At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in navigating education, health, and benefits systems with clarity and confidence.
- Company: Join Norwood, the oldest Jewish charity in the UK, making a real difference every day.
- Benefits: Enjoy 21 days annual leave, enhanced parental pay, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a values-led team dedicated to kindness, respect, and empowerment.
- Why this job: Empower neurodiverse children and families to thrive while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy or support roles, strong communication, and organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Hours: 21 Hours per week
Interviews: 30th June & 1st July, 2026
About the Role
You will join a newly established Advocacy and Advice Service supporting children, young people and their families to navigate education, health and benefits systems. Families often face unclear pathways, complex processes and inconsistent information. Your role is to bring clarity, structure and confidence at key moments. Working in a strengths-based and relational way, you will help families understand their rights, prepare for key decisions and access the support they need. This is a non-statutory role. You will not replace legal or statutory services, but you will ensure families are informed, prepared and able to engage effectively. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to a joined-up, whole-family approach across Children & Family Services.
About Norwood
Founded in 1795, Norwood is the oldest Jewish charity in the UK. We support and empower neurodiverse children and their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives. At Norwood, you will make a real difference every day. You will be part of a supportive and inclusive team where kindness is shown in how we care, respect shapes how we work together, belonging ensures everyone feels valued, and empowerment enables people to thrive. We invest in your growth, care about your wellbeing, and give you the pride of knowing your work changes lives.
Your day to day
- Work directly with families to understand their situation, priorities and goals.
- Support navigation of SEND pathways, including SEN Support and EHCP processes.
- Help families prepare for meetings with schools, local authorities and professionals.
- Provide guidance on benefits such as DLA, PIP and Carer's Allowance.
- Explain complex systems clearly and practically.
- Support families to gather evidence and take next steps with confidence.
- Maintain accurate case records and manage timelines effectively.
- Work closely with colleagues across social work, therapy and family support.
- Build strong relationships with external partners including schools and local authorities.
Qualifications, Training and Experience
You will bring:
- Experience working with children, young people or families in an advocacy, advice, education, health or social care setting.
- Experience supporting individuals to navigate complex systems.
- Knowledge of SEND processes, including EHCP pathways.
- Understanding of disability-related benefits such as DLA, PIP or Carer's Allowance.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
- Strong organisation and case management skills.
- A values-led approach, with the ability to build trust and empower others.
It would strengthen your application if you have:
- Experience supporting EHCP applications, reviews or mediation.
- Training in SEND law, welfare rights or advocacy.
- Experience within advice or advocacy services.
- Understanding of health pathways and therapy services.
Reward and Benefits
We believe great support starts with great staff. We offer:
- Fully funded induction and ongoing training.
- 21 days annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays + Jewish Festival & Holy Days (pro rata for part time).
- Enhanced parental pay.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health cash plan covering dental, optical and therapy treatments, plus virtual GP access via My Medicash.
- Blue Light Card access.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- £300 refer-a-friend bonus.
- Career development pathway.
- Free on-site parking.
- A supportive, experienced team and management culture.
A bit more information:
Norwood's Children and Family Services support neurodivergent children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and their families to live happy, confident and connected lives. We provide a range of therapeutic, practical and emotional support, including short breaks for young people, parent educational courses, workshops and peer support groups. Everything we do is shaped around the individual: their interests, needs and potential. Whether it's through play, support or learning, we believe every child and their families should have the chance to be themselves, have fun, and thrive as individuals and as a unit.
Safe Recruitment:
Norwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, and young people we support. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with OFSTED, and appointment is conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks, including Right to Work in the UK and a DBS check appropriate to the role.
Email:
Disclaimer: At Norwood, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. At this time, Norwood is not a UK Home Office licensed sponsor and is unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Advocate (Education, Benefits & Health) in Wigan employer: Workcircle
At Norwood, you will be part of a dedicated team that empowers neurodiverse children and their families, making a tangible difference in their lives every day. Our supportive and inclusive work culture prioritises kindness, respect, and belonging, while offering comprehensive training and career development opportunities to help you thrive. With generous benefits including enhanced parental pay, a health cash plan, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, Norwood stands out as an exceptional employer in the heart of the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate (Education, Benefits & Health) in Wigan
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Norwood and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported families or navigated complex systems in the past. This will demonstrate your experience and ability to connect with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to gain insights about the team and culture. They might even share tips that could give you an edge in the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining our amazing team at Norwood.
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate (Education, Benefits & Health) in Wigan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how you can bring clarity and support to families, so don’t hold back on sharing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be explaining complex systems to families, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language to show us you can break down complicated information effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience:We’re looking for candidates with experience in advocacy or support roles. Be sure to mention any work you've done with children, young people, or families, especially if it involved navigating education or health systems.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workcircle
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the SEND processes and disability-related benefits like DLA and PIP. Familiarise yourself with the key terms and concepts so you can speak confidently about them during the interview.
✨Show Your Empathy
This role is all about supporting families, so be prepared to share examples of how you've helped others in similar situations. Highlight your experience working with children and families, and demonstrate your understanding of their challenges.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as guiding a family through an EHCP process. Think through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, focusing on clarity and support.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some questions ready that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about the team dynamics or how they measure success in their advocacy work. This shows you're genuinely invested in the position.
