Worker jobs in Waltham forest, greater london

East London Students' Union is a progressive charity that supports around 25,000 students that study at the University of East London. We are based in one of the most diverse boroughs in Europe and our membership proudly reflects the communities where we are based.

Our purpose is to support and empower our students by representing their views and providing a range of supportive services, events and activities to make university life the amazing experience it should be. We're now working to build a students' union that champions their aspirations and can deliver what's needed to make a difference. We're excited about this and have invested in several new posts to give us the expertise needed. We're currently reviewing our strategic plan and hope to launch our new plan in the coming months.

As an advice caseworker, you’ll provide impartial advice to students on academic matters, and represent and support students in meetings and panels in more complex cases. You’ll use your experience to help us do more preventive work to help our students to take action on their own behalf. You’ll have excellent attention-to-detail and maintain accurate and comprehensive casework notes. We have several full- and part-time vacancies.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help us do things differently, empower others and build a students' union that can better support our students, then we could have a role for you. If you can operate in environments where change is continual, challenges multi-faceted and where solutions require innovative thinking, you'll thrive here. You'll also need to be self-driven, able to operate with autonomy and be able to balance competing priorities. A big part of our work is about helping our student staff, student representatives and volunteers to develop; all our career staff are required to support this.

About the role:

At our Harrow Road Assessment Hub in Westminster, you will work within this short stay service with a multi-disciplinary team setting. This role involves working alongside people to navigate complex situations with empathy, understanding, and consistency. You’ll be supporting clients who have experienced rough sleeping and may be facing multiple disadvantage, often alongside mental ill health and substance use, at a point where the right intervention can change everything.

As a Specialist Multiple Disadvantage Worker, you’ll go beyond traditional support. You’ll use psychologically informed approaches, with a strong focus on harm minimisation, dual diagnosis and recovery, to build trust, unlock engagement and help clients make sense of their experiences. You’ll deliver targeted interventions both one-to-one and through our in-house recovery programme, helping people move from crisis towards stability and longer-term accommodation.

You’ll work at the centre of a fast-paced, multi-agency system, building strong relationships with health, Adult Social Care and specialist services to make sure clients can access and sustain the support they need. Alongside this, you’ll bring specialist knowledge into the team, shaping best practice and strengthening how we respond to complex needs across the service.

This is a role for someone who is confident working with complexity, motivated by impact, and committed to ensuring people are not left stuck in cycles of homelessness, but supported to move forward and rebuild.

About you:

• You bring strong experience working with people experiencing multiple disadvantage, including mental health and substance use, and understand how these needs intersect.
• You’re confident using psychologically informed approaches, including harm minimisation and dual diagnosis, to engage people who may be ambivalent about support.
• You know how to build trust quickly, working in a non-judgemental, strengths-based way while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• You’re skilled at navigating systems and advocating for clients, working effectively with external services to improve access and outcomes.
• You’re able to manage complexity, using your judgement to prioritise, problem-solve and respond calmly in challenging situations.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 10th May at midnight

Interview date: Thursday 21st May online via Microsoft Teams

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

Support Worker

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

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

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

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

Our benefits include:

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

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

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

What you'll do:

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

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

About you:

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

What you'll bring:

Essential:

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

Desirable:

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

About us:

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

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

Specialist Behavioural Support Worker

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

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

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

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card

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

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

What you'll do:

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

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

About you:

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

Essential:

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

Desirable:

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

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities.

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

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

Specialist Support Worker

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

£31,593.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

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

Our benefits include:

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

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

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

What you'll do:

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

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

About you:

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

What you'll bring:

Essential:

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

Desirable:

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

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year.

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

Adoption Social Worker – Barnardo's

Do you want to make a genuine difference in the lives of children, young people, and families? If so, we'd love to welcome you into our passionate and supportive Adoption Service here at Barnardo's. We have a wonderful opportunity for a committed and creative Social Worker to join our Pan‑Wales Adoption Team. Working with us means joining a compassionate group of professionals who believe deeply in the power of safe, loving, and lasting family relationships—and who will value your contribution every step of the way.

Why join Barnardo's?

At Barnardo's, we believe in quality over quantity. You'll hold a manageable caseload that allows you to truly focus on the children and families you're supporting. You'll benefit from regular supervision, peer support, emotional wellbeing resources and a workplace culture built on kindness, reflection, and professional growth.

We offer hybrid working across Wales, giving you the flexibility to organise your work in a way that supports both your priorities and your wellbeing. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, safe and supportive environment for all our staff.

 About the role

As a Social Worker within our Adoption Service, you will:

• Recruit, assess and train prospective and approved adoptive parents as part of our CIW‑registered service
• Provide thoughtful, tailored pre‑ and post‑placement support to adoptive families
• Offer training and therapeutic, relationship‑focused interventions that acknowledge the impact of trauma, loss and early adversity
• Work with hope, creativity and empathy as you help families build secure and lasting connections
• Contribute to the ongoing development of our service through reflective practice, learning and professional curiosity

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, motivated, and passionate about achieving the very best outcomes for children. You'll be supported to work therapeutically and to grow your skills through ongoing development opportunities.

What we're looking for

• A qualified Social Worker with registration (or eligibility to register)
• Someone who embraces learning and wants to grow within a highly experienced team
• A compassionate, resilient practitioner who believes in children and in the power of family

Thinking of applying?

If this sounds like the next step in your journey, we'd be delighted to hear from you. Please refer to the Person Specification and Job Description when completing your application, reflecting on how your skills, experience and values align with the needs of the service.

Camberwell with delivery across all London Boroughs

Ref CFC-261

Are you a proactive, compassionate and collaborative individual with a proven record of successfully engaging with challenging families and young people? Do you have lived, personal experience of the Criminal Justice System and/or care system?

If so, join St Giles Trust as our Children and Families Caseworker where, as part of our London Edge-of-Care
(L-EDGE) project, you will provide specialist support to children and young people who are experiencing complex disadvantage and are at risk of entering the care system.

About St Giles Trust

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

London Edge-of-Care (L-EDGE) is a 36-month project which aims to create positive outcomes for up 60 children and young people a year who are at risk and on the edge of being taken into local authority care. The project focuses on intervening before any formal care proceedings have taken place and provides a whole family approach.

About this key role

As a Children & Families Caseworker, you will deliver intensive, trauma-informed and whole-family support to children and young people at risk of entering care. This will involve carrying out comprehensive needs assessments, risk assessments and safety planning, and working alongside families to develop and review action plans that address practical, emotional and safeguarding needs.

This is a highly relational, outreach-based role, requiring regular travel across London Boroughs. You will work closely with Children’s Social Care and other statutory and voluntary sector services to deliver coordinated, effective support. You will also play a key role in identifying risk, including child criminal and sexual exploitation, and ensuring appropriate safeguarding responses are in place.

What we are looking for

• To have lived, personal experience of the Criminal Justice System and/or care system.
• Experience of working with socially excluded children, young people and adults and of providing advice and guidance and/or mentoring to them.
• Experience of successfully engaging with challenging families and young people, e.g. those who have complex needs, people who are reluctant to discuss their needs and people who are angry and confused.
• Understanding of the UK care system and the challenges faced by those who enter it.
• Knowledge of gangs, knife crime and patterns of offending in London.
•  Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and risk management practice
•  Understanding of child criminal exploitation (CCE) and child sexual exploitation (CSE)
• Strong IT skills, including case recording systems and standard Microsoft applications

Please note: this role requires an Enhanced DBS check with child barred list.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, access to clinical supervision, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, season ticket loan and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

If you have any queries, or require further support, please contact us. 

Closing date: 11 May 2026 at 9am. Interview date: w/c on 18 May 202

About the role:

At the heart of Camden’s mission to end rough sleeping, the Gray's Inn Road project offers short-stay accommodation for 16 individuals experiencing some of the most challenging periods in their lives. Funded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Greater London Authority, and delivered in partnership with One Housing Group and Camden Council, this service plays a pivotal role in ensuring rough sleeping in Camden is not only rare but brief and not repeated. Residents typically stay between three to six months, during which time the focus is on creating pathways into safe, sustainable housing and renewed independence.

You’ll be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering trauma-informed, psychologically informed support. You’ll work closely with clients facing overlapping challenges including homelessness, poor physical and mental health, substance use, trauma and histories with the criminal justice system. With your own caseload, you’ll conduct in-depth assessments, build tailored support plans and facilitate interventions that reflect the needs, strengths and aspirations of each person. Every day brings new opportunities to connect people with education, training or employment, to help them rebuild practical life skills, and to foster progress towards long-term goals.

This is a role where no two days are the same, and the impact you’ll make is tangible. From supporting someone through a housing move to witnessing the first steps towards recovery or reconnection. You’ll work alongside a wide range of services including Camden Routes off the Streets, Inroads, Connect Forward and the Adult Pathway, as well as contribute to the operational running of the service and uphold high standards in safety and compliance. At SHP, you’ll be part of an organisation that values learning and growth, offering you access to high-quality training, reflective practice and real opportunities to progress your career. Most importantly, you’ll be part of a team that believes in people’s potential and in your ability to help unlock it.

About you:

• You build trust quickly and support people facing multiple disadvantage to set goals, take control and move forward at their own pace
• You stay calm under pressure and respond confidently to crisis, making safe, thoughtful decisions in complex situations
• You understand how to maximise income and financial stability, helping clients navigate benefits, rent and budgeting
• You work with clear, professional boundaries and bring a trauma informed, non-judgemental and strengths-based approach to every interaction
• You’re organised and proactive, able to manage a varied workload, prioritise what matters and adapt to a rota including evenings and weekends

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing Date: Sunday 3rd May at Midnight

Interview date: Tuesday 12th May online via Microsoft Teams

Please note, there will be a second stage interview for suitable candidates in our service in Camden.

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed. 

About the role:

As a Project Worker – Complex Needs, you’ll be at the heart of Single Homeless Project's (SHP) mission to end homelessness in London, working within our short-stay accommodation services that offer safety, stability, and a fresh start for people rebuilding their lives. Each day you’ll work alongside clients who have experienced homelessness and are navigating challenges such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma and physical health concerns. Through trust, persistence and creativity, you’ll help them access and sustain safe accommodation, reconnect with essential services, and take meaningful steps towards lasting independence.

You’ll build strong, consistent relationships that inspire confidence and hope, supporting clients to access healthcare, develop life skills, explore work and training opportunities, and strengthen their sense of belonging in the community. By approaching every interaction with empathy and purpose, you’ll play a key role in creating the conditions for lasting change – helping people not just to move off the streets, but to move forward in life.

At SHP, we don’t just offer jobs – we build careers with purpose. You’ll be part of an organisation that values development and growth, providing opportunities to expand your skills, influence practice, and progress within a sector-leading charity. Your work will help shape better futures for our clients and contribute to SHP’s ongoing journey to challenge inequality and deliver lasting impact for Londoners.

Rota: Monday to Friday: Early shifts (08:00 to 16:00) and Late (14:00 to 22:00) shifts. We consider bespoke and flexible working options, where this can be accommodated within service needs.

About you:

• Experience of working or supporting vulnerable people, rough sleepers or people with mental health, physical health or substance use support needs. 
• A non-judgemental approach to working with people facing multi-disadvantages and the skill to promote a strengths-based approach to case work and person-centred engagement.
• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a collaborative approach to delivering service objectives.
• Strong time management skills, ability to manage a caseload of clients, work on own initiative, manage competing priorities and maintain high standards.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing Date: Sunday 3rd May at midnight

Interview Date: Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th May online via Microsoft Teams

Please note, there will be a second stage interview for suitable candidates in our service in Barnet. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications requiring sponsorship or with insufficient right to work will not be accepted or progressed.

About Working Well Trust

Working Well Trust is a mental health and employment charity in London. All of our projects share the aim of improving the lives of people with mental health support needs, learning disabilities and/or complex issues through training and employment.

We are now recruiting for a role providing focused, time-limited information, advice and guidance to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, supporting them to return to, remain in, or move towards employment, with a particular focus on engaging those facing multiple and intersecting barriers to work.

This is a full-time, permanent role working 35 hours per week.

What you’ll be doing

If you were working with us, you would be:

• Managing a varied caseload of clients, providing tailored information, advice and guidance to support their employment goals
• Working collaboratively with clients to identify their individual needs and the level of support required
• Developing clear, realistic Action Plans with clients, and reviewing these regularly to reflect progress and changing circumstances
• Supporting clients to address workplace challenges, helping them to return to work, remain in employment, or secure new roles
• Monitoring and tracking progress towards agreed employment outcomes, ensuring support remains focused and effective
• Enabling access to wider opportunities such as training, education, volunteering and other development pathways
• Making appropriate referrals to external services and partner organisations to ensure holistic support for clients

This role requires a proactive and person-centred approach, with a strong focus on achieving meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes.

What we offer

• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays (FTE) 
• Flexible, paid Wellbeing Hour every fortnight (FTE) 
• 35 hours working week
• 6% employer pension contribution 
• 1 day per week working from home subject to completion of Homeworking Checklist
• Supportive environment within a small, dedicated team
• Meaningful, rewarding work supporting people into employment
• Paid carers' leave available

Working Well Trust is an equal opportunities employer and Confident about Disabilities.

What’s next 

Before you apply, please note the following: 

• We actively recruit and carefully review all applications. Due to rapid service expansion, we have onboarded 20 external hires in the last six months. 

• To ensure we can best support the people and communities we serve, we progress applications only where candidates provide meaningful answers to the screening questions. 

• Career development is real here: in the past year, 10 colleagues have progressed internally into Senior roles, Project Lead, Team Lead, and Operations Manager positions. We value ambition and celebrate progression. 

If you are ready to help us build a service that supports people into meaningful work, click Apply to submit your CV and answer the screening questions. Telephone and final interviews will be confirmed. 

Start your application today and take the next step in a rewarding career. 

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

Reports to:                  CAPSA Team Manager

Geographic focus: Lambeth

Salary:£30,500

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

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

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

Purpose of the role

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

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

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

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

Job summary

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

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

Duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Advocacy & Support for Black Service Users

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

Culturally Informed Peer Support & Recovery

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

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration

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

Role Expectations

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

GENERAL

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

Qualities Required

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

Experience (E/D)

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

Knowledge and Skills (E/D)

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

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

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

Join Peabody’s Hackney Mental Health Services as a Mental Health Support Worker and make a real difference. You’ll provide high-quality support to people with a history of serious mental illness, helping them live independently and thrive.

What you’ll do
Work collaboratively with customers to promote recovery, build life skills, and support access to housing, income, and wellbeing. You’ll deliver person-centred, trauma-informed care and help customers achieve their goals.

What you’ll bring

• A genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service.
• Kindness, empathy, and an appreciation for diversity.
• Experience in support planning and risk assessment.
• Understanding of mental health best practices and safeguarding.
• Confidence working with people who have a Dual Diagnosis – those who have a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. 
• Knowledge and experience of the Recovery Model and Trauma-Informed Care.

This role will require an enhanced DBS check.

Why Join Us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What We Offer

• 30 days’ annual holiday, plus bank holidays
• Two additional paid volunteering days each year 
• Flexible benefits scheme, including family friendly benefits and access to a discount portal 
• 4 x salary life assurance
• Up to 10% pension contribution

Please read before applying:  

• You must have the right to work in the UK, we are unable to provide sponsorship.
• We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If this sounds like we are right for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Closing date: 30th April 2026 at midnight.

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

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

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

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

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

Please see our website for the full Job Description

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Peer Support Worker join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Croydon. .

£31,554.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

To support your application, please email a covering letter to , quoting the job title in the subject line.

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

Our benefits include:

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

Look Ahead are preparing to deliver two new community services in Croydon supporting people with their mental health in the community. This includes a Mental Health Crisis Prevention & Outreach Service, and a Housing & Social Support Navigation service. This role involves shift work including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, but does not involve working at night after 10:30pm..

What you'll do:

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
• Appropriately using the lens of their lived experience to provide boundaried and effective support to people facing similar challenges.
• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals

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

About you:

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

Essential:

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

Desirable:

• Lived experience in an area relevant to our customer group (Housing, Mental Health, Complex Needs)

About us:

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

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