Healthwatch Somerset Manager: Up to 37 hours per week (minimum 30 hours) Monday – Friday with very occasional weekend or evening work
This is a {Advertised Permanent / Temporary}, {Advertised Full Time / Part Time} vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The Vacancy
Health and social care are continuously changing, with big shifts happening now in how services are designed and delivered. You will join us at an exciting time to ensure the independent public voice is heard, making sure those services work with and for people. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about making a difference to how health and social care services are delivered to the people of Somerset. This is a challenging, exciting and varied role, line-managing a small team where your input really matters with an employer who is committed to flexible working.
Healthwatch is all about people - capturing the views of local people on their experiences of using services, taking this feedback to NHS leaders and other local decision-makers to improve care, now and in the future, to make a health and social care system that is made for and includes everyone.
In Somerset, the Healthwatch service is hosted by The Advocacy People, who would be your employer. The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people’s voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to participate in, and influence decision-making about health and social care; and provide information which helps people make informed decisions.
A bit about The Advocacy People
We are an independent, Human Rights based charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy, advocacy-related provision and Healthwatch services, who make sure people are heard when it matters most.
For more information about advocacy and what we do, please go to our website: www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk where you will also find information about our attractive benefits package on the Jobs Vacancies page.
About the role
In this exciting role you will be
- Leading our feedback gathering activities to ensure that people’s views and experiences of health and social care are captured, listened to and taken account of by decision makers in Somerset at a key time of change and development.
- Developing and leading engagement activities and projects with a wide range of communities in Somerset including those seldom heard or marginalised.
- Line managing and enhancing the leadership of the local Healthwatch team.
What we need from you
We are looking for someone with the creativity and enthusiasm to engage with people and take their experience of health and care services to help improve and shape services across Somerset.
This role is initially fixed term to 31st March 2028 but with a view to becoming permanent. Ideally, we are looking for someone with experience of working collaboratively in a team in a health or social care role, with great communication and organising skills. The role is home-based with frequent travel within Somerset, attending meetings and events.
The hours are Monday to Friday with very occasional weekend or evening work.
As this role is home-based but with regular travel, you will need a full driving licence and your own transport, with full business cover insurance, as well as good mobile and internet connections and flexibility with working hours. You will also need to be based in Somerset or very close as you may only be paid expenses within the county boundary.
What happens next
Anyone joining our team is subject to The Advocacy People’s Safer Recruitment pre-appointment checks. Applicants invited to interview will need to bring evidence (photographic) of their right to work in the UK and new employee start dates will only be confirmed once other mandatory checks, including the appropriate DBS clearance and 2 satisfactory references, one of which will need to be from your most recent or current employer, have been received.
If you’d like to know more, the job description and information about how to apply can be found on The Advocacy People’s website vacancies page here.
We really look forward to hearing from you!
Closing Date: 9am 14th September 2026
Interview Date: W/C 18th September 2026
Interview venue: Online, via Teams
If you would like to discuss the role further, please email:
Steve John, Head of Operations, at: Stephen.John@theadvocacypeople.org.uk
We’re keen to meet great candidates as soon as possible. Interviews may be held as applications come in, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we have a high response, so don’t wait, apply early!
The Company
The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people’s voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to take part in, and influence, decision-making about health and social care; and providing information which helps people make informed decisions. As an independent charity grounded in Human Rights principles, we take pride in being one of the UK's foremost providers of advocacy and Healthwatch services. We're on a mission to make sure that when it truly matters, everyone's voice counts. Together, we support those who often feel sidelined, helping them shape decisions that affect their lives and communities.
Come and be a part of our welcoming community, where your voice matters and your contributions make a real difference.
EDI
By embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we can build a stronger, more resilient organisation and work together to create a more just and equitable society. We invite all members of our community to join us in this important journey toward positive change."
Registered charity no.: 1080679.
NB: The Advocacy People reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if it believes sufficient applications are received to make an appointment.
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