Volunteer legal advisor jobs

We are looking for a resilient and dedicated people to join our new specialist high risk domestic abuse service as Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA).

As a new service, we have 2 x full time IDVA positions available. These roles are full time, working a hybrid with two days per week expected to work from our centrally located office in Boscombe. Due to the nature of the role, the successful applicants would be expected to travel regularly across the Dorset county.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Welcome Bonus: £500 on successful completion of probation period.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As an IDVA you will provide high quality support to victims of domestic violence and abuse. You will deliver and provide support in five key areas to support victims to:

• Feel safer
• Feel informed about their rights and the criminal justice system
• Feel listened to and heard
• Be able to implement healthy coping mechanisms
• Be connected with services who are available to help them

Key Responsibilities:

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:

• provide appropriate non-therapeutic support to victims of domestic abuse via their preferred contact method.
• undertake needs and risk assessments to develop tailored individual safety and support plans to address the specific needs of the victim.
• use a bespoke case management system to maintain accurate and confidential record keeping and contribute to the collection of outcomes.
• liaise with the police, social services, CPS, and other agencies on the client's behalf, with the client's consent maintaining confidentiality
• provide information to victims to enable them to make informed choices about their future options.

About You:

Ideally, you will hold an approved and accredited IDVA qualification (or you must be willing to work towards one)

You will need:

• A strong understanding of domestic abuse and violence and the impact this has on victims.
• Experience of working with victims of crime (preferably domestic abuse) including completing risk assessments and safety planning
• Experience of managing a caseload and keeping clear case management records.
• Experience of adapting communication styles to be able to effectively communicate.
• An understanding of trauma informed practice and how to implement this within your work
• A through understanding of the criminal justice system and the Victim's Code
• An understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and other legal requirements
• Good IT skills including experience with working within bespoke case management systems and using Microsoft Office Packages.
• Organised and methodical approach to work with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible

Release is seeking to appoint a Supervising Solicitor for Community Care— with genuine flexibility for part‑time or full‑time working — to help shape and expand our legal services at the intersection of social justice and community care law.

This role is particularly well‑suited to candidates seeking reduced hours, portfolio careers, or a position that allows for balance alongside caring responsibilities, or other commitments. The successful candidate will join a values‑driven organisation delivering high‑quality casework, innovative community‑based legal services, and strategic litigation aimed at systemic change.

Person Specification

Essential

• Minimum 4 years + post qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate, and
• Minimum 3 years + substantial experience in legal aid casework, supervision and/or compliance, and
• Minimum 1 year + experience of supervising others, and
• Experience in public law, housing law, and/or community care law within legal aid practice, and
• Strong commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice.
• Approved legal aid supervisor with the Legal Aid Agency.

Desirable

• Experience working in a charity or non-profit organisation.
• Experience supporting or contributing to strategic litigation or test case work.
• Understanding of the impact of drug policy and criminalisation on marginalised communities.
• Experience in developing new services, partnerships, or funding-linked delivery models.

Important notice: For this job, Release will only consider applications from those who already have the right to live and work in the UK. See the Home Office Immigration & Nationality Directorate for information on the UK Government's immigration policy.

About the Role

The Supervising Solicitor for Community Care – Legal Aid is a key role in shaping and strengthening Release’s legal services. Working closely with the Joint Head of Legal Services and Executive Director, and in collaboration with other colleagues, you will supervise the delivery of high-quality legal advice and representation, supporting the growth of legal aid practice whilst ensuring Release continues to train and develop social justice lawyers for the future. 

We are looking for an experienced legal aid practitioner who is strongly committed to social justice and the legal rights of marginalised communities, and who wants to build leadership experience in a movement-led organisation. The role will combine hands-on practice, leadership, supervision and compliance responsibilities. 

Please note: We do not expect the postholder to generate legal aid income at a multiple of their salary. While we do aim to grow legal aid income across the team to an initial target of £15,000–£25,000 per annum, the focus of this role is on developing high‑quality legal aid practice and building sustainable income collectively, as part of a mixed‑income organisational model.

As Supervising Solicitor for Community Care – Legal Aid, you will:

• Support Strategic Development: Contribute to developing the direction and priorities of Release’s legal services, including expanding legal aid work and strengthening access to justice.

• Provide Practice Supervision: Support a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, legal advisers and volunteers to deliver excellent, trauma-informed legal support. Support and mentor team members on how to adhere to legal aid file compliance, time recording and CCMS applications.

• Ensure Quality and Compliance: Help ensure consistent regulatory compliance and quality assurance across legal casework, including legal aid requirements.

• Strengthen and Grow Services: Help develop and improve legal service delivery models, including responding to emerging needs and client priorities.

• Contribute to Systemic Change: Support Release’s wider mission by helping connect legal services with policy, research, and advocacy work.

This role is ideal for someone with legal aid expertise and management potential, who wants to take a meaningful step into leadership whilst continuing to centre client care, justice and harm reduction.

We have a newly created opportunity for an Income Maximisation Manager to join our fantastic Benefits, Debt & Money Advice Service at RBL. The role will be responsible for leading the delivery of the National Income Maximisation Service, providing line management, supervision and guidance to our new team of Income Maximisation Advisers working across the UK.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

This role will see you leading the setup and delivery of the Income Maximisation Service, establishing processes, pathways, and ways of working that can be tested and improved to ensure delivery in line with nationally agreed standards and best practice guidelines.

Reporting to our Head of Welfare BDMA (Benefits, Debt and Money Advice), key areas of responsibility will include:

- Co-ordinating the allocation of resources and planning of support activities within the Income Maximisation Service, ensuring person centred support is provided.
- Overseeing caseload allocation and monitoring referral volumes.
- Carrying our regular quality assurance and compliance checks, including staff observations, file reviews, checking the accuracy of advice given.
- Managing the Income Maximisation team including recruitment, induction, identifying training needs, ensuring appropriate training is undertaken and that relevant policies, practices and procedures are adhered to.
- Ensuring that individual cases are allocated and supported in an integrated way that best meets the beneficiaries’ needs.
- Keeping abreast of, and implementing, changes in social welfare law relevant to benefits and broader income maximisation.
- Liaising and working with local statutory bodies, national representatives, and other organisations as appropriate.

You will bring demonstrable experience of leading, managing and developing high performing Benefit or Income Maximisation teams across England and Wales and will have significant knowledge of the full range of welfare benefits available. You will have a solid understanding of statutory and discretionary support available to people from Central Government, Local Authorities, Energy companies and other advice charities and will be keen to utilise this experience to start and grow a new team in our national charity.

You will be contracted to your home address and will primarily work remotely from there, with occasional travel for regional and national staff and team meetings.

Employee benefits include -

- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see the Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We’re looking for a Volunteer Experience Manager to support our incredible volunteers and their pets, who bring joy and comfort to people across hospitals, care homes, schools and communities nationwide.

What you’ll do

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you’ll:

• Lead and develop our Volunteer Experience Team, who provide day-to-day phone and email support to our 6,000 volunteers, ensuring volunteers receive outstanding support from first enquiry to retirement
• Support our network of around 80 Volunteer Area Coordinators, helping them support local PAT volunteers 
• Deliver our Volunteer Engagement Strategy, making volunteering with PAT easy, rewarding and well‑supported

About you

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience in volunteer management
• Great people management
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience in managing busy, volunteer‑facing services
• Experience using CRM systems and working with data and KPIs.
• A hands‑on, friendly leadership style and a genuine commitment to PAT’s mission.

Why join us?

Alongside working with inspiring volunteers and their amazing pets, you’ll enjoy:

• 28 days annual leave
• Hybrid working
• Health cash‑back plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee discounts and flu vaccination
• Dog‑friendly office
• Opportunities to attend events such as Crufts

Pets As Therapy is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from everyone.

Note - this role is hybrid and you will need to be in our office in Oxfordshire 2 or 3 days a week

Interviews will be held in person on Monday 18th May

We are looking for a compassionate and knowledgeable Information & Advice Generalist Adviser to join our team at Age UK Bromley & Greenwich.

In this role, you will provide vital information, advice and practical support to older people, their carers and families, helping them to navigate challenges around welfare benefits, housing, care and other key areas of later life.

You will work directly with clients through appointments, telephone and email, as well as taking part in outreach and occasional home visits. This is a varied and hands-on role where no two days are the same, requiring strong communication skills, attention to detail and a calm, empathetic approach.

Alongside delivering advice, you will support casework, maintain accurate records and work closely with colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations to ensure a joined-up service.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference, supporting older people to understand their rights, access the support available to them and feel more confident and in control of their lives.

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Sussex Community Housing Hub team in providing technical advice and support to communities engaged in rural and community led housing projects.

Community-led housing involves local people playing a leading and lasting role in solving housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities.

You will be working in conjunction with other members of the Hub to help deliver quality affordable housing schemes that these communities are truly proud of.  

The role

This is a senior, externally facing post reporting to the Chief Executive. You'll manage a caseload of community-led housing projects, lead a small team of advisors, and work in partnership with communities, parish councils, housing associations, local authorities, landowners, and developers across East and West Sussex.

You'll also play a part in shaping Druv Homes, AirS's emerging housing association.

What you'll be doing

• Guiding community groups through all stages of the housing development process — from vision and site identification through to planning, funding, and scheme delivery
• Advising on site selection, RP partnerships, planning applications, S106 agreements, and funding strategies (both capital and revenue)
• Building and managing relationships with a wide range of partners — communities, RPs, local authorities, planners, developers, and agents
• Supporting communities to access funding and drafting bids where needed
• Overseeing professional advisers (architects, engineers, etc.) commissioned by community groups
• Leading project team meetings, maintaining project plans, and problem-solving
• Contributing to lobbying and sector advocacy alongside national partners
• Keeping pace with policy and legislative changes in affordable housing and community-led development

What we're looking for

Essential:

• At least 5 years' experience in affordable housing development
• A relevant degree (surveying, building, business management or equivalent experience)
• Proven track record in project management and scheme delivery
• Experience working with local authorities, RPs, and community organisations
• Team management experience
• Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills

Desirable:

• Experience of rural affordable housing and community-led models e.g. Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
• Knowledge of rural housing policy
• Background in the not-for-profit sector
• Experience reporting to boards or executive teams

Practical

The role is based in Lewes with hybrid working. Regular but infrequent travel across East and West Sussex is required — a driving licence or equivalent transport access is essential.

For more information about the role and the organisation download the Job Description, Person Specification and AirS Prospectus.

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse within a hospital setting.

The role is based at Princess Royal University Hospital along with some working from the Victim Support office in Old Street and some home working.

What we offer:

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role:

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will provide pro-active, high quality, frontline service to victims of domestic abuse through on-going risk assessment, providing individual safety planning, trauma-informed support, guidance, information, and advocacy and enabling victim/survivors to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse and trauma they have experienced.

You may work within a Hospital Trust's Safeguarding Team to support both patients and staff in an Acute Hospital setting, who have experienced Domestic Abuse. You will make initial contact with victims of domestic abuse, explaining our services and assessing the impact of crime, or receive referrals from colleagues, in order to provide on-going support and case management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess risks and needs using evidence-based checklists.
• Focus on high-risk cases with short to medium-term crisis intervention.
• Assist high-risk victims in accessing safety services.
• Deliver tailored support and information.
• Understand legal frameworks for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
• Provide advocacy on legal, housing, health, and financial options.
• Empower clients to recognize domestic abuse dynamics.
• Participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).
• Work with a team to deliver respectful, dignified, and sensitive services.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records.
• Comply with data protection laws and organizational policies.
• Stay updated with procedures, policies, and professional codes.

About You:

Ideally, you will have knowledge about legal remedies for domestic abuse victims and have experience working with drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. An understanding of benefits, housing, and homelessness would also be beneficial.

You will need:

• Strong understanding of domestic abuse and its impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in statutory, voluntary, or multi-agency settings.
• Competency in risk and needs assessment frameworks.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Direct service delivery experience to victims or vulnerable people.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and prioritize work.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and advisory skills.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

We are looking for a resilient and dedicated person to join our team in Avon & Somerset team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) dealing with Adolescent and Child to Parent Violence (APV/CPV). The service provides support across the whole geography of Avon & Somerset.

This role involves making initial contact with victims of adolescent and child to parent violence and providing initial support in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The role is part-time and is hybrid working both from home and our office in Bristol (a suitable and confidential workspace at home is required).

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role:

You will provide high quality support to all victims of APV/CPV, leading on completing initial impact and risk assessments that are comprehensive and holistic. You will also provide cover for the local VS Helpline.

Please note that due to the nature of the contract, an IDVA qualification is considered an essential requirement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and assess the risks and needs of APV/CPV victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Focus on and prioritise high risk cases and provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service. Deliver individually appropriate tailored support and information, advocacy, and practical support.
• Work with victims of APV/CPV to assist them in accessing services to keep them and their family safe. Develop individual safety plans to meet client's needs as identified in the risks and needs assessment.
• Ensure each victim receives an individually appropriate tailored support and information service that fully meets their needs, keeping complex needs central to all processes and decisions.
• Work within the legal framework relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, including the policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adult and Children's Boards.
• Providing advocacy and information to victims including exploration of legal and civil options, housing, health and finance and support clients through the criminal justice system.
• Support the empowerment of the client.
• Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures, as well as all legislation connected to your work.

About you:

You will need:

• A good command of the English language both verbally and in writing.
• A good understanding of APV/CPV and/or domestic abuse including the impact of these on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children.
• Understand Safeguarding issues and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues
• Direct service delivery experience to victims of domestic abuse or APV/CPV
• Experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework
• Experience of managing a complex caseload, to prioritise work and deal with competing demands
• Strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations
• Good communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals
• To hold an IDVA qualification

Please note that duties may differ to those listed in the job description due to the nature of APV/CPV work so this provides an indication of duties.

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

We are seeking an Access to Justice (A2J) Coordinator to coordinate the provision of vital diagnostic immigration advice for vulnerable migrants. The role will coordinate the diagnostic advice appointment pathway from start to finish. This includes:

• Receiving, processing and triaging new enquiries for support
• Working with the Immigration Team to identify appropriate cases to be offered diagnostic advice
• Coordinating advice appointments with specialist external advisors and confirming the appointment details with the person receiving advice
• Disseminating written advice notes from the Advisors
• Coordinating follow-up actions, including referral into HMC’s Immigration Team for casework support (approx. 40% of people who access diagnostic advice are provided with onward support by HMC) or providing appropriate signposting for those we cannot offer long term support.

This post revives a dedicated Access to Justice Coordinator role within HMC’s structure, to support the newly funded provision of diagnostic immigration advice in Hackney. 

Please review the full Job Description & Person Specification for details of the role.

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.

We work towards this by:

• Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.

• Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.

• Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.

This means:

• Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.

• Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.

• Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.

What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.

Department background

The Advice Services directorate at Toynbee Hall is central to our commitment to address and alleviate poverty in London and beyond. Specialising in debt, welfare benefits, legal support, and generalist advice, our directorate has proven instrumental in significantly enhancing the financial wellbeing of those we serve. Last year alone, our efforts helped individuals and families to be over £23 million better off, showcasing the direct impact of our work.

tional model combines direct service provision with a collaborative approach. We directly employ a number of advisors who deliver expert, impartial advice. Simultaneously, we lead a coalition of 15 partner charities—including local Citizens Advice Bureaus and law centres—where additional advisors are employed. This structure allows us to amplify our reach and effectiveness, ensuring that a comprehensive network of support is available to those in need.

By integrating direct support with strategic partnerships, the Advice Services directorate not only tackles immediate financial and legal challenges but also contributes to the broader goal of systemic change, enhancing economic security and community resilience across one of the most challenged demographics in the nation.

How we work

Our values are Inclusive, Courageous and Empowering and we expect everyone who works with us to work in a way that aligns with these values and to do their utmost to deliver our strategic objectives according to their role.

Job purpose

As a Customer Care Representative, you’ll be the first friendly face (or voice) people meet when they reach out for help with challenges like debt, housing, benefits, employment or consumer issues. You’ll play a key role in helping each person feel listened to, supported, and confident about their next steps.

You’ll handle a mix of face-to-face, phone, and digital enquiries, working with empathy, patience, and clear communication. With full training provided, you’ll gain the skills to manage sensitive conversations, complete initial assessments, book appointments, and connect people to the right support services quickly and smoothly.

Scope of role

· Provide friendly, professional, and high-quality customer service as the first point of contact for people seeking advice.

· Manage a range of enquiries via phone, email, web chat, WhatsApp, and in-person at our Triage Hub

· Conduct initial assessments and book appointments with our advice specialists.

· Maintain accurate and confidential client information using our CRM system, always following GDPR and data protection requirements.

· Identify when to signpost or refer people to other organisations to ensure they receive the right support.

· Handle feedback or complaints with empathy, professionalism, and a focus on finding solutions.

· Approach sensitive or challenging conversations calmly, using good communication and de-escalation skills.

· Apply safeguarding principles in everyday work - training and guidance will be provided.

· Collaborate with colleagues and project partners to improve how people access and experience our service.

· Contribute to team meetings, training sessions, and occasional events at our East London hub and other venues as required.

Key working relationships

· Internal: CCR Managers, frontline advisors, Communications and Marketing colleagues, Project Leads, Data and Insights teams, and wider Toynbee Hall staff.

· External: Advisors and Clients

What Success Looks Like in Your First Year

• You’ll complete your CMA Level 3 qualification and gain confidence in supporting people with financial and wellbeing issues.
• You’ll build strong communication and assessment skills, managing a variety of enquiries confidently.
• You’ll contribute ideas that help improve our service and client experience.
• You’ll be part of a team that trusts and supports one another and learns together.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential

· Experience in providing customer service in person, over the phone or online

· Clear and confident communicator with good spoken and written English

· Strong active listening and questioning skills

· Able to build trust with people from diverse backgrounds

· Calm and empathetic approach when supporting people in distress or dealing with sensitive or challenging situations

· Good emotional resilience and self-awareness, including recognising when to seek support

· Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and maintain attention to detail in a busy environment

· Strong attention to detail

· Ability to manage time in a busy service environment.

· Collaborative, solutions focused approach.

· Confident using Apple MacBook, including Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, and CRM systems

· Understanding of safeguarding principles and a willingness to apply these confidently after training

Desirable

· Knowledge of community services in a London context.

· Experience working or volunteering in advice, support, housing, debt, benefits, or other community-facing services

Settled is a dynamic charity that supports the rights of EU and Ukrainians citizens who have made the UK their home, through providing expert, multi-lingual services. We seek a full-time experienced and capable manager who will work jointly with another service manager to deliver Settled's advice services to EU citizens UK-wide, with special attention to localities in England and Wales. You will hold IAA accreditation and be able to manage staff and volunteers to provide immigration advice. You will understand how strong relationships, especially with the Welsh Government and other funders, ensure the sustainability of a charity and help it meet the needs of its beneficiaries.  Role is hybrid with minimum of 4 days per month in Settled's Cardiff Bay office and some travel to cities in other parts of the UK. If you would like to join our supportive and impactful team, please include a cover letter which explains how you fulfil the person specification, along with your CV.

1 post available

Location: Doncaster - linked to Sheffield Hub

This can be a hybrid role based on service demands

Salary: Solicitor - Grade 5 - £38,724 or Grade 6 - £44,323 depending on experience or Paralegal Grade 3 - £32,585 per annum

Hours: Full time - 35 per week

Contract: Permanent 

Closing date: Sunday 17th May 2026 at 11.30 pm

Join Shelter as a Housing Solicitor or Paralegal, in our mission to drive systemic change and fight for Justice.

If you are a dedicated legal professional with a strong commitment to addressing the housing crisis, we welcome you to apply for this role.

At a time when the housing emergency continues to deepen, your experience could help transform lives and challenge the systems that perpetuate injustice. Come and play a central role in our mission to defend the right to a safe, and secure home.

Working with Shelter means being part of a passionate team that believes a safe home is a fundamental right. Here, your legal skills don’t just change lives - they shape a fairer housing system.

About the roles

Based with our partner organisation, Doncaster Housing for Young People, you will ensure you deliver high quality legal services through casework, the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Scheme and ensuring Legal Aid contract requirements and performance targets are met.

Solicitor

You will challenge unfair housing practices and systemic causes of homelessness through strategic casework and litigation. Working closely with our Sheffield team and the Managing Solicitor to strengthen housing rights awareness across the region, you will support Legal Advisers, ensuring high professional standards and compliance.

Paralegal

You will help our solicitors to maintain an active caseload, enabling our clients to enforce their housing rights. Your role will be varied and will include taking instructions and witness statements, drafting letters, making applications, providing court representation and making sure time recording and income targets are met. Please note this role is being advertised as a Paralegal but on appointment the job title will be Legal Adviser.

About You

For the Solicitor role, we are open to newly qualified candidates with a demonstrable interest in social justice, as well as those who have 3+ years PQE and a strong track record in housing law and Legal Aid work. You will have experience or a demonstrable interest in legal practice in the private or not for profit sector with experience of working on a wide range of housing cases, knowledge of legal aid, housing, homelessness and welfare law. You have the ability to research, write reports, time record and meet financial targets, as well as meeting or be willing to develop to meet the Housing Supervisor Requirements (September 2023).

For the Paralegal role you will need a good understanding of litigation work, be able to carry out legal research and provide a good standard of professional service and client care. You will have excellent communication skills, both in writing/drafting and face-to-face along with proficiency using case management systems and time recording, as well as the ability to manage your time and workload. If you have housing law experience and knowledge of Legal Aid/ CCMS this would be an advantage. You enjoy collaborating as part of a team, respond quickly and positively to change and are not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas when appropriate.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About The Team

Our legal Teams (Managing Solicitors, Solicitors, Legal Advisors and Trainees) are based throughout our England hubs. We are currently based in London, Plymouth, Bristol, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Sheffield and Newcastle.

We are enthusiastic, driven and champions for fighting housing injustice. Whilst generating an income, we also address the housing crisis.

You will be part of an existing multi-disciplinary team that offers housing and homelessness advice and support across South Yorkshire. It consists of a solicitor led legal team providing advice and representation, and an advice service providing advice, support and guided self-help to people with housing, debt or welfare benefit issues. There is also a committed and skilled team of volunteers that offer peer support, mentoring and more general volunteering, adding significant value to our core service offer.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV with a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points 1-7 outlined in the job description of no more than 1000 words. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Recruitment Agencies

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Help launch a new initiative housing the homeless through the local church

Hope into Action is a national Christian charity enabling local churches to provide homes and support for people experiencing homelessness.

We are launching a new Hope into Action franchise in Milton Keynes, and are looking for a Location Lead to help establish and grow the project from the ground up.

Working with churches, volunteers, and the Hope into Action national team, you will help create homes where people can rebuild their lives within a supportive Christian community.

About the role

As Location Lead, you will provide local leadership and coordination for the Milton Keynes project.

At launch the project will involve one house supporting up to three tenants, working in partnership with our first partner church, New Life Church Milton Keynes.

You will help:

• Build partnerships with churches across Milton Keynes
• Support and encourage church volunteers
• Ensure safeguarding and governance standards are maintained
• Develop relationships with local agencies, supporters, and investors
• Lay the foundations for future houses and growth

You will work closely with Hope into Action UK advisors, who provide established policies, safeguarding frameworks, systems, and ongoing support.

This means you are not building a housing project from scratch - you are helping implement and grow an established national model locally.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Is motivated by their Christian faith and compassion for those experiencing homelessness
• Enjoys building relationships and connecting people around a shared vision
• Is organised, proactive, and comfortable coordinating people and systems
• Can work collaboratively with churches, volunteers, and community partners
• Has initiative and enjoys helping something new take shape

Experience in leadership, community work, housing, or charity management would be helpful, but we are equally interested in people with the right values, attitude, and relational skills.

A pioneering opportunity

This is an opportunity to help establish a project that could grow to support many more people across Milton Keynes in the years ahead.

As the project grows and additional houses are opened, hours and responsibilities are expected to increase accordingly.

For the right candidate this role could be combined with the Church & Tenant Empowerment Worker role (total hours to be agreed) which can be found on our website here..

To apply, please send your completed application form by 5pm, Friday 22nd May 2026