Welfare rights jobs in waltham forest, greater london

This newly created role is part of a strategic restructure designed to strengthen our management team and deepen our impact. As our services have expanded in scope and complexity, we’re dividing a previously broad role Programme Manager) into two part-time positions to bring in more specialist expertise.

As Head of Advice, you will shape the strategic direction of our advice services, ensuring they align with Sufra’s wider mission and are fully integrated into our food aid provision. You’ll be our designated safeguarding lead, support fundraising initiatives and maintain compliance with funder requirements, and lead our efforts to remain a trusted, accredited provider (AQS and IAA).

Working closely with our experienced Advice Service Manager, you’ll also provide strategic oversight of Open ARMs, our programme supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants to access language skills, healthcare, training, and volunteering opportunities—helping them build new lives in the community.

This is more than a job—it’s a chance to lead with purpose, influence real change, and be part of a passionate, values-driven team. 

Haringey Education Partnership

We are a leading education partnership based in Hornsey, north London, committed to improving outcomes for children and young people.  We have 160 member schools across Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest. 

The Role

The Administrative Officer will play a key role in helping to ensure the smooth running of HEP’s operations, events, and communications, and in delivering the high-quality service that underpins our success.  This role reports jointly to the Operations Manager and the Lead for Digital and Communications. 

Key Responsibilities 

Administrative Support

• First point of contact for schools, clients, suppliers, and visitors triaging issues and responding efficiently and helpfully to queries in person, via phone, and by email
• Manage day-to-day administrative tasks including maintaining records and supporting internal workflows and some internal team communications
• Monitoring of shared inboxes across various teams, addressing enquiries in a timely manner
• Work closely with the Operations, Comms, CPD and Curriculum teams to support projects and workstreams

Event / Visitor Coordination

• Prepare and manage meeting rooms and training venues liaising with trainers and delegates
• Assist with the planning and delivery of in-person and online events, including training sessions, conferences, and away days
• Creati event collateral in a professional and timely manner 

CPD Support

• Support with organising and hosting online and in-person training and courses
• Support with the development of CPD promotional material including brochures and flyers
• Support with uploading HEPs training programme and events onto website
• Support the technical and logistical setup for virtual meetings and webinars

Communications and Digital Support

• Website administration support, resolving member queries 
• Help in creation and distribution of communication materials, such as flyers, newsletters, brochures,podcasts and content for social media/digital channels
• Work with the Communications Team to ensure consistency in tone, branding, and messaging

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in an administrative or office support role
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, Zoom, Mondaycom, Adobe Suite
• Good numeracy and data-handling skills
• Ability to manage time, prioritise effectively, and work flexibly across multiple tasks
• A proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to work
• A strong commitment to improving life chances for children and young people

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Experience of working in or with schools or education settings
• Experience with event coordination or customer service
• Familiarity with maintaining websites and basic content management systems

Other information

Application Process: 

• Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role along with a current CV.   Interviews will be conducted as suitable candidates apply and we may hire if we find the right person before the job ad closes.

Working at HEP: 

• You will be part of a mission-driven team committed to empowering schools and improving outcomes for children and young people.
• You will work in a supportive environment that values learning, innovation, and collaboration.
• We offer opportunities for professional development and encourage staff to shape and grow their roles.
• HEP is an 'in-person first organisation' and this role is in-person/office based, working in Hornsey, north London with the opportunity to visit our member schools and attend events/conferences as required.

We are actively seeking diversity of experience academically and professionally, as well as representing the different communities we serve.

This position will be located in the United Kingdom and therefore a successful applicant must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to commence their employment.

HEP is committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  As part of our safer recruitment checks an online search many be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Title: Advice Services Manager

Responsible to: Operations Manager

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 FT (depending on experience and qualifications)

Based: Willesden, NW10 2JR; Haringey borough (including Hornsey, N8 9LP) + other locations if required

Contract: Permanent (subject to continuation of funding)

Please Note: DBS check will be required

JOB OVERVIEW

Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a real difference, every day, to people from all walks of life? This is an exciting opportunity for someone already working in an advice role and looking to take the next step in their career to join the Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) as Advice Services Manager.

The Advice Services Manager will take the lead on BIAS’s day-to-day advice services, managing a small team of welfare and housing advice specialists to ensure that we provide the highest-quality service to our clients. You will need to have experience of delivering front-line benefits and/or housing advice, strong people skills and the ability to build good working relationships with staff and clients, along with excellent organisational abilities to ensure that casework and projects are delivered on time.

In 2025, BIAS is expanding its successful Brent-based welfare and housing advice service into Haringey borough. The Advice Services Manager will work closely with the Operations Manager to build and develop the new advice service in Haringey, ensuring that we replicate our excellent quality of service, strong record of positive outcomes and loyal client base.

This role will also involve working with the leadership team to help identify areas for future development and support grant applications and reporting, which will give you the opportunity to have a direct impact on shaping the organisation’s future strategy and direction.

If you are an experienced advice specialist and are looking to step up but don’t have all the skills required, please consider applying as we are willing to consider appointing the right candidate as a training and development role.

KEY WORK AREAS AND MAIN DUTIES

Staff management

• Managing a small advice team, ensuring the quality of the advice provided.
• Providing support, supervision and training to staff on the delivery of advice services, ensuring that appropriate advice is provided and casework deadlines are met.
• Ensuring good teamwork and lines of communication between staff and partner organisations.
• Creating a positive working environment in which equity and diversity are promoted and staff can do their best.

Quality and service delivery

• Leading the welfare advice services in both Brent and Haringey boroughs, and contributing to further expansion.
• Maintaining a small personal caseload (approximately one to two days’ work per week).
• Working with the Operations Manager to ensure that BIAS complies with Advice Quality Standard (AQS) requirements.
• Leading on monitoring service delivery, recording outcomes and ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Managing all aspects of risk relating to advice delivery, complaints handling, safeguarding and GDPR.

Operational support

• Working with the leadership team as required on operational matters, including planning, strategy for future development and grant applications and reporting.

These are the basic duties required of the Advice Services Manager. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible and you may be required from time to time to perform other reasonable duties which are required for the efficient running of the organisation. We will also offer training opportunities to support your career development.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. This role will be based in our advice offices in Willesden and Haringey[1] but there may be some options for flexible working (i.e. one or two days per week).

ABOUT BIAS

BIAS is a local charity which has supported England’s largest Irish community in Brent for over forty-five years. We deliver our support through our welfare advice drop-in service, our active ageing clubs and our Be-a-Friend volunteer scheme. We raise over £2 million in extra income for the most vulnerable every year and have over 3000 attendances at our club services. BIAS has exciting plans for further expansion in 2025 and has a range of medium- to long-term grant funding, including from Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter should demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this role (detailed in the PDF job description), with supporting examples.

The deadline for applications is 6th June 2025 but we encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible as interviews may be carried out on a rolling basis.

[1] BIAS is currently running its Haringey advice services from the Hornsey Vale Community Centre, with plans to establish a permanent office in Haringey later in 2025.

Join Citizens Advice Richmond as an Financial Resilience Navigator 

Citizens Advice Richmond is launching an exciting new project and seeks a passionate Financial Resilience Navigator to join our team. This rewarding role involves providing holistic support to vulnerable households across the Richmond Borough, helping them achieve greater financial sustainability.  

You will serve as a single point of contact, assisting clients with welfare benefits, income maximization, debt management, housing, and related issues. This role emphasizes connection, compassion, and coordination, requiring collaboration with various organizations and council services to ensure comprehensive client support. Key responsibilities include client advocacy, community outreach, case management, and stakeholder collaboration.

For more information and how to apply please see the job pack attached.

Start Date: Immediate Start

Deadline: Rolling – as soon as the position is filled 

About SPANA

SPANA is the global charity for the working animals of the world. Since our foundation in 1923, we have worked where they work, to support the welfare of working animals, including horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, dogs and camels.

About this role

SPANA’s mission is to transform the welfare of working animals in a world where animals, people and the environment are respected and thrive. This is an exciting time to join us, as we grow and expand our global programmatic work and team.

The Head of Programmes will lead SPANA’s development of a high quality, innovative partnership programme portfolio that delivers immediate and lasting change for working animals.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of SPANA’s global impact. You will be responsible for ensuring that SPANA programmes are designed and delivered in alignment with the organisation’s 2023-2027 strategy, mission and vision. With a focus on driving operational, programmatic and technical excellence, you will provide high-level oversight across our diverse programme portfolio. The role also strategically balances programming across the nexus of animal welfare, the environment and sustainable development and embraces the One Health approach, fostering impactful and sustainable outcomes. 

Salary, contract and location

This is a full-time (34.5 hours per week) permanent role. This role is UK based, with regular attendance (approximately 1-2 times per month) in our London office. The salary for this role is approximately £55,000-£60,000, dependent on expereiunce. SPANA is also pleased to offer employees benefits including a generous company pension scheme and health care cash plan. 

Further details and how to apply

Please review the job description for full details. To apply, please email a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling deadline until the role is filled. 

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Lambeth, London
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Refuge Worker – Supporting Survivors of Domestic Abuse

We are looking for a Refuge Worker to work within our culturally specific refuge to provide specialist, high-quality support to women and children escaping domestic abuse. Based in Lambeth, London, this role involves delivering practical and emotional support to survivors, ensuring their safety, and helping them rebuild their lives. Working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, you will create a safe and welcoming environment in line with Refuge’s values and commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

As a Refuge Worker, you will support women through crisis, providing keywork sessions, safety planning, and advocacy. You will assist with accessing housing, welfare, legal support, and other essential services while maintaining accurate case records. You will also play a vital role in ensuring the effective operation of the refuge, managing referrals, and working collaboratively with partner agencies. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and resilient individual with strong communication and organisational skills. While experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector is beneficial, we also welcome applications from those with transferable skills and a commitment to supporting survivors. Above all, we value individuals who are dedicated to making a difference, thrive in an inclusive environment, and are committed to their own personal development while supporting others.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while developing valuable frontline support and advocacy experience. Refuge offers ongoing training, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package, ensuring that our staff are valued and supported in their roles. If you are passionate about empowering survivors and want to be part of a dedicated, compassionate organisation, we encourage you to apply.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call Rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 5 June 2025

Interview Date: 10 June 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. 

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

About SPANA

SPANA is the global charity for the working animals of the world. Since our foundation in 1923, we have worked where they work, to support the welfare of working animals, including horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, dogs and camels.This is an exciting time to join us, as we grow and expand our global programmatic work and team.   

About this role

SPANA’s mission is to transform the welfare of working animals in a world where animals, people and the environment are respected and thrive. 

The Head of Community Engagement, SBCC and Education holds a key leadership position in delivering our mission—ensuring our global partners implement high-quality, evidence-based programmes that foster meaningful community engagement, promote effective learning and drive lasting behaviour change. 

This role provides strategic and technical leadership across SPANA’s work in community engagement, education and Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), ensuring that all interventions are contextually relevant, grounded in best practice and aligned with SPANA’s 2023–2027 strategy.  

The postholder will shape the direction of these critical programme areas, support capacity strengthening across our partner network and ensure measurable contributions to SPANA’s strategic objectives and key performance indicators

Salary, contract and location

This is a full-time (34.5 hours per week) permanent role. This role is hybrid UK based, with regular attendance (approximately 1-2 times per month) in our London office. The salary for this role is approximately £55,000-£60,000, dependent on expereiunce. SPANA is also pleased to offer employees benefits including a generous company pension scheme and health care cash plan. 

Further details and how to apply

Please review the job description for full details. To apply, please email a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling deadline until the role is filled. 

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an on-site role, located within the London Borough of Hillingdon, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hounslow. 
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum, including London weighting allowance if applicable
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles.  

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. 

Closing Date: 09:00am 30 May 2025

Interview dates: 6, 9 and 10 June 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Contract length: Permanent

Location: North West London

Hours per week: 35 (Tuesday - Saturday, 9-5pm)

Salary: up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience

 Closing date for applications: Rolling, however, applying early is advised.

Mayhew is an exceptionally special animal welfare charity, and we are looking for an equally special candidate to be our Canine Behaviourist.  Our team ensure that every dog and cat in our care receives the expert and personalised care s/he needs, delivered with the understanding, empathy, compassion and love that every dog and cat deserves. 

Our Home in North-West London accommodates our Kennels, Cattery, Veterinary Clinic and more. Our kennels house up to 15 dogs at any one time meaning that our Canine Behaviourist is able to truly get to know each dog as an individual and directly impact his or her outcomes. We are looking for a hands-on, practical, do-er who has the academic knowledge to understand rescue dogs and the practical experience in a shelter environment to design and deliver the training and wellbeing programmes required to create successful rehoming outcomes for each of those pets.

This role sits within the Kennels Team, reporting to the Head of Kennels. Being a team player, who is good with people as well as animals, is an incredibly important part of the skill set we’re looking for. At the same time, we need an energetic self-starter who can work under their own steam to ensure that every dog in our care is having the best day possible and is continuously progressing on his/her journey through Mayhew to a loving and happy forever home.

As you’ll already know from your prior experience, this role can be physically and emotionally demanding but it will also be hugely rewarding; and that is even more so at Mayhew where this post-holder can really help shape things and where we have a manageable number of dogs in our care. If you’re not already inspired enough, you can view some of our amazing rescue stories here.

Our Canine Behaviourist will:

• Love dogs and be passionately committed to the achievement of each one’s best possible outcome
• In-take Assess all dogs coming into our care and be closely involved with the Head of Kennel’s in-take decisions (bearing in mind that Mayhew receives dogs from some challenging sources including hoarding and poor welfare environments, and dogs with no known history)
• Rehab Assess all dogs in our care to understand them in their current state and identify their training and behaviour-modification needs
• Design and implement their training and behaviour modification plans with support from our Clinical Animal Behaviourist, ensuring continuous improvement and sustained good welfare; being agile and humble enough to change plans when things aren’t working
• Coach and support the Kennel and Animal Carers so that they can help with the delivery of training and behaviour modification plans, helping them feel included and engaged, and embrace up-skilling;
• Ensure the health & safety of the Animal Carers and Volunteers whilst caring for the dogs in our care, having the knowledge, experience, strength and confidence to personally handle more challenging dogs and situations
• Design, and help the Kennel and Animal Carers to implement, individualised wellbeing and enrichment programmes to keep each dog physically and mentally healthy whilst they are with us and have the knowledge and prior experience to make each dog’s plan bespoke to them considering a variety of drivers including play styles, energy levels, sociability, guarding behaviours, preferences, and sources of frustration.
• Liaise with foster families caring for Mayhew dogs at the direction of the Head of Kennels as required
• Undertake each dog’s Rehoming Assessment, working with the Head of Kennels and Dog Adoption Officer to ensure the right rehoming criteria are set on an individual basis. We don’t take a computer-says-no approach, we want to move mountains to find each dog a successful home.
• Be involved in rehoming our longer staying dogs, including interviewing potential adopters
• Perform practical sessions with adopters as part of the rehoming process to ensure that training and behaviour techniques Mayhew has put in place successfully transfer with the dog to their new carer and environment
• Work in accordance with Mayhew’s policies and be experienced, responsible and compassionate to be fully involved in the tough decisions which sometimes face all rescues.
• Be up to date with the relevant UK legislation on dogs and safety
• Stay up to date with the fascinating and continually-developing science of canine behaviour and well-being
• Come to work each day up-beat, positive and ready to make a real difference.

To be successful in this role, you need:

• Experience working hands-on with rescue dogs in the shelter environment
• At least 2 years’ experience within an applied canine behaviourist / rehabilitation role, working with dogs with differing behavioural challenges
• Experience of delivering dog to dog desensitisation and socialisation programs
• Proven experience of a flexible and can-do approach, successfully juggling competing priorities and calmly handling multiple or complex issues in an operational environment.

Please note that successful candidate will be asked for evidence of their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Role and Responsibilities

Housing and Service Delivery

• Provide strong and effective support to residents in Acorn House that focuses on their strengths and goals, and is delivered in a personalised way and within a framework of active engagement and co-production

• Developing and reviewing support plans that reflect the interests and aspirations of residents

• Induct new residents in line with the service’s policies and procedures and support them to continue in their journey towards recovery from addiction

• Carry out assessments of those referred to Acorn House, and induct new residents

• Ensure the fundamental needs of residents are met including good quality accommodation and facilities, healthy food, advice and guidance around benefits, and alcohol and drug testing (to help maintain an abstinent environment)

• Deal with the immediate support needs of residents as appropriate, providing crisis intervention where necessary

• Support residents in addressing physical and mental health issues, including liaison with primary and secondary health teams

• Ensure residents are supported through court or welfare rulings (if necessary)

• Ensure effective and compliant administration of resident data using a bespoke Salesforce- based platform (In-Form)

• Ensure Housing Benefit and Services Charges are collected and managed effectively 

• Be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the service, ensuring high quality support is provided

• Ensure each resident’s support plan is written, monitored and reviewed as appropriate to reflect their changing needs and development

• Ensure residents progress and engage with other SCT programmes (when required)

• Ensure conditions and requirements relating to any contracts or management agreements are applied throughout SCT’s services

• Work effectively as part of a team, attending team/ staff meetings and making a positive contribution to the development of the team and wider SCT services

• Effectively control and manage financial records appropriate to the duties of the post (petty cash/rent) 

• Participate in a feedback culture for continuous improvement

• Promote social inclusion, supporting residents to access all benefits available to them

• Support residents with physical and mental health issues, including liaison primary and secondary health care services as required

• Ensure all repairs and maintenance needs are raised

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Maintain accurate records of residents on In-Form

Operational Support

• Comply with Health and Safety, including but not limited to any fire maintenance, risk assessments and complete room checks and raise any risks to the Supported Housing Manager

• Ensure equipment of all applicable facilities is in good working order

• To provide an on-call/out-of-hours service when required

• Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required 

Special Conditions

• This post requires the holder to work varying shifts between 08.00 am and 8.00 pm and participation in the call rota system (for which an additional allowance is paid)

• The post-holder is required to work weekends as part of a rota and Bank Holidays when required

• On occasions you may be requested to change your rota to ensure the requirements of the service are covered

• In accordance with the guidelines on Health and Safety, to accept responsibility for working within these guidelines and reporting any concerns to the Supported Housing Manager

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)

Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term (Until Feb 2026)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. 

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 11 June 2025

Interview date: 18 and 19 June 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. 

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Law Centres tell us that their biggest concern right now is staff recruitment and retention. Supported by the Advice Workforce Development Fund, Law Centres Network has undertaken a programme of work to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Law Centre workforce. Although initially focused on London, this work will benefit our network across the UK as we gain deeper insights, develop best practice, and co-produce new approaches.

We are looking for someone to work with Law Centres across London and co-ordinate a joint effort between Law Centres, LCN and other partners to improve recruitment, career progression, and staff retention in Law Centres and the wider social welfare legal advice sector.

We are the Law Centres Network (LCN). We make the UK a fairer place by helping people get justice, even if they cannot afford a lawyer. For nearly fifty years, we have been at the centre of a movement for social justice and we believe that people in greater need should get more help. Together with local Law Centres, we deliver faster, more accessible and more joined-up help. We do this by supporting Law Centres to get more help to people in need, bringing Law Centres together to solve systemic problems, and speaking out for change.

Many problems that people face involve the law – being treated unfairly at work, issues with their landlord, problems with welfare benefits, or being discriminated against. Law Centres employ lawyers and other professionals, who are experts in this kind of everyday problem. They give people legal advice and can represent them if they need it. They use the law to solve problems that hold people back, so they can get on with their lives. There are over 40 Law Centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.

You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact. 

The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.

As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and strategy

·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy

·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework

·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;

·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;

·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;

·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;

·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.

Governance  

·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid

·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid

·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;

·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;

·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.

Management and Supervision 

·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;

·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;

·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;

·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.

Policy & Strategic Legal Work

·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;

·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;

·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.

Finance & Fundraising

·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;

·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;

·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.

Other duties

·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;

·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;

·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);

•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;

•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds

•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;

•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;

•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;

·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;

•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;

•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;

•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;

•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration,  asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;

•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;

•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and

•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.

Desirable Experience

·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems

·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;

·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2.Upload your current CV

3.Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Wednesday 3rd July 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.

Eligibility

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.

We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.

We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.

We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Policy Manager to join our External Affairs team.

You'll work closely with autistic young people, their families, and our specialist settings, to develop and influence policy on our priority areas. You will be accountable for achieving the wider policy aims in our new strategy, so that autistic young people can achieve at school, be healthy, and live and work as independently as possible.

You'll collaborate with autistic young people, their families, colleagues across Ambitious about Autism, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies that influence practice in our priority policy areas. You'll plan and manage regular engagement activities with autistic young people, their families, and other key stakeholders, to ensure our policy influencing is beneficiary- led and reflects the needs of our settings.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience of developing and delivering policy positions to effect social change
• Proven track record of using social and traditional media to generate engagement in campaigns for change
• Knowledge and understanding of at least one priority policy area affecting autistic children, young people and their families (education or employment policy)
• Proven ability to develop and manage research and policy projects within agreed timescales and budgets.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.