range of mental health needs.

You will be confident:

• Providing person-centred, strengths-based support
• Managing your own caseload and completing assessments
• Building positive relationships with individuals and partner organisations

You will have a good understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and professional boundaries, along with strong communication and organisational skills.

An interest in the voluntary and community sector is essential, as is the ability to connect people with local services and opportunities.

While full training will be provided, experience of guided self-help approaches, outcome measures (such as Recovery Star or CORE-OM), or delivering group work would be advantageous.

Above all, you will be approachable, organised, and committed to making a positive impact in your community.

Why work with us?

At Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan, we are committed to improving mental health, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring people feel heard, valued, and supported.

You will be joining a compassionate, community-focused organisation that believes in early intervention, empowerment, and person-centred support.

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of community and primary care services while staying connected to a wider network of support across the Vale — making a visible difference every day.

What we offer

• A supportive and values-driven team environment
• Opportunities to develop skills in Guided Self Help, psychoeducation, and social prescribing
• Regular supervision and ongoing professional development
• Flexible, community-based working
• The chance to be part of a trusted local mental health charity

Apply now

If you are passionate about improving mental health and supporting people to thrive, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the buttons below to view the Job Spec and submit your application via the Job Application Form.

Please note: CVs will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted using the online application form. (please click the redirected button to complete the Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan online application form).

Closing date: 30 April, 4:00pm
Interview date: Wednesday 6 May (Barry office)

Young People Support Worker

If you are the successful candidate, you will be joining a very tight-knit & supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough are well-cared for.

Location: Islington

Salary: £29,336 per annum

Closing Date: 10 May, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Make a meaningful impact every weekend by supporting young people to build the confidence, skills and resilience they need for independent living. In this 8 placement supported accommodation service, you’ll deliver focused, strengths based support, complete SMART outcome driven plans, and lead risk and needs assessments—helping clients progress with purpose while maintaining a safe and positive environment.

As Young People Support Worker at our service in Islington, you’ll run one to one and group sessions, support new residents to settle in, and work collaboratively with statutory partners to provide joined up, personalised support. With creativity, empathy and strong safeguarding awareness, you’ll motivate clients to engage in education, training, employment and community activities, all under Depaul’s assets based, psychologically informed approach.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours a week), permanent role.

In this role, you will:

· Deliver strengths based, outcome focused support that builds young people’s skills, confidence and independence.

· Complete risk/needs assessments and create concise SMART support plans.

· Run focused 1:1 and group sessions that boost resilience and engagement in EET/volunteering.

· Maintain a safe, positive accommodation environment with strong safeguarding practice.

· Support move ins, tenancy sustainment and day to day wellbeing in the service.

· Work collaboratively with statutory partners and contribute to rota, H&S and team duties.

About You

You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

· Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

The charity is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About The Organisation

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 the charity was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, the charity provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

#INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Young People Support Worker

If you are the successful candidate, you will be joining a very tight-knit & supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough are well-cared for.

Position: Young People Support Worker (Day)

Location: Durham

Salary: £26,436 per annum

Closing Date: 10 May, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

You’ll play a vital part in delivering our mission: tackling homelessness, widening opportunity and championing fairness. Whatever your specialism, you’ll help create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment where people can thrive and move forward with confidence.

As a Young People Support Worker (Day) at our service in Durham, you’ll empower residents in supported accommodation to develop key life skills, strengthen resilience, and move forward with confidence in education, training, employment, and wellbeing. Using an assets based, psychologically informed approach, you’ll create SMART support plans, complete risk and needs assessments, and ensure every young person receives personalised, meaningful support.

As part of the team, you’ll respond to incidents, safeguard vulnerable clients and help new residents settle into the service. Working proactively with colleagues and external agencies, you’ll use clear communication, strong boundaries and steady problem solving to maintain safety and wellbeing throughout the night.

Please note that access to transport is essential due to location of the projects and lack of public transport links.

In this role, you will:

· Provide safe, supportive accommodation and champion the wellbeing of every client.

· Deliver personalised support plans that empower individuals to achieve independence.

· Build positive, respectful relationships with colleagues, partners and the people we support.

· Encourage participation in education, training, employment, and volunteering opportunities.

· Contribute to a positive team culture and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.

· Commit to continuous learning and uphold Depaul’s values of respect, inclusion, and action.

About You

You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

· Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

The charity is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About DePaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 the charity was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, the charity provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

#INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Primary Care Practitioner (Guided Self Help & Social Prescribing)
Location: Cardiff West (main base) and Vale of Glamorgan
Hours: 22 hours per week (two roles available)
Salary: £28,000 pro rata
Holiday: 25 days per year (pro rata), plus bank holidays

Make a real difference in primary care

We are looking for two compassionate and motivated practitioners to join our team, delivering Guided Self Help, psychoeducational support, and social prescribing within GP surgeries.

This role focuses on early intervention, supporting people to better understand and manage their mental health, while connecting them with appropriate services and community support.

You will work with individuals experiencing common mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression, offering structured, practical support that can make a meaningful difference to their everyday lives.

You will also contribute to the delivery of psychoeducational courses, support behaviour change, and help people build confidence and resilience.

About you

You will have experience supporting people with their mental health, ideally using structured approaches such as Guided Self Help or similar interventions.

You will be confident:

• Working within a primary care setting
• Managing your own caseload
• Building positive relationships with individuals and GP practice teams

An understanding of CBT-informed approaches is important, along with the ability (or willingness to learn) to use outcome measures such as Recovery Star, CORE-OM, and CORE-10.

You will also be confident in connecting people with wider support, including community services and specialist agencies.

Above all, you will be approachable, organised, and committed to making a positive impact.

Why work with us?

At Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan, we are committed to improving mental health, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring people feel heard, valued, and supported.

You will be joining a compassionate, community-focused organisation that believes in early intervention, empowerment, and person-centred support.

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of primary care while staying connected to a wider network of support across the Vale, making a visible difference every day.

What we offer

• A supportive and values-driven team environment
• Opportunities to develop skills in Guided Self Help, psychoeducation, and social prescribing
• Regular supervision and ongoing professional development
• Flexible, community-based working
• The chance to be part of a trusted local mental health charity

What you need to know

• Based primarily in Cardiff West, with some work across the Vale of Glamorgan
• Travel to the Vale is required for training, supervision, and occasional cover
• Two part-time roles available (22 hours each)

Apply now

If you are passionate about supporting people’s mental health and want to work at the heart of primary care, we would love to hear from you.

Please note: CVs will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted using the online application form. (please click the redirected button to complete the Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan online application form).

Closing date: 30 April, 4:00pm
Interview date: Wednesday 6 May (Barry office)

Role/Job Title: Head of Kent Services
Location: Pembury, with travel between services as required 
Contracted Hours Full time -37 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum FTE

Application Deadline Date:  Friday 24th May 2026 / Interviews to take place at Cornford Lane site (Pembury) on Wednesday 10th June
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.

We provide support and care to children, families and adults across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Surrey and the London Borough of Bexley. Our services include registered care homes; supported living; community outreach; day services, including pathways to employment; children and young people’s groups and support; specialist support; and free online support for families and carers across the South-East.
 

About the role:
This is a tremendously exciting time to join Aspens. With our new Chief Operating Officer in place, we are actively shaping how we work to ensure we deliver the very best for the people we support. Her focus and ambition are centred on establishing consistent, high-quality practice across the organisation and ensuring that everything we do enhances, in a meaningful and measurable way, the lives of those we support.
 

The Head of Kent Services is a leadership role responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial oversight of services within Kent, currently residential services for adults with autism and/or learning disabilities, supported living services, and services for children and families across Kent.

The postholder will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centred care and support that promotes autonomy, dignity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for individuals and families. The Head of Kent Services will lead and develop a small team of locality managers ensuring regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement across the portfolio.

The Head of Kent Services will be a member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team, working in collaboration with other leaders to drive the best outcomes for the People we Support and the Charity.

 

Knowledge and Experience:

We’re looking for someone who brings a combination of the following experiences, whether gained through formal roles, lived experience, volunteering or other pathways.  We value diverse routes into leadership and welcome applications from individuals who may not have followed traditional career paths.

Essential Experience:

• Significant senior management experience in health and social care.
• Proven leadership experience managing CQC Registered Managers.
• Strong knowledge of autism and learning disability support models.
• Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Demonstrable experience of regulatory compliance and inspection processes.
• Experience working with commissioners and local authorities.
• Experience managing large-scale change programmes.
• Significant experience in building team capability and managing complex employee relations.
   

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and operational delivery capability.
• Strong financial acumen.

• Experience overseeing impactful, outcomes-driven services at a strategic level.

• Strong project and programme management skills.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills.
• High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage complexity and drive change.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships, with trust and integrity
  
  
   

Desirable:

• Relevant professional qualification in health or social care (Level 5 or above).
• Experience overseeing multiple residential and/or supported living services.
• Experience in service mobilisation or turnaround.
• Experience with Positive Behaviour Support at strategic level.
   

Core Values & Leadership Expectations:

• Commitment to person-centred, rights-based and autonomy approaches.
• Passion for inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.
• Dedication to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
• Evidence-informed decision-making.
• High levels of integrity, resilience, and accountability.

• Reflective, open to feedback and committed to continuous learning
• Brings authenticity, empathy and a collaborative spirit
  
   

What we can offer you:

• An exciting and rewarding role that you can really make your own
• An opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment, with formal and informal training and development initiatives.
• Member of the Inclusive Executive Leadership Team.
• Hybrid working
• Adjusted Hours or compressed working weeks
• Fantastic paid training and career progression opportunities (including recognised qualifications in health and social care)
• Paid DBS 
• Annual Leave / Pro rata dependent on hours. Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
• Nest Pension and Death in Service Benefit
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Aspens High Street Stores -20% discount on all items for Aspens’ staff
• Bluebell cafe- Discounted staff menu available
• Refer a Friend scheme, so you can earn up to £250 for every person you refer to work for Aspens
• Recognition schemes, including ‘Employee of the Month’
• Wellbeing initiatives such as: no email/meeting Fridays, no meetings over lunchtime to ensure people can take a break, encouraged not to read or reply to emails outside of working hours, and access to counselling

If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need.

Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.

Job Title: Advocate (Maternity Cover)

Service: Coram Voice: Swindon

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (12 months)

Hours: 15 hours per week

Salary: £10,491 (FTE £24,479) for a 12 month period

Location: Swindon (Home based with travel across countries)

Our work

About the Role

We are looking for an Advocate to join our team in Swindon. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn, a desire to promote the rights of children and young people or already have an IAP City and Guilds Level 3 or IAQ City and Guilds Level 4 in Advocacy.

You will work directly with care experienced children and young people and those on Child Protection Plans providing them with advocacy support in the community and a variety of settings.

You will empower and support them to ensure their voices are heard within decision–making processes that effect their lives.

You will be a capable ambassador for Coram Voice with the ability to engage effectively with professionals, carers, other stakeholders and most importantly children and young people.

If you have the necessary experience and skills and a commitment to promoting the rights of young people, we would like to hear from you.

About Coram:

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Coram Voice:

Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.

Coram Voice exists to enable and equip children and young people to hold systems to account, to challenge and support them to do their jobs properly and to uphold the rights of children and young people to actively participate in shaping their own lives.

Coram Voice strives for a society which recognises, and willingly accepts, its responsibilities to children and young people, where the inequalities and discrimination they currently face have been eradicated. Where those children and young people are fully engaged in all decisions that are made about their lives. Where the views, needs and feelings that they express are at the core of those decisions.

Our Advocacy services we provide advocacy direct to children and young people in a variety of situations. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.

What you will receive

We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of up to 25 days’ annual leave and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.

You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.

Recruitment process

Our Advocates will undertake Shortlisting. Successful candidates will be invited for interview.The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview.Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.

Returning your application:

• We cannot accept general CVs.
• When completing your application form, you need to address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
• Applications must be fully completed.
• If you are a current Coram Voice employee you may submit a supporting statement only addressing the person specification requirements for the post.

Closing date: 27 April 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 05 May 2026

General consideration for applications:

• DBS checks: all posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check.
• Training: All successful candidates are required to complete our compulsory training programme which includes training in Advocacy (Being a Voice) Safeguarding and Diversity
• Conflict of interest: the independence of the service is important to Coram Voice. Prospective applicants need to raise any other potential conflicts of interest when initially contacting Coram Voice about this post.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Creative Support is a national provider of social care with charitable status. We are seeking a capable and highly professional PA to support our governance and quality functions.

This is a responsible position which will offer great job satisfaction to someone with a conscientious and proactive approach. Creative Support delivers person-centred care and support to people across England with a wide range of needs. We are also a Registered Social Landlord managing around 1,000 units of supported housing. 

This role inolves the provision of all necessary administrative and secretarial assistance to the Chair of the Board, Company Secretary and Director of Quality.  The role will involve:

Governance

- Liaising with the Chair and trustees to forward plan and schedule meetings.

- Communications and correspondence for the Chair and trustees.

- Organising meetings and sending out invites and virtual log-ins.

- Managing room bookings, refreshments, travel arrangements and payment of expenses.

- Arranging meetings between the Chair, trustees, the CEO and other officers as required.

- Making arrangements for presentations and internal/external speakers as required.

- Liaising with the Executive Team regarding preparation for meetings and any follow up.

- Taking accurate, professional minutes in a range of meetings, including Board & Committee meetings.

- Collating, uploading and sending out minutes, reports and other papers for Board meetings.

- Keeping records of attendance and apologies and any possible conflicts of interest.

- Maintaining all records in good order and managing the online Board portal.

- Supporting the Company Secretary, Chair &CEO by organising Annual/General Meetings & events.

- Supporting the Company Secretary with the recruitment and induction of new trustees.

- Being a point of contact for trustees and shareholding members.

- Supporting the Company Secretary in undertaking their role and duties.

- Any other duties reasonably requested by the Chair, CEO and Company Secretary.

Quality

- PA/Administrative support for the Director of Quality, for their quality remit & operational portfolio.

- Servicing the Quality & Practice Committee by coordinating the submission of reports & information.

-       Administrative support for the Head of Quality, Head of Social Care Governance and Quality Team.

- Collating quality data, compiling reports, minuting meetings and effective follow up.

- Minuting and providing administrative support for confidential, sensitive HR and safeguarding cases.

- Providing PA support and assistance for the Executive Team when required.

- Communicating and liaising with Head Office Teams and operational managers.

- Contributing to planning and implementation of wider corporate campaigns/programmes of work.

- Providing support for co-production initiatives and Experts by Experience.

Applicants for this role must be passionate about Creative Support’s work, values and ethos. You will have significant prior experience gained in a responsible secretarial or administrative role. Experience of working for a charity or a social care or public service organisation is desirable, but not essential. You will be proactive, professional and able to maintain confidentiality. You will be well-organised, able to prioritise work and to achieve deadlines.

You must have good communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively and  coordinate the work of others. You must be helpful and responsive to requests for assistance from the Chair and trustees. You will be willing to work flexibly in accordance with the needs of the organisation and trustees, including attending evening meetings (1-2 evening meetings a month).

A good standard of literacy is required and you must be competent in the use of IT and online applications including MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint. You will be conscientious and diligent in managing data and information and keeping records on behalf of the Company Secretary. You must be able to take direction and be accountable to the Director of Quality and the Company Secretary.

You must be committed to the principles of co-production as you will be expected to support the voice and active involvement of people we support in governance and quality assurance.

Benefits of working with Creative Support:

- Friendly and supportive work environment

- Career development opportunities

- High level of training and development through our Creative Academy

- Pension with company contribution

- Free life assurance

- 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays, plus an additional day off for your birthday

This job could be full time (37.5 hours) or part-time by agreement, subject to a minimum of 30 hours per week. This post is not suitable for home working. Our offices are readily accessible on public transport as we are based in in the centre of Stockport close to the mainline train station and with frequent buses to Manchester.

Creative Support is a welcoming and inclusive Equal Opportunities employer. We embrace diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. As a Disability Confident Employer we welcome applications from people with a disability, and as a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion we actively encourage applications from the LGBT+ community.

We can only accept applications from candidates who are located in and eligible to work within the UK.

We will be interviewing for this role as suitable applications are received and may close this role before the closing date upon a successful candidate being appointed.

Vacancy Reference Number: 84364

Applications for this post must be submitted via the Creative Support website, quoting the above vacancy reference number.

About the Role

Main Responsibilities

• Interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills in order to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.

• Use the Citizens Advice Adviser Net website to find, interpret and communicate the relevant  information.

• Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions.

• Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning.

• Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate.

• Up to date knowledge of welfare benefits and demonstratable evidence of competence in providing benefits advice to clients in an audited environment.

• Refer internally or to other specialist services as appropriate, including but not limited to welfare, debt, housing and link work support services

• Ensure that all work conforms to the organisations’ office manual and the Citizens Advice quality standard and any other funding requirements, as appropriate.

• Ensure that work reflects and supports the Citizens Advice Service’s equality and diversity strategy.

• Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.

Social policy

• Assist with social policy work by providing information about clients' circumstances through the appropriate channel.

• Alert clients to social policy options.

Professional development

• Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.

• Read relevant publications.

• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line manager.

• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate.

Other duties and responsibilities

• Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes.

• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

• Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of the Citizens Advice service.

• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.

About us

Citizens Advice Liverpool is a charity that provides free, confidential and impartial advice to people who live and work in the city. We depend on a workforce of paid staff and over 120 trained volunteers. We give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem. We are the leading provider of advice and advocacy services in Liverpool and have helped clients with over 106,000 issues in 2022/2023.

CAL have achieved accreditation with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, showing we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our workforce. We've also gained an award for outstanding contribution by an employer to workplace health and wellbeing 2022 by Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust.

We've gained awards from Citizens Advice National recognising our Advising Margainalised Communities Team for championing equity, diversity and inclusion in both 2021 and 2021. We were also named volunteer team of the year in 2022.

Sanctuary & Racial Justice Officer
Canterbury (and on site in hubs)
£30,940 pa plus excellent benefits
35 hours per week
Fixed-term contract for three years

Are you passionate about shaping churches to become more welcoming and accessible to newcomers, strengthening local expressions of sanctuary and helping to embed racial justice principles into ministry and practice?

We’re looking for a Sanctuary & Racial Justice Officer to build inclusive communities by helping parishes across Kent become more welcoming, accessible and culturally aware for refugees, asylum seekers and newcomers.

Reporting to the Strategic Lead for Sanctuary & Racial Justice, you’ll coordinate existing Welcome Hubs in Canterbury and help launch new hubs in Folkestone, Ashford and Dover. Working with churches, volunteers, councils and community partners, you’ll strengthen local sanctuary, deliver racial justice training and develop practical tools that embed justice into everyday ministry.

This is an exciting, hands-on, people-centric role with so much variety — part community development, part volunteer leadership, as well as a mixture of training and partnership working.

We’re looking for someone with experience of supporting vulnerable people and working with volunteers, a good understanding of racial justice in practice and strong organisational and communication skills. You’ll be confident working across communities, able to manage multiple priorities and be motivated by seeing people and parishes flourish.

You’ll need to be a practising Christian, have the right to work in the UK, have a full, clean driving licence and the ability to travel across Kent and comfortable working flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

The Canterbury Diocesan Board of Finance employs this role on behalf of the Social Justice Network (SJN), a UK-based charity that works to promote social justice, inclusion and support for vulnerable communities. One of SJN’s key initiatives is the Sanctuary & Racial Justice Programme, which works with local authorities, charities and community groups to support and integrate refugee families into their communities. 

The Social Justice Network aims to bring people together. Issues such as low income, debt, lack of skills, poor mental health, forced displacement and isolation are closely interlinked, trapping individuals and communities in cycles of poverty. Our vision is for all churches, in every community, to work together to tackle these issues through action, prayer and giving.

Our Sanctuary & Racial Justice Programmes help individuals and families rebuild their lives after forced displacement. Services include Welcome Hubs, Arts and Wellbeing activities, ESOL classes, employment support and casework. We focus on fostering long-term, meaningful connections with local church communities to restore stability, dignity and belonging. 

It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a practising Christian, committed to the faith. This is essential to support and encourage parishes in living out their faith through social action and to engage authentically with the Diocese’s vision and principles in the Sanctuary & Racial Justice Programme. 

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks inclusive of Right to Work in the United Kingdom, References and relevant background checks applicable to the role.

Closing date: 28 April 2026
Interviews: 18 May 2026