Support worker jobs in East of england

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Senior Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Social Care Service in Kensington and Chelsea. No personal care required, just the right values.

£30,969.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

This is a fixted term contract until 30th September 2026.

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

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.

As a Senior Support Worker, you will be expected to undertake duties as part of the management team which includes supporting the team with their responsibilities whilst working flexibly to respond to the needs of your individual customer case load.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

• Carry out administrative tasks as relevant to the service and directed by the contract manager.
• Work proactively with the team to handle the service caseload and support an effective team approach to meeting each customer's identified needs
• Motivate your team and champion a positive local culture within your service
• Carry out initial assessment for new customers and keep up to date referral log
• Deliver effective resident meetings with customers and ensure that information, reporting and communication
• Partnership working with a range of stakeholders including families, healthcare professionals, external personal assistants other support agencies to maximise outcomes for customers

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, networks in local business community
• Approachable and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years of experience working people with high complex needs.

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications

About us:

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

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

The salary for the post is £4,895 gross per annum (based on 7 hours per week off the Real Living Wage full-time equivalent of £24,479)

Based: HMP Norwich Visitors’ Centre

Working Hours and Patterns:

· The work pattern is every Saturday 8:30 – 4pm (7 hours with 30 minutes unpaid break)

· The successful candidate is expected to be available outside of these times to carry out essential training, attend Team Meetings on a Wednesday morning (scheduled in advance every six weeks), and the prison induction on one Monday and Tuesday.

· Overtime, particularly on Sundays, is often available.

· A degree of flexibility will be required at times to meet operational demand.

HMP Norwich, part of the main HMP Estate, offers a varied and exciting opportunity to work in a busy yet rewarding environment where no two days are the same. You will be required to obtain and retain enhanced security vetting for this role.

The Ormiston Families team based at HMP Norwich provide a personal welcome for first-time and returning visitors to help them access the services available to them.

We are seeking a Family Support Worker to join the team in providing effective and efficient running of the Visitors Centre on Saturdays. This will involve booking visitors in for visits, serving refreshments to visitors, providing information for visitors who need additional support, signposting and making referrals to other prison departments. The overall purpose of the role is to ensure that prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience, improving the quality of visits for children and families, helping to maintain positive, healthy and resilient family relationships.

Ideally, you will have experience of dealing with people in a customer service-based role and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills, sometimes under challenging circumstances, whilst embracing a non-judgemental and empathetic work ethic. You will have had experience working with children and families or be able to demonstrate a commitment to this area of work. 

For further information and to apply, please visit our website.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 11th May 2026

Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role: Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

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

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

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

Nightlight Helpline / Crisis Café Support Workers (x2) 
Reference: 339
Responsible to: Crisis House Coordinator
Salary: £24,366 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours (Part-time from 22.5hrs considered)
Based:  
Hatfield Crisis Café (x1)
Stevenage Crisis Café (x1)

About the Service 

Our Nightlight Service (Cafés, Helpline, 24/7 Crisis House and Daylight provision) is proud to provide urgent support, crisis intervention and emotional support to people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire as an alternative to statutory pathways. 

We provide support to adults across Hertfordshire 7 days a week, 365 days a year through our helpline, crisis centres, crisis cafes and a weekend Crisis House. We aim to provide a safe space for people in crisis to talk and feel supported, be listened to without judgement, access relevant support with problem solving and facilitate access to external services when necessary.

As a member of our team you will work closely with service users in crisis by using a person-centred approach as to ensure that each individual is supported with dignity and respect. By honouring the individual experience of each service user, we are able to respect their autonomy as well as encourage and facilitate positive steps towards management of crisis and recovery. 

Service Objectives 

The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Nightlight Mental health Crisis House are: 

• To endeavour to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of people experiencing a mental health crisis across Hertfordshire. 
• To provide 24/7 support for individuals experiencing mental health crisis in a safe and non-judgemental environment. 
• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing clear and effective pathways to other services provided by HMN and other third party and/or statutory providers. 
• To remain a source of independent support for all Service Users. 
• To provide an alternative pathway to people in distress and crisis, employing a person-centred approach in order to enable better outcomes for those in need as to reduce the demand on statutory Crisis and Emergency services. 

At the Crisis Cafes we promote and enable people to access support in a way that suits them, whether that’s through talking to someone or simply by providing a safe space to have time alone or engage with trained staff. 

About the Role 

You will be a key member of staff delivering the Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Service. Taking part in a rota covering 7 days per week, ensuring the delivery of high quality crisis support  and instilling Hertfordshire Mind Network’s values throughout the Crisis Cafe and Helpline services. Working closely with other staff such as: The Service Manager, Team Leaders, Co-Ordinators, Contract and Bank Support Workers and Volunteers in order to ensure services are of the highest quality and to support the continued growth and development of the service.

We offer: 

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

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

Closing date for receipt of applications is 29th May 2026  
Interviews to be held on a rolling basis in our Watford office or Microsoft Teams.
N.B. Please quote reference number 339 when completing your application for this role. 

Interested?

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

Equal Opportunities

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

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

No agencies please.

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

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

Crisis House Support Worker  
Reference: 325
Responsible to: Crisis House Coordinator
Salary: £24,366 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours
Working days: Shifts available covering 7-day rota: Early: 7am-3pm, Late: 2pm-10pm Nights: 9pm-8am
Based: Crisis House – Hemel Hempstead 

About the Service
Our Nightlight Crisis House offers a safe, homely, and welcoming space for anyone feeling distressed and experiencing a crisis.

The Crisis Centre and rest of Nightlight Services (Café’s, Helpline, Daylight provision) is proud to provide urgent support, crisis intervention and emotional support to people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire as an alternative to statutory pathways.

We provide support to adults across Hertfordshire 7 days a week, 365 days a year through our helpline, crisis cafes and 24/7 Crisis Centre. We aim to provide a safe space for people in crisis to talk and feel supported, be listened to without judgement, access relevant support with problem solving and facilitate access to external services when necessary.

As a member of our diverse team, you will work closely with service users in crisis by using a person-centred approach to ensure that each individual is supported with dignity and respect. By honouring the individual experience of each service user, we are able to respect their autonomy as well as encourage and facilitate positive steps towards management of crisis and recovery.

Service Objectives
The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Nightlight Mental health Crisis House are:

• To endeavour to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of people experiencing a mental health crisis across Hertfordshire.
• To provide 24/7 support for individuals experiencing mental health crisis in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing clear and effective pathways to other services provided by HMN and other third party and/or statutory providers.
• To remain a source of independent support for all Service Users.
• To provide an alternative pathway to people in distress and crisis, employing a person-centred approach in order to enable better outcomes for those in need as to reduce the demand on statutory Crisis and Emergency services.

About the Role
As a Crisis House Support Worker you will be a key member of staff supporting the delivery of the Nightlight mental health Crisis Service. You will take part in a rota which covers a 24/7 hour service, 365 days a year. Drawing upon your own lived and/or professional experience (where applicable,) in order to provide a mix of face-to-face, therapeutic and holistic support for those accessing overnight provision. You will work closely with other staff as part of a team in supporting the development of quality Crisis Support and instilling Hertfordshire Mind Network’s values throughout the provision.

We offer:

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

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

Closing date for receipt of applications is 29th May 2026  
Interviews to be held on a rolling basis in our Watford office or Microsoft Teams.
N.B. Please quote reference number 325 when completing your application for this role. 

Interested?

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

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.

Starting salary of £ 27, 929 ( day time role) or £ 30, 227  ( waking night time role) with potential to rise incrementally to £ 31, 449 based on annual performance

Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Specific Hours: 40 hours per week shift work including weekends, bank holidays and occasional sleep-ins 

• Day Shifts: work between 8:00 am and 10:30 pm
• Waking Night Shifts: work between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am

Overtime / bank holidays paid time-and-a-half and 2 weekends off per month

Location: Ealing, W13 or Balham, SW12

Looking for fantastic career progression, excellent training and therapeutic support? Join our committed and professional team and make a difference to young people living in residential care, where no two days are the same!

About Us

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity caring  for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK.  We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do.  We provide positive and life-changing support experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home. Our offering in underpinned by therapeutic expertise and young people in our care also benefit from extensive life-skills and participation opportunities as well and learning support regarding their education.

We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong.  We hope to attract applications from under- represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.

St Christopher’s Academy

At St Christopher’s, we offer more than a job in social care— we offer a real career pathway. You’ll have the chance to build your skills, grow your knowledge, and make a lasting difference to young people’s lives, as well as your own.

When you join us, you’ll receive a tailored development plan designed around your goals. Whether you want to move into a different service, progress into a leadership role, or just explore your current role further, we’ll support you every step of the way.  If you want to learn more about St Christopher’s Academy, please click here

Our development programme, St Christopher’s Academy, is built to help you reach your full potential — and the results speak for themselves:
84% of our Team Leaders, Deputies, and Managers are promoted internally.

About the Role

As a Support Worker in a  Children’s Home, you will provide direct support and care for our young people, who have complex emotional and mental health difficulties (such as trauma and loss),and can struggle to regulate their emotions. Working within a therapeutic framework, you will develop a direct programme of work aimed at developing authentic relationships with our children and young people (aged between 12 and17 years old), you will also have responsibility for making sure our those in our care are safe, providing support, liaison with other external professionals and completion of support documents to record information.

If applying for the Waking Night role, you will have the additional support of an on-call manager should there be any emergencies. Further to this, you will be involved in monthly team meetings and receive monthly one-to-one supervision with your manager.

Applicants should have

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working and supporting Young People in residential, semi-independent, Fostering settings or Youth work centres, caring for Children and Young People with emotional behavioural difficulties, neurodivergent or SEND, etc.
• Willingness to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 years as per Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 (England)
• Genuine commitment to working with and supporting children and Young People to achieve their full potential; with the ability to build and promote trusted relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• An understanding of the issues facing children and Young People and a basic understanding of safeguarding Regulations and Procedures.
• The ability to cope effectively with challenging behaviour.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, and if applicable, sleep-in’s.
• Commitment to undertake any mandatory training (outside of working hours) and continuous learning to ensure a high level of service.
• Creativity, enthusiasm and energy to inspire and encourage young people to achieve their goals.

What you should expect from us

• Competitive salary with potential to rise based on performance.
• 4 weeks full induction and training program (paid).
• Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services, Tailored career development plan through our “St Christopher’s Academy”.
• Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK both in store and online.
• Discretionary funded training programs for you to explore and attain new and relevant skills.
• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.

Recruitment Process

At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements. 

Your application form must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. 

Please note that application forms with no supporting statement will be automaticaly rejected.

CVs will not be accepted.

Application Process:

1. Application: Complete our online application form and include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. 
2. Online Situational Test: After submitting your application, you will be asked to complete an online situational test. The results of this test will help inform the shortlisting process. 
3. Interview: Shortlisted candidates attend a face-to-face interview at our Putney office.
4. Second Stage: Successful candidates will visit the home they applied to.

We advise to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please note:

• This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 year for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.
• It is illegal to apply for any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children.
• All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Complex Mental Health Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets

£20,009.60 per annum, working 26 hours per week.
2x 13 hour shifts per week, including weekends and bank holidays with team meetings on a Friday.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

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

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• 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.

The Barnsley Street Project is a pilot service funded by NHS money following a bid by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT). The service comprises of Look Ahead staff, ELFT staff, and Tower Hamlets Mental Health VCSE Alliance, formed of 17 local VCSE organisations. The Barnsley Street Project operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support for people in the catchment area of one primary care network in Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets. It provides a variety of psychosocial and clinical interventions, including the provision of 6 Hospitality Beds for short term support and intervention.

Support Workers within the Barnsley Street Project will be expected to support individuals requiring support from the local community that walk in to the service and those staying in our hospitality beds. This support may include providing tailored and co-produced practical, emotional, trauma-informed support to individuals with a variety of challenges relating to their mental health. This may include the management of symptoms, social support, navigating benefits and welfare systems, practical skills and signposting to specialist services in the local authority for intensive or specific support as required.

What you'll do:

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
• Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve individual goals
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
• Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
• Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
• Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
• Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
• Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
• Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
• Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
• Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks etc
• Taking on shift leading responsibilities by coordinating and leading shifts in the absence of a manager
• Being responsible for the handover of key information between shifts
• Adhering to all other Look Ahead's policies and procedures
• Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
• Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Team Leader/Manager Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

Please see our website for the full job description.

We are looking for a Housing Advice Worker who is passionate about supporting young people experiencing homelessness to transition into safe and secure housing.

The ideal candidate will work proactively and enthusiastically, both independently and as part of a team. They will have experience working in a busy, often fast-paced environment and be confident in assessing individual needs and identifying appropriate housing pathways. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of housing and homelessness legislation, along with a solid insight into the reasons individuals experience homelessness. They will be able to effectively support young people presenting with a wide range of needs and barriers.

Key details

• Contract type and hours: permanent, full-time working 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday (9:30-5:00)

• Salary: starting salary £32,136.00. Salary scale £32,136.00 - £35,778.08

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

• Application deadline: 9am, Wednesday 20th May

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

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.

Job Title:                     Case Worker – CAPSA Services (Culturally Appropriate Peer Support and Advocacy)  

Reports to:                  CAPSA Team Manager

Geographic focus: Lambeth

Salary:£30,500

Hours of Work: 37.5 per week (flexible working available)

Duration:                    2 Year Contract (with a potential to extend)

Benefits:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pension contribution, Employees' Assistance Programme.

Purpose of the role

The CAPSA (Culturally Appropriate Peer Support and Advocacy) Worker role has been specifically designed to support Black people using the secondary mental health system. As a CAPSA Worker, you will provide both Generic Mental Health Advocacy and Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to eligible individuals, including people detained under the Mental Health Act(MHA) 1983/2007, conditionally discharged restricted patients, those under Guardianship, and those on Community Treatment orders, as well as individuals considered for section 57 treatments.

You will play a key role in ensuring that the perspectives of Black service users are recognised and respected, addressing their unique and multiple needs, and promoting access to advocacy for all eligible individuals. You will raise awareness of advocacy, rights under the MHA, and the CAPSA service among professionals, individuals, and agencies.

In addition to direct advocacy, you will contribute to service development by supporting an effective administration system and helping evaluate the impact of advocacy for both service users and commissioners.

As part of CAPSA’s race-led approach to systems change, you will also help challenge systemic racism in mental health services, embed culturally competent practice, and promote equitable care within South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM).

Job summary

Black Thrive Lambeth has developed a co-designed, culturally appropriate peer support and advocacy service (CAPSA) on behalf of the Living Well Network Alliance (LWNA). CAPSA provides support to Black community members with mental health needs through peer support and advocacy, led by individuals with lived experience or lived understanding of mental health challenges. The service creates a space where experiences are respected, accepted, and valued equally.

The role involves building positive relationships with Black service users; offering one-to-one and group advocacy; supporting self-advocacy; gathering and sharing information to inform decision-making; and preparing monitoring reports and feedback. Advocates ensure that the views, wishes, and needs of Black service users are heard and acknowledged, addressing the impact of racism within traditional mental health services.

Duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy & Support for Black Service Users

• Work with individual Black service users to provide culturally informed advocacy, support, and representation to assist them in decision-making related to their care, treatment, and legal status.
• You will manage a caseload of up to 10 clients.
• This will consist of weekly meetings with clients and supporting them around their care in the mental health system, this will be both within inpatient services and CMHTs (Community Mental Health Teams) as well as in the community.
• Support Black service users in developing and maintaining their cultural identity by identifying strengths and advocating for culturally relevant mental health interventions.
• Develop trusting relationships with Black service users within appropriate boundaries to help them express their mental health needs.
• Assist service users in preparing for meetings, attend appointments with them if required, and advocate on their behalf where needed.
• Provide information and updates on the progress of advocacy issues and ensure clients understand proceedings.

Culturally Informed Peer Support & Recovery

• Use lived experience and cultural understanding to promote positive self-esteem and recovery through a culturally informed peer support model.
• Provide practical guidance to Black service users, and where appropriate, their carers, on self-care, resilience strategies, and managing mental health within a race equality framework.
• Promote service user involvement by empowering individuals to communicate their culturally lived experiences and mental health needs to professionals.
• Challenge peer support models, stigma, and discriminatory practices that fail to recognise the cultural needs of Black service users.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders and community members to develop a culturally informed advocacy and peer support model.
• Establish regular advocacy ‘drop-ins’ on wards and in the community, ensuring accessibility for Black service users.
• Signpost service users to culturally relevant community, inpatient, and online resources, as well as mainstream and specialist services.
• Liaise with, and when necessary, challenge NHS professionals, care teams, and local authorities to ensure due process and cultural competence in service delivery.
• To maintain a level of professionalism in all spaces always.

Role Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality, respect service users’ right to privacy, and ensure their dignity is always upheld.
• Keep accurate and timely records of advocacy and peer support work, providing regular verbal and written reports to the line manager.
• Attend team meetings, participate in one-to-one supervision, group supervision sessions, and complete mandatory training in peer support and other job-related areas.
• Raise safeguarding concerns following organisational policies and procedures.

GENERAL

• To attend and participate in meetings held by the CAPSA team and other bodies as required.
• To maintain records of hours worked and to complete accurate expense returns.
• To foster and develop an equality and diversity approach within the role, in line with Black Thrive’
• To promote the service through the distribution of publicity materials, liaising with statutory and voluntary services, and, where appropriate, through the media and presentations to local groups within the agreed company policies.
• To promote the role of advocates both within the Living Well Network Alliance (LWNA) and externally.
• To work well as part of the team in a way that promotes inclusivity and respect in a supportive environment.
• The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Qualities Required

Each quality is marked as either E (Essential) or D (Desirable).

Experience (E/D)

1. Understanding and/or experience of mental health legislation and the Mental Health journey process in numerous settings – E
2. Lived experience of racism or discrimination in wider society and in the provision of mental health services – E
3. Experience of identifying and meeting the needs of individual people – E
4. Experience and ability to develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders – E
5. A commitment to working in an anti-racist and anti-oppressive way – E
6. Confidence in challenging stigma and discrimination within structural settings – E
7. Experience of working in an advocacy or healthcare setting – D

Knowledge and Skills (E/D)

1. Understanding and knowledge of assessment of needs – E
2. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences – E
3. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including via telephone, in person, over video link, and through presentations, demonstrating confidence and assertiveness – E
4. Emotional resilience and the ability to cope with sometimes challenging people and environments – E
5. Ability to work flexibly to meet varying demands on the service – E
6. Good organisational skills, including timekeeping and ability to travel to different locations – E
7. Excellent computer literacy and a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office – E
8. An understanding and awareness of The Equality Act 2010 – E
9. Ability to act calmly and respond professionally to distress, disturbance, and unpredictability – E
10. Ability to work independently on own initiative and prioritise workload while working as part of a team – E
11. Commitment to learning through work-based learning and mandatory training – E
12. Knowledge of mental health legislation such as MHA 1983/2007, MCA 2017 – D
13. Understanding of the specific role, purpose, and responsibilities of an Independent Mental Health Advocate – D
14. Knowledge and/or awareness of safeguarding issues – D
15. An additional language (e.g., Portuguese, French, etc.) – D
16. Qualifications in Peer Support / Advocacy – D

We welcome applications specifically from Black people of African and Caribbean heritage, as the statutory requirement of the Equality Act 2010, Advance Equality in Mental Health 2020 and Parent Carer Race Equality Framework 2020, in order to address the importance of Black employee safety. These posts are therefore restricted to Black applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9 and Part 1.

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. Still, we will treat applicants with a criminal record fairly and not unreasonably discriminate because of a conviction or other information revealed.

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

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

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

Peer Support Worker
Reference: 354
Responsible to: Peer Support Team Lead
Working hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,233 per annum
Based: Letchworth + Herts Countywide travel required, depending on client need and waiting lists

Another exciting role has become available within our Peer Support Service.

About the Peer Support Services

Our Peer Support Service started 14 years ago, Since then, we have seen our service grow and we now offer Peer Support across the whole of Hertfordshire. Peer Support is the key service most requested by people and we now offer this in all of our 7 Wellbeing Centres across Hertfordshire. HMN’s values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness and Responsive form the basis of all the work we do.

Hertfordshire Mind Network provide a range of training opportunities, including our Peer Support Academy. Working in co-production with clients, staff, volunteers and stakeholders, we were able to create our own Peer Support Charter Values and these values form the ethos we work within our peer support team and the 2 academy courses we run which are: The Foundations of Peer Support and Supporting Others in a Peer Way.

About the Role

The Peer Support service provide tailored, personalised support for someone’s individual needs. This includes using different tools and techniques to help an individual improve areas of their life they may be struggling with. This approach includes; Hope, Courage, Togetherness and Responsive. Peer Support is based on the recognition that there is no better person to support the path towards recovery, than someone who has walked a similar path as that person.

As a Peer Support Worker you will:

• Offer 1-1 peer support in Letchworth and within other HMN Wellbeing Centres across the County depending on client need and waiting lists
• You will help co-facilitate our online Peer Support Group
• Meet client need and work within this personalised approach
• Work with clients in the community, within their home, as well as in one of our Wellbeing Centres
• Support clients in a peer support way
• Play an integral role in instilling HMN’s values through our 1-1 and group support
• Play a key part in the development and delivery of our groups
• Always ensure the delivery of quality services

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 28 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

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

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 15 May 2026
Interviews to be held on Tuesday 19 May 2026 in our Watford Wellbeing Centre. (Address will be provided)
Please note: Due to high numbers of expected applicants, we may close this advert early.
N.B. Please quote reference number 354 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

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

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

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.

Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health Care Service in Newham. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£30,784.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Fixed term contract for one year from 6^th June 2026.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS

The Support Worker will be part of a team that operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

They will provide support to customers with complex mental health needs.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
• Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable:

A good understanding of mental health issues and how it affects people and experience of supporting customers to manage this and lead independent lives.

About us:

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.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

Specialist Behavioural Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Care Service in Newham. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£31,117.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

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

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.

Specialist Support Workers within Look Ahead are required to have either an extra dimension of experience or a higher qualification level as determined relevant for the particular post.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead .

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
• Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour * Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications and languages

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.

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

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

Tenancy Support & Financial Wellbeing Project Worker  
Hours of work: Full-Time, 37.5 per week (5 days per week)
Contract: 4.5-year fixed term (as this post is funded by the National Lottery)
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Location: Overstream House, Cambridge CB4 or at other locations within Cambridge 

About Us 

Wintercomfort works with people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or with a history of homelessness. We provide services to aid every stage of recovery -from immediate basic welfare needs to long term help in identifying and dealing with the problems which are undermining their stability, and enabling them to engage with education, employment and specialist health services.  National statistics rank the numbers of rough sleepers in Cambridge within the highest 20 UK local authorities. 

Wintercomfort is the only day-time service in the city, providing year-round advice and support for homeless or vulnerably housed people. Over the past three decades Wintercomfort has continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of the homeless community. 

Our specialist Housing Team provides expert advice and support to help people successfully navigate the search for housing and crucially, support them to sustain life away from the street. 

About you and the Role 

As a member of Wintercomfort’s Project Worker Team, reporting to the Senior Tenancy Support Officer the Tenancy Support & Financial Wellbeing Project Worker is responsible for delivering Wintercomfort’s specialist range of 1:1 Pre and Post Tenancy Support, implementing proactive, holistic strategies designed to prevent people from losing their homes, whilst simultaneously providing them with the financial tools and capability needed to sustain stability, aimed at empowering Service Users to move out of the spiral of homelessness and back into mainstream society, preventing homelessness and foster financial inclusion.

Key Responsibilities 

• To provide emotional and practical support and assistance to prepare and assist Service Users to move into accommodation once a placement is confirmed, working with internal and external colleagues. To work in a flexible manner within Wintercomfort and the wider community to provide outreach and support services in person, occasionally in exceptional circumstances this could include in their own home when accompanied with external partners also includes via text, email, telephone and video calls.   
• To provide a wide range of resettlement-based support along with the Senior Tenancy Support Officer to ensure Service Users access the most suitable housing pathway for their individual needs. To take the lead on all housing related referrals for Service Users. To ensure all suitable Service Users are registered and supported on Homelink. 
• To provide crucial assistance to tenants, focusing on maintaining tenancies, managing money and debt and improving overall financial stability – including, signposting, budgeting, welfare benefits checks, rent arrears support, setting-up and managing utilities, housing related life skills, offering guidance and support to enable Service Users to maintain their own homes, aiming to prevent eviction and enhance quality of life. 
• To provide on-going long term tenancy support to Service Users moving into independent living, this includes private rental housing or alternative housing pathways without any on site support. To assist with hand over post tenancy support to accommodation providers at a suitable point in the Service User support pathway, with the aim of enabling long-term independence.
• To ensure all Service Users have access to external grants and any available funding to support their individual needs to maintain their accommodation. Signposting and assisting with applications for funding to assist people moving into accommodation are supported with the appropriate items: floor coverings, white goods, basic furniture and home furnishings. 
• To support residents to keep their current homes, including mediation with landlords, accessing legal support on evictions, addressing anti-social behaviour, identifying high risk groups targeting support towards vulnerable groups such as those fleeing difficulties, leaving prison, hospital or care systems. 
• To ensure that accurate records are kept, documenting the support services provided to Wintercomfort’s service users onto the Salesforce/Inform system. Ensuring that record keeping meets the requirements of internal and external monitoring of outcomes, assisting with reports and case studies to the fundraising team. 

One of our core values at Wintercomfort is to recognise and reward our staff as our greatest asset. We realise that it's our people who have helped us to become a well-respected charity that helps to make a positive change to homeless people’s lives. We want to continue to deliver excellent, relevant services for the homeless in Cambridge by attracting and retaining talented and motivated people.

If you choose to come and work with us, you will find that we offer: 

• Benefits – You will be eligible for benefits and services, including pension scheme, death in service benefit and free counselling and clinical supervision. 
• A supported work environment – You will receive a comprehensive induction, and you will have a probation period to provide a supportive framework for reviewing your progress and discussing your training and development needs. You will be expected to have developed the skills to fulfil all role requirements within this period. Appropriate objectives will be discussed, agreed and reviewed regularly with your Line Manager so that your performance can be measured against these. 
• Training – We recognise the importance of having a motivated and effective staff team. We offer on-going training to support you in your role. 

Closing date: Monday 11th May, 2026
Interviews will be taking place between the 19th – 22nd May 2026 

Interested? 

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

We are committed to a proactive approach to equality, which includes supporting and encouraging all underrepresented groups, promoting an inclusive culture and valuing diversity. We make selection decisions based on personal merit and an objective assessment against the criteria required for the post. We do not treat job applicants or members of staff less favourably than one another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors. 

No agencies please. 

We're looking for Kind, proactive and resilient Specialist Support Workers to join our Mental Health service in Croydon.

£34,186.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? 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.

What you'll do:
* Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
* Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
* Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
* Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
* Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking
* Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their recovery and empower customers to self-manage their medication regimes through individual re-enablement programmes and informed decision making
* Undertake support work in partnership with external stakeholders to compliment their interventions
* Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
* Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers
* Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service
* Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues

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

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

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.

Please see our website for the full Job Description