Universal Advocate Jobs
35 hours - possible job-share
Location: Based in Sefton, Merseyside.
The cost-of-living crisis is biting hard for many people in Sefton and demand for our advice services is rising, and people seeking training or work or with poor health need encouragement to ask for help in navigating the benefits system, or deal with money worries. We are looking for an adviser to work in South Sefton Foodbanks to provide face to face advice, primarily with benefit issues. You will work from foodbanks the majority of the time and also have weekly day/s based with our Welfare Benefits team in our Bootle office.
This is a genuine opportunity to join a passionate and dedicated high-performing team of advisers, caseworkers and money advisors to help people in Sefton with the problems they face, particularly with Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, better off calculations and other welfare benefits and debt. 92% of our clients agree or strongly agree they would recommend our advice service to other people.
You will have a thorough understanding of the issues involved in interviewing and working with clients, and in particular vulnerable people, with excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients and our partners.
As well as a competitive salary Citizens Advice Sefton also provides access to:
- Generous annual leave of 28 days (pro rata if part time) plus bank holidays
- 7% employer contribution pension
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free VDU eye care test
- Professional and advice sector recognised training
For a job pack that contains more information about the role and our organisation and the online application please go to our website via the apply button.
Closing date for applications: 3rd May 2024 5pm
Interviews in-person or online: Wednesday 8th May 2024
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for a Senior Policy Advisor to join our policy and campaigns team to help drive our position as an influential, informed and powerful voice for change. The post holder will join a high performing team to help develop and implement policy and influencing strategies that drive change, ensuring a strong voice for people experiencing poverty. You will work closely with the Director of Policy & Campaigns, developing our policy work on Social Security, housing and poverty and influencing decision-makers and other stakeholders including MPs, political advisors, councillors and civil society.
About You
We are looking for someone committed and proactive with demonstrable knowledge and experience of policy development and making the case for social policy change. You will be committed to social justice and will have experience of policy analysis and public affairs work in relevant social policy areas, particularly social security. We are looking for an analytical thinker with excellent verbal and written communications skills. You will have an aptitude for using evidence to make persuasive and credible policy arguments, strong interpersonal skills, and a track record of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders. You will be a self-starter and have a collaborative approach to working. In turn we are committed to supporting all our staff to develop their skills and experiences to make a significant difference to the lives and treatment of people on low incomes.
About Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2K)
Z2K’s vision is that no individual in the UK should be living in poverty. We believe that adequate income and secure housing are key to creating a more equal society where everyone has the chance to lead a stable and dignified life. We work with people in London to solve their social welfare legal issues, with a focus on social security and housing matters, and we use the evidence from our casework to campaign to change policy and practice that drives injustice. Embedded at the heart of Z2K is our ambition to work in partnership with experts by experience, ensuring the voices and views of people with lived experience are heard by decision-makers.
Citizens Advice Wirral is a local charity that supports Wirral residents by providing advice, information, casework and social prescribing services. We assist clients with a range of issues including benefits, debt, employment, housing and life challenges that affect their health and wellbeing. Citizens Advice Wirral also actively works for change in the policies and practices of organisations that impact our clients - we are passionate about the difference our Research and Campaigns work can make to people’s lives.
Our values shape how we as an organisation operate and how we work with each other across all roles: Open and Honest, Professional, Empowering, Non-judgmental and Approachable. They apply to all areas of our advice-giving, our research and campaigns work and how we challenge discrimination and champion equality.
We are recruiting for a Help To Claim adviser to provide support to people making a new Universal Credit claim and work with them up until they receive their first correct payment. This role will involve working across a variety of channels including telephone, web-chat and video conferencing.
Working for Citizens Advice Wirral has a range of benefits including:
- A generous holiday allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days) plus bank
- holidays (pro-rata)
- Agile working, including up to 5 additional days of flexi leave each year
- (pro-rata) and both home and office-based days (role dependent)
- A contributory pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
To find out more and start your application please go to our website via the apply button.
Closing date: 5pm 28th April 2024
The Communications Manager leads and oversees THET’s communications function.
This is an exciting role with lots of autonomy.
You’ll be a strategic communications whizz with a flair for creative storytelling, a sharp
mind and pen for impactful strategy and messaging, and a focus on efficient planning
and execution.
THET is a global health charity working in partnership with governments, health institutions, and international bodies to train health workers and strengthen health systems across 31 countries. We do this through grants management and capacity building, alongside research, convening and advocacy towards the goal of Universal Health Coverage. At the centre of our approach, is the model of Health Partnerships, long-term relationships between UK and LMIC health institutions, which improve health services through the reciprocal exchange of skills, knowledge, and experience. At the heart of our work is vision of a world where everyone has access to healthcare.
You’ll be part of a cross-functional External Engagement team with a remit spanning communications, events, advocacy, fundraising and digital transformation. This role may at times include deputising for the Head of External Engagement.
You’ll be leading communications for a range of flagship projects working with a range of global partners, from the Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship to the Health Equity for All Advocacy Campaign. You’ll play a critical role in an institutional rebrand, reflecting THET’s commitment to continually growing and adapting to the changing global health and international development landscape. You’ll be joining a friendly, dynamic cross-functional External Engagement Team with a strong focus on collaboration and learning.
To apply for this role please send your CV and a cover letter to THET by midnight on 2nd May 2024. With the subject line Communications Manager. This post is UK based. Please visit the THET Website for the full Job Pack and instructions.
Non-EC nationals will require current and valid permission to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.
The charity runs three integrated programmes:
• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.
• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.
• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.
Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.
This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.
We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.
Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.
Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.
Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER
Responsible to: Head of Margins
Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London
Salary: £32,500 - £35,000
Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.
Three-month probation, two months’ notice.
23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)
Start date: May 2024
Purpose of Job:
• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.
• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.
• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.
• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.
• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.
• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.
The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.
Responsible For:
• Working with caseload of guests
• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services
• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.
• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.
• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.
• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.
• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.
• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme
Key Duties:
• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.
• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.
• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.
• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.
• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.
• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.
• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.
• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.
• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.
• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.
• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.
• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.
• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.
• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.
• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.
• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.
• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.
• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.
• Embrace a strength-based approach.
• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.
• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skill.
• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.
• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.
• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.
• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.
Desirable:
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups
• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds
Equal Opportunities:
• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.
• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.
This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.
How to apply
Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.
Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am
Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Citizens Advice Camden
We are a well-respected local charity with more than 80 years’ experience of delivering free, independent and impartial information, advice and casework services which meet the changing needs of local residents. Our aims are to provide the independent, impartial, confidential and free advice people need for the problems they face and to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.
We target our services at the most vulnerable in our community. Our client profile closely matches local indices of deprivation with most of our clients coming from the most deprived wards in the borough. We identify trends to ensure our services remain agile and able to respond to changing and emerging advice needs.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work on a new initiative, providing generalist advice to service users of Mind in Camden. This new project will develop to meet the needs of service users and so you will need to be flexible in your approach.
You will be an experienced Generalist Adviser able to work in partnership with staff at Mind in Camden to support their service users. Clients will either self-refer or be referred from the core team at Mind in Camden.
Advice will be delivered both face-to-face and remotely according to individual needs. Face-to-face advice will be delivered at Mind in Camden offices and those of Citizens Advice Camden. This role is not suitable for remote working only.
You will need to be experienced in delivering generalist advice on issues such as welfare benefits including Universal Credit, housing, money advice and cost of living issues. You will also be available to support Mind in Camden staff in identifying suitable referral routes to support their service users so that overall needs are met. This role is not available as a trainee position.
Closing date for applications: 9.00am Monday 29 April 2024
Interview date(s): 8-10 May
Internally the job title will be Recovery Worker
You’re caring, flexible and creative, thrive under pressure, know how to connect with people at all levels and really enjoy helping others to live as independently as possible. You’d also like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise, and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with. Welcome to Richmond Fellowship’s Foxlands House as a Recovery Worker.
Colindale Services are a mental health, care home and supported housing services, working in a recovery model. The services are staffed 24/7 and offer support to our residents aged 18 and upwards to relearn or develop independent living skills. The services apply a strength-based approach; helping individuals using the service to develop resilience, build on natural community supports and social networks, develop life skills and to access community provision and universal services to maintain and maximise their health, wellbeing and independence. The services take into account the significant pressures on the local health and social care system and support our local system in managing system demands effectively whilst ensuring, that the services are maximising opportunities for users of the services to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing in a targeted and effective way.
We know that recovery can look and feel very different to each and every one of us. But we also know that if we provide the right support, at the right time, we can inspire recovery nationwide and that recovery is possible for everyone. That’s where you come in.
Responsible for helping and inspiring the people who use our services to maintain their tenancy and independence in the community, we’ll rely on you to work with them to come up with a personal support plan that will see them achieve their goals and aspirations. Whether it’s developing their domestic and finance management skills or accessing work, leisure or educational opportunities, one thing’s for sure ‐ you will have every chance to shine.
No relevant experience is required as full training will be provided, although candidates with an understanding of mental health issues and/or lived experience would be welcomed. More important is your caring and compassionate nature and empathy and enthusiasm for helping others. Whatever your background, you’ll need to be happy to work both independently and within a team and willing to be part of a weekly rota system and available for on call duties.
In return for your skills and enthusiasm, this role comes with some really great benefits and excellent training and development opportunities.
This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post holder to work 37.5 hours per week.
To apply, please visit our website and send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.
This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.
We are committed to increasing our diversity and welcome applications from those with Lived Experience.
Richmond Fellowship is part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. From 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship will be merging with the mental health charity Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. In October 2024, Humankind will then be renamed to reflect the new, bigger and better organisation.
We are seeking a passionate and enthusiastic individual, with some event management experience, to join our team to deliver the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025.
Working closely with the congress project manager and the head of events, the event administrator will be the first point of call for congress enquiries, providing information and support to congress participants in the run-up, onsite, and after the event. This will include liaising with congress participants, volunteers, industry partners, and event suppliers.
The successful candidate will have a passion to develop and grow their experience within the scientific meetings and/or association meeting sector.
You love working for a growing, values-driven organisation where you can work collaboratively and contribute your ideas. You thrive in a dynamic, international team where you can harness creative ideas and translate them into workable plans. You will be excited to be joining a team that delivers an award-winning congress.
We reserve the right to close applications before the deadline.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.