Youth advocacy manager jobs in kingston upon thames, cardiff

AFRIL is recruiting for an experienced, dynamic Senior Caseworker to join our growing Casework Team. The successful candidate will provide advice and casework to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in South East London on matters relating to housing and homelessness, welfare benefits, NRPF support, community care and asylum support. The candidate has the exciting opportunity to lead on the delivery of AFRIL's Casework Drop-in for asylum seekers and recently granted refugees, supported by a Caseworker and Outreach Volunteers. The post holder, if not already Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) accredited, will also be supported to obtain IAA Level 2 accreditation, to embed some immigration legal advice into their broader caseload. 

AFRIL’s Casework Service also uses casework trends and data to work with community members in order to engage in policy and systemic change. Utilising casework and community co-production, the service has created sector wide resources on asylum support, engaged in strategic litigation and successfully influenced local, pan-London and national policy outcomes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to feed into AFRIL's broader policy work, and develop local partnerships.

This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team, with strong opportunity for career development within AFRIL.

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London
Hours: Full-time, 35 Hours per week
Salary: £55,155 per annum (London)
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer on our website
Contract type: Fixed-term - 2 years
Travel: Occasional travel across the UK including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Closing date: 23:59 hours, Sunday 4 January 2026

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.
You will join the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department within the Chief Executive's Directorate. The team is responsible for leading UK strategy development and delivery across advocacy (policy, public affairs, campaigning) and health intelligence, working closely with colleagues across the UK to ensure effective delivery of the strategy in each nation. The department sits in the Chief Executive's Directorate to ensure driving positive change with and for people with arthritis is at the heart of the organisation.

The Department works closely with colleagues across the charity, including Services, Research and Income and Engagement to ensure we are joined up in our approach to arthritis.

About the role
The Researcher is a new, important post at Arthritis UK. Working within our Health Intelligence team, you will lead on providing expertise on the latest relevant research evidence, providing a responsive, robust and balanced assessment of the available evidence and any key gaps to shape the charity's UK advocacy agenda, and drive organisational priorities. Working across a range of issues you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the experiences and needs of people living with arthritis are understood and acted upon, and that arthritis is taken seriously across the UK.

About you
If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we'd love to hear from you:

• In-depth knowledge and experience in working in health-related, research.
• Experience in the synthesis and evaluation of research evidence across a range of sources (including grey literature), including in the design and delivery of rapid reviews.
• Experience in communicating clearly and succinctly to non-technical and non-expert audiences, through both written formats (e.g. briefing papers) and verbally (e.g. via presentations and meetings with senior stakeholders), with a robust approach to accessibility throughout communication.
• Demonstrable understanding of how research can be used to shape policy and practice.
• Experience of consistently applying a range of techniques and research methods applicable to framing research questions, evidence review and research evaluation.
• Able to communicate findings and conclusions clearly to non-specialist and specialist audiences.
• Educated to at least master's degree level or equivalent.

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Benefits
Your excellent benefits include:

• Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
• Health and wellbeing support - including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
• Simplyhealth cash plan.
• Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
• Learning and personal development opportunities.
• Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
• Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).

Application deadline and shortlisting 
We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date.  
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 
We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales. 

Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Arthritis UK where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers.

Interview
Interviews are expected be held Thursday 15 January 2026, Arthritis UK London office

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.

About us
We have made a commitment in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to increase the diversity of our charity and we welcome candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We want our employees, volunteers and trustees to represent the broad diversity of the communities of which we are a part.

There are over 10 million people living with arthritis. That's one in six, with over half of those living in pain every single day. The impact is huge as the condition slowly intrudes on everyday life - affecting the ability to work, care for a family, to move free from pain and to live independently. Yet arthritis is often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing or shrugged off as 'just a bit of arthritis'. We don't think that this is OK. Arthritis UK is here to change that.

Arthritis UK is committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. During the recruitment process we will undertake safer recruitment practices and relevant checks to ensure applicants are suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Arthritis UK is a Registered Charity No: 207711 and in Scotland No. SC041156.

Location: South West London (Central Office is based in Mortlake – 12 mins from Clapham Junction and 23 mins from Waterloo)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part time 20 hrs per week, Monday to Friday. 5 shifts 10.00 - 14.00
Salary: Salary £32,140 per annum pro rata (£18,365 actual)

Benefits:28 days annual leave per annum/pro rata plus statutory holidays on appointment. Additional annual leave days awarded on length of service* • Company pension contribution • Life insurance (3 x salary)* • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including 24/7 support helpline • Interest-free Season Ticket Loans* • Additional maternity pay and leave* •Additional paternity pay* • Additional sick pay* *available after probation period passed

Job Summary

When someone goes missing, Missing People provides help to families, friends and professional carers who wish to publicise their appeal. This can be through the charity’s website resources, appeals and opportunities for publicity in the media.

You will support families, friends and professional carers to make appeals when someone has officially been reported as missing. The role will involve communicating in a timely, compassionate and knowledgeable manner with people experiencing the trauma of missing someone and managing families’ initial expectations of the service. You will assess the most appropriate activities to safeguard and reconnect the missing person and be responsible for police liaison and updates. You will assess with families the use of public display publicity which may begin after 3 days and help families to understand what they can do themselves. You will work closely with the Communications team, providing them with accurate and timely information if publicity is the appropriate choice. You will also access and process 'Urgent missing’ requests and work with the Communications team to make the alert happen.

You will understand the needs of longer-term families who still want to publicise their missing person, and you will advocate on their behalf to help make sure their voice is heard.

You will work collaboratively with specialists in Family Support, Publicity, Helpline and Fundraising & Communications teams to support the families and missing people we are here to help.

Key Accountabilities:

Service delivery

• Assess and process incoming requests from, family members, friends and professional carers and agree the most suitable support and publicity actions. Manage requests with high standards of accuracy, risk and criteria management, data management, and confidentiality;
• Risk assess all contacts to ensure any safeguarding issues in relation to the missing person or their family members are dealt with effectively. Participate in safeguarding decision making and implement safeguarding procedures.
• Handle sensitive interactions, deal with crisis intervention situations, assess risk within Missing People policy and consult where appropriate

Team Working and external communications

• Ensure families are aware of all the services on offer to them, working collaboratively with other members of the team to provide a smooth transition into Family Support and Publicity
• Work closely with IT, Impact, Family Support, Publicity and helpline teams identifying data issues,
• Communicate updates and signpost into Missing People’s services, initiatives, engagement opportunities, events and activities to family members and other people affected by a disappearance

Volunteer supervision and support

• Train volunteers on shift in identified tasks. Provide clear written instructions and demonstrate the task through examples and shadowing.
• Monitor volunteer work on shift to ensure good record keeping, professional communication, appropriate safeguarding and accuracy

About you

You must have the right to work in the UK. The person specification in the job description provides full details of what we are looking for, and this includes:

• Experience of working in a frontline service delivering advice, help or support to vulnerable people by phone or digitally;
• Experience and/or demonstrable understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults and/or young people;
• Experience of working with a range of internal and external stakeholders including volunteers, other teams and the police or other statutory services.

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to risk assess, make welfare and needs assessment and take appropriate safeguarding and contact care actions.
• Knowledge of the issues surrounding missing children and vulnerable adults;
• Aware of and sensitive to the impact of class, gender and race and to be willing to act appropriately;
• An ability to navigate the issues and nuances of working with people experiencing trauma in a way that centers their needs with an expert but open approach.

About Missing People

Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat. We coordinate a UK-wide network of people, businesses and media to join the search for the estimated 170,000 people who go missing each year. Missing People aims to put people with lived experience at the heart of our work, amplifying their voices to achieve change. Working for Missing People means living our values. It’s a place where people are encouraged to ‘let fly’ so you can ‘make things happen’. We know you’re more than just a job title, and ‘be human’ is an important value here. Missing People is an independent charity that relies on donations.

Closing date: 12:00 on 2 January 2026. 
Interviews: 7/9 January 2026
Start: ASAP

REF-225 537

READY TO HELP BUILD SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND GROW WITH A START-UP?

WE’RE RECRUITING AN ASSISTANT TO THE FOUNDER…

Can Do is a start-up using digital technology to create social change. We work across addiction, mental health, homelessness, poverty and justice to help people access the support they need.

We are looking for an assistant to work closely with founder Mark Johnson. This is a hands-on role which could be for someone early in their career who wants a chance to learn, take on real responsibility, and be part of building something meaningful. It will suit someone who is organised, curious, and keen to develop.

This is a varied role in a start-up environment. Things are still being built, processes are developing, and we need someone who brings order, accuracy, and a calm, positive attitude.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has strong academic ability and can pick things up quickly
• Is organised, meticulous, and takes pride in keeping things in order
• Is interested in social justice and wants to understand our sector
• Has an open, willing attitude to learn and develop
• Can use digital and AI tools to simplify tasks
• Communicates clearly and can write simple, accurate notes and emails
• Is based in the South of England and willing to travel

This role may not be the right fit if:

• You prefer large, structured organisations with established systems
• You are mainly looking for visibility, status, or a defined career track
• You are not comfortable with varied tasks or learning as you go

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Communication support: Draft emails, prepare short notes, and help keep Mark up to date with actions and priorities
• Organisation: Keep diaries, documents, and information in meticulous order
• Meeting support: Join conversations, take clear notes, track actions, and ensure follow-up happens
• Research: Collect short summaries, stats, and key information about our sector (addiction, mental health, homelessness, poverty, justice)
• Fundraising and bids: Assist with drafting, formatting, and preparing proposals and applications
• Documentation: Prepare simple business cases, summaries, or briefing papers
• Operations: Support basic bookkeeping tasks, receipts, and expense organisation
• Learning and development: Take on a variety of new tasks as skills grow

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY.

Can Do welcomes applications from people with lived experience of social challenges. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in our recruitment process and workplace culture.

Nacro is looking for a committed and politically astute Policy & Public Affairs Officer – Criminal Justice to play a key role in delivering our influencing strategy. You will help shape Nacro’s policy positions on criminal justice issues and deliver proactive and reactive public affairs activity that drives meaningful change for the people we support.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about social justice, who understands the political landscape and is confident producing high-quality policy materials, engaging with parliamentarians, and representing Nacro externally.

 

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development

• Monitor and analyse political and policy developments in criminal justice to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Work with service users, staff, and research colleagues to develop evidence-based policy positions.
• Produce high-quality policy briefings, reports, and consultation responses.
• Serve as Nacro’s internal expert on criminal justice policy.
   

Public Affairs & Influencing

• Develop and deliver a public affairs plan that advances Nacro’s influencing objectives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, and regional decision-makers.
• Attend and represent Nacro at APPGs, parliamentary meetings, and external events.
• Produce parliamentary briefings and contribute to legislative engagement.
• Organise and coordinate parliamentary and stakeholder events that support influencing goals.
• Work collaboratively with partners across the sector to strengthen joint advocacy.
   

Communications & Support

• Provide content for media statements, blogs, and external communications.
• Prepare briefings for senior leaders including the Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Director of Engagement & Impact, and CEO.
• Support wider Nacro campaigns and influencing work as required.
   

Professional & Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of criminal justice policy.
• In-depth understanding of Westminster, Whitehall, and political processes.
• Experience designing and delivering effective public affairs activity.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decision-makers.
• Experience working with parliamentarians and developing strong relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience producing policy and campaign materials.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to anticipate developments.
   

Organisational Performance & Compliance

• Commit to personal learning and development through supervision and appraisal.
• Positively promote Nacro and contribute to an integrated, collaborative team culture focused on supporting service users and students.
• Adhere to safeguarding, data protection, and statutory responsibilities.
• Uphold and promote Nacro’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Report any health and safety concerns within your area.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour aligned with Nacro’s values.
  
   

Why Join Nacro?

We believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.

That’s why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed. And it’s why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change.

We see your future, whatever the past.

If you’re passionate about driving change, skilled at navigating political environments, and eager to develop your policy and influencing expertise - we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help shape a fairer future.