Support manager jobs in waltham forest, london

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

 

 

Background

Social AF are experts in Social Media Moderation. Established in 2021, we work with some of the biggest names in the third sector and have supported charities to raise over £25 million through their Facebook Challenges and Virtual events. 

We are a fast-growing agency with a strong reputation for delivering outstanding results. Our team of experienced fundraisers know exactly what it’s like to be on the front line and put their heart and soul into every event. 

On a day to day basis, our team maintains a safe and welcoming environment and ensures all challenge participants feel valued and well supported. Our reputation for delivering an excellent service has helped our agency grow at a rapid pace and we are fast approaching our busiest period. We are now on the lookout for talented fundraisers who understand the value of supporter care to join our team.

About the role

Our moderators manage Facebook groups of up to 18,000 virtual challenge participants. You will be working with some of the biggest names in the sector, supporting them to raise five and six figure sums. 

This role is perfect for skilled fundraisers who can provide excellent supporter care, and is best suited as an additional source of income (the majority of our team are freelancers and consultants). You must be able to begin moderation at 9am (or earlier), wrap up by 9pm and adhere to our sub-three hour response time. 

As a Fundraising Group Moderator, you would be responsible for:

• Becoming the voice of the cause you are representing, adhering to their brand guidelines at all times

• Identifying, escalating and signposting any safeguarding issues

• Managing your own time and work on own initiative

• Responding to all post and queries in under three hours

• Maximising registration conversions and fundraiser activation 

• Providing fundraising support to challenge participants

• Ensuring that the group is a safe, constructive and positive environment

• Going above and beyond at all times to provide participants with an incredible experience

Our moderation takes place between 9am and 9pm, Monday-Sunday. Different challenges have different requirements and whilst you need to be on hand to monitor the group during 9am-9pm, the role does allow for a great deal of personal flexibility.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years' professional fundraising experience. They will understand the importance of stewarding relationships and be committed to always acting in the best possible way for the charities we work so hard to support.

Full training will be provided alongside regular one to one and monthly team meetings. 

On a day to day basis you will:

• Work off your own initiative and have exceptional time management

• Be the charity representative for the event

• Maintain a safe and positive environment 

• Identify and solve/diffuse issues within the groups

• Bring your own personality to the role 

• Follow clear processes

• Engage with participants using a warm, friendly and informal tone

• Respond to posts and questions in a timely manner

• Respond to inbox messages from participants

• Use personal Facebook profile to moderate groups (this allows us to build relationships with participants)

• Encourage and motivate participants 

• Work on GivePanel and other similar platforms to manage registrations 

• Post engaging content on a daily basis 

• Identify, report and signpost all safeguarding concerns 

Person Specification 

Essential

• At least three years’ professional fundraising experience

• Have own Facebook profile and strong understanding of the platform

• Be available for a minimum of 3 days a week (including one weekend day) 

• Excellent written communication skills 

• Ability to work off own initiative 

• Strong attention to detail

• Team player 

• Ability to multitask

• Problem solver 

• Creative and innovative 

• Exceptional time management skills

• Keen to learn new skills - your fundraising experience is a fantastic platform however group moderation can be a steep learning curve!

• Must be available to quickly adapt throughout the day should issues on the group arise

Desirable:

• Events and individual giving experience 

• An understanding of the Facebook Challenge model and/or experience of running Facebook Challenges

• Experience in using GivePanel or similar platform 

• Experience in managing Facebook Groups 

Interested in data and looking for an opportunity in a sector leading CRM and data team? 

We're recruiting for a Data Executive to join us and support the ongoing marketing activities of British Heart Foundation (BHF). 
 
About the role

As a Data Executive you'll be responsible for managing marketing data selections; taking responsibility for a campaign to advise on segmentation, building selections in Blackbaud Enterprise CRM, and using SQL to write output scripts. 

You'll be responsible for identifying, fixing, and improving issues in the database, especially around data quality. You'll also get involved in other projects as required such as testing software upgrades, and new ways of working.

Working arrangements

This is a fixed term contract, for up to 18 months, covering a secondment within the team.

This is a blended role, where your work will be dual located between your home and our London office, up to once a week.
 
At BHF we believe in the power of being together, so our colleagues on blended contracts can expect to spend some time in their office, at least one day each week, on average. The use of our office spaces is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.
 
About you

With previous experience of working with CRM systems, knowledge of SQL, preferably around data selections for marketing and non marketing purposes. You will be used to working within a busy fundraising environment, you’ll have excellent problem solving skills, able to take the initiative on tasks. You’ll also have previous experience of planning and prioritising your own workload to tight deadlines.
 
To be successful in this role you'll have the following skills and experience:

• IT literate; fully conversant with standard Microsoft packages particularly Excel
• Good degree of data literacy with familiarity of data querying and manipulation
• Understanding of, and experience in, writing & working with SQL queries

• Experience using Blackbaud CRM, Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM application

​

​You'll have excellent attention to detail as well as a strong standard of numeracy. With an aptitude to find solutions to achieve better ways of working, you'll have strong communication skills able to interact with internal and external stakeholders at different levels.

 
Our work is fundamental to the health of the nation with an impact globally, so we require a world-class data function. If you have the skills and experience we're looking for, and you want to roll up your sleeves and help fund life-saving research, then we want to hear from you.

Interview process 

The interview process will be held virtually over MS Teams.

Benefits

To find out more about the benefits available at the BHF please download our benefits document at the bottom of our advert page.

We will be building our brand, diversifying our income streams and increasing our donors and giving profile. You will manage a small fundraising team and play an important role on our senior management team. You will be experienced in winning large trust and foundation and statutory sector grants, as well as having knowledge around diversifying funds in a not-for-profit context.

Main Responsibilities:

• Building our brand, diversifying income streams, and increasing our donor profile.
• Managing a small fundraising team and playing a key role on our senior management team.
• Developing and delivering fundraising strategies based on our Strategic Plan.
• Overseeing our funding portfolio and supporting the development of individual donors.
• Sourcing and applying for funds to meet strategic priorities.
• Networking with other agencies and stakeholders to promote our work.

If you share our vision that ‘every young person is empowered to gain the confidence, independence and skills they need for a better and brighter future’ we might have the perfect role for you!

ThinkForward is recruiting Employment and Progression Coaches in London and Hounslow to join our SEND team delivering our unique programme supporting young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities into employment. We are open to freelance, fixed term, temporary, or more permanent contracts. If you are….

· Passionate about, and have experience in, supporting young people to make amazing decisions about their futures

· Committed to equity, diversity, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice

· Persistent, empathic and agile in your style of work and able to apply a coaching approach to the delivery of our programme

· Able to tell the stories of our work through data

· Confident in running one-to-one and group work sessions

· Knowledgeable of supported internships and supported employment, careers and the importance of tailored progression planning for young people

…then please read the job pack and job description attached for more information, before applying via CharityJob with your CV and cover letter.

Background

Medact organises with the health community to win a world in which everyone can truly achieve and exercise their human right to health. We cover some of the most pressing national and global threats to health and wellbeing including institutional racism, climate change, human rights abuses, violent conflict and rising inequality. We’re a member-led organisation, and our members are made up of a range of people who work in health including nurses, doctors, midwives and clinical researchers.

We take an organising-centred approach to our work. We build community power by working in solidarity with health workers and the communities experiencing harm from the unjust systems we challenge. We run national campaigns, use research to expose injustice and we support local organising groups across the country who lead most of our work.

Details

Salary: £30,501.83 at 0.8FTE (£38,127.28 full time equivalent) Note: We do not negotiate salaries, so please only apply if this is in line with your expectations.

Contract: 1 year fixed-term (parental leave cover)

Hours: 0.8 FTE – 28 hours per week

Location: Hybrid. Staff work remotely and from the Medact office in East London. London-based staff work in-person as a team one day per week, and staff based outside London come in at least once a month, with support for travel costs. Applications from outside London are encouraged.

Apply by: 9am, Monday 4th August

About the role 

The Campaign & Programme Lead: Climate & Health supports health workers to campaign for just and proportionate action on climate change, working closely with our Movement Organiser and other colleagues. Currently our work focuses on the intersection of climate and housing, working to end the public health crisis of fuel poverty and poor-quality homes. In particular this role is responsible for national advocacy and campaigning on fuel poverty and housing, supporting members to organise in their local communities, and being a key part in the Homes for Health campaign team.

The role involves holding Medact’s key knowledge base on climate and health issues. You will build relationships across the health community and wider climate movement, from establishment institutions to frontline workers and grassroots groups. 

About you

This is a skilled role but you don’t need to have had a job in an NGO before or be a professional campaigner to be right for it. You might have worked with your local community to campaign on a social justice or health issue that you care about. Or, you might be a health worker who has seen the impact of these issues on your patients and wants to challenge the systems that drive inequity and marginalisation. 

You’ll have a strong understanding of power and how to work with others to create pressure for change. You need to be a great communicator, able to build trusting relationships with Medact members, academics, partner organisations and community groups. You’ll have an understanding of how digital communications compliment campaigning and an eye for a good media story.

Key dates

Applications close at 9am, Monday 4th August

Interviews will be Wednesday 20th August

If needed, second interviews will be in the week of 25th August

Our recruitment principles

Medact aims to be an inclusive and supportive employer, and we recognise that recruitment processes don’t work for everyone. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in the NGO sector, and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as being LGTBQIA+, people who have a mental health condition, and people who identify as working class or have a working class background. If you have any questions or uncertainties about this position and whether you are right for it, please do get in touch. 

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to be a health worker to apply? No, and Medact staff are not all health workers.
• Can you sponsor my visa? We are unable to offer sponsorship for individuals without the right to work in the UK.
• How flexible are the working hours? Medact has a Flexible Working Policy which supports staff to adjust their hours around our core working hours (11am–4pm), and can accommodate periods of working abroad / in different time zones, compressed hours and other configurations.

We're looking for a collaborative, analytical and detail-oriented Business Partner to join our Finance Team located at our Head Office in Islington.

£55,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel in control of your career? You'll feel at home here.

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

Our benefits include:

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

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

We reserve the right to close the job advertisement early, so we encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

This role encompasses two critical functions:

• Business Partner to Central Services - Assisting head office functions in managing their budgets.
• Financial Planning & Analysis - Supporting the Senior Manager for FP&A in overseeing the budgeting, forecasting, and business planning processes.

About you:

• Previous experience of planning and budgeting and delivery of key reports in a large organisation.
• Be capable of managing (sideways and upwards) senior individuals across multiple disciplines and have extensive, demonstrable people management experience and a clear understanding of the people implications and people agenda on the success of the business.
• Financial expertise to understand requirements, produce reports, provide financial analysis and to identify underperformance and risks.
• Confident, ability to lead, and communicate with others to influence business decisions and financial performance.
• Meticulous, accurate and attention to detail
• Experience in business modelling and financial forecasting.
• Advance skills in using Excel and to learn specific planning systems such as Bricks

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA or equivalent full professional qualification.
• Ability to analyse complex financial information, identify issues, recommend solutions and express them clearly to "lay" managers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and all levels internally and externally.
• Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Constructive contributions and relevant recommendations to senior management to improve the performance.

Desirable:

• Experience in business partnering of FP&A

About us:

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

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

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

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

Regional Youth and Community Director
OASIS UK – Youth and Community (OCP)

Permanent, full-time post, 40 hours per week, inclusive of breaks 

Salary: £51,959 per annum (£54,669 p.a. London Weighting for London based staff)

At an exciting and key stage in our journey we have the opportunity for Youth and Community Directors to join our team supporting Oasis’ youth and community work in neighbourhoods in the following regions;

- London and South East (North, Central and South London and Kent - five local Oasis charities)

- North West (Greater Manchester – two local charities, and two regionwide youth violence contracts)

- North East (NE Lincs, Humber, Bradford and Sheffield – four local charities)

With accountability to the Oasis CEO for Youth and Community the role of the regional Youth and Community Director will have three main functions:

1 Strategic management oversight of local Youth and Community teams

2 Regional development, working alongside other functions within the Oasis family

3 Being part of the national Youth and Community leadership team

The Youth and Community Director will have strategic management oversight of local Youth and Community teams in the region, providing accountability and support to the local leaders and charity boards. This responsibility area falls into two categories; those the Director is directly responsible for, and those they are responsible for ensuring are carried out by those within their region.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Oasis neighbourhoods are local places of activity that provide integrated, high quality and diverse services to benefit the whole person and the whole community. The Oasis ethos stems from our Christian roots and is an expression of our character - it is a declaration of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. This is encapsulated by the following five statements:

a passion to include everyone

a desire to treat everyone equally, respecting differences

a commitment to healthy and open relationships

a deep sense of hope that things can change and be transformed

a sense of perseverance to keep going for the long haul

An Oasis neighbourhood is a community movement and the joining together of all the work Oasis does in any one place, which could include foodbanks, debt advice centres, family support and advice services, healthcare, youth work, children’s work, alongside other Oasis activities in that community, including formal education through Oasis Academies.

The Youth and Community function of Oasis is responsible for the wider community work that takes place within Oasis neighbourhoods, working closely with the other functions of Oasis to outwork our vision. In relation to governance, Oasis Community Partnerships is the national charity, with each local team operating from their own local Oasis charity.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing national organisation, making a difference to communities on a local level, whilst also influencing the national landscape.  As part of the package, Oasis offers:

• A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution
• A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays)

Please contact us to arrange for an informal conversation with our CEO to find out more about the role. If you are interested in this position, please send your CV and a covering letter (ensuring you refer to the job description and person spec).

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers to application, please let us know.

Completed applications should be returned by 9AM on Monday 21st July.

Interviews will take place week beginning 28th July. (Shorter more informal calls may be arranged the previous week to assist with shortlisting)

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 08749179

We are Hestia. We make a difference.
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Pool Worker to play a pivotal role in our Crisis Accommodation Service in Blackfen.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
The role focuses on providing high-quality support to individuals in mental health crisis. You will assist clients during their stay, helping to reduce immediate distress and develop plans to prevent future crises. This includes working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary mental health services to ensure effective, multi-agency support. All interventions should reflect the organisation's  values and commitment to recovery, co-production, and person-centred care, while following established policies and procedures.
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of th
e areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
Here's what the team will be looking for
You will have previously worked in a Recovery Worker position within a similar setting. Have the ability to adapt to challenges and a willingness to turn your hand to what is needed.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a
disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Caritas Social Action Network

Senior Migration Officer

Location: London, with working from home, regular travel in England and Wales, and rare travel overseas.

Contract: full-time, one year, with regular evening and occasional weekend meetings.

Salary: £37,440

Closing date: Monday 18 August at 12 noon

Interview date: Thursday, 28 August, in person, in London

CSAN is the official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice affecting people in England and Wales. We’re facing a steep rise in poverty and significant pressures on social, economic and church resources. At this time, the Church is called to raise a prophetic voice against poverty and the rhetoric of division and work for the building of a more just society.

In 2021, CSAN launched its strategy to extend the social mission of the Church in a post-COVID society. We are developing the infrastructure of the social action network of the Church in England and Wales, including new alliances for diocesan Caritas agencies, advocacy and migration. As our Senior Officer for Migration, you will help to raise awareness of migration issues from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching and lead on our Ambassadors Programme against Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, as well as prepare briefings and campaign responses to Government legislation.

Over the last 20 years, CSAN has established a network of 50 diocesan and direct service charities, with a combined annual expenditure on social mission estimated at £400m, excluding the work of schools and religious congregations. Our members build up local community life in diverse ways, and many of them support individuals in difficulty, including with housing, prison and detention, social isolation, ill-health, violence, disability, employment, care, therapeutic and welfare support.

The key responsibilities of the Senior Migration Officer are:

1. To provide timely information to the CSAN team and the network on UK Government resettlement programmes and legislation on immigration.

2. To support CSAN’s work to improve public policy and practice on immigration, with compelling evidence from our network, and enabling effective participation in advocacy for a humane system.

3. To work closely with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales on issues of migration and human trafficking.

4. To lead the implementation of the Gubay-

funded CSAN Ambassadors against Human Trafficking programme, preparing and delivering programme materials.

5. To support cross-cutting key workstreams and alliances in CSAN, especially the Domestic Abuse alliance and racial justice, in partnership with the Bishops’ Conference.

The work of the small national team requires a high level of integrity and teamwork, respect for and capacity to navigate complex civil and church contexts at pace, and a stable commitment to personal formation and training. Our Senior Migration Officer will bring a professional track record of relevant research and analysis, production of compelling communications, and diligent administration. A satisfactory basic DBS check and references are required.

CSAN is a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, with national agencies in over 160 countries, and among the most successful examples of organised Catholic social action.

Assistant Communications Officer

 

Do you have experience working in a fast paced press office or communications team and are looking to take your next step? Are you skilled in juggling tasks and enjoy the buzz of a busy comms office? Mencap is recruiting for an Assistant Communications Officer - a vital role across our PR and social media teams, helping bring together our day to day work - this position is hugely varied with bags of opportunity to learn and grow in the role.

The role is full time (37.5 hours per week) with hybrid working at home and in the London Office. We know that work is something you do not just a place you go.  At Mencap we give office-based colleagues and teams more flexibility about where the work is done. 

About the role of Assistant Communications Officer:

•  You will be supporting both the media team and wider communications team to help us reach as wide an audience as possible.
•  Supporting the media team with day-to-day tasks such as writing and issuing the daily news summary, managing rotas, assisting with compiling monthly reports, take part in the team rota to be the first point of contact for media requests coming into the organisation - via press phone and media inbox.
•  Supporting the media team with campaign press - writing press releases and creating social media content, pitching stories to journalists, setting up media interviews and writing briefing documents and work with the social media team to monitor our social channels and interact with followers where required.

You will be a crucial cog in ensuring the smooth running of the press office with:

·  Strong organisation and time management skills to keep the team running efficiently and manage your varied workload.

· At least 1 years experience within communications.

· Have good initiative.

*This is not an exhaustive list of the role, please see the attached job description for more information.

 

This role closes on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 and first interviews will be Wednesday 30th July via Microsoft Teams.

At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap! 

Benefits

 

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

 

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Mind in Enfield and Barnet is a fast-growing charity in North London providing much needed therapy, wellbeing support and advocacy services to people with mental health problems. 

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Health & Wellbeing Practitioner to work with a new partnership of Unified Community Assistance Network Enfield. UCAN Enfield is a consortium led by Age UK Enfield, with delivery partners from One to One, Mind in Enfield and Barnet, Wellbeing Connect, Bread n Butter, Cooking Champions and Middlesex Association for Blind.

We offer a range of services and activities to promote health and wellbeing and independence to residents aged 18+ who may be affected by sensory loss, autism, mental health conditions, long-term health conditions, and people whose voices are seldom heard.

Our specialist programme has been designed to be inclusive for all, and includes healthy eating and nutrition, cookery workshops, exercise and wellbeing groups. We also deliver peer support groups and lead the Adult Autism Hub.

Duties will include:

• Working alongside UCAN Enfield partners to co-produce and support the delivery of a programme of health and wellbeing sessions in the community that meet a range of needs from general population to specific conditions
• Attending community activities to meet new potential referrals and engage with participants.
• Managing shared UCAN Enfield Email inbox on a rota basis and loading new referrals onto Charity Log.
• Using Charity Log (CRM) to access and manage referrals by triaging and determining their level of need 1,2,3* and allocating the appropriate support which may include referring to other UCAN Enfield partners or referring to other partners.
• To manage a case load of 25 new referrals per month.
• To work alongside UCAN partners to ensure that referral pathways are established and maintained with GP’s, Enfield community organisations, VCS, Social Care, Health Teams, pharmacies.

The successful candidate should have a minimum 2 years of relevant experience in social care, housing and VCS Services.

Please see the attached job descrition which includes all duties and skills required.

This is a full-time position, 35 hours per week covering the service between 9-5 Monday to Friday. Salary is £27300 per annum.

The role is based at Enfield Mind office at 275 Fore Street, N9 0PD. You may be asked to work from other locations, as and when required.

Background to the role

Job description

Job Purpose

The weekend Home & Settle Project Officer is responsible for responding to referrals received over the weekend from both Royal London Hospital & Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You will work with the manager on Friday to deliver services and plan visits on the weekend for you to attend.

The service supports people returning after a stay in hospital, helping them to settle back at home, regain confidence and support with some practical tasks, e.g. shopping/cleaning.  You will manage referrals, carry out assessments, and in liaison with the manager, allocate service users to Discharge and Settle Worker caseloads. You will provide direct frontline support and co-ordinate visits to the service users’ home in preparation for their return home. You will work collaboratively to lead and manage the weekend service to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users.  The service is time limited, up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust, build confidence, and settle back in their homes.

Key Tasks

• Act as the first point of contact for all referrals over the weekend across both hospitals.
• Meet with patients in the community and/or hospital and carrying out assessments and risk assessments.
• Enter referrals on to AUKEL’s case management system (currently Charity Log) in accordance with GDPR guidelines.
• Allocate referrals to Discharge and Settle workers (in the week) using tech available (currently the Call Round App), training will be available.
• Collect feedback from service users and upload to case management system.
• Prepare and keep stock of AUKEL Welcome Packs and service leaflets.
• Deputise for the manger at discharge planning and other meetings as required.
• Support hospitals to improve the patient’s experience of the discharge process.
• Monitor the case loads of each of the Discharge and Settle workers (DSW) to ensure they are evenly and fairly balanced.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services.
• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary readmission to hospital.
• Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge.
• Deliver the front-line support services over the weekend
• Provide occasional cover for the A/L of other Project Officers
• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital.
• Supervise, support and develop DSWs and volunteers in your service.
• Liaise with the handyperson service about referrals and jobs for service users.
• Ensure DSW are resourced to sign post service users to other services when the home and settle service intervention ends.
• Arranging access visits to service user’s homes.

Administration

• ·Keep AUKEL’s case management system up to date, input all data, and ensure all referrals, interventions, time spent with service users are recorded.
• Allocate referrals to DSW using tech available (currently - Charity Log ‘Call Round’ App).
• Ensure wards have good supply of service leaflets and referral forms.
• Ensure data collected meets the requirements of the service’s contract monitoring and key performance indicators.
• Ensure customer feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns.
• Ensure admin tasks relating to service users, Discharge and Settle workers or general admin is carried out in a timely and efficient manner. 
• Provide cover as needed, i.e. annual leave and sickness, for the services you manage, and other hospital settle services provided by AUKEL
• Carry out monitoring of the service ensuring it meets the contractual requirements of commissioners.

Quality

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures.
• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance with Care Quality Commission fundamental standards.
• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them. 
• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action

Liaison

• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance affecting care and home support services.
• Work in collaboration with hospital colleagues including discharge teams, A&E, ward staff, community teams to support the successful discharge of people and reduce readmission.
• Liaise with other AUKEL home and settle services across London and work collaboratively to maintain effective services, including sharing staff where appropriate.
• Work closely with the AUKEL handyperson service to meet contractual obligations where a handyperson service is provided as part of the service.
• Liaise with contractors to arrange deliveries and works to service user’s homes.

 General

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.
• Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.
• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL.
• Undertake any training required to fulfil the post.
• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures including: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality.

 Functional Links

• The Home and Settle Project Officer is supervised directly by the Home and Settle Manager.
• Close working is required with AUKEL Finance Team, Information, Advice, Advocacy & Befriending Services, AUKEL Community services directorate, and other home and settle services across East London.

Person Specification

Research shows that while middle class white men tend to apply for job when they meet around 60% of the criteria, women, people from the global majority, and people from other marginalised groups that encounter systematic discrimination tend to apply only when they meet all criteria. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don’t meet every single aspect of the job description, please still apply!

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working within a health or care setting.
• Experience of using IT systems to record work done.
• Experience of supporting colleagues (this could be in a non- managerial position)

Desirable

• Experience of working within a hospital setting
• Experience of managing and developing staff.
• Experience of working with older people
• Experience of conducting assessments and risk assessments.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner. 
• Understanding of the needs of patients who may lack family or other support.
• Understanding of the needs of lone workers whilst working in the community.
• Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers. 
• Understand of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity.

Desirable

• Knowledge of CQC fundamental standards
• Understanding of NHS hospital discharge procedures

Skills/Attributes

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Intermediate IT skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.

Additional Requirements

• This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
• The role is required travel across East London
• Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.

Additional Information

• This job description is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and deliverables for the role.
• In addition to the contents of this role description, employees are expected to undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by line management.

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. We deliver lasting impact by providing health care, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant, always with a focus on the unique needs of women and girls. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, we now work in over 40 crisis-affected countries as well as communities throughout the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

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The Global Advocacy & Influence Department is a dynamic team that uses the power of IRC’s ideas to solve the biggest challenges facing IRC’s clients. From the drivers of conflict to the needs displaced people, the team partners with politicians, policy makers and civil society to bring these solutions to life. We take pride in being solutions-oriented and creative. We are precise in our tactics, and messages. We lead change year over year, knowing that system change takes dedicated focus while maintaining the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Finally, we are collaborative, working not only with programs, strategy, research and innovation, and communications teams across the IRC, but also externally, constantly seeking to new ideas and perspectives from others in the humanitarian sector and beyond.

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IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England. In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

Job Overview

As the Advocacy Officer, you are responsible for building the profile, influence and credibility of IRC’s work with UK politicians, political parties and opinion formers on our humanitarian and development issues. You will be delivering our influence strategies and identifying strategic lobbying opportunities and enabling colleagues to exploit them fully through the use of innovative and creative tactics that help IRC stand out in a crowded arena. You will support building critical strategic relationships to help deliver on IRC’s objectives in parliament. You will contribute fresh insights and analysis to inform IRC’s influence approaches, tactics, and messages.

Major Responsibilities:

• Advocacy Strategy: Support in delivering advocacy strategies, collaborating with the Advocacy Manager, policy leads, public advocacy and communications colleagues, to advance IRC’s key advocacy objectives. 
• ​Political and policy monitoring: Analyse and report on relevant political and policy trends and regularly communicate across external relations teams.Expand IRC’s political reach by tracking and analysing shifting government positions, individuals engaging on our issues, and the politics around our issues. Track political processes and profile opportunities / events; including bills, select committee inquiries, and other parliamentary and political developments. 

• Stakeholder management: Building and maintaining relationships with a core group of political champions in and around Westminster, whilst raising IRC’s profile and awareness of our positions on key issues among a wider political audience in order to increase our ability to deliver policy change.
• Political engagement: Developing and providing regular written or oral briefings to MPs, Peers, government officials, and other decision makers on key policies and campaigns. Producing specific asks to parliamentarians on a regular basis – parliamentary questions, debate contributions etc.

• Communications: Provide market and audience expertise to communications team to craft public advocacy in the UK. Support team in developing communications strategy and develop materials for advocacy targets, including digital/social content and take actions.
• Teamwork: Support a positive team culture by acting openly and collaboratively, supporting colleagues in their work and sharing credit with others where appropriate. 
• Steward Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: both in the culture of IRC, as well as in the policy solutions we develop and the ways we wield influence.

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Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: Advocacy Manager

Internal contacts: Policy and Advocacy colleagues, Communications, Technical Excellence leads; International Programs leads, External Relations Department

External contacts: Parliamentarians, government officials, key opinion formers, think tanks and sector colleagues in the UK.

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Job Requirements:

Work experience:

• Experience in delivering advocacy strategies in the UK. 2 years + of experience working on development and humanitarian issues. 

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Demonstrated skills and competencies:

• Proven success in delivering successful strategies that influence/impact on legislative and executive policy.
• Good understanding of relevant the UK’s political structures and processes, and familiar with leverage points within these institutions that can be targeted to achieve policy change objectives.
• Ability to innovatively and creatively apply influencing techniques and tactics to consistently make IRC stand out from the crowd in Westminster, Whitehall and with other key international stakeholders.

• Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues in the UK.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with parliamentarians and colleagues in the humanitarian and development fields. 
• Strong writing skills and the ability to translate sophisticated material and data into coherent narratives that resonate with policymakers. 
• Experience of developing effective working relationships with colleagues, and working collaboratively in multi-disciplinary project teams.

• Ability to work quickly against deadlines. 

• Initiative and ability to work independently on fast-paced issues, and balance competing demands.